From May 24 to 25, 2024, the Center for Buddhist Studies at Fo Guang University hosted the workshop "From Language as Body to Discipline as Essence," attended by approximately 150 guests both in-person and online. This event was an extension of the 2020–2022 "Interdisciplinary Research Project on Buddhist Studies and Psychology." Eleven experts and scholars from Fo Guang University, National Chengchi University, Tzu Chi University, the University of Taipei, and the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism were invited to engage in dialogue, exploring how Buddhism and psychology explain the formation and transformation of the "Self."
Yogacara (Consciousness-Only) philosophy posits that the life and body of sentient beings are constituted by the "seeds of names and words" (linguistic concepts) within the Alaya-vijnana (Storehouse Consciousness); thus, this is termed "Language as Body." The body, in turn, is the subject that upholds precepts. To highlight that "keeping precepts" is not merely the observance of external regulations but a process starting with a "vow", gradually internalizing norms and morality to ultimately achieve the transformation of the "Self," the workshop adopted the theme "Discipline as Essence." This deepens the meaning of the "Essence of the Precept" (戒體). The principle that language drives ethical behavior to eventually liberate oneself and others from suffering shares parallels with the theories and techniques of modern psychotherapy, where language and ethical action are used to achieve healing. These intersecting ideas formed the core of the workshop's discussions.
In addition to paper presentations, the workshop included practical seminars and experiential sessions such as "Yogacara Contemplation in Buddhist Rituals" and "Body and Speech Aggregates: A Discussion on the 'Precept Essence' in Psychotherapeutic Action."
Venerable Miao Fan, Dean of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, conveyed blessings from Venerable Tzu Hui, Chair of the Board of Fo Guang University. Ven. Miao Fan noted that the dialogue between Buddhism and psychology faces the dual challenge of crossing both disciplinary and cultural boundaries. However, both fields focus on the "Mind" and seek solutions for spiritual suffering. As civilization develops, issues related to the "Mind" have become increasingly critical. She expressed hope that the dialogue between the two parties would coalesce into practical solutions for solving these mental issues.
Professor Wan Jinchuan, Director of the Center for Buddhist Studies at Fo Guang University, stated that with the support of Fo Guang Shan, the Center upholds the late Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s instructions to maintain an open attitude toward cross-disciplinary exchange, allowing scholars to understand and support one another on this platform. He announced that next year, in collaboration with the Buddha Museum and the Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, the Center will launch the "Boundless Treasury" project—a combination of paper presentations, static and dynamic exhibitions, and popular lectures—to showcase the diverse forms of Buddhist propagation past and present. He likened Buddhism to a vast field open for cultivation by all sectors, noting that this interdisciplinary dialogue is just the beginning of building more bridges outward.
Professor Lee Wai-Lun of the Department of Philosophy at National Chengchi University (also a board member of the Chinese Indigenous Social Science Research Foundation and the Chinese Association of Psychotherapy), mentioned during the comprehensive panel discussion that Master Hsing Yun’s advocacy for Buddhists to affirm "I am a Buddha" can be viewed as an act of vowing to keep precepts. He suggested that if Buddhists avoid falling into solipsism or the view of an intrinsic self-nature when understanding the "Self," they can attempt "Exercises of the 'Self'" in daily life to reflect on the meaning of the "Self" they perceive.
Professor Guo Chao-Shun, the Project Director and Dean of the College of Buddhist Studies at Fo Guang University, explained that the purpose of the research project is to combine the liberation theory of the "Threefold Training" (Precepts, Meditation, and Wisdom) with modern psychotherapeutic knowledge and techniques to create more possibilities for saving sentient beings. This workshop focused on the "Study of Precepts." Reflecting on what constitutes the "I" in the vow "I am a Buddha" involves daily meditative observation. Since Chinese Buddhism is characterized by "Dynamic Chan" (meditation in action), he plans to make "Chan in Action" the focus of the next interdisciplinary dialogue.
Participating trainees affirmed the workshop's return to Buddhist practice and moral implementation, noting that the speakers demonstrated the Dharma in life through empirical methods. Some participants expressed hope that the dialogue between psychology and Buddhism could develop an indigenous psychotherapy model, promoting academic knowledge to the general public so that more people can transform themselves and others, jointly creating a pure land on earth.
