In the Bāhiya Sutta, the Buddha appears to provide instructions on unmediated awareness. That which is seen (diṭṭha), heard (suta), sensed (muta), and cognized (viññāta) are simply seen, heard, sensed, and cognized. 1/
Generally, we have to speak in terms that are readily understood, terms that conform to worldly convention. "His," "previous life," "Bāhiya," "a monk," and "the Buddha Kassapa" are all constructs that most people would agree to employ for the sake of communication. 1/
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Otherwise, how are we to hold a conversation? Such constructs help with conceptually organizing experience, but they do not map directly onto experience itself. 2/
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At least in Buddhism, such terms are mere expressions without substantial referents. They are not to be reified as ultimately or inherently existing, but may be wielded for conventional communication. On this subject, see the Arahanta Sutta (SN 1.25): https://suttacentral.net/sn1.25/en/sujato … 3/
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