Differences between the Buddhist and the Western Approaches of Determining the Problems Sources - Essay Example

Exam Art of Happiness What are the three differences between the Buddhist and the Western approaches of determining the sources of one’s problems? In The Art of Happiness, Dalai Lama uses Buddhist teachings to explain suffering and the temporary cycle of existence in the “Wheel of Life”. Dalai Lama differentiates Buddhist and Western approaches in determining the sources of one’s problems. He points out that today’s modern Western society seems to condition people culturally, basing its logic on science. However, science sometimes limits one’s ability to handle certain realities. Science emphasizes cause and effect. It emphasizes that everything must be explained and accounted for. Science argues that everything that happens has a cause; and has an effect. Hence, when one is faced with a situation that one cannot explain, tension rises. This tension leads to pain. The pain arises from the views of Western psychology that everything must be accounted for within this lifetime. Buddhism argues that all the problems we experience are due to ignorance, which can be overcome by practicing Dharma. Quality of life depends on inner development of peace and happiness. Unlike Western Psychology that relates one’s problems with external factors that condition behavior, Buddhism argues that to avoid pain, we must first achieve peace in our minds. Guided by spiritual values, one is able to achieve inner peace. Western Psychology on the other hand does not recognize spiritualism or spiritual values as ways of avoiding pain. Western Psychology seeks to use facts that can be hypothetically tested to arrive at generalizations. Since spiritualism cannot be scientifically tested, Western Psychology does not recognize it in explaining the sources of one’s pain. Buddhism assumes that imprints are carried over from past life. Western psychology on the other hand assumes that everything must be accounted for within this lifetime. Western psychology links what it cannot explain to the unconscious. Although Buddhism can embrace many assumptions of Western psychology, it would use conditioning and imprints from previous life to explain why one experiences pain. Buddhism teaches how to examine the mind and explains the causes of pain and misery; and the causes of happiness. It teaches how to cultivate a mind of virtue that leads to enlightment. Buddhism argues that transforming the mind to view suffering as natural and helpful helps to maintain balance in the body. It argues that suffering should be viewed as part of a greater path which makes the mind pure and reaches a state where one conquers suffering. Thinking of suffering as an unnatural occurrence leads to pain. Human beings experience varied forms of suffering, but what sets individuals apart is how they deal with suffering. 2. What does the Dalia Lama say about happiness in relation to nature-nurture? Dalia Lama argues that human beings naturally want happiness and not suffering. This leads everyone to make an effort to achieve happiness and get rid of suffering. This effort to attain happiness and eliminate suffering is everyone’s right. It is therefore human nature to nurture happiness. Lama points out that the realization that change is inevitable helps people understand the nature of our existence. When one commits a mistake, he should realize that time heals and use time to his or her advantage. Focusing on past mistakes tarnishes self confidence. People inherently have the ability to find happiness. Happiness depends more on one’s state of mind than it is influenced by external factors. A flexible mind that easily adapts to change is best suited to survive. When looking at situations, it is important to evaluate whether our choices will provide us short term pleasure or long time happiness. Generally, it is only natural for human beings to want happiness and loath pain. Therefore, human beings are constantly nurturing environments that foster happiness. One of the ways of nurturing happiness is through the realization that worrying does not help at all. In order to be happy, one should face changes in life with an open mind. When faced with changes that one can fix, it helps to fix the issues without unnecessary worry. On the other hand, when faced with an issue that one cannot fix, it helps to let it be and worry less. 3. What does the Dalai Lama say about positive and negative desire? How does this relate to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? Dalai Lama argues that positive imprints in one’s “mental continuum” takes place in one’s mind when one engages in positive actions and restrains from negative actions. He further argues that individuals should be aware of negative emotions of greed, anger and envy; and combat these by thinking positive based on compassion, kindness and calmness. Positive desires make people more sociable, flexible, creative and happy. On the other hand, negative desires lead to self-focused, socially withdrawn and unhappy people. Lama argues that happiness is not something ready. On the contrary, it is cultivated from actions that favor it – which are mainly positive. Just like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the Wheel of Life in Buddhism is hierarchical. The Wheel points out that from right understanding proceeds right thought; from right thought proceeds right speech; from right speech proceeds right action; from right action proceeds right livelihood; from right livelihood proceeds right effort; from right effort proceeds right awareness; from right awareness proceeds right concentration; from right concentration proceeds right wisdom; from right wisdom proceeds right liberation. Liberation means achievement of inner peace and happiness. