Is true nature a state of an impermanent mind? In what way is it not (if any)? If the true nature is empty and impermanent, how can there be eternalism? It seems Buddha proffered a radical impermanence so that EVERYTHING is seen as impermanent and let go of. Not to then land on some other thing that is conceived as permanent but just let go at grasping for permanence.” – e
All excellent questions and areas to explore e. And, I’m not sure I can answer them well. I will say that you appear to be taking a dialectical stance here…more accurately, using formal logic when it comes to permanent/impermanent. - orn I am only trying to talk about Buddhism as clearly and simply as possible. Continuing a commentary on your query, I will use some Socratic questions. When all is apprehended as being impermanent, what is apprehending? - orn Apprehension What is the nature of that mind that knows this? - orn Empty What is at the base (underneath) all words and concepts? - orn Nothing (see * below). There is no base where consciousness lands. Consciousness releases. Buddha used the metaphor of fire unbound. When the fuel (of grasping) is exhausted, where does the fire go when it goes out? The question is nonsensical. In this unbound analogy, we cannot speak of luminosity et al. If something is “conceived” as being permanent, is that conception itself permanent? - orn Of course not, wait around long enough and it will disappear. - “Yes but there is a state of mind that is permanent? Really? …” – e Yes. - orn What in your experience is permanent Orn? - “…I agree it is not thinking. However, I don’t know about this eternalism. Buddha was emphatic about the 2 extremes of eternalism and annihilationism to be avoided for the middle way to be found. He did not say they needed to be avoided to then find some other kind of uber eternalism.” – e As I understand that tenet system, Gautama was talking about the GRASPING of those extremes. No? - orn http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.015.than.html Nagarjuna mentions this sutra in MMK XV. Is the permanent basis of the mind (the minds true nature) an eternal essence? If it is, are we still talking about Buddhism? - “…I really am just exploring and looking for some new meaning and not trying to destroy any old ones, etc. Lately I have come to see that everything is an interpretation so I am only questioning the old interpretations and seeing if they still hold up, etc. Thanks for going along!! “ – e The metaphor of exploring is quite appropriate and accurate. While one is ‘on the path’, differing levels of understanding will arise, stay for a bit and then recede… and finally disappear. - orn *Right but the way I see it, they just disappear, they don’t disappear into some large container called mind. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
