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in Singapore. I finished my military service in 1993 and this can be integrated into any treatment model.
and went to Australia to be ordained the next year. In Just as the Muslims and Christians use Qur’an and
fact, I did not expect myself to be ordained in Australia, Bible respectively in counselling their devotees,
I merely went with the flow of conditions. I greatly Buddhist counselling combines Buddha’s teachings and
appreciate the opportunity to learn from and be guided counselling techniques as our core principles. This can
by my teacher. effectively help people facing challenges while greatly
improving their quality of life.
Zhi Yi: What inspired you to promote and provide
Buddhist counselling services? How is it different We wish to actively promote work that helps people
to modern Western psychology? How does the cultivate a wholesome mind, and at the same time guide
Dhamma complement the modern psychology? them into the doors of the Noble Eightfold Path, towards
attaining peace and happiness.
Ven Ding Rong: In fact, what we are doing now is
not something new. Since more than 2,500 years Zhi Yi: What requirements and qualifications do you
ago, the Buddha had always been concerned about need to provide Buddhist Counselling?
the mental health issues of humankind. From his
arduous undertaking in unfailing practice leading to Ven Ding Rong: Firstly, one would need to have a good
enlightenment, to delivering sermons and teaching grasp of Dhamma knowledge, and a genuine heart to
all over India, the main focus of Buddha had always serve and help people who are in need. Using the Four
been helping people to train their mind, know about Noble Truths as the framework and guideline, one
themselves and to see things as they really are, which further enhances the practice on sīla (moral conduct),
in turn showed them the way to end their sufferings. As samādhi (concentration) and pannā (wisdom), as
a Buddhist, are we following Buddha’s teachings and well as constantly reflects upon the law of dependent
footsteps in caring for humankind? With the increasing origination and tilakkhaṇa (aniccā, dukkha, anattā).
number of people having mental health issues, Buddhist
counselling service is seriously lacking in our community In terms of Western psychological counselling, active
and this is what we need to work on. listening, empathy, sincerity, caring, compassion, being
non-judgemental and mindful are all very important
Buddhadhamma may be classified as mundane skills. These are some of the skilful means the Buddha
(worldly;世间法) and supramundane (transcendent; 出 used when counselling his disciples and the public.

世间法). Mundane Dhamma teaches about the law of Pioneers in modern psychology including Carl Jung,
cause and effect, five precepts, dāna (generosity), sīla William James and Robert Thouless were influenced in
(morality) and bhāvanā (meditation). These help people one way or another by Buddhism in their thoughts.
to develop worldly happiness and mental well-being. On It would be desirable if the individual has some form
the other hand, the aim of transcendental Dhamma is to of recognised and professional training in counselling.
uproot mental afflictions and transcend birth and death. We strive to integrate Dhamma and counselling in our
Therefore, the Buddha teaches about the Four Noble courses at Dot Connections so that this can be our
Truths and dependent originations as antidotes towards foundation of Buddhist counselling service.
getting rid of greed, aversion, and delusion.
Zhi Yi: How do we identify and help people who

There has been more and more scientific evidence need counselling?
showing that kindness has the power to heal.
Compassion is a very important quality being Ven Ding Rong: Normally, they are people who
actively encouraged in Buddhism, it is also strongly encounter difficulties and confusion in life, and are not
recommended by Western psychology. The Buddha able to help themselves. Sometimes, one might bump
always put human beings at the centre of his teachings, into unexpected events and lack the confidence to solve