FIRST ASIAN PHILOSOPHY CONGRESS March 6 9, 2010 Section : 4.

Buddhism: Tradition, History and Philosophy Abstract

Dream, Interpretation of Dream, and the Related Issues from a Buddhist Perspective
Bakamoone Indaratana
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Special Centre for Sanskrit Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067.
indaratanab@yahoo.com

Dream is a topic which has been subject to comprehensive discussion in philosophy and psychology. Further, discussions of this topic often vary in different intellectual traditions thereby reflecting even conflicting claims and perspectives in such traditions. In this respect, both Mahayana and Theravada traditions too do not differ much as similar accounts on dreams appear in the Buddhist writings of both traditions. This paper will provide an elaborative discussion on the concept of dream as it appears in Theravada Buddhist literature. Legends about the Buddha pervade with many interesting incidents related to dreams and their interpretations. The Buddhist literature records five of the Buddha's dreams. Accordingly, there are some instances where Buddha himself has interpreted the meaning of dreams of others (e.g. Mahasupina Jataka). Thus, Buddhist literature is abound with discussions of issues related to dreams and their interpretations. Among them, some of the most notable issues are; what is a dream? How one can dream, the causes of dreaming, the nature of dreams, interpretation of dreams etc. (e.g. Milindapanho, Vessantara-vaggo, Supina-panho) In this paper an attempt will be made to elaborate the above issues according to the Theravada Buddhist literature in a contrastive context of how such issues are examined in Upanishadic texts such as Prasnopanishad and Mandukyapanishad. It will also attempt to discuss the concept of dream in the context of modern interpretations such as of Sigmuend Freud. Further, the philosophical and psychological aspects of dream also will be examined according to the Buddhist literature.