A paper delivered to the international conference on son at paekyangsa, kwangju, korea, august 22, 1998. A t h e earliest textual evidence for the doctrine qp momentariness 1 1. The effects of momentariness on karma and rebirth in theravada buddhism. It is selfluminous in the sense that it is directly known without need of being known by any ulterior acts of perception and makes its object known at the same time. This paper is an attempt at a comparative analysis of the teachings and meditation practice of two wellknown twentiethcentury scholarmonks, buddhadasa bhikkhu, from the thai theravada buddhist tradition and master sheng yen, a chan zen practitioner and upholder of pure land buddhism. Buddhist and nonbuddhist versions of momentariness author. For the realistic schools, there are two kinds of aggregates, the internal and the external.
A subtle shift away from early buddhist process metaphysics occurred with the doctrine of momentariness, which developed logically from the reductionist methodology of the abhidhammikas. This outline of the buddhist doctrine of momentariness may suffice to introduce the reader to the subject matter of the present study. Even after adopting momentariness, the sarvastivadins continued to believe in the past. He found shortly afterward that his wife had borne him a son, which he names rahula or fetter, but, after sneaking one look at the baby, he set on his way. Gnanaramas book on essentials of buddhism meets this demand very successfully. If you want a complete picture of the published information available on your favorite subjects, you must remember also the numerous thesis and dissertations that are published each year. In the course of his critique of the buddhist doctrine of universal momentariness, udayana argues for an isomorphism between our understandings of space and time, which is meant to undercut the buddhists wellknown inference from existence. The school of buddhist logic pramana of dignaga and dharmakirti are also associated with the sautrantika view. These often include extensive, highly specific, and usually trustworthy information on certain subjects, however until they are later published as monographs thesis. The differences among the schools are not always important philosophically.
The sarvastivada scholar samghabhadra, in his nyayanusara, attacks a school of thought named sautrantika which he associates with the scholars srilata and his. The paper deals with household theory from the angle of buddhist thought. Why hindus dont follow buddhism and why do they refute. A survey of the origins and early phase of this doctrine up to vasubandhu. Some schools like that of the andhakas discovered, in their experience, that momentariness does not always hold. According to buddhist doctrine, everything in life is.
It explains how god justifies that is, declares righteous ungodly people through the death and resurrection of jesus christ. If we take all the buddhist schools into account, they may number about 200. The teaching that everything is momentary is often held to be a unique and defining doctrine of buddhism. Momentariness in the canonical abhidhamma is momentariness a commentarial innovation. This principle is known as the doctrine of momentariness. The object of the buddhist doctrine of momentariness is not the nature of time but existence within time. Pdf an analysis of the buddhist doctrines of karma and rebirth in. When it first appeared, it was rejected by large sections of the buddhist community. A survey of the origins and early phase of this doctrine. The aslg8 went yet a step further and merged the two lists from the hsienyang. Buddhist forum about the dhamma of theravada buddhism.
Rather thall atolnizijlg tilne into nlomenls, it atomizes phenom ena temporally by dissecting them into ii succession of discrete momentary entities. Buddhist and non buddhist versions of momentariness author. Moreover, many buddhist nations have built temples around the lumbinis garden as well as nonbuddhist nations such as germany, france and australia. Earlier the same year he had written the meaning of the sacred teachings of the buddhas lifetime, in which he said, i will discuss the principle of three thousand realms in a single moment of life in more detail on another occasion. Differing from the early buddhist understanding of impermanence, the notion of momentariness has been influential in a range of buddhist traditions.
The doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of. Buddhist doctrine that views reality as an ongoing, impermanent, and interdependent flux in the form of a circle divided into twelve parts. The whole universe is pervaded by my unmanifest form. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The buddhas original teaching was not the philosophical. This doctrine of impermanence of everything was later developed by the buddhist philosophers as the doctrine of momentariness of everything. Frauwallners theory holds that the mulasarvastivada vinaya is the disciplinary code of an early buddhist community based in mathura, which was quite independent in its establishment as a monastic community from the sarvastivadins of kasmir although of course this does not mean that they were different in terms of doctrine. Recent dissertations on buddhism contemplative metadata. In the perishing at the moment of birth, an incongruity arises in the second moment, there is. If all things are transitory, how pray arises the demand for a return of a deposit, or memory and recognition.
It is the stoppage of all mentality by a gradual cessation. Rita gupta, the buddhist doctrine of momentariness and its. Not only the and the sautrontika, even the yogocora, whose main. An analysis of the buddhist doctrines of karma and rebirth in the visuddhimagga. When we do vipassana we will come to attain a balance of mind that will. Upadhyaya examines the ancient most original sanskrit and pali texts of the teachings of buddhism to show that truth and the way to it as taught by gautama buddha are the same truth and same way as given by a long succession of buddhas enlightened ones who came. Rather than atomizing time into moments, it atomizes phenomena temporally by dissecting them into a succession of discrete momentary entities. The effects of momentariness on karma and rebirth in. This article explores the historical background to the body scan practiced in mbsr by tracing it back via vipassana meditation taught in myanmar to a particular interpretation of the third step in the canonical instructions on mindfulness of breathing. According to the popular version of the doctrine, for example, whatever action a person performs has a consequence that that same person will eventually experience. It often occurs as a natural outgrowth of learning about buddhism and reflecting on what the teachings really mean in light of our human condition. T he durational translations allow it to be merged with the twelve hours of the pres. Even women who are determinedly prochoice seldom experience abortion without some shame or remorse.
If we go by tibetan sources, he seems to have been born in south india and then to have moved to the great monastic university of nalanda in present day bihar state where he was supposedly in contact with other buddhist. This article investigates the doctrine of anatta, it is also examined with other related doctrines in early buddhism. The present paper examines these arguments from udayanas atmatattvaviveka, together with ratnakirtis. However, this doctrine has been conclusively refuted, both inside and outside buddhist philosophy, since the 11th century. Peter and david lived and practiced with at hartford zen center in the late 198 28 may, sunday meeting 10. An analysis of the buddhist doctrines of karma and rebirth. Origins and early phase of this doctrine up to vasubandhu. A similar method is reflected in the brahmanical exegesis of the vedic scriptuires which combine the ritualistic injunctions of the.
Jan 10, 2009 buddhist forum about the dhamma of theravada buddhism. Buddhist karma theory is unstable without an isvara to orchestrate the rewards and punishment. Kamalasila went so far as to declare that once momentariness is established, all non buddhist teachingsregarding god, prak. Taking refuge is the first step on the buddhist path, when a person wishes to become a buddhist. The tannisho is one of the most widely read works in japanese buddhism, known not only as a religious but literary classic. After all the karmic arrow is insentient and can not by. Third,to do buddhist mis sionary work in foreign lands. Most likely you are gaining valuable knowledge about the bible from the numerous learning opportunities available through the.
A response to the critical buddhist position on zen. Watch for details in upcoming news all gbf members are invited mend friends who might address our. If you have embarked on the walk with the word scripture reading plan, you have no doubt been blessed with a simple, easy method for reading through gods word entirely in just over 3 years. Its fundamental proposition is that everything passes out of existence. Second,to publish buddhist books, and journals in english, and translate sutras and sastras. But, consistent with the other buddhist doctrine of momentariness, how aggregation can take place at all passes ones understanding. The aim of the dissertation is to defend a version of the doctrine of radical impermanence by revising its key problematic concepts.
