A Study on the Person-centered Counseling Principle in Doctrine fo Won-Buddhism

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to define a new understanding of Won-Buddhist counseling, and to establish the theoretical system and method of the counseling. To that end, based on the person-centered counseling principle in the doctrine of Won-Buddhism, the study explored a Won-Buddhist view of human, cause of psychological problems, and solutions for psychological problems, and attempted to apply the person-centered counseling to the Won-Buddhist counseling. Regarding the view of human, person-centered counseling tells that human has a self- actualization tendency, and Won-Buddhism regards human nature as Dharmakāya Buddha. Regarding the cause of psychological problems, the person-centered counseling regarded it as inconsistency between self-concept and the organic experience, and Won-Buddhism considered that the mind created along the sensory conditions was caused by not being respected. Regarding the solutions for psychological problems, the person-centered counseling suggested the three attitudes of the counselor - truthfulness, unconditional positive respect, and empathic understanding. Meanwhile, Won-Buddhism confirmed that the three attitudes are included in Sotaesan’s attitude of great love and great compassion. As a way to heal the mind that occurs due to the sensory conditions, attention was paid to the three attitudes of Rogers. The cases of counseling in The Collected Works of Sotaesan Sermon Ⅰ․Ⅱ written by Jusan also showed three attitudes of person-centered counselors. The goal of the person-centered counseling is to help one become a ‘fully-functioning person,’ while Won- Buddhist counseling based on the Won-Buddhist doctrine should aim to help one become a ‘person who studies the mind on one’s own.’ The person who studies his mind by himself should be encouraged to move on to maintain, grow and develop not only himself but also the society so that the world of paradise will be constructed.