A bodhisattva-spirit-oriented counselling framework: inspired by Vimalakīrti wisdom

A number of studies have integrated Buddhist principles into therapeutic interventions, demonstrating effective outcomes; however, very little Buddhist textual data support the theoretical foundation of those models. This exploratory research conceptualises a counselling framework based on a canonic...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Authors: Cheng, Fung Kei (Author) ; Tse, Samson (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: SpringerOpen [2014]
In: International journal of Dharma Studies
Year: 2014, Volume: 2
Further subjects:B Bodhisattva-mārga
B Expressive art
B Catvāri apramānāni
B Mixed Method
B Qualitative fieldwork
B Vimalakīrti Nirdesa Sūtra
B Cross-disciplinary research
B Self-benefiting altruism
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:A number of studies have integrated Buddhist principles into therapeutic interventions, demonstrating effective outcomes; however, very little Buddhist textual data support the theoretical foundation of those models. This exploratory research conceptualises a counselling framework based on a canonical analysis of the Vimalakīrti Nirdesa Sūtra, together with a qualitative inquiry. Thirty-eight informants, including helping service practitioners, Buddhist masters, Buddhist volunteers, and beneficiaries, were recruited through cold calls, social networks, referrals, and electronic mail. Forty-six semi-structured interview sessions, involving individuals and focus groups, were conducted in the form of face-to-face discussions, telecommunication, and correspondence. Data collection was performed using multiple sources, consisting of interviews, expressive art, and autobiographies. Both scriptural and fieldwork data were analysed with the aid of ATLAS.ti 7, a software package; while interview data were processed under phenomenological interpretative analysis. Different levels of triangulation were employed to enhance the research rigour, including member-checking of transcriptions and data interpretation, and peer analysis, with an inter-rated reliability of 92%. This bodhisattva-spirit-oriented counselling framework was then finalised with two super-ordinate themes (philosophical concepts and propositions for counselling), 14 emergent themes, and 40 themes. This counselling framework, from the prajñā perspective, not only exhibits Mahāyāna wisdom, but also revitalises the practicality and applicability of catvāri apramānāni (the four immeasurables) in today's contemporary context, approving the aspiration of the Buddha to serve sentient beings.
ISSN:2196-8802
Contains:Enthalten in: International journal of Dharma Studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1186/s40613-014-0006-9