“#1.How
is it Gotama, is “the all” entirety? This is the oldest cosmology Brahman
to say ‘the all is entirety’. #2. Then Gotama, is ‘the all’ ultimately
not? This is the second cosmology Brahman to say ‘the all is ultimately
not’. #3. Then Gotama, is ‘the all’ one’s Soul? This is the third cosmology
Brahman to say ‘the all is one’s Soul’. #4. Then Gotama, is ‘the all’ merely
composites (materialism, atomism)? This is the fourth cosmology Brahman
to say ‘the all is merely composite (atoms)’…” [SN 2.77]. The Atthakatha
commentary to this sutta at [Nidanavagga-Att. 2.76], states that the first
and third view to be that of the Sassatavadin (perpetualism), whereas the
second and fourth view to be that of the Ucchedavadin (annihilationist,
atomist). It is certainly of note to make mention that the Jains also rejected
sassatavada as a heretical and dogmatic speculation; however all peoples
know that the Jains themselves in no way shape or form deny the Soul in
its doctrine.
The
views possessed by the Sassatavadin (perpetualist) is that sabbamatthi,
or ‘the all is entirety’, and sabbamekattan or ‘the all is one’s Soul’;
both of which are heretical notions which are devoid of the middle-term
(The Soul), since both lead to a stasis of inaction and desire for emancipation
from Samsara in the mind of those with such views. This view is not “eternalism”
but perpetualism in that those who possess this belief feel that samsara
is without escape and that all one can hope for is the heaping of merit
or attainment of a god (deva) realm and or better reincarnation, which
is still mere samsara and a view which is devoid of a medium or means (Soul,vijja)
for emancipation. Perpetualism is the most common belief in India today
in one form or another, wherein its adherents belief that the one that
acts is the one that experiences the result [SN 2.20] and there is not
other than to watch ones karmic deeds and heap merit in hopes for either
equal or a better position is this life and or the next. Both good and
bad karma, as per Buddhism and Upanishadic thought, are merely part and
parcel of samsara itself, since an absolute stasis (Tat, Brahma, Soul,
Atman) is contingent upon Vijja, panna (illumination, wisdom) alone and
nothing else. Buddhism itself in sutta proclaims pannavimutta (emancipation
by wisdom) as ultimate.
The
equally heretical views possessed by the Ucchedavadin (annihilationist)
that sabbamnatthi ‘the all is ultimately not’ (atomism), and sabbam puthuttan
or ‘the all is merely composite (atoms)’ are also both heretical notions
which are devoid of the middle-term (The Soul), since both lead to inaction
and desire for emancipation from Samsara; the difference in view from the
Sassatavadin being only the mirror image of the basis and reason for inaction
ultimately. This view which is atomistic is also very much closer to Epicureanism,
since its basis is that all is for naught, so eat drink and be merry for
death comes swiftly. This view is most common in Europe and America today
(existentialism, empiricism, atheism) where the cult of scientism and genetic
engineering have attempted, in vain, to convince its populace that all
is mere chance like a fractal design, atomic assemblages, and that with
the aid of those like Darwin, and pseudo-science physics, the Soul can
be dismissed as mere hogwash and the fanciful speculations of our “ignorant
ancestors” who were “technologically unsophisticated”. Ironically enough,
modern “Buddhism” itself is atomistic and holds the very same belief of
the Ucchedavadin which Gotama denounced as “heretical” [An 3.337]. Modern
heretical “Buddhism” itself conceives of the world (via post-Buddhistic
Abhidhammic catechism) as composed of “Selfless dharmic monads” which are
without a “basis” (anti-foundationalism, nihilism).
Both
of these views are mere impasses which never attack the heart (mind, citta,
Soul) of the matter as addressed by the Vedas, Upanishads, and Nikayas
of Buddhism, that being avijja (nescience, agnosis, ignorance) and its
reversal through the Jhanas (sati, Samadhi) and gnosis (panna, vijja) which
makes con-centric (majjha) ones mind (citta) as its “own support”.
“The all is all”, and “all is naught” are equal and diametrically opposed
speculations which never lead to investigation of the basis, or stasis
or true being (svabhava). The only opposite to both heretical views is
that which is concentric and prior to either becoming (bhava, sassatavada),
or annihilation (vibhava, ucchedavada), namely the Self or the Soul which
“partakes not of either being nor becoming”, but is “ones True-nature”,
or Tathagatagarbha, bodhicitta (Self-same mind illumined), or Selfhood
(attan) attained through the Jhanic methodology of inflexure of mind upon
itself before it mentates and leads to Vinnana (Vi-nana, agnosis, reflective-mind).
