Talks by Nanda Cara
Citta Gavesi, 2022
This paper is the printed version of Citta Gavesī's monthly lecture on Dharma Therapy and Schizop... more This paper is the printed version of Citta Gavesī's monthly lecture on Dharma Therapy and Schizophrenia orginised on the 12th of November 2022.
The Citta Gavesī is a Mindfulness teaching and training centre in Sri Lanka. Citta Gavesī aims to provide Buddhist Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling knowledge to people worldwide, especially academic researchers and students.
This paper discuss Fundamental concepts of Dharma Therapy, and its therapeutic procedures to deal with Schizophrenia patients. It is also added the case conceptualisation of Dharma Therapy method.
Papers by Nanda Cara
DRC2025, 2025
Background: Mindfulness has radically transformed from its classical Buddhist foundations to its ... more Background: Mindfulness has radically transformed from its classical Buddhist foundations to its widespread adaptation in contemporary therapeutic practices. Originating in early Buddhist teachings, mindfulness (sati) is portrayed not merely as present-moment awareness but as an integral component of the ethical and liberating path toward Nibbana. However, contemporary mindfulness-based interventions often emphasize symptom reduction, emotional regulation, and psychological well-being, abstracting them from their original ethical and soteriological contexts. Objectives: The objectives of this paper are to present a comparative review exploring the historical development, philosophical frameworks, and evolving applications of mindfulness. Methods: This study employs a qualitative method, drawing extensively on secondary sources, including Buddhist and contemporary psychological literature. A critical comparative analysis is conducted to examine the theoretical foundations, ethical frameworks, and practical implementations of mindfulness across classical Buddhist and modern therapeutic contexts. The analysis is interpretive and thematic, focusing on philosophical coherence, contextual adaptation, and socio-cultural implications. Results: The study demonstrates significant divergences between traditional Buddhist mindfulness and contemporary mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). While Buddhist mindfulness is ethically grounded and oriented toward liberation (Nibbana), modern MBIs often prioritize psychological benefits, stripped of ethical context. However, mindfulness shows proven therapeutic value, but its secularization and commercialization risk conceptual distortion and potential harm, especially when applied without ethical or clinical safeguards. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for a more integrative approach to mindfulness that respects its ethical and philosophical foundations while adapting to contemporary therapeutic applications. It calls for more precise distinctions between Buddhist, spiritualized, and clinical mindfulness to ensure responsible practice and meaningful application.
ANVESANA Journal of the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, 2024
The intricate relationship between Theravada Buddhism and traditional healing practices is vividl... more The intricate relationship between Theravada Buddhism and traditional healing practices is vividly illuminated through the lens of the Bhesajjamañjusā (Bhes), a Pāli manuscript known as the "Casket of Medicine." This ancient text stands as a testament to the harmonious interplay of spirituality, holistic medicine, and compassionate care within the Theravada tradition. This article unravels the intricate tapestry of the Bhes by exploring its historical context, authorship, and intended audience. The study delves into the medical content of the Bhes, encompassing disease diagnosis, medicinal characteristics, and the rules of health articulated in this unique work. Additionally, the study investigates the traditional role of the Buddhist monastic community in medicine, emphasising the evolution of Vinaya regulations over time. This paper aims to substantiate the profound role of traditional healing practices within ancient Buddhist monastic traditions, highlighting the significance of Bhes. This exploration seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the significance of Bhes, contributing to a nuanced perspective on the intersection of Buddhism and medicine within the context of the Buddhist monastic community. The Bhes underscores the holistic approach to health advocated by the Buddhist teachings. While the Theravadin position on medicine places restrictions on monks treating the general public, the Bhes allows for internal use, highlighting the compassionate ethos of Theravada Buddhism by emphasising care and support for fellow monks in their pursuit of physical and spiritual wellbeing. The journey from its historical roots to its current status highlights the evolving dynamics in healthcare practices, with the Bhes standing as a timeless symbol of the enduring connection between ancient wisdom and the pursuit of wellbeing.
