Indian Madhyamaka Buddhist Philosophy After Nagarjuna, Volume 1: Plain English Translations and Summaries of the Essential Works of Aryadeva, Rahulabhadra, Buddhapalita, and Bhavaviveka by Richard H. Jones

Author:Richard H. Jones [Jones, Richard H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jackson Square Books / Createspace
Published: 2014-07-08T00:00:00+00:00

10.Refutation of Views on Emptiness

(1) Opponent: Some phenomena must exist because of your refutation. If there is no refutation, then other phenomena exist. [You refuted the characteristics of all phenomena. Thus, if this refutation exists, it is impossible to say that all phenomena are empty because the refutation itself exists. Because this refutation is existent, it is impossible to say that you have refuted all phenomena. (Thus, if nothing else, at least the refutation exists.) And if the refutation is nonexistent, then all phenomena are existent (because they have not been refuted.)]

Reply : The refutation is like what is refuted. (That is, it has the same ontological nature — being empty of self-existence.) [Because you attach yourself to a refutation by means of existing and nonexisting phenomena, you desire to refute this refutation. But because the refutation is established, all phenomena are empty and without appearance. If thisrefutation is existent, then it itself has already been refuted and is empty and without appearance. If this refutation is nonexistent, what is there tobe refuted (as being real) by you? If one says that a second head is nonexistent, it does not become existent because of its refutation. When one says that something is nonexistent, it does not exist because of the mere word “nonexistence.” The same happens with a refutation and what is refuted.]

(2) Opponent: Phenomena must exist because we have the notions of “this” and “that.” [Because you accept multiplicity, you say that oneness is a mistake. Because you accept oneness, you say that multiplicity is a mistake. As oneness and multiplicity are established, all phenomena exist.]

Reply : Oneness and multiplicity are not accepted. [Oneness and multiplicity cannot be established. They were refuted in Chapters 3 and 4. Because they have already been refuted, there is nothing that can be accepted. And if one says “You have nothing to maintain, but we maintain oneness and multiplicity,” then this proposition is refuted in the same way.]

(3) Opponent: Because you refute the teachings of others, you are a person who refutes teachings. [You like to refute the teachings that others maintain, and you try your utmost to find a mistake in them. But you yourselves have nothing to maintain. Thus, you are refuters.]

Reply : You are the refuters. [Those who teach emptiness have nothing to maintain. Since they have nothing to maintain, they are not refuters. (That is, the Madhyamika argue that nothing is real and thus that nothing exists to be refuted.) But you accept your own teachings and refute the affirmations of others. Thus, you are the refuters.]

(4) Opponent: By refuting the teachings of others, your own doctrine is established. [If the teachings of others are overcome, your own teaching prevails. Thus, we are not refuters.]

Reply : “To establish” and “to refute” are not the same thing. [”Establishment” means “praising and being glad for the merit.” (“Refutation” means “exposing mistakes.”) Being glad for the merit and exposing mistakes cannot be the same thing.]

“Establishment” means there is a fear. [Fear means “lack of strength.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.