Psychological Aspects of Selected Cardinal Buddhist 'Suttas'
Dissertation, California Institute of Integral Studies (
1989)
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Abstract
This study presents four cardinal Buddhist suttas, and demonstrates their dynamic psychological relevance to Abhidhamma Pitaka. Scholars have often overlooked the psychological elements of the Sutta Pitaka. The aim of this project is to show the suttas as reservoirs of dynamic and applied psychology. ;The suttas examined in this project are categorized under two headings. In the first section, Pariyatti , two suttas are presented: the Dhammacakkappavatana Sutta and the Anattalakkhana Sutta. The second section, Patipatti , contains: the Kalama Sutta and the Mahasatipatthana Sutta. ;This study demonstrates that Buddhism is a soteriological system founded on a triadic discipline of Sila , Samiadhi , and Panna . Its specific purpose is threefold: to show that psychology, the study of mind, plays a significant role in Buddhism; to show the psychological relevance of the selected cardinal suttas to Abhidhamma Pitaka; and to illustrate the rich teachings of the Buddha, showing how they can be applied today with potentially transcendental benefits for all