I once went to a lecture given by a psychoanalyst who was also a Buddhist. His main point was that Buddhism and analysis were very similar means of self-introspection.
Does anyone here have a perspective on both to share?
Well, oddly enough, I'm midway through an M.A. in Buddhist Studies, and did my undergraduate thesis on psychoanalysis, so, yes, I have a perspective.
I'd argue that the differences between the disciplines outweighs the superficial similarities. If one is so inclined, one can definitely make lists of similarities, and can stretch the interpretation of the doctrines of one field to fit the other, but what would be the point, really?
The point from the Dalai Lama's perspective? To defend his culture in the face of modern science.
The point from the perspective of the rest of us? Analogies and recognizing analogous forms are a good way to expand one's mind. Gaining respect for introspection as well perhaps. What's the point of asking what's the point, except to come off sounding like a conceited ass? (And I'll be the first to admit here, it takes one to know one.)
I think you're trivializing a whole list of things here.
The Dalai Lama may think that he is defending his culture in the face of modern science, but reducing Buddhism to a branch of psychoanalysis is not an effective way to do so in the long run.
By the same token, reducing psychoanalysis to a modern manifestation of Buddhism isn't doing psychoanalysis any favors, either.
In cross-disciplinary studies, it's important to resist the urge to reduce the strange to the familiar, as it is only in doing so that one is able to fully appreciate the richness of the traditions being compared.
In other words: analogies are useful, when starting out, to help one get a vague impression of a new territory, but (unconsciously) clinging to these analogies serves only to mask one from actually expanding one's mind.
Asking "what's the point?" may have the unintended side-effect of making me sound like a conceited ass, but the intention was more philosophical.
Does anyone here have a perspective on both to share?