Are all things empty? - Nagarjuna & The Buddhist Middle Way

We're finally doing Buddhism! In this episode, we explore the teachings of the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna and his school, known as Madhyamika, or "The Middle Way".
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Sources/Suggested Reading:
Siderits, Mark & Shoryu Katsura (Translated by) (2013). "Nagarjuna's Middle Way: The Mulamadhyamakakarika". Classics of Indian Buddhism. Wisdom Publications.
Westerhoff, Jan (2009). "Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka: A Philosophical Introduction". Oxford University Press.
Ziporyn, Brook (2016). "Emptiness and Omnipresence: An essential introduction to Tiantai Buddhism". Indiana University Press.
#Nagarjuna #Buddhism #Emptiness

[@user-lw8dr6xx8i]

The problem is that every english source translates the word as "emptiness". This is misleading to such misunderstandings as "nihilism". If you regularly practice and study the primary original source of Ryūju, not second or third hand descriptions, you can realize it is not a state of being "empty" at all, but something more accurately described as an "infinite potentiality". Hope that helps clear up any unclarity.

[@HossainSalahuddin]

'Emptiness' is an accurate, literal translation of 'Shunyata'. In Bengali, which is a daughter language of Sanskrit, we still say - "This cup is Shunya" which means "This cup is empty". A side note here, and this will take us back to the (rather flawed, but conventionally useful) East vs West debate. In my opinion, Buddhist terms like 'emptiness' or 'no thingness' - are understood differently in the East than in the West. The East is OK with seemingly negative words like 'emptiness' or 'no thingness' or 'void' - and able to hold them quite comfortably without falling into the traps of 'nihilism' - which is what I have seen in the West. This is probably a problem with the language, but I suspect it has something to do with the way people from different linguistic traditions think. I think, the West, generally, has less tolerance for ambiguity and contradiction.

[@dharmadefender3932]

@@HossainSalahuddin The meaning of emptiness is everythingness. The opposite of nihilism.

[@HossainSalahuddin]

@@dharmadefender3932 I don’t disagree with you, kalyāṇa-mitta. But, there is room for confusion, so allow me to expand a little. I was merely pointing out how the word Śūnyatā or ‘emptiness’ is perceived in the West. In my experience most Westerners when they encounter ‘emptiness’ for the first time, two things happen: - They almost immediately think of ‘nothingness’ and, therefore, ‘nihilism’ - which is a complete misunderstanding of Nagarjuna (and Buddhism in general), - They get turned off, and think there is nothing to see here, and they move on to the next exciting thing. It is as though, most people are terrified of ‘emptiness’! As you have pointed out, it is of course a misunderstanding, and I agree. Let’s look at some literal meanings first. I understand several Indian languages and can understand some Sanskrit, so I am afraid what I am about to say will be laden with Indian connotations. The word ‘Śūnya’ in Sanskrit, literally means ‘Zero’, ‘No Thing’, ‘Void’. Śūnya-ta, therefore, means ‘Zeroness’, ‘No Thingness’. Śūnya is still used in many Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali etc and it still means what I outlined above. But when used in Madhyamaka / Śūnyavāda philosophy, Śūnyatā is NOT ‘nothing’ in the nihilistic sense of the word. This is the mistake many people make. Even though, in literal translation, Śūnyatā does sound like ‘nothing exists’, that’s not what Nagarjuna is saying at all. He is saying that nothing exists, 'independently'. This distinction is important to Nagarjuna. "Svabhāva-śūnyatā" (Svabhaba - inherent properties, Sunyata - Emptiness) is a claim by Nagarjuna that all things are empty of 'inherent essence or properties'. It's related to impermanence (Anitya) and no-self (Anatta). The Anatta doctrine is often applied to all phenomena, not just to the human self - and the term 'Emptiness' (Sunyata) is often used as a more all-encompassing synonym for Anatta. However, ‘Everythingness’ is not a correct translation of Śūnyatā either. ‘Emptiness’ is much closer. If you read Nagarjuna, you will see he would not necessarily like ‘Everythingness’ as the translation of Śūnyatā. I understand why you are using that word, but it’s a slippery slope, if one is not careful they might ‘reify’ emptiness, make it a ‘thing’, and then you are in the ‘Advaita Vedanta’ territory. Nagarjuna would never be comfortable with this level of positive reification of emptiness. Why? Because, neither the Buddha, nor Nagarjuna ever confused epistemology with ontology. They did not reify consciousness. Vinnana (or consciousness) is one of the five aggregates that make the self - it’s a process, not a ‘thing’. Consciousness is always a consciousness ‘of’. Pure consciousness is just an abstraction.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@HossainSalahuddin Hi, thanks Hossain. Another Indian here. That summary was more helpful than some entire books. Wish books would keep it simple and not try to impress.

[@BreakfastEveryday]

@@HossainSalahuddin this is better than anything I have ever read on r/Buddhism. As a westerner who can completely understand the inherent fear of the idea of sunyata( it goes against our concept of god, even those who aren’t religious can’t escape the fundamental nature of our language and how it was constructed over time by our metaphysical understanding h of reality) I agreed, the more I have studied and practice, the answer becomes clearer. All of this is rather hard to understand without also taking into account meditation. I wonder if you could answer this question, does the Japanese word Mu directly translate to sunyata or however Japanese Buddhism developed have a similar but different meaning?

[@mdlahey3874]

As a (nearly) lifelong Buddhist and member of the Zen Buddhist clergy, I thank you for this introductory visit with Buddha's teaching. A footnote: The title of Nāgārjuna's masterwork that appears in the video is misspelled. Here is a corrected version: Mūlamadhyamakakārikā . And one sometimes helpful addition to the discussion of śūnyatā comes from the Tibetans, who say simply that nothing whatsoever can exist exclusively "from its own side". It might also be useful to warn viewers against what Nāgārjuna regarded as a grave danger, namely, to start to think of śūnyatā or emptiness as a "thing", or some sort of "stuff" that exists behind the apparent play of phenomena that makes up the world.

[@SrValeriolete]

This teaching about "from their own side" really helped me

[@piotrl.7549]

Hi, I'm studying Zen for a year now. Hope You don't mind me asking, but since you have more experience with Zen philosophy, isn't the subject of the video same thing as mu (無) in Zen?

[@asad-kc8zf]

Nothing can exist"from its own side". So things can exist from a side other than "own side'? So how does Nagarjuna explain the "existence" of emptiness , if he himself was present in the emptiness . This is going in circles isn't it ?

