2nd Issue (January, 2007)

Editors Preface:

Welcome to the second edition of ‘Bodhi Journal’.  In this issue we explore a theme that has recently captured the imagination of Buddhists, scientists, and millions of others that have set out on the path of stress reduction, self improvement or the healing of the soul, mind or body – the exciting, popular, and dare we say avant garde topic ‘Buddhism and Psychology.’

Buddhism contains, and in some ways is, a psychology and epistemology devoted to the complete liberation of the individual at the deepest and most fundamental levels of cognitive activity, challenging our beliefs in and attachments to the ‘self,’ investigating the primal springboards of our desires and actions, and questioning taken-for-granted knowledge of the world and universe we inhabit.  Psychology, of course, is more concerned with the discernable and practicable than the spiritual and subliminal, and yet in recent times, adopting a predominantly pragmatic approach, it has indeed recognised the utility of a variety of Buddhist teachings and practices as means for enhancing positive psychological outcomes.  In this edition of ‘Bodhi Journal’ we hope to lead our readers to explore and broaden their understanding of both these themes – the first regarding the ancient psychology of Buddhism, and the second Buddhism’s influence, perceptions and utilisation in modern psychology. In particular, we hope to bring attention to the increasingly apparent areas of concurrence between these two traditions, vastly distanced as they are with regards to their respective eras, methodologies and formative social and intellectual contexts.

In this issue, ‘Face to Face’ presents the first half of an interview with Dr. Helen Ma, a respected clinical psychologist and a lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, who shares a richly informative and insightful overview of the state and nature of contemporary psychological research involving Buddhism - specifically research focusing on the therapeutic qualities of meditational practices. Our main feature, ‘From Helpless to Selfless – The Disruptive Nature of Papañca and Automatic Thoughts (Cognitive Therapy) – A Comparison,’ written by Tikva Shabrook from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka,
similarly investigates an area of concurrence between Buddhism and modern psychology, offering a detailed presentation of striking similarities between the ancient wisdom of Buddhism and a celebrated theory in contemporary psychology. ‘A Psychology of Joy – Reflections from Living in a Tibetan Monastery,’ was written by Margaret Blanch, a Psychology Honours graduate from Australia, and offers a more personal and lively account of the benefits and simple pleasures of the living practice of Buddhist psychology in a Tibetan Monastery in India. This issue also presents the academic paper: ‘The fundamental principles of Buddhist psychology and their relevance to Buddhism as a religion,’ composed by Corey Bell and the renowned Theravāda scholar Y. Karunadasa. Finally, we present two Chinese language articles from Mai Yinger, the first discussing the Buddhist perspective of armed conflict, and the second the spirit, characteristics and modern relevance of the five precepts.

Tung Lin Kok Yuen hopes you enjoy, and most importantly, draw benefit from, this year’s first edition of ‘Bodhi Journal.’

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