Psychology & Buddhism.pdf

234 Kathleen H. Dockett and Doris North-Schulte
to keep them warm, while the forests of the land supplied the material for the boat
and fruits, berries, and herbs from its trees and bushes to nourish them during the
storm. The story shows that because one existed, the others existed. If you remove
one component of the story, it loses its meaning. The story is a clear case of
mutual interdependence. “Man” did not dominate over the animal or nature, but
was a part of the whole event carrying out his mission in the phenomena. That
awareness created peace on the ship.
Mahayana Buddhism teaches that attachment to difference brings about suffering
rather than joy; however, suffering is conducive to helping individuals
reflect on their lives and the causes they have made. Transcending difference does
not negate developing an awareness and acceptance of the diversity in our universe.
It warns us, however, of attaching too much attention to trying to prove that
one individual or group is better or worse than another or that one group has
“dominion” over another. Mahayana Buddhism contends that diversity is, in fact,
an essential part of nature and is required for continued life on the planet.
Mahayana Buddhism teaches that within our difference, every human being can
develop the true self, as one is, not by changing ethnicity, race, gender, occupation,
or nationality, but through the awareness and practice of these basic philosophical
principles. In Buddhism, there is the parable of the two bundles of reeds
tied together in a field. The wind surrounds them buffeting them here and there,
but they are able to maintain an upright position, sometimes swaying one way and
sometimes the other way; but because they are tied together, they are able to
maintain their upright position. The sun shines down on them equally and the
rain gets them both wet. If the cord, however, is severed and one is removed,
the other will fall or be blown away. Buddhism contends that this is the true
existence of all life on this planet; one can exist because the other exists.
The basic Buddhist principle of dependent origination serves as one of the major
integrating principles for uniting self and other. If realized and practiced it would
lead to the development of a sense of responsibility and appreciation for others
and to compassionate actions to live in harmony. In this way, the principle of
dependent origination could contribute to the prevention of future ethno-political
conflicts.
The further one gets away from understanding the interconnectedness and
interdependence of all life on this planet, the more one becomes alienated from
self and others and the more one is willing to kill others and wage a war to
create some kind of supposed superior status and exclusive place in society. Such
actions are based on delusionary and distorted views. To deny the interdependence
and value of the entire human race is to deny one’s own humanity and
ultimately, one’s individual Buddha nature.
Four Buddhist principles have emerged in this paper that could serve as
potential resources for the development of individuals. In carrying out the will of