A deeper understanding of the principle allows people to establish a greater sense of personal responsibility. By learning about the function of a bodhisattva and a Buddha, clients can develop a deeper sense of self-worth and respect for others, providing a foundation for improving one's character and gaining an optimistic view of life. Following that symposium Co-chair Douglas Pryor, Ph.D., licensed psychologist of Behavioral Management Consultants, spoke about the role Buddhism can play in dealing with anger. He explained the Buddhist concept of the mutual possession of the ten worlds-a systematization of the various life states that individuals have the potential to manifest at any given moment. These conditions range from the state of hell, a life of profound suffering and destruction, to that of Buddhahood, a life characterized by the qualities of boundless wisdom, tremendous fortune, infinite compassion, and unlimited freedom.
Anger is one of the lowest worlds.
If an individual can grasp the notion that all ten worlds exist simultaneously in each world, then he or she can realize the infinite potential for change and the possibility to reveal higher states of life, including Buddhahood, which all living beings possess. Next, Rita Dudley Grant, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist with the Virgin Islands Behavioral Services, shared her views on the positive impact Buddhism can have on the recovery from addiction. Pointing out that Alcoholics Anonymous has shown that spirituality is an important ingredient in recovery, Dudley Grant explained that Buddhism offers a spiritual alternative for individuals who do not believe in the traditional concept of God as a higher power. By practicing Buddhism, individuals are able to purify their senses and thereby elevate and redirect their desires to noble causes, such as caring for others. Greed, hatred, and ignorance are replaced with compassion and wisdom.