[@HossainSalahuddin]

@@asad-kc8zf Nagarjuna explicitly argues that emptiness itself is empty. This is a crucial point in understanding Shunyata.

[@iamtombh]

even emptiness is empty haha

[@_lonelywolf]

Thank you for this great topic and video! First, you understand Sunyata intellectually. Then you realize its implications psychologically. Once, the latter realization is achieved, you wake up (occasionally), but it doesn't mean that all the lifelong mental patterns are gone completely. Imagine that you grew up in a house where everyone believes that there is a ghost in the basement. Long story short, you one day realize that it was actually the wind blowing in the pipelines, that there was never any ghost. Believe it or not, you will still shake involuntarily every time you'll hear the sound coming from the basement, even though you can now remind yourself that it's the wind... It usually takes a long time to sustain "enlightenment", to stay more and more awake and fall less and less asleep, into your lifelong cultivated patterns, tendencies, interpretations, reactions, etc. The realization of Sunyata must be constantly cultivated, unless you're a mythological Hui Neng who was supposed to have become enlightened suddenly and permanently... Personally, it took me many decades to realize it and cultivate it. The hardest, almost impossible thing, is to learn how to communicate it using words. So here's my two cents on why Sunyata or Emptiness is itself empty. All things and phenomena must be named, designated, or at least acknowledged for their existence to become acknowledged. In other words, all things must be objects of acknowledgment, or mind objects. Even the mind itself must be acknowledged, presumably by itself, for its existence to be. Thoughts, feelings, sensations, emotions, events, concepts, ideas, consciousness, awareness, quantum elements, etc. They must all be acknowledged, or to put it differently their existence systematically depends on them being acknowledged, on them being "mind objects". Therefore, such things, being necessarily and exclusively acknowledgeable things, and since the very act of acknowledging them must itself be acknowledged (ad infinitum), it must follow that all things or phenomena must be lacking inherent essence, first because their existence can only be acknowledged as "acknowledgment objects", and second because their existence must depend on them being acknowledged. So there we have both lack of intrinsic essence or nature or self, and co-dependence, not to mention the fact that such things or phenomena are also transient and changing constantly. What does it mean in simpler terms? Well, it means that unless you reflect on a thought, emotion or anything, you can't possibly acknowledge its existence. You must become aware of it. You would also need to become aware of being aware for the existence of the latter (i.e. your awareness) to be acknowledged. Therefore, since the existence of each and every thing must necessarily be acknowledged in order to be, and since the existence of the act of acknowledging itself must also be acknowledged, everything is empty and emptiness itself (i.e. the act of acknowledging) is also empty. The cultivation of the realization of Sunyata on a deep psychological level can take years and decades. You'll have to undo decades of ignorance, i.e. wrong seeing. It's a long process of unlearning... The results are more spontaneity, less attachment and much more freedom and liberation of one's true potential. To become free from youself and still live and act as your optimal self is a highly rewarding journey-when you're back in the market, that's the world, your ordinary life, now lived in an extraordinary way. The mushin mind. I hope this helps! 🙏

[@manumusicmist]

This explanation is interesting. I'm not a Buddhist, but I'm agnostic born in a hindu family, but Buddhism seems very scientific to me. Also, vajrayana and shaivism are interesting because they are wrapped in secrecy. But whatever is proven by science and experiments are what's real. I know that I don't know, and I don't like people who claim to know.

[@Purwapada]

good, if a bit tautologous. Although this video was about Madhyamaka, not Yogacara

[@knoxtan325]

Thank you 🙏👍 lesson learnt

[@satvikkumar658]

Beautifully summarised 👍

[@themindstream]

I'm not a Buddhist, but I find value in some of the philosophies and theories of mind. This made me think of a tales from "101 Zen Stories" (#82). Paraphrased: A young student visited a Zen master, and to show his attainment, explained how the true nature of all phenomena was emptiness and nothing truly exists. The master, who sat quietly smoking his pipe, suddenly hit the student with it, making the student angry. "If nothing exists," inquired Dokuon, "where did this anger come from?"

[@leiladekwatro3147]

And the student was immediately enlightened and then everybody in the restaurant clapped and cheered.

[@robertjsmith]

themindstream and your answer is ?

[@Newfoundmike]

@@robertjsmith the ? Was the answer

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

And that student's name? Albert Einstein!

[@condorX2]

I don't trust Tibetan monks after reading this. They're like modern predator priests. "History clearly reveals that the old Tibet was not the Shangri-La that many imagine", he wrote "but a society under a system of feudal serfdom." Until 1959, when China cracked down on Tibetan rebels and the Dalai Lama fled to northern India, around 98% of the population was enslaved in serfdom. Drepung monastery, on the outskirts of Lhasa, was one of the world's largest landowners with 185 manors, 25,000 serfs, 300 pastures, and 16,000 herdsmen. High-ranking lamas and secular landowners imposed crippling taxes, forced boys into monastic slavery and pilfered most of the country's wealth - torturing disobedient serfs by gouging out their eyes or severing their hamstrings. Tashi Tsering, now an English professor at Lhasa University was taken from his family near Drepung at 13 and forced into the Dalai Lama's personal dance troupe. Beaten by his teachers, Tsering put up with rape by a well-connected monk in exchange for protection. In his autobiography, The Struggle for Modern Tibet, Tsering writes that China brought long-awaited hope when is laid claim to Tibet in 1950. The Dalai Lama is smiling in all those photos has something to do with the six-figure salary he pulled down from the U.S. government during the 1960s. According to declassified intelligence documents, he earned $180,000 in connection with the CIA's funding of the Tibetan Resistance to the tune of $1.7 million per year. The idea was to disrupt and hamper China's infrastructure. Source The Guardians Tibet dark history

[@jonathanosborn4800]

The phrase that helped me with how emptiness is meant, was “emptiness is fullness, fullness is emptiness”. Opposite concepts, but both can apply at the same time to the real world

[@laiika511]

There is no form without emptiness, no emptiness without form

[@sherabsamten344]

Aśvaghosa, Nāgārjuna, Āryadeva, Asaṅga, Vasubandhu, Dignāga, Buddhapālita, Buddhaghosa, Bodhidharma, Bhāvaviveka, Candrakīrti, Dharmakīrti, Kumārajīva, Śāntideva, Jñānagarbha, Śāntarakṣita, Kamalaśīla, Saraha/ Sarahapāda (Rāhula/ Rāhulbhadra), Nāropā (Abhayakirti), Tilopa/ Tilopadā, Atiśa Dīpankara Śrījñāna - so many to name. It is a big shame that most Indians never heard of these great Buddhist philosophers. Philosopher Alan Watts once described Nagarjuna as - "one of the most astonishing minds the human race has ever produced". More Indians should study him. Indians should also feel proud that during the first millennium, so many brilliant Indian Buddhist philosophers from the Nalanda tradition adorned this land. Compared to what they produced in Nalanda, Western philosophy appears to be at the Kindergarten level.