The Dependent Cognitive Model (DCM), derived from Buddhist philosophy and psychology, elucidates ... more The Dependent Cognitive Model (DCM), derived from Buddhist philosophy and psychology, elucidates the intricate dynamics of cognitive processes arising from sensory experiences. Rooted in the principle of dependent origination, DCM posits that sensory stimuli initiate a sequence-from sense-contact and feeling to identification, thinking, and conceptual proliferation-that shapes emotional responses and behavioral patterns. This model serves not only as a theoretical framework but also as a practical tool in therapeutic contexts, fostering mindfulness, emotional regulation, and insight. By integrating DCM into therapeutic practices, practitioners can systematically assess and intervene in clients' cognitive processes, promoting adaptive functioning and well-being. DCM promises to expand its applications across diverse populations and psychological conditions, enhancing our understanding of cognitive mechanisms and therapeutic interventions rooted in ancient wisdom.
The defense mechanisms in psychoanalysis mediate the individual's reaction to emotional conflicts... more The defense mechanisms in psychoanalysis mediate the individual's reaction to emotional conflicts and external stressors. Some are consistently maladaptive while others are either maladaptive or adaptive. The whole concept of recreational activities as a means of escape from the cares and frustrations of our daily lives comes close to the operation of denial as a defense mechanism. When people are faced with an obstacle while the physical and psychological needs are being met, there are no modifications to his or her behavior and personality while trying to meet the needs of the obstacle. However, if the obstacle proves unbreakable, the frustration becomes definitive. This may lead to prolonged anger and aggressiveness, but usually another problem takes over, the ego. Psychoanalysis claims that all the defenses originate from the frustrated needs of a person and are a device of the ego to save its integrity and self-image. Over two and half millennia ago, the Buddha discovered and described the defense mechanisms in the Assakhaluṅka Sutta of the Aṅguttara Nikāya. This study purposes to explore how Buddhism describes the defense mechanisms, and psychoanalytic value of Assakhaluṅka Sutta.
Drafts by Nanda Cara
In many Theravāda Buddhist societies, LGBTQ+ identities are commonly viewed as karmic consequence... more In many Theravāda Buddhist societies, LGBTQ+ identities are commonly viewed as karmic consequences of sexual misconduct in past lives, particularly violations of the third precept (kāmesumicchācāra). This belief, rooted in post-canonical commentaries and reinforced by cultural narratives, presents queerness as a form of karmic degeneration. The present study critically interrogates this interpretation by examining the doctrinal foundations of kamma and re-evaluating the ethical scope of kāmesumicchācāra within its canonical and socio-cultural contexts. Adopting a qualitative, textual-analytical approach, the study draws from the Pāli Canon, Vinaya literature, and post-canonical commentaries, while engaging contemporary scholarship on Buddhist ethics and gender. The analysis reveals that early Buddhist texts define kamma as intentional action (cetanā), not identity, and that kāmesumicchācāra concerns relational harm, not sexual orientation. It further demonstrates that LGBTQ+ identities are absent from canonical definitions of misconduct, and that monastic exclusions (e.g., paṇḍaka) reflect disciplinary concerns rather than moral judgment. The findings suggest that being LGBTQ+ is not itself a karmic result. Rather, the suffering that arises from being born into discriminatory societies may reflect collective or contextual vipāka, though even this remains speculative. A more doctrinally consistent view interprets karmic consequences not as punishment for identity, but as the ethical repercussions of volitional harm. In conclusion, the study proposes a reinterpretation of Buddhist sexual ethics grounded in compassion, non-harming, and fidelity to early teachings—offering a more inclusive and accurate response to sexual and gender diversity.
