Utility of Buddhist counselling to reduce family conflicts during the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. COVID-19 is a catastrophic condition causing suffering to the people of the world which they never before experienced. Different countries are taking different measures to control it. Many families in Sri Lanka have been affected by the pandemic. Government policies to mitigate the spread of infection have resulted in increased rates of unemployment, changes in work and family life, school closures, social isolation, and separation among family members. This pandemic situation has uniquely affected children and families by disrupting routines and changing relationships and roles especially in low-income families. In this situation, the government as well as various private institutions and welfare organizations are organizing various activities to uplift the lives of the affected people. Meanwhile, various social welfare services are being coordinated by Buddhist temples. Buddhist counselling is a Buddhist teaching-based process that suggests solutions to people's mental problems and difficulties and promotes mental relief. The objective of this study is to explore how Buddhist counselling can be used to alleviate conflicts in families based on Buddhist teachings in the face of this pandemic situation. This study is based on primary and secondary data and is expected to be described by case studies.