[@wint7031]

Most of you guys in India want to forget them because they were Buddhist philosophers. You guys should respects them and their's great ideas. Buddhism is not religion; all religions associate with God { Creator and creation).

[@sherabsamten344]

@@wint7031 That is sadly very true. Most Indians couldn't care less about any of the brilliant Buddhist philosophers I have listed above. Most Indians have never even heard of these names, and school textbooks say nothing about them (although does mention the Buddha). Indians only care about Shankara and similar Hindu preachers. If it wasn't for Tibetans, all of the work of Buddhist philosophers from the Nalanda tradition would have been lost.

[@wint7031]

@@sherabsamten344 Even Shankara was a Buddhist monk and had studied Buddhism for years. Later he was a founder of new philosophy for Vedanda.

[@sherabsamten344]

@@wint7031 With respect, this is not historically accurate. Shankara was never a Buddhist, not even for a single day.

[@wint7031]

@@sherabsamten344 Like I said, Shankara studied Buddhism 3 years as a Buddhist monk and then he studied from Kumarra Lilabhuta who was a former Buddhist scholar monk. Therefore, He already studied Buddha' s teaching. I did not say he was a Buddhist. Believe it or not, it is true.

[@noodlewhitley]

Nagarjuna is wonderful and profound. By contemplating the teachings on Emptiness, we can become less attached to the ever-changing and unsatisfying world. Then we can respond to reality with more flexibility, more kindness, and more efficacy.

[@buddhaexhumed9922]

Yes Nagarjuna is wonderful and profound. Is his real name Narsim bhagwan. Please allow me to interrupt. I do research on how Buddhism disappeared in Bihar. I realized it never disappeared from Bihar. Buddhists simply failed to research Indian Buddhism. They looked at Buddhism through the sphere of their own cultures searching for only the Buddha. Buddha had a myriad of names in different villages according to his teachings there. Example. His favorite teaching was 'Lust and desire causes pain. Remove lust and desire, and pain is removed'. Translated into Bihari (where the Buddha story took place) it is DHUKH HARAN meaning to remove dukha. Three dozen villages pray to DUKH HARAN Baba. Its clear that DUKH HARAN Baba is none other than the Buddha. Problem is Buddhists are searching only for the Buddha. In the real Vaishali the Buddha begged for alms. The locals there pray to 'BHIKHAINI' Baba (Beggar Baba). Bhikhaini was mispronounced by Buddhists as Bhikshu. Who is BHIKHAINI Baba. The Buddha no doubt. But people are searching for a man called Buddha. In the real Vaishali, in Beluha the Buddha suffered a sickness and felt he had grown old. The locals pray to 'BURHA' Baba (Old Baba). Who is BURHA Baba. The Buddha no doubt. In the real Vaishali the Lichavies pressurized Buddha not to die. They trailed him to Bandagawan pressurizing him not to die. To put pressure in Hindi is DABESHWAR. Three dozen villages around the stupa where Buddha gave the Lichavies his patra, the villagers pray to Baba 'DABESHWAR NATH' meaning the man who won the pressurizing game. It was the the Buddha no doubt as he gave the Lichavies his patra and succeded in sending them back. But Buddhists are searching for the Buddha. In Pidhauli (Vaishali) the local deity is Bardiha Baba. Bardiha means the Baba who didn't allow us to stay where he was staying. Bardiha Baba is the Buddha no doubt because he didn't allow the crowd of Lichavies to stay with him in Bandagama. Forgive me for commenting out of the topic. I just wanted to impart this information to you.

[@HossainSalahuddin]

My readings of Wittgenstein have been cursory, but the point where I find Wittgenstein and Nagarjuna meets is the idea of language (or as we Buddhists put it - 'conceptual imputation'). This is the idea that the world doesn't come neatly carved up into objects or properties. Rather what determines an object as a 'whole' (a car), vs the constituent parts (wheels and engines and bolts) - depends on the concepts we use to describe them (i.e. 'conceptual imputation'). This is not to say, cars don't exist, they certainly do. But, they don't exist the way we think they exist - the world we perceive is a mental/conceptual projection.

[@koffeeblack5717]

There definitely are Wittgensteinian readings of Nagarjuna. Indeed, just put both their names into a JSTOR search (general suggestion for anyone interested).

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

Its the difference between universals vs particulars.

[@Fear_ALLAH_and_speak_the_Truth]

Kabbalah Jews, Illuminati & Freemasons, Christian saints, Buddhists monks, Hindu pandits, Persian shia sufis, dewbondi, tableeghi Jamaat, berelvi (Rizvi) pirs and Satanists also worship jin shaytan through meditation to open 3rd eye in order to reach the highest level of spirituality. Persian Shia sufi Husain bin Monsoor Hallaj also used to worship jin saytan to open his 3rd eye and he was possessed by the dev-ill (devi-iil) that's why these blasphemous words “anal haq (I’m truth/god) and prostrate to me” were coming out from the mouth of mansur hallaj. May Almighty ALLAH protect us from this antichrist dajjalik fitna Aameen.

[@YpY727]

I thank you for reminding me of what I had leant. 🙏🙏🙏

[@Sqk.]

That is a great description.

[@SeekersofUnity]

I’ll take some more of this emptiness anytime. Incredible work Filip. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@dyscotopia]

This is absolutely full and abundant of emptiness

[@smlanka4u]

Abdhidhamma teachings are the most intellectual teachings in Buddhism. There are ultimate realities called Paramartha (Paramount) Dhamma. But those realities are forms of emptiness. Paramartha Dhamma: 1.) Matter/Rupa (4 great fundamental forms + 24 derived material forms) ii.) Chaitasika (52 fields of emotions) iii.) Citta (mind moment) iv.) Nibbana. Furthermore, there are small matter zones (Rupa-Kalapa) with 17 Citta/mind moments. There are three 3 moments in a mind moment like a wave moment. That matter zone is like a Planck zone in a Planck length and time. According to my analysis, all the constants in the universe emerged from that Planck zone. They are a lot more explanations about Matter/Rupa in Theravada Abhidhamma. Also, there are explanations about the formation and destruction of worlds.

