Dreams, Buddhist Theory and Individuation: A Dialog

Presented by Master Dingkong, Ph.D. 
Respondent(s): Patricia Katsky, Ph.D., Sylvia Xu, Ph.D.

Dreams have been a part of Buddhist tradition since the dream of the Buddha’s mother, Queen Maya, before his birth. In Buddhist theory, dreams are divided into several types, but, generally speaking, Buddhist custom uses dreams to describe the illusory and ephemeral nature of human existence, and also to describe human life that has not yet been enlightened. This perspective exists within a larger Buddhist framework that affirms the value of dreams and sometimes offers detailed dream interpretations. Buddhists are willing to focus on dreams to advance their spiritual path. Today’s practitioners continue to record beneficial dream images, suggesting that dreams can offer meaningful examples of the religious function of the psyche as it occurs in the context of different spiritual traditions. Please join us for a dialog about the place of dreams in Buddhist thought, with particular emphasis on the Chan Buddhist tradition (the Zen tradition in China). We will consider the place of dreams in this tradition and their possible relationship to the Jungian idea of the Self and the individuation process. 

Course Objectives:

• Explain the categories of dreams found in Buddhist theory.
• Compare and contrast Buddhist dream theory with a Jungian approach to dreams.
• Describe the ways that the religious function of the psyche manifests in different cultural contexts.
• Recount culturally sensitive ways of working clinically with analytic clients who come from a Chinese background.

Master Dingkong, Ph.D. received his Ph.D. from the City University of Macau. His doctorial tutor was Professor Heyong Shen, a Jungian Analyst. Master is the president of the Institute of Eastern Buddhist Psychology in Fuzhou, China. He is also Abbot of Jile Temple, established thirteen hundred years ago during the Tang Dynasty. Master Dingkong is No. 45th Generation Lineage holder of the LinJi Sect of Chan Dharma, No. 14th Generation Lineage holder of the Yun Men Sect of Chan Dharma, and No. 46th Generation Lineage holder of the Tian Tai Dharma . In 2001, Master Dingkong began teaching at the College of Yun Men Buddhism in Guangdong Provence of China, where, after serving as Dean of Education, he became Provost. He remains a Professor at the College of Yun Men Buddhism. His research interests include Buddhist psychology, Chan practice, and the religious function of the psyche.

Patricia Katsky, Ph.D. is a Jungian analyst and a professor at Pacifica Graduate Institute.

Sylvia Xu, Ph.D. is an associate professor at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, a Router for Jungian analytic training in China and a registered psychotherapist. She is also vice-president of the Institute of Buddhist Psychology in China and a translator.