Abstract:
This research developed a psychological counselling model for interpersonal
conflicts, based on the Dhamma points in the Sutta Pitaka. While the potential for
using Buddhist principles in psychological interventions has drawn increasing
attention, the scientific application that is most widely used and researched is in the
mindfulness-based psychotherapies. However, Buddhist principles are not utilised
holistically in current counselling approaches. Interpersonal conflict is widespread
and is a cause of many psychological disorders. Further, it is an area where
mindfulness-based research is scant. The present research aimed to fill this research
gap by systematically incorporating the core teachings of Buddhism in a counselling
model for interpersonal conflicts. The Buddhist analysis of the nature of interpersonal
conflicts, their causality, and techniques for eliminating the causes were extracted and
synthesized through a systematic analysis of the Sutta Pitaka. The model also drew
from the experience of contemporary counselling approaches particularly
mindfulness-based and cognitive behaviour therapies. An initial empirical testing of
the model was carried out using a pre-post design. The participants in this study
were 23 persons in interpersonal conflict situations. The results showed positive
changes in levels of self-reported mindfulness, aggression, anxiety, and sense of
psychological wellbeing. The participants also reported increased ability to cope with
conflicts and lower level of perceived conflicts. Limitations to the study and
suggestions for future research are presented