[@condorX2]

Nice 🙏 I don't trust Tibetan monks after reading this. They're like modern predator priests. "History clearly reveals that the old Tibet was not the Shangri-La that many imagine", he wrote "but a society under a system of feudal serfdom." Until 1959, when China cracked down on Tibetan rebels and the Dalai Lama fled to northern India, around 98% of the population was enslaved in serfdom. Drepung monastery, on the outskirts of Lhasa, was one of the world's largest landowners with 185 manors, 25,000 serfs, 300 pastures, and 16,000 herdsmen. High-ranking lamas and secular landowners imposed crippling taxes, forced boys into monastic slavery and pilfered most of the country's wealth - torturing disobedient serfs by gouging out their eyes or severing their hamstrings. Tashi Tsering, now an English professor at Lhasa University was taken from his family near Drepung at 13 and forced into the Dalai Lama's personal dance troupe. Beaten by his teachers, Tsering put up with rape by a well-connected monk in exchange for protection. In his autobiography, The Struggle for Modern Tibet, Tsering writes that China brought long-awaited hope when is laid claim to Tibet in 1950. The Dalai Lama is smiling in all those photos has something to do with the six-figure salary he pulled down from the U.S. government during the 1960s. According to declassified intelligence documents, he earned $180,000 in connection with the CIA's funding of the Tibetan Resistance to the tune of $1.7 million per year. The idea was to disrupt and hamper China's infrastructure. Source The Guardians Tibet dark history

[@samk5]

Hi Filip, this is a great step that you have taken sacrificing your time to introduce and explore about Buddhism to all who are enthusiastic to learn and understand what Buddhism is. I would like to talk to you for a few minutes if you have time. My name is Ajith Jayasinghe. Please let me know, thank you.

[@Fear_ALLAH_and_speak_the_Truth]

Pir, pandit, pop, shia, Sufis, saints who support the blasphemy (I'm God & worship me) of monsoor hallaj are also like Kabbalah Jew who will also follow Dajjal by considering him as their mahdi/mystical sufi! Because hallaj told his followers that he would come back after his death, possibly to take revenge against the true believers (Mumins) of Islam . May Almighty ALLAH protect us from this antichrist dajjalik fitna. Aameen For example: Irani shia Sufi Hussain bin Mansoor hallaj claimed to be God. And we know very well that Dewbondi, Berelovi (Rizvi), shia-rafizi, all pir/sufi support his blasphemous claim to be God/worshiped. (May Almighty ALLAH protect us from this antichrist (dajjalik) fitna. Aameen Shia Sufis piir, Buddhists, Hindu, Trinitarian Christian and other polytheists who believe that GOD comes to earth in human form (of Jesus, wali-Awliya, Imam Mahdi, prophets, Buddha, ram, Krishna, gonesh etc.) are going to be deceived by the anti-christ (dajjal). And extremists Sufi, pir shia who believe that man can become GOD by reaching highest level of spirituality like irani shia Sufi mansoor hallaj will also follow antichrist by considering as their mahdi or mystical Sufi mansoor hallaj with mighty power as he said his followers that he would come back possibly to take revenge against the true believers (Muslims) of Islam. Hindus,christians, Buddhists believe that their god come to earth in human form to be deceived by antichrist (dajjal). Because most of them worship material things (money,powers,names, fames, worldly things etc.). They (Hindus saints Buddhists prists christians monks) also worship Jin Satan to open their 3rd eye! Christianity= Hinduism Denomination= Caste Trinity= Trimurti Both venerate a man as god to be deceived by antichrist Both are pagans Both were lies and scams by satan

[@no1uknow32]

I really appreciate the deep dives into a specific area of a religion/philosophy rather than just a broad overview!

[@houdinididiit]

For someone who picked up the study of emptiness, this was an excellent presentation! Years ago I studied for 4 years with a Geshe from the Tibetan Gulagpa tradition from Sera Mey monastery in India. (Home of the Dalai Lama). Emptiness was a big part of our studies. I’d like to add a few thoughts here on the topic. The concept of a conventional reality and a higher reality is absolutely spot here on along with deconstructing everything around us, including our egos. “Nothing exists from its own side.“ Is what my teacher would say. Similar to your flower or chariot example. However, there is a caveat: The purpose of understanding emptiness is to make it easier to generate compassion. Without that component, there is a danger that direct perception of emptiness can result in a form of madness. The reason for compassion, of course is manyfold, but most importantly, within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, its function is to eliminate karma. We often hear the term good or bad karma. However neutral karma is actually the goal. For it is karma that causes all of our conditions. Yes, it’s a big subject but in short, let’s just imagine oil dispersed into a pool of water. Eventually, that oil comes together. That is karma in the physical world. It is like a force of attraction between things. You don’t want any kind of karma. That is the goal. Circling back, understanding emptiness will allow for compassion, which will allow for neutrality of karma. Thus… The eradication of all karma. How? Imagine you are in a terrible workplace. And your boss is constantly yelling at you. Your instinct is to generate a negative emotion, and thus negative karma, and thus perpetuating the cycle, because you are in ignorance about it. (“You are compelled to experience your thoughts.” is what my teacher would always say.) If you use the concept of emptiness and realize that your boss and his ego, and your ego is the illusion of emptiness: It is much easier to have compassion for the whole situation. It not only insures a healthier viewpoint on everything it makes it much easier to have that place of compassion. For what are you really angry at? A wagging tongue? Basically. So in this kind of situation instead of reacting negatively and perpetuating it, (either in this life, or another one) you can stop generating the karmic seed it in its tracks with compassion. Consider the western tradition where God tells us to love everyone. Often we find many people failing in this endeavor because it seems impossible to “love your enemies.“ In the Buddhist context, even a horrible person such as Hitler or Saddam Hussein, etc. while yes, they are committing atrocious acts, they too like all of us, are in a state of ignorance - because it is all empty. It doesn’t mean you have to “love” them, but by understanding emptiness… generating compassion for such individuals is just a little easier. So understanding emptiness ultimately, gives us a tool for generating compassion. (Emptiness > Non Ignorance > Compassion > Eradication of Karma) Otherwise, just seeing emptiness without generating compassion is like being an incomplete Jedi, so to say. You can fall into a state of nihilism, which I think was the major misunderstanding of other schools of Buddhism as mentioned in your video.

