BSAD - Anatta Flashcards
1
Q
what is anatta
A
- one of the 3 marks of existence
- no permanent unchanged fixed self
- names are labels not proof of a self –> giving names to the 5 aggregates (skandas) do create an individual
2
Q
nagasena and the chariot analogy
A
- name does not equal impermanence + unchanging self –> chariot, ultimate reality
- chariot is needed to converse on a conventional level but on ultimate level no chariot (T and M)
- anatta and rebirth: rebirth is not linear, actions and consequences of yourself have been reborn and death will be the same
- NOT LIKE HINDU OR SIKHI BELIEF where permanent soul is reborn
2
Q
implications anatta poses on rebirth
A
- punabhava is not reincarnation
- continuous process of karma + conciousness when continual rebirth occurs
- continuum/stream of rebirth/karma –> continual life and death concerning rebirth, not just final death
3
Q
anatta in practice
A
- shared karma, shared good deeds (meta bhavana)
- ethical motivation: karma for you is karma for all, equality
4
Q
Mahayana and Anatta
A
- sunyata, no sambhava
- interconnectivity and interderdependence, indras web
- ultimate reality to realise we as an individual are not earning karma
5
Q
Theravada and Anatta
A
- dependent origination
6
Q
what does Anatta not mean
A
- fixed soul: B teaching at the time of Hindu dominance in india (atman/self taught)
- soul is not fixed or permanent and does not move between bodies upon death
- anatta is the negative of this
7
Q
scholars on anatta
A
- ‘buddha taught that this belief was a dangerous illusion’ cush (belief in the self)
- ‘a true disciple will develop an aversion to the physical form’ Buddha
8
Q
gross and subtle level of anatta
A
- gross: physical people
- subtle: objects
9
Q
why is anatta not relevant for most buddhists
A
- too difficult and complex for the average buddhist
- theoretical and not experienced
- not a priority for Lay b who prioritise merit making and morality
- less relevant than dukkha and anicca which can be seen in everyday life
- practical matters more important
10
Q
why is anatta relevant for most buddhists
A
- truth on many levels, anatta is an important Ult Truth
- useful reminder about the interaction between mind and body
- understood through meditation
- reminder of the futility of attatchment to all things
- for monks, a necessity on the route to nirvana
11
Q
nagasena chariot and karma
A
- karma is connection between lives
- consequences is reborn
- rebirth is a continual process
- consciousness is not reborn, only tibetan buddhists believe this
12
Q
Anatta in the Buddhas life
A
- 4th watch of gautamas time under bodhi tree understanding anatta: ‘here I have found freedom’
- Buddha emphasises how he wasnt important as an individual but his life was interconnected with all sentient beings –> understanding dhamma and anatta is more important than buddha character
- buddhas death shows insignificance of self and importance of selflessness –> died in kusinara, place of no significance and criticised ananda of being sad as he should know all is impermenant
- TB: tathagata Buddha
- MB: shakyamuni B has no real distinction between other bodhisattvas or buddhas –> understanding truth and enlightenment is goal
13
Q
anatta in buddhist practice
A
- meditation:
- samatha meditation: mindfulness of the current state of the skhandas
- brings calmness of mind and body –> zen walking, japanese tea ceremony, martial arts
-vipassana meditation: aims to producing insight and enables buddhists to analyse attachments to the world and see things as they really are; aim is enlightenemtn
14
Q
Anatta in buddhist teachings
A
- 5 skandas attachment leads to suffering, sermon at benares
- chariot, king melinda and nagasena
- ultimate and conventional truth concerning anatta
- anatta in life: caring, kindness and lack of separation between others
- 8 fold path encourages understanding of anatta –> makes people reflect on the way which people are impermeant and interconnected
