BSDA - Anatta

Question 1

what is anatta

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

what are the 5 aggregates

Answer 2

1. Form / Matter: physical elements of people and things
2. Feelings: change all the time, as things around us change
3. Perception: based on our experience of feelings and on past experience. Changing and are dependent upon other things
4. Mental formation: reactions to feelings and perceptions. Here effected by Karma, when we react in a way that is wise and considered we bring about good Karma, when we do opposite, bad Karma is what happens
5. Consciousness: combination of other Skandhas. Changes - not permanent

Question 3

nagasena and the chariot analogy

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

implications anatta poses on rebirth

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

anatta in practice

Answer 5

• shared karma, shared good deeds (meta bhavana)
• ethical motivation: karma for you is karma for all, equality

Question 6

Mahayana and Anatta

Answer 6

• sunyata, no sambhava
• interconnectivity and interderdependence, indras web
• ultimate reality to realise we as an individual are not earning karma

Question 7

Theravada and Anatta

Answer 7

• dependent origination

Question 8

what does Anatta not mean

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

scholars on anatta

Answer 9

• ‘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
  ‘ King Milinda –> ‘ once I die all of these 5 things stop existing together and so there is no such thing as King Milinda as I am not permanent’

Question 10

gross and subtle level of anatta

Answer 10

• gross: physical people
• subtle: objects

Question 11

why is anatta not relevant for most buddhists

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

why is anatta relevant for most buddhists

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

nagasena chariot and karma

Answer 13

• karma is connection between lives
• consequences is reborn
• rebirth is a continual process
• consciousness is not reborn, only tibetan buddhists believe this

Question 14

Anatta in the Buddhas life

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

anatta in buddhist practice

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Anatta in buddhist teachings

Answer 16

• 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