[@sebastiann6802]

Thanks for your explination its very helpful, have a wonderful day :)

[@yoko-ue2gs]

Bless you, brother

[@thupten5520]

Sera mey location is in south India and Dalai Lama lives in North India. If your teacher taught you emptiness realization without compassion developed is some state of nihilism. Hey yaa he is wrong. What about hinayana Arya, are they nehilist?

[@alexbadila1]

As a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist, I'm so glad you finally covered Buddhism in your awesome series and that you did it justice! Looking forward to more videos on Buddhism. Gassho, Alex

[@soapboxkid]

Namo Amida Butsu 🙏

[@codysteele3499]

All that talk about emptiness 18:40 reminded me of that line from the Tao Te Jing “Darkness within darkness is the gateway to all understanding”

[@faccafromklepp]

Great video! While Nagarjuna and Shunyata is mostly associated with Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada teachers also reffrence him in my experience. At least the Thai Forest Tradition is very open to drawing inspiration from what is taught of as a "different tradition". Buddhism can be very open in this way. Anything that leads to the development of insight, whether it is a mode of teaching, a particular practice, meditational or devotional, is utilized by the teacher.

[@HossainSalahuddin]

Emaho! How wonderful! Thank you, Filip! I have been waiting for this video for a long, long time. Nāgārjuna, without a doubt, is one of the most astonishing minds the human race has ever produced; and to me, he is the greatest of philosophers who came out of ancient India. I think you have done full justice in this video. “Buddhism has an incredibly rich philosophical and spiritual tradition - that is just an ocean of interesting stuff to explore”. Indeed! Looking forward to your next video on Buddhist philosophers/ thinkers. Here are some suggestions: - Siddhārtha Gautama, the Buddha (563-483 BCE) - I mean, the man started it all. - Aśvaghoṣa (80-150 CE) - Sarvāstivāda - Nāgārjuna (150-250 CE) - Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda (already covered) - Āryadeva (3rd century CE) - Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda - Kumārajīva (344-413 CE) - Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda - Asaṅga (4th century CE) - Yogācāra/ Vijñānavāda/ Cittamātra - Vasubandhu (4th century CE) - Yogācāra/ Vijñānavāda/ Cittamātra - Dignāga (480-540 CE) - Yogācāra/ Vijñānavāda/ Cittamātra/ Sautrāntika - Bhāvaviveka (500-570 CE) - Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda/ Svatantrika-Prasaṅgika - Buddhapālita (5th Century CE) - Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda/ - Buddhaghosa (5th Century CE) - Vibhajyavāda/ Theravāda - Bodhidharma (5th Century CE) - Chan/ Zen - Candrakīrti (600-650 CE) - Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda - Dharmakīrti (6th Century CE) - Yogācāra/ Vijñānavāda/ Cittamātra - Xuanzang/ Hiuen Tsang (602-664 CE) - Yogācāra/ Vijñānavāda/ Cittamātra/ Sautrāntika - Śāntideva/ Bhusuku (685-763 CE) - Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda - Jñānagarbha (700-760 CE) - Yogācāra-Mādhyamaka - Śāntarakṣita (725-788 CE) - Yogācāra-Mādhyamaka - Kamalaśīla (740-795 CE) - Yogācāra-Mādhyamaka - Padmasambhava (8th Century) - Vajrayana - Saraha/ Sarahapāda (Rāhula/ Rāhulbhadra) - Vajrayana, Sahajayana, Sahajiya - Nāropā (Abhayakirti) (956-1040 CE) - Vajrayana, Kagyü - Tilopa/ Tilopadā (988-1069 CE) - Vajrayana - Atiśa Dīpankara Śrījñāna (982-1054 CE) - Vajrayana/ Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda - Jetsun Milarepa (1040-1123 CE) - Vajrayana, Kagyü - Gampopa Sönam Rinchen (1079-1153 CE) - Vajrayana, Kagyü - Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen (1182-1251 CE) - Vajrayana, Sakya - Dōgen Zenji/ Eihei Dōgen (1200-1253) - Sōtō Zen - Longchenpa/ Longchen Rabjam/ Drimé Özer (1308-1364 CE) - Vajrayana, Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda/ Nyingma - Je Tsongkhapa/ Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa (1357- 1419 CE) - Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda/ Prasaṅgika Mādhyamaka / Gelug - Jigme Lingpa (1730-1798 CE) - Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda / Nyingma - Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1887 CE) - Vajrayana/ Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda / Nyingma - Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904 CE) - Vajrayana - Jamgön Ju Mipham Gyatso (1846-1912 CE) - Vajrayana/ Mādhyamaka/ Śūnyavāda / Nyingma - Ledi Sayadaw U Ñaṇadhaja (1846-1923) - Theravāda

[@wint7031]

Thanks for your lists.

[@malithaw]

>suggests buddhists thinkers >Proceeds to suggest only mahayana, vajrayana thinkers Lmao

[@HossainSalahuddin]

@@malithaw Thank you for your feedback. The short answer is, there aren’t many ‘philosophers’ in the Theravāda tradition, other than perhaps Buddhaghosa (5th Century) who is already there. But, I did miss Ledi Sayadaw U Ñaṇadhaja (1846-1923) who was a great Abhidhamma scholar, and I have added him now. The list doesn’t contain practice-oriented meditation teachers like the great Ajahn Chah. It’s only an incomplete list of philosophers. Longer answer below: Here is why the current list contains very few ‘philosophers’/ ‘thinkers’ from the Theravāda tradition: In the Theravāda tradition, the most important philosophical text is the Abhidhamma Piṭaka (which is part of the Pāli Canon Tipiṭaka) and one can argue that the entire Theravāda philosophical views are contained in that ‘one’ text. One can even argue that from the Theravāda point of view, the most important ‘philosopher’ (loosely used) is Siddhārtha Gautama, the historical Buddha himself. Unlike later Mahayana texts, Abhidhamma Piṭaka is pragmatic, practical and deals with psychological aspects. For example, much of Abhidhamma Piṭaka deals with dividing consciousness(es) up into different categories and their conditioned relationships - It’s just not interested in ontology - which is one of the reasons why very few Theravāda masters spend time ‘philosophising’. Hence the list is short. Most revered Buddhist philosophers/ scholars come from the ‘Nālandā tradition’ - which had a very strong Mahayana bent, so that’s another reason why the list contains so many Mahayana/ Vajrayana philosophers. They spent a thousand years ‘philosophising’! But, your point is taken. Buddhaghosa (5th Century) was already there, I have now added Ledi Sayadaw U Ñaṇadhaja (1846-1923). Please note that list only contains philosophers/ thinkers/ writers (not meditation masters, necessarily) and it’s certainly not intended to be a ‘complete’ list. Please feel free to add to it in the comments.