Both
views are in complete antinomy with one another, for to declare the annihilation
of what “is” requires the basis for what has become to have been begotten
by that which itself is not begotten; whereas for perpetualism to declare
the perpetuosity of what “is” in perpetuity does not address that centermost
axis mundi which “makes things arise in perpetuity” to begin with. The
middle or means, that being the Soul, is the axis mundi, which is without
polarity or antinomy whereby Gotama says he “instructs by the means (majjhe)”
[SN 2.77]; such that he does not veer to either end of the spectrum of
mutually exclusivity, or codependent heretical views of being and annihilation
which are void of the basis for either’s arising to begin with, and are
consubstantial upon a prerequisite set of conditions for both of their
very existences. Views of either becoming or annihilation on the wheel
of samsara are devoid of engagement on the topic of the basis for either
arising or passing, that being the medium which itself is imbued with the
causeless condition (avijja) as impetus for the initiatory causation of
ones arising. The wise do not care or are involved in either the coming
or going of beings in samsara when one discerns the means (majjha) by which
they arise and pass in the first place. What need is there for debating
being (sat) or nonbeing (asat) when one has discovered by wisdom what is
prior to both and imbued with neither.
In direct
antinomy to either Asadvada (nonbeing-ism) or Sadvada (being-ism) is advaita
(non-duality) which is also identical to the Buddhistic Hetuvada (because-of-this-ism,
or causation-ism): [SN 2.17] “This world is carried on, Kaccana, by a duality
(dvayanissito); which are ‘being (sat, atthiti [views of either sabbamatthi
‘the all is entirety’, and sabbamekattan ‘the all is one’s Soul’ [SN 2.77])’
and ‘nonbeing (asat, natthiti [views of either sabbamnatthi ‘the all is
ultimately not’ (atomism), and sabbam puthuttan ‘the all is merely composite
(atoms)’ [SN 2.77])’. When the arising of the world is seen as it truly
as or as it has become with Samma’ (coherent citta or mind) wisdom there
is no notion of ‘being’ or ‘nonbeing’; the same holds true as to the subjugation
of the world. This world is entirely bound to dogmas, cravings and beliefs
Kaccana. When ones mind is not engaged in either dogmas, cravings or beliefs
then there is no arising of speculative views such as ‘this is my Soul’;
for he has gnosis and neither doubt or wavering (of mind) that it is merely
suffering which has come to arise and merely the cessation of suffering
which ceases. Herein Kaccana one possesses envisionment of Samma’. ‘The
all (sabba) is’, and ‘the all is not’ are both dead ends (speculative views).
Without involvement in either of these (heretical) views the Tathagata
teaches the dhamma by the means (majjhena, or Tat, Brahma, Soul).” Because-of-this,
namely anana (agnosis) or avijja (nescience) there is that, and when that
is present, so is that and etc.” The Tathagata teaches that both dogmas
of sat and asat are fruitless; so the Tathagata, the Sammasambuddha teaches
Tat (Brahma, Soul) which is achieved by means of wisdom which destroys
nescience (avijja); before “thou art being (sat)” and “thou art unbecoming
(asat)”, there is That, “thou art That (Brahma)”.
Given
the absence of avijja which occludes ones Self (attan) or Soul from direct
discernment of things as they are or have become (yathabhuta) there is
no need to speak of or become involved in either speculation or dogmas
relative to being (sat) or non-being (asat) when only action is required
to wipe away agnosis with wisdom and the jhanas, whereupon the refulgent
glory and magnitude of ones Self-nature or Atman which is identical with
Brahma [MN 1.341] becomes Tat (such, that, Brahma) without antinomy or
duality (dvayanissito), or speculative dogmatic beliefs regarding ones
Soul (attanuditthi). To sum up: [Pati-Att. 2.398] “…’being (sat)’ is perpetualism,
whereas ‘nonbeing (asat)’ is nihilism”, or more succinctly: [SN 2.65] “When
this exists, that comes to be, with the arising of this, that also arises;
when that is not present, that does not come to be; with the subjugation
of this, that too is subjugated. Namely this means when nescience (avijja,
agnosis) as (original) condition there are volitional experiences (which
come to be); with volitional experiences as condition, there is consciousness
(vinnana), (which is then manifest).
Like
two monkeys in a tree top, one argues that in the fall the fruit will drop
off the tree and rot, and then he will surely starve (ucchedavadin) and
die so he should and can do as he likes here-and-now for ultimately all
will end at winters arrival (death); whereas the other equally ignorant
monkey (sassatavadin) says assuredly that there will be a new batch of
fruit next year (next life) and if they take care of the tree top (merit-making),
there might even be better or more fruit to eat next year (better reincarnation).
Both of these heretical howler monkeys in this analogy (which spend their
entire lives in the tree canopy [wheel or round of rebirth]) are ignorant
of the grounds or being, the means, the mid-most, the con-centric (majjha,
Soul), or root (of the tree itself), like two fools arguing over whether
the glass is half full or half empty instead of pondering where the water
faucet is which filled the glass to begin with. That very “water faucet”
or the source and root (mula, Brahma) of mind is the Soul, the fixed and
unchanging mast or post of true-being (Svabhava), or the “unseen productivity
(of the fruit)” which the ignorant howler monkeys are unaware of. This
“unseen Seer”, which is That (Brahma), which makes things become but itself
is unbecome (ajata), and unoriginated [Ud. 1.81], is for the adept imbued
with wisdom, to be “fixed in the Soul” [Mahavagga-Att. 2.692] for him who
finds it, that rare few, that sage, the Arahant or worthy, has “crossed
beyond
birth and death” both, and either being (sat) or nonbeing (asat) are without
meaning for That which does not partake of spacio-temporality, is
“unbecome, unborn, unmade, and unseen”.
