In part due to the conflation of 自 and 我, whose different usages are not accounted for in most English language translations.
Most affirmative references in Zen to "Self" are based on the term 自, which usually modifies a verb, as in self-realization (自覺, which is not realization a Self). This is language that conforms to convention and thus remains compatible with 無我. 1/
-
-
Fortunately, Chinese and Japanese preserve the distinction through use of two entirely different terms. Unfortunately, English translations, Sanskrit and Pāli aren't so clear about this. For instance, the Buddha uses atta to mean "oneself" without ever contradicting anattā. 2/
-
Take the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, "the eternal-unthinkable of the Tathāgatas is thatness realised by noble wisdom within themselves," which seems at first glance to cross into atmavāda territory. The Sanskrit even contains the term atmā, while the Chinese uses 自. 3/
- 2 more replies
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.