Exploring a counselling frame based on buddhist ontological soteriology, rooted in the four noble truths

ABSTRACT

This study proposes a counselling frame based on Buddhist ontological soteriology, rooted in the Four Noble Truths, derived from related doctrines in early Buddhism and the Yogācāra school of Buddhism. The frame is based on the main Buddhist doctrine on suffering that the Buddha emphasized– helping people in need to comprehend the nature of the person and personal identity, psychological mechanisms of dysfunction, a path to resolution, and employing skilful-meansto resolution– by clearly providing them with descriptive information and aguide on how to practice contemplation based on the presented information. The counselling frame suggested in the study aims to explore the pilot idea of applying Buddhist primary doctrines to suffering and its resolution for both the professionals and the clients.

KEYWORDS:

• Buddhist ontology
• soteriology
• the four noble truths
• yogācāra
• counselling

Abbreviations

Table

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges all the colleagues for their efforts and sincere collaboration this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. The three activities include seeds (bīja) generating seeds, seeds engendering manifest activity, and its perfuming (vāsanā).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeongil Kim

Dr Jeongil Kim, PhD in Buddhist studies and PhD in special education, has more than 25 years experiences in counseling for families and therapists who work with children having autism and related developmental challenges. Following an MS in special education at USU, she came back to Korea and established the Lotus Flowers Children Center for children with autism and related challenges. She is a director of the Shanti-Dharma Buddhist commune in Korea (http://www.lotus-shanti.org) and currently working on developing a meditation community to serve people who need meditation retreats.