Whereas salvation is a broad term which includes all. Full text of the doctrine of vibration mark dyczkowsky. The buddhist path combines both philosophical reasoning and meditation. The buddhist traditions present a multitude of buddhist paths to liberation, and buddhist. The name sautrantika indicates that unlike other north indian sthaviras, this school held the buddhist sutras as central to their views, over and above the ideas presented in the abhidharma literature. The buddhists practice this doctrine for their path of enlightenment, the samurai warriors practice this doctrine for their path of bushido. Buddhist and nonbuddhist versions of momentariness. Anthropologists and historians have studied this question, and presently there are three primary theories. Immediately after a child is born, parents gave a puppy to the child as a playmate as well as a guard. Vasubandhus abhidharmakosakarika commentary on the treasury of the abhidharma is widely used in tibetan and east asian buddhism, as the major source for nonmahayana abhidharma philosophy. Full text of the doctrine of vibration mark dyczkowsky see other formats.
A forum for members who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the pali canon and associated commentaries, which for discussion purposes are both treated as authoritative momentariness not in sutta. Why does every culture in the world worship some divine being. The first is hearing, the second is contemplation, and the third is meditation. The buddhist principle of karma and the doctrine of nosoul are very much related with the principle of impermanence or that of momentariness.
Abhidhamma and reactions to it brought forth a theory of momentariness not found in early buddhism. The positing of such momentariness involves a radicalization of the doctrine of impermanence that makes it difficult to explain the empirically selfevident fact of continuity. A priest who is desirous of entering on cessation will take his breakfast, wash carefully his hands and his feet, and seat him crosslegged on a wellstrewn seat in some retired spot, with body erect, and contemplative faculty active. Hence, the criticism of the principle of momentariness will, by implication is the criticism of the principle of karma and the theory of nosoul. When one looks at the doctrine of karma from an abhidharmic perspective, a number of questions naturally arise. The notion of a moment of time has in the course of buddhist history led to the doctrine of momentariness, according to which all phenomena pass away as soon as they have arisen. Pdf buddhist and nonbuddhist versions of momentariness. Momentariness, buddhist doctrine of routledge encyclopedia. Invitation to insight meditation vipassana is a system of meditation taught by the buddha to liberate the mind from unwholesome states and overcome suffering.
In the illustration above, the warrior is guided by the celestial light of the moon, his internal being. The buddhist principle of karma and the doctrine of nosoul are very much related with the principle of impermanence or that of. Pdf the doctrine of notself anatta in early buddhism. This article presents a an indepth introduction to buddhism, including the theravada, mahayana, and vajrayana or tantric schools of buddhism, the four noble truths, the eightfold path, and the dharma.
It is wellknown that every school of buddhism exclud ing that of the modhyamika which does not advocate any view of its ownupholds the doctrine of momentariness. Thus he lives as a binder together of those that are divided, an encourager of those that are friends, a peace maker, a lover of peace, impassioned for peace, a speaker of words that make for peace. The society intends to promulgate the great truths taught by the bud dha. If no adjective is attached to buddhism, we are necessarily to attribute momentariness to it. Momentariness, buddhist doctrine of the object of the buddhist doctrine ofmomenlariness is not the nature of time. Nichiren daishonin wrote the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life in 1258. Buddhist literature, which was commented upon, elaborated and systematized. Vasubandhu points out that if they if they combine on one side with one. Alan strathern of all the moral precepts instilled in buddhist monks the promise not to kill comes first, and the principle of nonviolence is arguably more central to buddhism than any other major religion. There are at least 2 major issues and 1 minor issue with buddhism from the hindu point of view. The doctrine of momentariness is the proverbial characteristic of buddhism as the doctrine of ideas is that of platonism. The three characteristics of the conditioned their ontological status. Please contact the current institutions library for further details.
In mongolia, every nomad has been keeping a special relationship with one dog as their best friend, since thousands of years ago. He specializes in the doctrinal history of indian buddhism, and in newar buddhism, the only indic mahayana tradition that continues to persist in its original south asian setting in the kathmandu valley right to the present. It is not surprising that such a doctrine which is so fundamentally at odds with ordinary experience met with great opposition. Buddhist rituals dont always translate to western practice, but in mourning the unborn dead. Exploring theravadas connections to other paths what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies i never will be enlightened the triumph of narcissism. For the early buddhists, the doctrine of momentariness was the basis of their teaching that everything is misery. The buddhist philosopher vasubandhu 4th to 5th century c. Hence the criticism of the principle of momentariness will be covertly the criticism of the principle of karma and the theory of nonsoul. The doctrine of momentariness is an understanding of the potency of the present moment.
