Duality in Mahayana Buddhist Scriptures
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humanities/philosophy
school essay
published 28/10/2007
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SummaryThe Buddha’s teachings, although expressive of ultimate reality, have been conveyed through the relative medium of language. This discrepancy has led to the invocation of dichotomies such as “reality versus unreality”, “existence versus nonexistence” and “truth versus untruth” to express in words what is ultimately beyond the utilized dualities. Because ultimate knowledge, as discussed in the Prajna-Paramita Sutra, is beyond distinctions, duality is not an ultimately existing construct. However, even to express that thought requires resorting to the duality of existence/nonexistence. So, the Buddhist canon spends many verses explaining that which is “true” and “false,” that which “exists” ultimately and only relatively, and the dichotomy of reality and unreality. The Lankavatara Sutra, a proponent of the Cittamatra (mind-only) tradition, expounds the notion that the only truly existing thing is mind. Buddha-nature is the only un-conditioned, and thus uncreated and undying, element of existence. It is only in our clouded perceptions of things, through our relatively functioning vijnana consciousness, that we do not realize the ultimate nature of our Tathagatha-garbha (buddha-nature).
Table of Contents
- In various sutras, the Buddha discusses the wrong-view of an inherently existing 'self?.
- Intellections such as this discussion can be useful to the conventional mind, but ultimately cannot serve to realize the citta-matra nature of reality.
- In the chapter of the Samdhinirmocana Sutra entitled 'Characteristics of All Phenomena,' the Buddha tells us about jnana, the enlightened, absolute view of phenomena. 'Phenomena all have three kinds of characteristics
- Despite the ultimate unreality of distinctions, the Buddha utilized them as expedient means to enlightenment.
- The Lotus Sutra is a compilation of sermons given by the Buddha to his audience of aspiring Bodhisattvas.
- Besides the Lotus Sutra, most Mahayana scriptures convey their meaning with metaphors.
- When describing the difference between relative and ultimate insight, the Buddha creates a succint metaphor for wisdom
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