The role of the unchanging in
Eternalism and Annihilationism
By Aryasatvan
The notion of change in Buddhism is not simple mechanical
change as in
the illustration of moving ones chair several feet to get a better
view of
the television. Change, that is, real change denotes the arising
of
something which previously did not exist or will not exist in the next
moment. A most notable example is a temporal moment” or a thought.
In both
instances, change is thorough and complete. One moment becomes
another
moment; one thought suddenly turns into a different kind of thought.
From
what we can sense, there is nothing particularly linear about such
change as
in the earlier example of moving a chair which stays the same as we
move it.
With regard to time and thought, nothing is moved from one location
to
another. There has only been a sudden change into other.
By the same token,
the ultimate substrate has not fundamentally changed at all at least
potentially for me, the participant surrounded by changing phenomena.
For
indeed, what is ultimately simple has nothing to change into if I am
actually
that simple nature. But when I, the participant, over time, learns
to fix on
spatial-temporal change, including qualitative change, and quantitative
change, I shall eventually experience radical change insofar as what
I
thought I was (or believed was unchanging) has now become something
entirely
different. This last change is the change of generation and degeneration,
or
what in popular Buddhist literature is termed birth and death.
As will be
seen later, generation and degeneration are two schools of thought
which
Buddhists are forewarned to avoid, commonly called, Eternalism (bhava)
and Annihilationism (vibhava).
Now, let us look at the aforementioned from our
human state of affairs.
When I was born, the change from my previous life to the present one
was a
radical change. As it turns out, I was formally ignorant (avidya) of
the
simple, unchanging substratum of all. Subsequently, I identified
with
something changeable which I strongly believed was unchanging.
Whatever I
had identified with, passed away, that is, changed. It left me
bewildered.
And then I came to be something else taking up a new body. This
kind of
change is the change of generation, i.e., the coming-to-be. It
should be
underscored, that such intense change is so radical that, presently,
I am
convinced that another such radical change cannot happen because either
IÂ believe I shall always be this present state (Eternalism)
or I that I shall
be nothing after this body dies (Annihilationism).
When I consider myself from under the standpoint
of Eternalism (i.e.,
generation) I believe that I am the experiencer. The manifold
of experiences
in which IÂ participate constitute who I really am, this is to
say, the one
who acts is the same as the one who experiences. Believing this
way, I
adhere to Eternalism. By contrast, if upon looking at all of
my experiences
I find nothing in them which will remain after these experiences have
long
passed away, I adhere to the theory of Annihilationism.
In Eternalism and Annihilationism, there is one
common problem. In
trying to grasp who we really are we don’t go far enough. For
the
eternalist he is eternal as what is an unending continuum of changing
experiences in which he is the immediate participant. He is essentially
saying, I am eternal change itself and this never changes.
When we regard
the view of the annihilationist, he is the flip side of the eternalist.
He
spins it, What I shall be soon enough is nothing; in becoming
nothing
nothing can ever be again. Effectively, the first worships eternal
change
(i.e., generation) while the latter denies the change or generation,
seeing
only the process of passing-away.
Buddhism breaks through this seeming invincible
barrier. To reiterate,
both dont go far enough. Both, it might be argued, are caught
up in the
world of attributes (in Buddhism called dependent originations).
The
eternalist identifies with each and every attribute, thus becoming
a
participant in the life of phenomena. Alongside him, the annihilationist
believes the attributes constituting him are going to be no more in
a matter
of years. Where Buddhism succeeds in its siege against such errant
views
lies in comprehending the unchanging. By the unchanging we mean
that of
which other things may be predicated, but which, itself, cannot be
said or
predicated. The world of change, we can say, belongs to the unchanging,
dynamic ground of all. The coming-to-be and the passing-away
are nothing
without the unchanging. In truth, the first is the arising out
of the
unchanging while the second is a return to it (which is not really
annihilation). What further needs to be accomplished is to see
that from
which things arise and fall back into. For this is truly the
core of our
being which in Pali is referred to as majjhatta, translated as middlemost
substance or soul.
But there is still more. When we answer to
the question of the
unchanging, does not the eternalist and the annihilationist believe
that
their positions are also unchanging? One believes change, itself,
is
unchanging while the other believes that being annihilated is unchanging.
At
this point it might be objected that both positions are inadequate
since both
constitute an antinomy such that one cannot include its opposite.
And this
is their fallacy. In fact, both positions advance sham absolutes.
The only
worthy absolute is the unchanging absolute whereby we see it give birth
to
phenomena (like our thoughts) and return these forms back into itself
by
which this same absolute comes into unity with itself. In truth,
the
coming-to-be is self-affirmation while the passing-away is not annihilation,
but self-affirmation which is a return to self.