Organized by by FGU-DBS and co-sponsored by the Fo Guang Shan Cultural and Educational Foundation, the workshop "Suffering and Healing" was held online from June 26 to 27, with more than 400 people in attendance from locations all across the world, including Vancouver, Malaysia, Singapore, China, and Hong Kong.
The workshop marked the finale to the 109th academic year's Buddhism and Psychology Colloquia, entitled "Cross-disciplinary Teaching and Research." Both scholars with internal and external affiliations were invited to speak on "suffering, its causes, and its remedies" from the perspectives of Buddhism and psychology. The day was divided into sessions, such as "The Nature of Suffering" and "The Healing of Suffering", to facilitate synergistic dialogue with cumulative shared understanding developed from the ground up for the diverse audience representing many specialized disciplines within the two fields of Buddhism and Psychology.
In her opening remarks, FGU Academic Dean and Dept. of Psychology Prof. Lin Wenying encouraged bolder visions to integrate Buddhism with various applied disciplines and to develop teaching and research with unique characteristics. CBS director Prof. Wan Jinchuan and the Interdisciplinary Initiative coordinator Prof. Guo Chaoshun, conceived of collaboration with the Department of Psychology as an initial step to partnerships with other departments. The successful results of the past year's well-planned and well-executed guest lectures, workshops, and jointly-taught courses are highly encouraging for beginning Phase II in the upcoming year. Even if new and unexpected challenges arise in the future, these can be taken as opportunities for self-reflection and learning.
The four workshop sessions proceeded smoothly, each session with its own moderator, main speaker, and one to two respondents. Participants shared that in listening to these dialogues by leading scholars, they gained deeper theoretical understanding and indirect practical experience. "The workshop was substantial, content-filled, well-planned, and well-organized. The speakers and respondents are all quite knowledgeable and eloquent, talking about the complex in simple terms understandable to a lay audience." Some people affirmed: "The dialogue at the workshop uncovered several aspects of Buddhism and Psychology that had not been considered before."
｜Workshop Program ｜ Interdisciplinary Initiative Project Descriptions｜
Session 1: "The Inevitability of Suffering?" was facilitated by Ven. Jueguan, Ph.D., of FGU-DBS. Ms. Chen Liyin, founder and director of the Taiwan Rare Disease Foundation, delivered a moving and motivating talk based on deeply personal experiences. Prof. Weng Shiheng from Donghua University Dept. of Counseling and Clinical Psychology served as respondent and shared his perspective as a clinical practitioner who has worked intimately with many different kinds of patients.
Session 2: "The Nature of Suffering" was facilitated by FGU Dept. of Psychology Prof. Gong Yiwen, Department of Psychology, Fo Guang University. Professor Peng Rongbang from the Department of Human Development and Psychology of Tzu Chi University presented, while FGU-DBS Prof. Chen Yibiao and FGU Dept. of Psychology Prof. Huang Yulian each responded.
Session 3: "Psychology on the Healing of Suffering" was facilitated by Fu Jen Catholic University Dept. of Psychology Prof. Yuan Zhiqi. Prof. Li Weilun from the Dept. of Philosophy of National Cheng-Chi University presented an unified framework for psychotherapy based on decades of cumulative developments in psychology. FGU Dept. of Psychology Profs. You Shengxiang and Huang Guozhang responded.
Session 4: "Buddhism on the Healing of Suffering" was moderated by Professor Guo Chaoshun. After CBS Director Prof. Wan Jinchuan delivered his lecture, National Chengchi University Dept. of Philosophy Prof. Lin Zhenguo and DILA Dept. of Life Education Prof. Yang Pei each responded.
Group photo at the conclusion of the event (visit our Facebook @CBS-FGU for more photos)