Buddhist Psychology

Question 1

Who is the 14th Dalai Lma

Answer 1

spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people

Question 2

What is the basis idea of Buddhism

Answer 2

• Urges self-control and worldly and self-understanding through meditation
• mind is “central and casual”

Question 3

What are the 4 noble truths?

Answer 3

1. There is suffering
2. The origin of suffering
3. The end of suffering
4. The eightfold path

Question 4

What does “there is suffering” mean?

Answer 4

• unaware of extent of suffering in the world (its an illusion)
• permit suffering into our conscious experience (don’t push aside)
• focus on experience of suffering in others, not on self

Question 5

What does “the origin of suffering” mean?

Answer 5

• craving, or attachment, or desire
• People are caught up in samsara (the wheel of suffering)
• Craving and bad behavior prevent nirvana and cycle of rebirth

Question 6

What are the 3 kinds of “ignorant desires”

Answer 6

1. Sensory pleasure (ie. sexual gratification)
2. To “continue to exist” (ie. ambitions for great success)
3. Annihilation (ie. getting rid of annoying people/neg. moods)

Question 7

What does “the end of suffering” mean?

Answer 7

• Detachment from craving is key! (use meditation)
• Identify, examine, and release attachments
• Arahants: ppl who end cycle of suffering

Question 8

What does “The Eightfold Path” mean?

Answer 8

• Take the “middle way” meaning avoid extremes of mortification or indulgence
• taking “middle path” with regard to 8 aspects of life

Question 9

What are the 8 steps on the path to ease suffering (The eightfold path)

Answer 9

Having the right:
1. Views
2. Intention
3. Speech
4. Actions
5. Livelihood
6. Effort
7. Mindfulness
8. Concentration

Question 10

What does Buddhism believe about “the self”

Answer 10

• The self is impermanent
• Anatta: we are deluded when we think of our “selves”. There is no separate Self
• identity changes across lives (rebirth)

Question 11

What is the goal of development?

Answer 11

To reach nirvana

nirvana: goal of spiritual development, in which there is no attachment, and therefore suffering has ended)

Question 12

What does buddhism say about transience and mortality?

Answer 12

• things are constantly changing (needs to recognize or fears of loss/death)
• Thre is rebirth in current world depending on one’s karma (karma = intentions)

Question 13

What does Buddhism say about consciousness?

Answer 13

• consciousness is chaotic and meditation helps
• Lucid dream during meditation can occur
• Meditation leads to “awakening” : recognizing true nature of things
• Enlightenment comes later

Question 14

What emotion is felt if you follow the right spiritual path?

Answer 14

Happiness

• strive for sukha (lasting happiness)
• momentary pleasures (drugs, junk food) have opposite long-term effects

Question 15

Buddhism is one of the worlds _____ religions.

Answer 15

Unangry

• no place for anger
• strive for tranquility and peace
• anger is diminished when persons self expands to include compassionate ID with others

Question 16

What emotion does Buddhism warn against?

Answer 16

Love because of sexual passions

• accepted in context of love and commitment
• warns against other sexual passions as it disturbs calmness of one’s mind

Question 17

What are the 3 poisons?

Answer 17

1. Passion (trying to posses what we desire)
2. Anger/Aggression (rejecting an object/person)
3. Ignorance (avoid or indifferent towards someone/something)

Question 18

What does Buddhism say about compassion as it related to interpersonal relationships?

Answer 18

• comes naturally with realization that a separate self is an illusion
• people should expand concept of self to include network of friends –>all humans–>all creatures

Question 19

What does Buddhism say about peace as it related to interpersonal relationships?

Answer 19

A person who moves towards inner peace creates a more peaceful world

Question 20

What types of meditation are often practices (2 types)

Answer 20

1. Concentrative: focused (usually on breathing)
2. Mindfulness: unfocused (allow thought/sensations to arise spontaneously)

Question 21

What are some effects of meditation?

Answer 21

1. Calming/joyful effect
2. Focused attention
3. Creativity
4. Better regulation of emotion
5. React less quickly to stimuli (become “stimulus-process-response creatures)
6. Decreased emotional response to “negative” stimuli

Question 22

How does meditation work as a treatment?

Answer 22

1. Treatment for hypertension, headaches, insomnia
2. Reduces Stress and Increases Relaxation (decreased HR, BP, stress hormone)