“DIPLOMA IN BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY” A FOUR & A HALF SEMESTER PROGRAMME
A unique and in many cases life changing learning experience working with a highly talented team, to develop skills and knowledge and to contribute to the on-going development of applied Buddhist psychology.
Theme: Buddhist Psychology has been developing over the past 2500 years. This unusual programme presents this wisdom in a form accessible to modern people. The programme based primarily upon the work of Dr. David Brazier, has been developing over three decades and has been run in Korean, Spanish and English, It is continuously revised and updated in the light of changing circumstances (covid, etc.), student experience, and new research and studies. The 2023 intake will be the second run of the current iteration of the course and students will have some interaction with those who are one year ahead of them.
The programme presents Buddhist teachings as a psychological medium. This is not a course on using Buddhist techniques to assist Western style therapy, but rather an in-depth examination of Buddhist wisdom applied as psychology: the spiritual path from a psychological point of view and psychological work from a spiritual perspective. It imparts important, liberating, interpersonal skills, personal insight and develops Buddhist compassion.
Format:
study material: theoretical and stimulus material, mostly text, but also including audio and video items, is presented on dedicated web pages with associated experiential exercises for students to perform and report back on.
co-operative learning - students see and comment on each other's work.
seminars by zoom every two or three weeks led by staff with time for student inter-action.
individual tutorials.
peer learning and practice groups and pairings.
on-line weekend workshops three times per year (January, june & October) with lectures, case presentation, experiential groupwork and topic discussions.
The Spring Semesters (February-July) are divided into four "Classrooms" of six weeks each. The Autumn Semesters (September-January) have three Classrooms. Each Classroom contains three topics for study.
Content: The study materials introduce the major Buddhist teachings common to most schools of Buddhism presented as psychology, showing their applications in personal practice, interpersonal work, psychotherapy and society. The material is quite extensive and requires a minimum of three hours per week.
Suitable for: This is a programme for therapists who want to deepen their understanding of the Buddhist perspective, for Buddhist practitioners wishing to learn a therapeutic and inter-personal way of applying the Buddhist teachings, and for all wishing to deepen their insight into their own lives and relationships with others.
Time Zones: Students come from many countries and zones. Seminars are generally repeated morning and evening European time so as to provide options.
Pre-Entry: New intake is on 1st February each year, but students who book early may start to attend seminars from their date of enrolment
Staff:
Dr David Brazier, psychotherapist and Buddhist teacher, author of a sixteen books including Zen Therapy and many other writings. Co-editor of the Oxford Manual of Meditation. English living in France.
Dr. Iris Dotan Katz, clinical psychologist with a private practice in Tel Aviv has many years of experience in Zen and Pureland Buddhism and in socially engaged action and peacemaking.
Dr. Yaya de Andrade, retired psychologist now with the Red Cross, with special interest working with indigenous, refugees, and other groups. She has worked extensively with populations recovering from major disasters around the world. Brazilian, living in Canada.
Kimiko Nita, clinical psychologist, specialises in work with children and young adults, has a private practice for adult clients in Tokyo, and a special interest in Naikan therapy.
Dr. Priti Vaishnav, from India, who has extensive experience in working in areas of social distress around the world, will participate and also offer administrative support
Fees: In line with Buddhist principles of dana all the staff give their time and expertise freely and voluntarily. Funds raised are used to support Buddhist inspired projects. The suggested contribution is £200 per semester.
To Register an Interest: Please write to Jisshas <jisshas@googlegroups.com> giving Full name, Date of birth. Street address. E-mail address. Details of your background in Buddhism (if any). Details of your background in psychology/therapy (if any). Your resons for interest in the course.
