Buddhism & Buddhist Psychology
The Four Noble Truths:
1) All life is suffering. This sounds gloomy, but it is not. Admitting that you are
suffering is not unlike going to a doctor or a therapist with a complaint. It is presented
as a matter of fact: "I am suffering." By acknowledging that suffering exists at every
turn in life gives us a chance to address this problem.
2) Suffering is caused by attachment. This is like a diagnosis. It tells us why so many
suffer, and how the "attachment" talked about in Buddhism may be different than the
type of attachment we are used to talking about.
3) There is a way out of this suffering. This is like a prognosis. A pronouncement that
there is a cure for the suffering people experience in life.
4) That way is the Eight Fold Path. This is like the treatment. Because this is not truly a
medical matter, we will find that the Eight-Fold Path is a way to approach life which will
lead you out of suffering.
The Eight Fold Path:
1) Right Understanding
2) Right Intention
3) Right Speech
4) Right Action
5) Right Livelihood
6) Right Effort
7) Right Mindfulness
8) Right Concentration
Zen Buddhist Stages of Change: The 10 Bulls
The 10 steps to change outlined here are accompanied by some beautiful woodcut
illustrations.
1) All life is suffering. This sounds gloomy, but it is not. Admitting that you are
suffering is not unlike going to a doctor or a therapist with a complaint. It is presented
as a matter of fact: "I am suffering." By acknowledging that suffering exists at every
turn in life gives us a chance to address this problem.
2) Suffering is caused by attachment. This is like a diagnosis. It tells us why so many
suffer, and how the "attachment" talked about in Buddhism may be different than the
type of attachment we are used to talking about.
3) There is a way out of this suffering. This is like a prognosis. A pronouncement that
there is a cure for the suffering people experience in life.
4) That way is the Eight Fold Path. This is like the treatment. Because this is not truly a
medical matter, we will find that the Eight-Fold Path is a way to approach life which will
lead you out of suffering.
The Eight Fold Path:
1) Right Understanding
2) Right Intention
3) Right Speech
4) Right Action
5) Right Livelihood
6) Right Effort
7) Right Mindfulness
8) Right Concentration
Zen Buddhist Stages of Change: The 10 Bulls
The 10 steps to change outlined here are accompanied by some beautiful woodcut
illustrations.
There are many different approaches to Buddhism. For many, Buddhism is a type
of psychology - a way of understanding human experience, the human condition,
and the laws of nature.
Buddhist Psychology is being used more and more in psychotherapy in America
and other countries. Some of the initial ideas were put forth by the historical
Buddha, 2500 years ago. Two basic ideas are The Four Noble Truths and the
Eight-Fold Path.
of psychology - a way of understanding human experience, the human condition,
and the laws of nature.
Buddhist Psychology is being used more and more in psychotherapy in America
and other countries. Some of the initial ideas were put forth by the historical
Buddha, 2500 years ago. Two basic ideas are The Four Noble Truths and the
Eight-Fold Path.
| CHRISTIAN WOLFF, MA Licensed Psychologist Associate/Consultant 820 NW 21st Avenue, Suite B . Portland. Oregon . 97209 . 503-284-4501 . christian@christianwolff.com |
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