[@sherabsamten344]

@@malithaw Come up with your own list if you are not happy rather than criticising others and ending your comment with a ‘lmao’ in a video that deals with Buddha Dharma. Show some manners.

[@mahipalcharan6690]

Timeline is Wrong kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaWXeKechLyNjbM 👈👈

[@migiel111]

Really happy with this video! Nagarjuna is my favorite philosopher and he definitely deserves more attention. Can't wait for the other video's on Buddhism =D

[@muhammadhasan1253]

@7:35 The discussion on Anatta and Self reminded me of the dialogue between Nagasena and King Melinda (Menander) in Malindapanha. And ofcourse as expected, u add it to the discussion...Thanks for an enlightening talk.

[@19916718514]

I've been waiting for this for so long! Thank you 🙏

[@that1monk]

To me, emptiness is the very heart of Buddhism. Great job! ❤🙏

[@bitkurd]

It’s the heart of nihilism as well! ❤

[@peacebe2u480]

@@bitkurd , Nihilism and Existentialism are the two views that Buddha disagree. That is the true meaning of Sunatta.

[@buddhaexhumed9922]

@@bitkurd What is that? Please allow me to interrupt. I do research on how Buddhism disappeared in Bihar. I realized it never disappeared from Bihar. Buddhists simply failed to research Indian Buddhism. They looked at Buddhism through the sphere of their own cultures searching for only the Buddha. Buddha had a myriad of names in different villages according to his teachings there. Example. His favorite teaching was 'Lust and desire causes pain. Remove lust and desire, and pain is removed'. Translated into Bihari (where the Buddha story took place) it is DHUKH HARAN meaning to remove dukha. Three dozen villages pray to DUKH HARAN Baba. Its clear that DUKH HARAN Baba is none other than the Buddha. Problem is Buddhists are searching only for the Buddha. In the real Vaishali the Buddha begged for alms. The locals there pray to 'BHIKHAINI' Baba (Beggar Baba). Bhikhaini was mispronounced by Buddhists as Bhikshu. Who is BHIKHAINI Baba. The Buddha no doubt. But people are searching for a man called Buddha. In the real Vaishali, in Beluha the Buddha suffered a sickness and felt he had grown old. The locals pray to 'BURHA' Baba (Old Baba). Who is BURHA Baba. The Buddha no doubt. In the real Vaishali the Lichavies pressurized Buddha not to die. They trailed him to Bandagawan pressurizing him not to die. To put pressure in Hindi is DABESHWAR. Three dozen villages around the stupa where Buddha gave the Lichavies his patra, the villagers pray to Baba 'DABESHWAR NATH' meaning the man who won the pressurizing game. It was the the Buddha no doubt as he gave the Lichavies his patra and succeded in sending them back. But Buddhists are searching for the Buddha. In Pidhauli (Vaishali) the local deity is Bardiha Baba. Bardiha means the Baba who didn't allow us to stay where he was staying. Bardiha Baba is the Buddha no doubt because he didn't allow the crowd of Lichavies to stay with him in Bandagama. Forgive me for commenting out of the topic. I just wanted to impart this information to you.

[@uditverma7386]

It would be lovely to hear about Theravada Buddhism in more detail as well. It is a Pali Canon and the earliest Buddhist tradition, I think. Studying some of it at university was quite enlightening! Though, most people mostly know the Buddhism known as the Mahayana. But it is true that most things, like dependent origination, is also present in Mahayana. There is also a very interesting sutra about the Stages of Perception, in the Theravada Pali Canon, at any rate, which is also a beautiful understanding that has been passed down by the arihants.

[@Gieszkanne]

I was suprised that you also can read a lot about heaven , hell and devas "gods" in the Pali texts. Theravada is quite theistic in a way or a religion.

[@PasteurizedLettuce]

@@Gieszkanne it’s worth noting that these gods probably shouldn’t be considered the same as other gods of polytheism because they are simply… there for the most part; present and participating in the cosmology, but not of importance in the path or the way in an ultimate sense. Rather like the Jinn in some ways.

[@garypuckettmuse]

@@Gieszkanne Well, not ultimately. Remember the "two truths" discussed in this video? All those realms and Gods are in the first truth area, one might say the "provisional" truth. Just like we can say we do not exist and yet use the word I and go about being people. Buddhism is all about action (karma) on the provisional level, transformation, dharma (which is a way of being). So all those devas and heaven and hell realms are all in samsara. Peace.

[@offensivearch]

@@Gieszkanne There were at least four concepts of gods in the Sramanic cultural context of Vedic and Buddist thought: Asura, Deva, Ishwara, and Brahman. Unfortunately English only has god (for polytheists) or God (for monotheists). Neither of these really translate properly, except for that monotheistic God can translate to Ishwara. There are different views on this, but I would say the english word god splits into Asura and Deva as two broad categories. One view is that the former represent gods of material power and the latter gods of reality or personification of the laws of nature. The typical Buddhist cosmology is one of multiple worlds of varying spiritual merit or goodness. Buddhist cosmologies often put the Asura below the Deva (ie in a lower world). But actually, there are said to be worlds even above the Devaloka (worlds of the Deva). Buddhist religions can have gods and demons as well as heavens or hells. The ultimate point of the teaching is that reaching these worlds through rebirth is still Samsara. There is still Dukh in these worlds, or the promise of future Dukh when one's Punya runs out and one has to leave.

[@sephirothu1290]

And he is back with another masterpiece. Very interesting topic. God Bless You Man. Thank you for all the hard work and research you've done. I follow most of similar KZbin channels which cover these subjects. But you are my favorite and your content is top quality. Thank you for your existence.

