Buddhist Psychotherapy Methods

In Buddhism, there are many effective methods of psychotherapy. By using them properly and wisely, one can solve the problems being faced in day to day life.

The first method is Apattidesana, which is usually translated as confession. It is mostly practiced by monks and nuns in Buddhism. If a monk or a nun committed a certain offense, he or she has to inform or confess it to the others with a promise not to commit such thing next time. This kind of confession is usually performed in the middle of Sangha when they assemble in the Ordination-Hall to recite the Disciplinary Rules, Patimokkha. This confession has to be done before reciting the Rules. Apart from such occasions, monks usually do such confessions at the time of paying homage to the Buddha and of any other Sangha assemblies. By declaring one’s offenses to someone, an easy and fresh thought comes into one’s mind. This is in fact a kind of honesty or sharing things with companions, without storing unnecessary things in the mind. It has been said that honesty is the best policy. Be honest not only in physical action but also in verbal and mental actions. This psychiatric theory is taken as a good method.There are many different points of view on this method among the young monks of today dealing with the fact that whether one can be free from one's faults by just reciting the Pali Words written for that point, without really putting it into action. Feeling guilty is so much connected with mentality, that plays an important role in building a better way of life here and hereafter. If one believes that confession can cure one's mental problem, then it can be so much effective that one can be free from mental disorder, that comes out of too much stress and worry. Anyhow, there is no doubt that confession can make one feel relaxed and refresh. Anyone who wants to be healthy and happy should apply this method.

The second one is imitation. This is also an important fact. According to situation, we have to do the imitation of others so that we can deal with them. The Buddha applied this method in association with Angulimala and Alavaka as well as Kisagotami. The Buddha, on preaching Dhamma to them out of compassion, accepted and listened to their words to some extent, thus explaining what is what step by step. Do you think it is possible for Him to teach them if He had neglected their points of view? It is clear that the Buddha paved the way for beings to real happiness, applying this imitation method righteously and effectively while he was teaching the Dhamma to people with different views from different backgrounds. We can apply this method in association with children, old people and patients or more so that we can walk along with them. Sometimes, we need to agree with people to keep going on even though we cannot accept their behaviour and outlooks. This is a kind of understanding or recognizing others' attitude. This is really necessary for all of us on the way to a good position or society. It is not reasonable for us to say, to listen to and to do only when we find things interesting and amazing. It is imitation that can create a good conversation and build a good relationship through having mutual understanding and evaluating one another. The third one is dialogue. Today, many people are demanding it in many places such as society, business world, educational fields, especially in politics. Friendly talking and discussion are very important to reach a right conclusion. The Buddha used this method in the Kasibharadvaja Sutta and Dhaniyagopala sutta and so on. The Buddha met and talked friendly with them to get along with them and to reach the target. Talking heart to heart is the best way to see the hearts of people. Using this method, one can get rid of many problems such as wrong views, social tensions and misunderstanding and so on. It can help one to ease his stress or anxiety or more.

The fourth method is noble silence. This is also what we should follow to reduce a lot of stresses. Keeping in noble silence is better than talking useless things, which create many problems. We should refrain from vain talk, harsh speech. The Buddha applied this method when the Sanghas were in dispute with Rules and Discourses. He went to the Palileyya-forest and stayed there without saying any more. Sometimes, the Buddha, on being asked to answer useless questions, kept in noble silence. The ten questions of whether the world is finite or infinite, etc, are left unanswered by the Buddha. Besides, the nature of the Buddha, Kamma, Jhana, and the world are also left unanswered by the Buddha for they are not dealing with the realization of the Truth. This is also because an ordinary one cannot even ponder over them. If they were answered, these answers might make people mad or more. Sometimes, the noble silence can be the key to deal with problem. The fifth method is generalization. This is the way of tackling many problems as well. This can be seen in the Jataka Stories in which Budhisatta is usually generalized to have faced many kinds of problems: economic, political, social problems and so on. Through explaining that such a higher person had to faced them, one can understand vicissitudes and get satisfied with one’s life. Understanding that this is the nature of the world one can reduce mental problems. This can be used through psycho-analysis, which is a very useful method as well.

Sometimes, we need to use the method of showing kammic effect, giving the example of Petavatthu and Vimanavatthu, which are dealing with Kamma. In the present life, one has to reap what one has sowed in the past. It is necessary to talk and console a patient who is in grief with such a kammic theory. It is better to know there is goodness and badness in everyone. When one gets into trouble due to the bad kamma, there is nothing else except cultivating or developing what is good through donation, morality and meditation. Next, there comes right motivation that is what all of us need to have. This right motivation method is essential whatever we do. Where there is no right motivation, there cannot be a right development. Ven. Nanda could overcome his attachment to his ex-wife through the right motivation given by the Buddha. What is important is not to demotivate a patient while giving right motivation. Try not to forget that your real encouragement can change a downhearted one into a strong -minded one. After that, innocent punishment should be put into practice. This method is clear in the story of Channa, who was given an innocent punishment. With the help of it, he attained Arantship. However, innocent punishment does not mean neglecting one. This should be tackled carefully. In the case of children, we should ask them to read books and do homework or more. If possible, we can ask them to practice meditation for a short time as a way of innocent punishment. This will be different from one another according to situation. Finally, what we have got to do is to use the method of praising, which is an urgent demand today. The Buddha used this method in the case of Ven. Ananda. The Buddha praised him saying thus, ‘You have done a lot of meritorious deeds.’ In so many discourses, we can find such praise of the Buddha to monks who are worthy of it. It is a sort of honor everybody needs. This is what we need to follow. We have to recognize others' ability as they really are. There is no good effect by neglecting one’s ability, but many good results can come from praising one when necessary.

These useful methods of Buddhist psychotherapy can be applied to reduce stress and solve mental problems in day to day life. These methods have a great beneficial influence on the way of thinking and living.There are many effective methods if you know how to apply. Do it now, that is the best time.