The workshop attracted attention from experts in medicine and social work, as well as professors and graduate students from university departments including guidance and counseling, education, religious studies, thanatology, psychology, and philosophy.
Yogacara (Consciousness-Only) philosophy posits that the life and body of sentient beings are constituted by the "seeds of names and words" (linguistic concepts) within the Alaya-vijnana (Storehouse Consciousness); thus, this is termed "Language as Body." The body, in turn, is the subject that upholds precepts. To highlight that "keeping precepts" is not merely the observance of external regulations but a process starting with a "vow", gradually internalizing norms and morality to ultimately achieve the transformation of the "Self," the workshop adopted the theme "Discipline as Essence." This deepens the meaning of the "Essence of the Precept" (戒體). The principle that language drives ethical behavior to eventually liberate oneself and others from suffering shares parallels with the theories and techniques of modern psychotherapy, where language and ethical action are used to achieve healing. These intersecting ideas formed the core of the workshop's discussions.
In addition to paper presentations, the workshop included practical seminars and experiential sessions such as "Yogacara Contemplation in Buddhist Rituals" and "Body and Speech Aggregates: A Discussion on the 'Precept Essence' in Psychotherapeutic Action."
Venerable Miao Fan, Dean of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, conveyed blessings from Venerable Tzu Hui, Chair of the Board of Fo Guang University. Ven. Miao Fan noted that the dialogue between Buddhism and psychology faces the dual challenge of crossing both disciplinary and cultural boundaries. However, both fields focus on the "Mind" and seek solutions for spiritual suffering. As civilization develops, issues related to the "Mind" have become increasingly critical. She expressed hope that the dialogue between the two parties would coalesce into practical solutions for solving these mental issues.
Professor Wan Jinchuan, Director of the Center for Buddhist Studies at Fo Guang University, stated that with the support of Fo Guang Shan, the Center upholds the late Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s instructions to maintain an open attitude toward cross-disciplinary exchange, allowing scholars to understand and support one another on this platform. He announced that next year, in collaboration with the Buddha Museum and the Institute of Humanistic Buddhism, the Center will launch the "Boundless Treasury" project—a combination of paper presentations, static and dynamic exhibitions, and popular lectures—to showcase the diverse forms of Buddhist propagation past and present. He likened Buddhism to a vast field open for cultivation by all sectors, noting that this interdisciplinary dialogue is just the beginning of building more bridges outward.
Professor Lee Wai-Lun of the Department of Philosophy at National Chengchi University (also a board member of the Chinese Indigenous Social Science Research Foundation and the Chinese Association of Psychotherapy), mentioned during the comprehensive panel discussion that Master Hsing Yun’s advocacy for Buddhists to affirm "I am a Buddha" can be viewed as an act of vowing to keep precepts. He suggested that if Buddhists avoid falling into solipsism or the view of an intrinsic self-nature when understanding the "Self," they can attempt "Exercises of the 'Self'" in daily life to reflect on the meaning of the "Self" they perceive.
Professor Guo Chao-Shun, the Project Director and Dean of the College of Buddhist Studies at Fo Guang University, explained that the purpose of the research project is to combine the liberation theory of the "Threefold Training" (Precepts, Meditation, and Wisdom) with modern psychotherapeutic knowledge and techniques to create more possibilities for saving sentient beings. This workshop focused on the "Study of Precepts." Reflecting on what constitutes the "I" in the vow "I am a Buddha" involves daily meditative observation. Since Chinese Buddhism is characterized by "Dynamic Chan" (meditation in action), he plans to make "Chan in Action" the focus of the next interdisciplinary dialogue.
Participating trainees affirmed the workshop's return to Buddhist practice and moral implementation, noting that the speakers demonstrated the Dharma in life through empirical methods. Some participants expressed hope that the dialogue between psychology and Buddhism could develop an indigenous psychotherapy model, promoting academic knowledge to the general public so that more people can transform themselves and others, jointly creating a pure land on earth.
The workshop attracted attention from experts in medicine and social work, as well as professors and graduate students from university departments including guidance and counseling, education, religious studies, thanatology, psychology, and philosophy.
