Integrating Psychological Anger Management with The Dhamma of Theravada Buddhism Scriptures

Abstract

Anger is a negative emotion in humans that can have both negative and positive effects. Modern psychological concepts suggest that anger should be created constructively, while Buddhism that anger should be eliminated completely. Therefore, this article aims to 1) study the concepts, theories, and psychological management of anger; 2) examine the Dhamma for conquering anger in the Theravada Buddhist scriptures; and 3) integrate the psychological management of anger with the Theravada Buddhist scriptures. This study employs a mixed-methods research approach, using Spielberger's anger management theory as the research framework. The sample consists of 415 individuals aged 20 and older, collected through a snowball sampling method using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI). The research summary was found as follows; 1) Psychology viewed anger as a natural human emotion that has both positive and negative effects, thus it should be created it; 2) Buddhism regarded anger as an unwholesome action with negative consequences, thus it should be eliminated it. its conquered through Theravada Buddhist scriptures such as the Threefold Training, the Gharavasa-dhamma: virtues for a good household life, the Padhana 4: effort, the Four Noble Truths, the development of loving-kindness (Metta) and Vipassana meditation.; and 3) the integration of anger management according to psychological principles with the Theravada Buddhist scriptures, represented by the FIRE-UP Model, was consistent with empirical data, as shown by the statistical values: χ²df=1 = 14.46, P-value = 0.01, CMIN/DF = 14.944, GFI = .978, CFI = .915, NFI = .915, RMR = .014, RMSEA = .203, AVE = .38, and CR = .73.