Arnold3000 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 4:24 pmThat is, monks and Chan Buddhism masters can help people cope with their mental disorders, anxiety and stresses?
Buddhism and psychology may be somewhat related, but as Chan is not a training to cure mental disorders it follows that those proficient in Chan may not be fit to be considered therapists, just as a psychologist is not automatically a Dharma teacher.
And the customary believers of Chan Buddhism who have enlightened their minds can help the minds of other people to come to enlightenment or is it only a master or a monk can?
One can receive beneficial teachings from anyone, but it's up to each person to put them into practice and thus gain the results.
As for the Chan way of fixing one's mind:
Bodhidharma sat facing a wall. Huike [who would be his successor] stood in the snow and cut off his arm, saying, “My mind is not at peace. Please, Teacher, pacify my mind.”
Bodhidharma said, “Bring out your mind and I will pacify it for you.”
Huike said, “When I search for my mind, ultimately it cannot be found. ”
Bodhidharma said, “I have already pacified your mind for you. ”
(Wumen's Gate, case 41, in Three Chan Classics, BDK ed, p 102)