Buddhist philosophy refers to the philosophical investigations and systems of inquiry that developed among various buddhist schools in india following the parinirvana i. Whenever there were differences of views, the dissidents formed new schools, each with its own literature. The object of the buddhist doctrine of momentariness is not the nature of time, but existence within time. I am truly surprised at its drastic change, especially with the interest in buddhism, growing rapidly worldwide. So vipassana meditation is insight or wisdom meditation. Aspects of sunyata and consciousness in mahayana buddhism. Glance meditation on all the important points of the lamrim pdf written by sera je lama purchog jampa rinpoche, said to be an incarnation of maitreya buddha. Dharmavijaya journal of buddhist studies, sri bodhi dharmavijaya.
They next went on to refute the buddhist doctrine of momentariness which used the analogy of the flame of a lamp to show that particles which were momentary could yet form a continuum. The buddhist principle of karma and the doctrine of nosoul are very much related to the principle of impermanence or that of momentariness. The sarvaastivaadins, too, got into puzzles when they attempted to correlate the doctrine of momentariness to. Bulletin of tibetology, 1990, numbers, pp 3954 created date. The abhidharmakosa was highly influential and is the main text on abhidharma used in tibetan and chinese buddhism up until today. In addition, his works often state doctrinal positions and arguments with. Vipassana is a pali word that means wisdom or insight. The buddhist doctrine of impermanence, as explained in the canonical texts, does really amount to a theory of momentariness, in the sense that everything is in a state of constant flux. This doctrine of impermanence anityavad of the buddha was given the form of the doctrine of momentariness by his disciples. In buddhism, the three marks of existence are things that all living beings have in common.
Although the body scan as such would presumably have been unknown in early buddhism, its practice does appear to. Romans 4 justification by faith introduction this is a very important chapter doctrinally for all christians. What are the three marks of existence in buddhist doctrine. Bhimrao ambedkar is the founder of a social reform movement in maharashtra, in which mahar caste groups, relegated to the bottom of the caste system, convert to buddhism en masse, rejecting hinduism and its institutionalization of social inequality. But according to abhidharma the person is not an ultimate reality. They said that this train of thought was contradictory because the. The buddhist doctrine of momentariness ahandfulofleaves. It is impossible to translate such a work into english adequately and fully, but i have attempted to transmit some sense of its flowing style, religious content, and spiritual flavor. Whence is there momentariness of the whole, when its issue is permanent.
The object of the buddhist doctrine of momentariness is not the nature of time. Glance meditation on all the important points of the lamrim pdf. It is a common sight in buddhist lands to see the devotees offer flowers and light oil lamps before a buddha image. But the orthodox buddhists, more or less, disowned such schools and rather excommunicated their adherents. The buddhist doctrine of momentariness pdf free online. Buddhist doctrine of momentariness or the doctrine of.
Even up to present times, at every buddhist funeral in theravada countries, this very pali verse is recited by the buddhist monks who perform the obsequies, thus reminding the congregation of the evanescent nature of life. This becomes clear from a passage in the anguttara nikaaya an 3. The life of dharmakirti, a profound and rigorous philosopher of indian buddhism, is a subject of hagiography with little solid data upon which we can confidently rely. In short, this is an introduction to the teachings of gautama buddha based on research from thai language texts, as well as interviews with. The buddhist doctrine of momentariness causality reason. Pdf anatta or the notself is a very important concept of buddhism, which distinguishes it. The buddhist doctrine of momentariness and its presuppositions. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. In keeping with the classification of the buddhas teaching as process.
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