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, liberation would mark the attainment of self actualization. Maslow notes that human motivations generally move through psychological needs, safety needs; belonging needs, love needs, esteems needs to self actualization needs1. In Buddhist terms, attainment of self actualization would mean achievement of liberation. 4. Write a 200 word essay using the Dalai Lama’s concepts of how you create self-created suffering and give a personal example. Dalai Lama points out that craving, hatred and ignorance are the three main poisons of the mind. It is important to be content with one’s life and appreciate one’s situations. Greed is brought about by lack of contentment. This causes frustration and unhappiness. Lama argues that contentment can be achieved either by obtaining all material things that we want and desire; or by not having what we want but by wanting and appreciating what we have. Discontentment with one’s abilities breeds self hatred. He highlights that if the love for oneself is lost, one begins to view others as enemies. This then leads to suffering and confusion irrespective of how much knowledge, education, or material one attains. Lama highlights the need for personal discipline in achieving happiness. It is possible to train the mind to focus on happiness. He points out that self discipline is difficult to achieve but should be a defensive mechanism of eliminating negative emotions. For example, being in the upper middle class may mean that I can afford basic needs and live a relatively decent life. By accepting this situation, I feel content and happy. That way, I will not have to try too hard to live luxuriously and end up straining my resources. 5. Write a 200 word essay using the Dalai Lama’s concepts of how do you find value and benefit of compassion and give a personal example. Lama points out that in order to be happy, one ought to find compassion. He points out that doing good to others brings out the good in us. It is important to share problems and concerns with friends. Dalai Lama advocates for maintaining closeness with as many people as possible. This helps us understand people and share their experiences. Learning to develop patience and tolerance towards one’s enemies enables compassion for others to flow naturally. Everyone appreciates kindness and compassion regardless of whether one believes in religion or not. Lama points out that life’s most important purpose is to help others and that if we fail to do that, the least we can do is not to hurt them. Lama highlights that when our actions are guided by compassion and wisdom, everyone benefits. He further argues that if we are able to recognize and forgive ignorant actions of the past, we gain strength to creatively solve present problems. For Lama, “compassion is the radicalism of our time”. It is the way to change people’s minds and achieve happiness. Everyone can try to spread compassion in his or her own way. For example, I find helping the needy really rewarding. Also, volunteering to help the elderly and the sick is an act of passion that greatly benefits the society. 8. Write a 200 word essay using the Dalai Lama’s concepts of how you deal anxiety and build self-esteem and give a personal example. Lama highlights that we should not be anxious about things that we can fix. Nonetheless, we should not worry about issues we cannot fix. For issues we can fix, it means that we are able to overcome them and be happy. For issues we cannot fix, being anxious about them only fosters negative energy. According to him, we should judge our success by what we had to give up attaining that success. Knowing and appreciating one’s strengths is a great way of dealing with anxiety. Knowing one’s limits helps one to engage in things that one can handle. It avoids overburdening oneself. Also, it offers an avenue to seek help where one is unable to fix an issue and help others who need our help. Being calm, knowing one’s limits and avoiding worry enable us to be successful. It fosters growth of different talents and skills. It is worth noting that individuals are different; and individuals have different capabilities. For example, I may be good at sports while my best friend may be good in academics. Appreciating these differences enables diversity and appreciation of different talents and skill. A diverse society has a great pool of talent and is better developed. 9. Write a 200 word essay using the Dalai Lama’s concepts on basic spiritual values and how you could use them in your daily life. Buddhism highlights the importance of spirituality. Lama advocates for appreciation of religions, adding that no religion is better than another and that people should make a point to learn the teachings of different religions. To him, religion’s main purpose is to facilitate love, compassion, patience, tolerance, humility and forgiveness. Lama notes that the foundation of all spiritual practice is love, which he urges everyone to practice. To him, love is the absence of judgment. Love enables individuals to appreciate life, develop themselves and to act in the benefit of others. Lama notes that love and compassion are necessities without which one cannot survive. In my daily life, love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness - among other spiritual values - can help me in my relationships. These values would foster amicable relations with people around me. By applying spirituality and ethics in my daily life, I would be in a better position to resolve differences and enhance cooperation with people around me. By exercising love, I would indulge in activities that are not only beneficial to me but those which are also beneficial to people around me. Promoting ethics and spirituality is a great way in living a productive, peaceful and happy life. References Lama., Dalai and Cutler., H.C. The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. 1998. Maslow., Abraham. Motivation and Personality. Harper and Row Publishers. 1954 Read More