ACI 4 Class 6 Flashcards
1) Master Dignaga’s famous opening statements consists of five important elements. Four of them are reasons that prove the fifth, and each other. Name these four
“reasonings of the forward order,” and state what one proves.
a) The reasoning of the protector: How do we know that Lord Buddha
is a totally correct being? Because He is the protector, in that He
is one person in our lives who describes our suffering perfectly.
b) The reasoning of having gone to bliss: And how do we know that
Lord Buddha is a protector? Because He “went to bliss”.
c) The reasoning of the Teacher: And how do we know that Lord
Buddha has gone to bliss? Because He is a teacher of the idea of
emptiness.
d) The reasoning of great compassion: And why is it that Lord Buddha is a teacher? Because He has great compassion, which compels Him to teach emptiness to others.
Why are these called the reasonings for the “forward order”?
They are so called because each previous statement is proven by each succeeding statement, when considered in a forward order.
The last of the four reasonings of the forward order involves great compassion. What is the difference between great compassion, holy great compassion, and just compassion?
“Compassion” is the wish that others be freed from common suffering, without taking upon oneself the responsibility to bring this about.
“Great compassion” is the wish that all others be freed from all suffering, and the decision to help all beings.
“Holy great compassion” is the compassion of an enlightened being.
Which of the four reasonings relates to the perfected thought, and which to the perfected action?
a) The reasoning of great compassion relates to perfected thought
b) The reasoning of the Teacher relates to perfected action
Which of the four reasonings relates to the culmination of one’s own goals, and which to the culmination of other’s goals?
a) The reasoning of having gone to bliss, relates to one’s own goals
b) The reasoning of the protector, relates to the culmination of others’ goals.
Name three reasons why the Charvakas believed that the mind died when the body died.
a) The mind is a quality of the body, in the way that the ability to make
a person drunk is a quality of alcohol.
b) The mind is by nature dependent on the body, in the way that a design that you put on a wall is dependent upon this wall.
c) The mind is a result of the body, in the way that light is a result of a
lamp.