[@PoopstainMcSkidmark]

I think you mean “thank you for your lack of inherent existence” haha

[@Fear_ALLAH_and_speak_the_Truth]

Kabbalah Jews, Illuminati & Freemasons, Christian saints, Buddhists monks, Hindu pandits, Persian shia sufis, dewbondi, tableeghi Jamaat, berelvi (Rizvi) pirs and Satanists also worship jin shaytan through meditation to open 3rd eye in order to reach the highest level of spirituality. Persian Shia sufi Husain bin Monsoor Hallaj also used to worship jin saytan to open his 3rd eye and he was possessed by the dev-ill (devi-iil) that's why these blasphemous words “anal haq (I’m truth/god) and prostrate to me” were coming out from the mouth of mansur hallaj. May Almighty ALLAH protect us from this antichrist dajjalik fitna Aameen.

[@vertbeke7977]

Yeah

[@davereid-daly2205]

The fundamental difficulty which many people seem to encounter with Buddhism is that the experience that Siddhartha Gautama stumbled upon was experiential, that is to say, what he came to discover erupted, by itself (independent of consciousness) from inside of himself and came about not as the result of any form of deep introspective thought process. He was "awakened" to something outside of the cognitive-philosophical experience. This is what made Buddhism unique and why Buddha--he who has become awake, developed such a unique teaching style. In that period of history up until today, masters teach three classes of students. The first group is taught directly, the second is taught in a group and the third group reads the instructional verbiage written down by the second group. Because the process of awakening to this experience is so arduous, 99% of people fall away and so only a handful go on to experience awakening themselves. One of the fundamental by-products of awakening is compassion, which bubbles up from within a person on its own, without the person needing to cultivate it as a practice (as many Buddhists do). Seeing this remarkable change led the individuals from the 2nd group to adopt this and many other traits of an awakened person. As a consequence a system of philosophy developed under the umbrella: Buddhism. Unfortunately most people who engage with Buddhism do so speculatively, choosing instead to preoccupy themselves with analysis of texts written by awakened masters or other, hoping to find a safer option. To reach the point where one awakens requires one on one training, primarily because each novice/student has their own specific peculiarities which the master has to adjust to. Its a long slow and very difficult process. Westerners like to talk !!! They like to discuss concepts and ideas and quote reams of material written by others. A awakened masters are more interested in demonstrating how the process discloses itself by throwing the student into the abyss, so that they get a first-hand experience of what it all means. Simply put, Buddhism is taught through direct transmission experientially from master to student.

[@peacebe2u480]

Dave, Wow... excellent erudition of what becoming awakened means. You are correct! Occidentals enjoy INTELLECTUAL exercise among themselves. Buddhism teaches JUST DO IT as first step to experience what being alive is, and find its true meaning.

[@buddhaexhumed9922]

I love his videos. Please allow me to interrupt. I do research on how Buddhism disappeared in Bihar. I realized it never disappeared from Bihar. Buddhists simply failed to research Indian Buddhism. They looked at Buddhism through the sphere of their own cultures searching for only the Buddha. Buddha had a myriad of names in different villages according to his teachings there. Example. His favorite teaching was 'Lust and desire causes pain. Remove lust and desire, and pain is removed'. Translated into Bihari (where the Buddha story took place) it is DHUKH HARAN meaning to remove dukha. Three dozen villages pray to DUKH HARAN Baba. Its clear that DUKH HARAN Baba is none other than the Buddha. Problem is Buddhists are searching only for the Buddha. In the real Vaishali the Buddha begged for alms. The locals there pray to 'BHIKHAINI' Baba (Beggar Baba). Bhikhaini was mispronounced by Buddhists as Bhikshu. Who is BHIKHAINI Baba. The Buddha no doubt. But people are searching for a man called Buddha. In the real Vaishali, in Beluha the Buddha suffered a sickness and felt he had grown old. The locals pray to 'BURHA' Baba (Old Baba). Who is BURHA Baba. The Buddha no doubt. In the real Vaishali the Lichavies pressurized Buddha not to die. They trailed him to Bandagawan pressurizing him not to die. To put pressure in Hindi is DABESHWAR. Three dozen villages around the stupa where Buddha gave the Lichavies his patra, the villagers pray to Baba 'DABESHWAR NATH' meaning the man who won the pressurizing game. It was the the Buddha no doubt as he gave the Lichavies his patra and succeded in sending them back. But Buddhists are searching for the Buddha. In Pidhauli (Vaishali) the local deity is Bardiha Baba. Bardiha means the Baba who didn't allow us to stay where he was staying. Bardiha Baba is the Buddha no doubt because he didn't allow the crowd of Lichavies to stay with him in Bandagama. Forgive me for commenting out of the topic. I just wanted to impart this information to you.

[@shimrrashai-rc8fq]

How do you find those kind of "just do it" teachers?

[@buddhaexhumed9922]

@@shimrrashai-rc8fq what do you mean.

[@davereid-daly2205]

@@buddhaexhumed9922 The point which you and most other people miss is that what Buddha experienced is not a teaching, but is something else. And as a result it can only be passed on through "mind to mind transmission," this is what makes it unique. Mysticism is a hallmark of India history. As a result much is said and written about the Buddha that simply is untrue. It takes some effort to trace but the historical line of Buddhist succession which still remains unblemished. It remains "hidden beneath leaves" to protect its purity and because its not a teaching, a philosophy, belief or doctrine. Its is something completely distinct from these

[@GaramondGourmond]

Yay! Go Buddhism! One of my favorite philosophies.

[@larrydubec2259]

This is a GREAT video. Deep research flows from it. Thank you very much for this masterpiece, once again.

[@falnica]

This makes a lot of sense if you think about Set Theory. In that branch of mathematics every set can be constructed using nothing but the empty set. For example 1 is one empty set, 2 is two empty sets, and so on

[@hansservando25]

I would appreciate a video of possible similarities and differences between General system Theory and Buddhism.

