EXAM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

EXAM - Essay Example 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