| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立彰化師範大學 === 輔導與諮商學系所 === 93 === A Narrative Research of the Experience of Self-Transcendence and the Self-View of the Monk
Abstract
The goal of this study aims to understand the experience of self-transcendence and the content and meaning of self-view of monk through self-narrative. The researcher has interviewed six monks from different Pure Land temple by a method of profound interview and has analyzed the data by the method of holistic-content and categorical-content perspective of narrative research. The findings and significances are following:
1.The experience of self-transcendence
The monks have developed and accepted different aspects of self based on affluent life experience. They give up self-persistence and seek the growth, promotion through the practice of benefiting self and benefiting others. Their logic thinking is based on the principle of cause and effect. They interpret negative experiences in a way of satisfaction. They focus on the Buddhist dharma practice and its applications in life. Detach the standardization and expectation of self, with appreciation and respect of unique, various life form, they are aware of self-transcendence and self- improvement. It is from those puzzles to the contemplation and from Buddhist dharma, they find the sanctuary and the value of life.
The process of self-transcendence includes both the self-actualization in life and self-improvement in time. Because of the deep faith to the dharma and the principle of cause and effect, they believe that the dharma has its essential and meaning to life. Nevertheless, for an ascetic life, they have to face the criticism from the society in the measure of value. It is this self-identity that gives the great vow and the deep faith as a monk in countless life who is carrying out the mission to liberate the sentient being, to act as a bodhisattva and to become a Buddha.
2.The content and meaning of self-view
The monks explore physical self as a tool to benefit self and others, to improve themselves and to become a Buddha. They realize that the identity of the role of monk life is courageous, unpleasant and under the restrains of moral discipline. It is this realization that makes the self-view more frequent when they are expressing themselves moderately, getting along with others and looking harmony and improvement in the interpersonal relationships. In the case of the spirit self, they admit the limitation of self, are willing to take new ideas. Based on awareness and thought-transfer, they make it meaningful of those experiences and events. Their self fight very often, but they overcome those limitations and believe that illusion will bring the enlightenment. In daily affairs, while facing positive, negative and neutral moods, they remind themselves to stay mid-way status. It is this self-view, which makes the unity of self and dharma, they have deep faith of the meaning of cause and effect, they are willing to carry the consequence of being a monk and they take those Buddha, bodhisattva and sages as standard to practice compassion, vows, accomplishment and wisdom.
Finally, based on the findings the researcher provides concrete suggestions for counselors and related researchers on future study.
Keywords: monk, self-transcendence, self-view, narrative
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