A study of Theravāda Vinayapiṭaka from a psychotherapeutical perspective

Abstract

This research aims to explore the Vinayapiṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism to examine its behavior psychotherapeutic contents and contexts. Though there are few studies that explore psychological and psychotherapeutic values of early Buddhist teachings, they are solely based on the Suttapiṭaka and the Abhidhammapiṭaka of the Pāli Canon. This lack of interest in undertaking research into the Vinayapiṭaka for examining its psychotherapeutic values could be due to the prevailing view that the Vinaya has to do with the outer behavior of the monastic members. This study takes an opposite view and shows that the contents and contexts of the Vinayapiṭaka have served as a rich source for generating inner transformation of the monastic members, and that it contains varying degrees of disciplinary measures applied for effecting both inner and outer transformation. Thus, this study attempts to show the pragmatic importance and psychotherapeutic perspective of Vinaya by examining the monastic disciplinary rules and the ecclesiastical ordinances to be exercised for transformation of behavior. In addition, it views disciplinary rules and acts of penalty as behavior rehabilitation therapeutic measures for restraining behavior. By so doing, this research attempts to throw new light on the possibility of taking Theravāda Vinayapiṭaka as a rich source for understanding the early Buddhist behavior psychotherapeutical implications that can contribute immensely to the enrichment of the teaching of the Buddha.