The Role of Psychology in the Doctrine of Dependent Origination from Various Schools of Buddhist Thought
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Abstract
The concept of Dependent Origination (paṭiccasamuppāda) is so deep and profound
that it plays important teaching in Buddhism. The Buddha himself praised those who
could understand the theory of causation through intensive observation of suffering, training
of insight, absorption of knowledge and seeing the truth as it is. Apart from the Buddha’s
presentation of the teaching of Dependent Origination, it was also skillfully ascribed by the
Buddha’s immediate pupils and subsequent eminent Buddhist scholars, such as Nāgārjūna
(2nd Century CE.) and Buddhaghosa (5th Century CE.). The Buddha and his disciples’
interpretation of the doctrine of Dependent Origination has appeared in the early Nikāya texts
of the Pāḷi traditions. Moreover, the framework for this seminal teaching appeared to the
Buddha during the period when he struggled for and later attained enlightenment. The doctrine
of Dependent Origination captured the Buddha’s vision, knowledge, and highest wisdom.
It provides the conceptual framework for Buddhist psychology which describes the origin
and cessation of suffering and how to wisely reflect on the mind (yoniso manasikāra). The
aim of this research paper is to describe the role of psychology in the doctrine of Dependent
Origination from various schools of Buddhist thought.
Article Details
Views and opinions expressed in the articles published by The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Universities (JIABU), are of responsibility by such authors but not the editors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors.
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