2025 Intake Fourth Semester: Buddhist Psychology Diploma Programme

The course is a two year and a half programme delivered in five semesters each of three or four units. The first semester begins Feb 2026 and runs to end July 2026. The autumn semester runs 1st September to 15th January. These dates repeat in the second year. The final half semester runs from 1st February to 30th April.

The proposed fee is £230 (about $325) per semester. This is normally non-returnable, though each case will be considered on its merits. Applicants registering between 1st February 2025 and 1st February 2026 become immediately members of the student body. Although they do not receive course materials until 1st February 2026, they are entitled to attend course seminars from their enrolment and as long as they remain sucribed.

Each unit contains three sections of study material with accompanying exercises. Thus, each section involves two weeks of study on a specific topic. Topics begin with broad questions, such as the nature of Buddhist psychology, progress through the psychological implications of Dharma principles and on to more detailed and advance examination of the psychological application of Buddhist theiries of the mind. The theoretical basis is mostly derived from the Abhidharma and other Buddhist texts. Material is presented in practical and easily accessible form. The course is delivered entirely online.

The programme involves

- study material provided on line with some recorded lectures

- exercises & assignments to do in one's own time and report back on

- exercises to do in pairs or small groups to develop skills and sensitivity

- discussion with tutors, mentors and other students

- on-line zoom seminars every two to three weeks

There are also other optional associated events including two or three weekend online workshops per year

- summer school in-person in France every other year, alternating with the ITZI biennial conference in Spain.

It is a co-operative learning programme. Students see each other's work and have plenty of scope for getting to know one another and for discussion of topics and experience. The material is both theoretical and practical and is extensive. One should allow for a time commitment of minimum three hours per week.


The content of the course covers major Buddhist psychological theory and its relevance to daily life and to psychotherapy practice. one does not have to be a psychotherapist to do the course, but therapists and others in human relations work will generally get most from it as they will be able to apply the principles in their work. However, students in other professions have also reported significant benefits in their interactions at work and at home.

This is a course of Buddhist principles applied as psychology. It is not really an integration of Western and Buddhist psychology, though comparisons are made. It covers the material in the books Zen Therapy and The Feeling Buddha and other works of Hakuün Roshi (David Brazier), plus a good deal more:
- dependent origination
- different forms of conditioning of the mind
- the skandha cycle
- Buddhist work with strong emotions
- dukkha and its transformation
- calm and insight
- the role of faith, purpose and refuge
- styles of Dharma-based psychotherapy
- sudden awakening and gradual cultivation
and many other similar topics.

The course was designed by Hakuün Roshi and is offered under the auspices of Houn ji Temple. It is approved by the International Zen Therapy Institute (ITZI) and is subject to the ITZI Code of Conduct. The content, however, is not limited to nor particularly centred on the Zen school, but takes in the full range of Buddhist material.

Please contact jisshas@googlegroups.com for more information.