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FUNDAMENTALS OF BUDDHIST PSYCHOTHERAPY

By Rev. Uttamnanda
18/07/2014 (Sat)
Buddhist psychotherapy is a mental therapy which is a kind of solutions for mental
problems. Here psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health and issues by
discussing with a psychiatrist. The Buddhist Psychotherapy has fundamentals: greed (Lobha),
hatred (Dosa) and delusion (Moha) which are called three unwholesome roots (Hetus). They
need to be understood deeply as basic factors. According to the character analysis, there we find
another six characters in Visuddhimagga. They are greed (Lobha), hatred (Dosa), delusion
(Moha), confidence (Saddh), wisdom (Buddhi) and though (Vitakka).
When the unwholesome roots are compared with the final aim, they are negative in
Buddhism, but they have also positive aspect for ordinary level. It is Saddh character when
Lobha is positively developed. When the Dosa is positively developed, it becomes Buddhi
character. When the Moha is positively developed, it means Vitakka character.
Almost all the psychological problems are related to Lobha, Dosa and Moha. If we want
to destroy mental problems, we have to develop Saddh, Buddhi and Vitakka. One example is
Kisgotam who was full of grief. When she came with her dead child, the Buddha would not
enlighten her. Behavioral therapy was given her first. She has to walk from house to house in
order to search for mustard-seed to save her dead child. Thus, she came to understand the real
nature of life.
Then Lobha, Dosa, Moha and their opposite Alobha, Adosa and Amoha are basics ground
to determine whether good or bad. However, we cannot develop everything without greed and
Buddhism also does not deny it but in relation to the final realization, we have to destroy all
Lobha and so on. Next, there are three rejections (Pahnas): temporary rejection
(Tadigapahna), timely rejection (Vikkhambhanapahna) and complete rejection
(Samucchedapahna ). They are applied respectively with Sla, Samdhi and Pa to dispel the
mental questions.
Next, cause and effect theory of Kamma is basic aspect for Buddhist Psychotherapy.
There are many un-satisfactions in the world in connection with education, economic, polity,
social affairs etc. Thus people are facing the mental problems from morning to night. However,
they may satisfy and reduce their questions if they can consider that this is our past action etc.
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Because of the Kamma, people are different from each other such as colour, status, fortune,
dignity etc. according to Subha-sutta.
Then five aggregates are also considered one of the contents of Buddhist Psychotherapy.
There arises extremely desire in people due to the good appearance and anger arises due to the
unpleasant and ugly feature or scene. For instance, once, Nanda was attaching aggressively to
the fairly appear lady of Deva. When he considered the pretty body wisely as five aggregates
under the Buddhas instruction, he could eradicate the mental problem.
Next aspect is morality (Sla), concentration (Samdhi) and wisdom (Pa) which are
three main trainings in Buddhism. In that sense, Sla includes not only five precepts, eight
precepts, ten precepts but also monks precepts. Here we may say Sla as modern term
behavioral therapy that can apply to correct the mentality. Samdhi may interpret as mental
therapy and Pa as cognitive therapy, but they are not exactly. Indeed, morality, concentration
and wisdom are not separated from each other and they are interrelated. Finally, by practicing
these fundamental aspects, one can surely dispel not only mental problems but directly lead to
the realization of Nibbna.

Key Words: Psychotherapy, Mental Problems, Roots, Aggregate, Positive, Training
Ref; (1) Buddhist Psychotherapy (Web), (2) 2010 Lecture Note