mid ter rewview

Question 1

Net of Indra (hua-Yen Buddhism):

Answer 1

A metaphor for infinite interconnection where every individual reflects and impacts the whole

Question 2

Dependent Origination (pratītya-samutpāda):

Answer 2

Nothing exists independently; all phenomena arise due to interrelated causes and conditions

Question 3

Śūnyatā (Emptiness):

Answer 3

The self lacks intrinsic, independent existence; fosters compassion and ethical action

Question 4

Dialogical Nature of the Self (Taylor)

Answer 4

The self is shaped through relationships and societal interactions

Question 5

Nirvana vs. Samsara:

Answer 5

Nirvana (ultimate reality) is not separate from daily life; it’s about transforming perception of interconnectedness

Question 6

Ethical Practices:
Buddhist Ethics:

Answer 6

Treat others as oneself (samatā or equality)
Practice compassion through everyday actions (mindfulness, care, presence).

Question 7

Ethical Practices:
Taylor’s Ethics:

Answer 7

A good life requires recognizing shared moral frameworks and the interdependence of interests

Question 8

Practical takeaways:
Challenge Atomistic Views:

Answer 8

Question individualism; recognise the roles of community and relationships

Question 9

Practical takeaways:
Cultivate Compassion:

Answer 9

See Others’ suffering as your own and act to reduce it.

Question 10

Practical takeaways:
Integrate Philosophy and Practice:

Answer 10

Apply ethical insights to everyday life (e.g., caring for others, environmental stewardship

Question 11

Practical takeaways:
Focus of Interconnection:

Answer 11

Understand actions impact the broader web of relationships and the environment

Question 12

Contemplative Neuroscience and Videos

Answer 12

Meditation and mindfulness can change your brain in ways that make you calmer, happier, and more focused
Richard Davidson (Neuroscientist):
Mediation can rewire your brain, making you more resilient to stress
Practicing mindfulness strengthens parts of the brain that control focus and emotional balance
Sarah Lazar (Havard Neourscientist):
Meditation increases gray matter in the brain (the part linked to learning, memory, and emotion)
Andrew Hurberman (stanford Neuroscientist):
Focused breathing and mindfulness reduce anxiety and helath with concentration
These practice also increase neuroplasticity – your brain’s ability to adapt and grow

Question 13

The Ethics of Interconnectedness: Charles Taylor, No-Self, and Buddhism
Pg.242- 249
Concepts of self in buddhism vs. Taylor’s Social Ontology
Buddhist Views on the self (No-self or Anātman):
Abhidharma Traditions (e.g., Sarvāstivāda, Theravāda):

Answer 13

The self as a separate, permanent individual is a delusion.
The “self’ is merely an aggregate of processes (the Five Skandhas):
Form (physical body
Consciousness
Perception
Emotion
Volittion
Analogy: Like a chariot, the “self” does not exist beyond its constituent parts (e.g., wheels, axle).

Question 14

The Ethics of Interconnectedness: Charles Taylor, No-Self, and Buddhism
Pg.242- 249
Concepts of self in buddhism vs. Taylor’s Social Ontology
Dependent Origination (pratītya-samutpāda):

Answer 14

All things arise interdependently and lack independent existence (e.g., no svabhāva or unique essence).
Impermanence (Anitya): Nothing is permanent;everything is in a state of becoming
Suffering (duhkha): ARises from craving (trsnā) and clinging (upādāna) to illusion of a permanent self

Question 15

The Ethics of Interconnectedness: Charles Taylor, No-Self, and Buddhism
Pg.242- 249
Concepts of self in buddhism vs. Taylor’s Social Ontology
Madhyamaka Philosophy (Nāgārjuna):

Answer 15

All phenomena, including basic constituents (dharmas), are śūnya (empty of inherent self-existence).
Change and transformation are only possible because nothing has a fixed, unchanging essence

Question 16

The Ethics of Interconnectedness: Charles Taylor, No-Self, and Buddhism
Pg.242- 249
Concepts of self in buddhism vs. Taylor’s Social Ontology
Zen (Thich Nhat Hanh’s “inter-being”)

Answer 16

Everything exists in interdependence with everything else.
A flower, for example, “inter-is” with sunlight, rain, soil, etc. It contains everything except a separate self

Question 17

Taylor’s Social Ontology:
Self as a “self-Interprething Being”:

Answer 17

Human inhabit a “space of reasons”, engaging with practical and moral consideration
The self is not merely a collection of parts (rejects the chariot analogy).
Identity is shaped by meaning, purpose, and relationships with others

Question 18

Taylor’s Social Ontology:
Comparison with buddhism:

Answer 18

Taylor rejects reductionist views of the self
Overlap with Mahāyāna Perspectives:
Shared emphasis on interconnection and relational existence.
Ethical focus on compassion and concern for others, aligning with the Mahāyāna ideal of achieving awakening for the benefit of all beings

Question 19

Key Ethical Implications:
Buddhism:

Answer 19

Ethics rooted in understanding interdependence and reducing suffering for all being
Liberation (nirvana) involves freeing oneself from the illusion of separateness

Question 20

Key Ethical Implications:
Taylor:

Answer 20

Ethics emerge from the self’s engagement with others and a share pursuit of the good

Question 21

Main Themes:
Interconnectedness of Selves:

Answer 21

Hua-Yen Buddhism (net of Indra): Metaphor for interconnected selves; every action affects the whole
Taylor’s Dialogical Self: The self exists only in relation to others

Question 22

Main Themes:
Ethical Implications:

Answer 22

Both Buddhist and taylor’s perspectives reject the idea of the self as isolated
Ethics arise from recognizing interconnectedness:
Buddhist view: Compassion (karunā) emerges from understanding dependent origination (pratītya-samutpāda).
Taylor’s View: A “self” gains meaning through relationships and shared moral frameworks

Question 23

Critique of Individualism:

Answer 23

Atomistic views of the self (isolated, permanent) lead to:
Separation, suffering, and environmental harm
Narrow ethical concerns focused on self- interest

Question 24

Philosophy as Practice:

Answer 24

Buddhist philosophy integrated intellectual understanding with contemplative practices (e.g., mindfulness).
Purpose: Reduce suffering and transform lived experiences.

Question 25

Comparison between Taylor & Buddhism:

Answer 25

Similarities:
Both emphasize the interconnected nature of selves
Ethical broadening due to rejection of atomistic self-concepts
Differences:
Buddhism often posits a deeper reality (emptiness, śūnyatā) beyond appearances
Taylor focuses on lived experience and social ontology without positing an ultimate reality