Myanmar's turbulent socio-political landscape has profoundly impacted its dominant Theravada Budd... more Myanmar's turbulent socio-political landscape has profoundly impacted its dominant Theravada Buddhism, reshaping spiritual practices and beliefs. This article explores how the ongoing crisis, marked by political instability, economic regression, and health crises exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to the emergence and integration of new spiritual trends within traditional Buddhist frameworks. The study examines how these global and modern spiritual practices, such as chakra healing, yoga and Western spiritual philosophies like manifestation, cosmic energy healing, and astrological practices, are influencing and merging with Myanmar’s established Buddhist traditions. By investigating the impact of these trends, the article highlights both positive and negative consequences for Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar. It underscores the challenges and opportunities these new practices present for preserving traditional Buddhist teachings while adapting to contemporary needs. The analysis provides insights into the evolving spiritual landscape of Myanmar, advocating for a balanced approach that respects core Buddhist doctrines while engaging constructively with new spiritual movements.
Conference Presentations by Nanda Cara
ICPMH, NIIBS, 2025
The Buddhist Threefold Training-Sīla (ethical discipline), Samādhi (mental concentration), and Pa... more The Buddhist Threefold Training-Sīla (ethical discipline), Samādhi (mental concentration), and Paññā (wisdom)-constitutes a foundational model of inner cultivation aimed at spiritual liberation. While many therapeutic approaches draw from mindfulness, there remains a need for a comprehensive, theoretically coherent Buddhist-based model for holistic psychological well-being. In recent years, its relevance has extended into the domain of mental health, offering a culturally grounded and theoretically coherent framework for therapeutic development. This paper examines the theoretical foundation and therapeutic potential of the Threefold Training as a comprehensive model for promoting psychological well-being. The objectives of this study are threefold: (1) to trace the historical and doctrinal roots of the Threefold Training within early Buddhist texts; (2) to examine its compatibility with contemporary therapeutic processes; and (3) to develop a structured model that integrates the Threefold Training into a synergistic therapeutic process. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative, literature-based approach, combining textual analysis of Buddhist canonical sources with thematic integration of contemporary psychological theories. The study is guided by a comparative and interpretative lens that bridges classical Buddhist insights with modern therapeutic frameworks. Through textual analysis, the three components of the Threefold Training were systematically mapped to the core aims of psychological well-being found in the contemporary literature. Findings indicate that each component of the Threefold Training aligns with key therapeutic goals: Sīla fosters behavioural regulation and relational healing; Samādhi enhances emotional stability and mindfulness; and Paññā supports cognitive restructuring, compassion, and existential acceptance. When practiced in an integrated manner, these elements mutually reinforce one another, forming a dynamic three-pillars process that addresses psychological suffering and promotes personal transformation. In conclusion, the Threefold Training can be reinterpreted as a culturally sensitive and spiritually informed therapeutic model. Its holistic nature offers valuable applications in non-Western settings and pluralistic therapeutic environments. Further empirical research may contribute to the clinical adaptation and cross-cultural relevance of this approach in mental health care.
The PGIPBS 50th Golden Jubilee Celebration International Conference on Buddhism and Modernity, 2025
The understanding of mental disorders in modern psychology has shifted from specific diagnostic f... more The understanding of mental disorders in modern psychology has shifted from specific diagnostic frameworks, such as the DSM and ICD, to transdiagnostic approaches that focus on shared underlying processes across disorders. This perspective allows for more flexible and holistic treatment strategies. Despite the conceptual intersection between modern
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Talks by Nanda Cara
The Citta Gavesī is a Mindfulness teaching and training centre in Sri Lanka. Citta Gavesī aims to provide Buddhist Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling knowledge to people worldwide, especially academic researchers and students.
This paper discuss Fundamental concepts of Dharma Therapy, and its therapeutic procedures to deal with Schizophrenia patients. It is also added the case conceptualisation of Dharma Therapy method.
Papers by Nanda Cara
Drafts by Nanda Cara
Conference Presentations by Nanda Cara