When people think of Buddhism, they often imagine temples, Buddhist statues, chanting, rituals for good fortune, funerals, and cemeteries. The image of Buddhism in Japan is dominated by these traditional aspects. However, this is only one facet of Buddhism. When Buddhism is studied academically, through its history and scriptures, it reveals itself as a treasure trove of wisdom for navigating life, offering insights into the workings of the human mind and guiding people towards a fulfilling life free from suffering—a timeless wisdom from Buddha. This book explains the excellent cognitive psychological aspects inherent in Buddhism. The author argues that "Buddhism is not a religion about praying for favors, but rather aims to cultivate self-control and the ability to accurately interpret external events, and provides methods to achieve this." By tracing the history of Buddhism's introduction to Japan, the author refutes the common image of Japanese Buddhism as merely about rituals and funerals. Simultaneously, the book explores the commonalities between contemporary cognitive psychology and Buddhism, dissecting the structure of the mind and presenting "six methods" to free oneself from cognitive biases. While Buddhist lectures often use difficult terms like "impermanence," "non-self," "emptiness," "dependent origination," and "consciousness-only," this book provides clear and accessible explanations for modern readers, offering a fresh perspective on Buddhism through the lens of psychology. (This book is an edited version of the author's third lecture, "Freedom and Education—From a Buddhist Psychology Perspective," held by the citizen group "Teraso-ya.")
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