A Buddhist Approach to Stress Management from the Perspective of Dependent Origination (DOSM)

Abstract

The purpose of this article aims to understand the Buddhist view to the stress management by analyzing the conceptual framework of the Dependent Origination (paṭiccasamuppāda).

Four noble truths as taught by the Buddha says, the life is full of stress (dukkha), there is a cause of this stress, it is possible to stop stress, and there is a way to stop stress by following noble eightfold path. The deeper explanation of stress is given by the Buddha in Paṭiccasamuppādasutta, which include explaining detailed nature of stress and describing the evolution or lifecycle of the all living beings.

Dependent Origination model is presented in the Tipiṭaka in two ways: general presentation, which do not specify each factor separately and detailed presentation, which describes and analyses each factor separately and comprehensively. This paper has been used both approaches to expound the causes and possible solutions to relieve and release of stress. Answer of possibilities in managing stress through Dependent Origination, contains some theoretical and practical ideas, which are possible implemented to the practice in perspective of self-help or professional therapy.