Prajnaparamita and Nagarjuna Flashcards
on the Dalai Lama, Heart of Wisdom teachings Quote
“The phrase ‘empty of intrinsic existence is Avalokitesvara’s reference to the subtlest, highest
understanding of emptiness (Sunyata)”
P. Harvey,
the
Mahayana Philosophy Quote
“The Madhyamaka school was also known as the ‘Sunyata-vada’, the Emptiness
Teaching’…also central to the ‘Perfection of Wisdom …the oldest Mahayana text” -
Prebish & Keown, Development;
Mahayana Quote
“Madhyamaka is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by Nagarjuna, and emphasising the
emptiness of all components of experiential reality”
P. Harvey quote (nature of the dhamma)
“all the dhammas are nirvanic from the very begging”
Give some examples of prajnaparamita sutras
The hearts sutra
The diamond sutra
what does the diamond sutra discuss?
The lack of an attman and how their in no inherent existence
when did Nagajuna find the texts?
2nd century
What are the translations of the Prajnaparamita we mostly have today?
Chinese translations from the first millennium CE
quote from the heart sutra
‘form is emptiness, emptiness is form’
who speaks in the heart sutra
avalokitsevara
What is the issue of causation with svabhava?
the issue of secondary causes and how this links to christianity
What is nagajuna’s path referred to as
the middle path between eternalism and nihilism
P. Harvey quote about reality
“fluxing, interdependent, baseless phenomena”
What is a teaching that links to Svabhava?
Thich Nhat Hanh on a piece of paper
What is an issue with the realisation of the ultimate reality?
You may become disengaged from helping others - the 9th and 10th Buhmi stages - nihilistic
What is an issue with the realisation of the ultimate reality?
You may become disengaged from helping others - the 9th and 10th Buhmi stages - nihilistic
What would Pure Land Buddhists say about the ultimate reality?
That it is too much of a hard path and that this knowledge can be attained though other means.
What is the support from western philosophy?
Kant’s realities
Is it too much to ask someone to realise the ultimate reality?
- coping mechanisms
- the base needs
How is Theravadin tradition an issue?
- does not accept nagarjuna
- does not agree with metaphysics
- it has an older status
- the teachings have no grounds in the Pali cannon
How does the mahayana tradition counteract the negatives of therevada here?
- more compassionate understanding +use
- arhat’s vs bodhisattvas
- not dependent on being a man or status
how can svabhava help someone develop good karma?
recognising that we are all one and when we hurt someone we hurt the whole
How is nagarjuna’s works an example of upaya
upaya to mahayana tradition sees the buddha’s teachings as privisions to be built on
