Monday, April 25, 2005
Buddhism and emptiness
I was sitting in a coffee shop today and thinking about why Japanese society seemed so empty. I immediately thought of materialism because in any developed country I often feel a similar feeling. But this sense was different. Lack of content or meaning. the two words Buddhism and emptiness immediately came to mind and I wrote it down in my journal. I came home and looked it up on the web- I am not sure where I will go with this but I will put some of what I find on this blog. I found this today on a web site
"To Kadampa Buddhists all things are totally empty of any defining essence. Consequently all things have no fixed identity ('inherent existence') and are in a state of impermanence - change and flux - constantly becoming and decaying. Not only are all things constantly changing, but if we analyse any phenomenon in enough detail we come to the conclusion that it is ultimately unfindable, and exists purely by definitions in terms of other things - and one of those other things is always the mind which generates those definitions." http://www.geocities.com/scimah/sunyata.htm
I noticed the phrase undefinable- immediately postmodernism comes to mind- and I wonder and know somewhat that Buddhism has been responsible for the idea or flexible truth or truth based on individual belief rather than absolute truth. It is my belief that Buddhist and eastern philosophy was popularized in the US in the 60's through popular musicians and entertainers.
"To Kadampa Buddhists all things are totally empty of any defining essence. Consequently all things have no fixed identity ('inherent existence') and are in a state of impermanence - change and flux - constantly becoming and decaying. Not only are all things constantly changing, but if we analyse any phenomenon in enough detail we come to the conclusion that it is ultimately unfindable, and exists purely by definitions in terms of other things - and one of those other things is always the mind which generates those definitions." http://www.geocities.com/scimah/sunyata.htm
I noticed the phrase undefinable- immediately postmodernism comes to mind- and I wonder and know somewhat that Buddhism has been responsible for the idea or flexible truth or truth based on individual belief rather than absolute truth. It is my belief that Buddhist and eastern philosophy was popularized in the US in the 60's through popular musicians and entertainers.
hd 7:44 PM
1 Comments:
We visited two different Buddhist temples last week during the celebration of the Cambodian New Year. We know two monks pretty well, and I met the head monk who gave me a translation of a Buddhist apologetic called "Good Question, Good Answer."
It was an interesting read, but I still can't quite reconcile the dual goal of achieving emptiness and happiness on one's way to Nirvana.
It must be errie to live in a society shaped by those dual values.
Nick B.
It was an interesting read, but I still can't quite reconcile the dual goal of achieving emptiness and happiness on one's way to Nirvana.
It must be errie to live in a society shaped by those dual values.
Nick B.
