Psychoanalysis.  2021 Oct;32(4):117-126. 10.18529/psychoanal.2021.32.4.117.

Psychoanalytic Understanding of ‘Dukkha’ in Buddhism: Based on ‘Four Noble Truths’ Part 1

• Kim HH
• Ha JH

• KMID: 2521507
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18529/psychoanal.2021.32.4.117

Abstract

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in Buddhism in the field of psychiatry. Four Noble Truths is a primitive Buddhist teaching that deals with human suffering. Four Noble Truths relate to suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and how to extinguish suffering. Suffering is called Dukkha in the old indian language. Authors analyzed the similarities and dif-ferences between Buddhism and psychoanalysis focused on ‘suffering’. Four Noble Truths can be interpreted psychoanalytically in terms of cure for human suffering. First Noble Truth is a declaration that life is suffering. While Buddhism emphasizes the im-permanence and selflessness in understanding suffering, psychoanalysis understands suffering as a developmental task and individ-ual conflict based on previous experiences. In addition, while psychoanalysis pursues a healthy self, Buddhism rejects all conceptual-ization of the self and places importance on the selflessness. In conclusion, Buddhism and psychoanalysis have a common point of dealing with human suffering, but there is a difference between the treatment methods and the ultimate goals.

Keyword

Psychoanalysis; Buddhism; Religion; Culutre.