Final answer:
Buddha's teachings, especially about 'Emptiness' in the Heart Sutra, challenged existing beliefs and consequently had a significant psychological and physiological impact on individuals. The shift from a belief in permanence to an acceptance of impermanence and interdependence represented a profound change in worldview, leading to stress and eventually peace.
Step-by-step explanation:
Explaining a concept that challenges existing beliefs can lead to significant change in the individual psyche, as evident through Buddha's teachings on the nature of reality. Buddhism delves into understanding human suffering and offers a path to transcendence. A profound example of this is the Buddhist concept of 'Emptiness' as mentioned in the Heart Sutra which has a deep psychological and physiological impact on individuals.
Buddha's teachings issued a straightforward challenge to the established social and religious order of ancient India. Rejecting the Brahmanical orthodoxy, his doctrines like the Four Noble Truths recognized suffering as a fundamental aspect of life. This departure from conventional beliefs likely caused psychological turmoil among those who began to follow his teachings.
The doctrine of Emptiness in particular, which challenges the idea of inherent existence, could cause significant cognitive dissonance—shifting individuals from a worldview of permanence to impermanence and interdependence.
Adopting such profound philosophical shifts would not be without physiological responses, like stress due to cognitive dissonance, followed by peace as one progresses on the path towards nirvana—signifying a deep mental shift that could influence physiological states as well.