[@BrunoWiebelt]

... and Quantum Vacuum Zeropoint where virtual things pop in and out of existence

[@closedmindsneveropendoors]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGSyhqakfqeiZrc

[@sgcars]

Samkkya Philosophy

[@Fear_ALLAH_and_speak_the_Truth]

Do you know why it's taught that To be a Christian you need to keep repeating that Jesus is God? And why irani shia-rafizi says that Ali (R:) is God? And why pir-sufi says that To reach the highest level of spirituaity you need to repeat that 'I'm God and prostrate to me' like irani shia Sufi monsor hallaj (pir of dewbondi, tableeghi Jamaat, berelvi (Rizvi)? Because anti-christ dajjal will say that "I'am god/beggten son of God & prostrate to me! True Muslims will reject anti-christ for blaspheming (death penalty by TRUE GOD's Law for claiming such divinity) Because Eesa messiah (Alaihissalam) and Ali (R) never said that 'I am god or worship me.' Because Our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) never said that “I am GOD or prostrate to me!" May ALLAH Almighty protect us from this antichrist (dajjalik) fitna. Aameen Rather our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) said Do not exaggerate status of the Prophet: Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: The Messenger (ﷺ) of ALLAH, said, “Do not exaggerate my praises as the Christians have done with the son of Mary. Verily, I am only a servant, so refer to me as the servant of ALLAH and his messenger.” Source: S‌ah‌i‌h‌ al-Bukha‌ri‌ 3261 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Bukhari abd - ullah is also mentioned in Isaiah 42 (Bible) Isaiah 42:1- Here is my servant (abd - ullah), whom I uphold my chosen one (Mustafa) in whom I delight (Habibullah’); I will put my Spirit on him, and he (Prophet Muhhammad) will bring justice to the nations. But we need to ask this question Why Egyptian pyramid on one $ USA? There also written "in god we trust" so they believe in one-eyed antichrist? Left-eyed antichrist symbol ? May Almighty ALLAH protect us from this antichrist dajjalik fitna Aameen.

[@frankchilds9848]

You have done a wonderful job with this video. I can't thank you enough for having the guts to tackle this subject!

[@user-px7lk8wh9d]

Thank you, Philip! Awesome as always!

[@assazandieh3964]

The central idea of all Buddhist schools is the principles of: Anica, dukka, anata: Impermanence, unsatisfactory ness and no self. I loved your attention to Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and congratulate you on such a comprehensive introduction to a profound teaching. I hope you might consider the Dhammapada as the subject of another video. Be blessed 🙏🙏🙏

[@PierroCh5]

Thank you Filip for the amazing content, can't believe we get to watch for free 💕

[@kseniagalina4290]

Yes please more buddhism!! Love your channel:)))

[@Itsfineweerallfine]

Thank you very, very much for starting to cover Buddhism. You did an outstanding job on the this video, and am looking forward to seeing more of them!

[@joelcerimele3217]

Looking forward to more videos on Buddhism! And I appreciate the deep dive approach!

[@bradisaacson4656]

Along my journey the study and practice of Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Saivism, and other schools, have all been a very important adjunct to my ultimate understanding of the way "It Is". If you jump into this philosophical school with both feet it will only benefit any other practices and schools of study. As I have embraced, currently, the apophatic school (or school of negation) as a way to approach God my previous studies and guidance, by various excellent Tibetan and Zen teachers and teaching, laid a foundation for Apophatic theology that opened doors for me that might not have been accessible. So, in a long winded way I am heaping praise on this episode of "Let's Talk Religion" and the future episodes to come. I am a big fan!

[@jaked5144]

Zen Master Dogen says that Buddhism is the finger that points, not the real thing.

[@jaked5144]

@Greg LeJacques Ubuntu was my gateway into Buddhism. A beautiful philosophy.

[@badluckrabbit]

YES, finally! Hope you're able to do an episode on Vasubandhu and Asanga soon

[@supratiknayak244]

Sunnata means where there is neither subject nor object, neither observer nor observed, neither knower nor known, neither space nor time, neither cause nor effects. This leads us to enlightenment or Nirvana. Thank You..... If you can make videos on Sri Ramana Maharshi, it will be very good. Thanks again for this nice video❤❤

[@iuliaforje7175]

Omg you explained it so well, what I read about Sunyata before finally makes sense too me! While most religions explain what reality is, Mahayana explains what it is not.

[@PontusPresents]

Thank you for covering Buddhism!

[@raphaelcarvalhobezerra6913]

This is it. The perfect introduction to Mahayana philosofy. This is perfect.

[@theflowoflife4252]

You introduced this very profound essence of Buddhism in such lucid and eloquent way. Thanks and rejoiced a lot.❤️👍🙏

[@lphantman]

Love how you present accurate information in your talks. If your words ignite one person to discover thier true nature you have done a service to others .

[@NickEinstein]

Well said!

[@PoopstainMcSkidmark]

Damn. This was so good. Been studying Madhyamaka for years and learned some new things here. Very very great work. You’re my favorite person on KZbin. I can see how a video like this could lead to future videos on things like Tantrayana/dzogchen/mahamudra. Maybe you’re not even thinking about covering those topics. I think you should do those videos if you’re so inclined, but also just be careful. You always are. But those philosophies are traditionally very very concealed, and the west has largely taken it upon itself to divulge a lot of information about them that was never meant for people who are uninitiated. Just felt like I should mention that because people many times don’t realize just how concealed it should actually be. Huge respect for what you’re doing here. Your videos make me feel that there is real good in the world still. Thanks so much for devoting so much time to this.

[@tomrhodes1629]

Yes, this is one of the best channels out there. But if you want to get to the core of absolute Truth, I can help. And here are the missing puzzle pieces: 1) There is one limitless MIND that is ALL. 2) You are a limitless THOUGHT in that Mind, given the ability to think WITH that Mind. 3) LOVE is the limitless communion of Thought in that Mind (absolute communication). 4) All else is illusion; all else is "emptiness." But how are you to know this, when your limited senses tell you otherwise? When you have no idea of why you are currently unaware of absolute Truth and are experiencing limitation? Hinduism and Buddhism contain some of the deepest and most profound truths, which take a gifted intellectual (like Alan Watts or Filip Holm) to elucidate properly. However, one must have good reason to believe that these are indeed truths, rather than ancient intellectual masturbations. And until one has a good preview of "the Big Picture," the entire "puzzle," one has little reason to believe puzzle pieces. But curiosity cures. And a simple man whose ears are wide open (due to a lack of fear) will find out precisely WHY these - and WHICH of these - are indeed truths, these facts that escape the range of our limited senses. Because, absolute Truth flows into every vessel that is ready to receive It, without exception. ("When the student is ready the teacher arrives.") I know this to be true from personal experience. And until I discovered exactly WHY I am experiencing this world of limitation (this world's greatest secret), I had little reason to believe that these are indeed truths. But now I have EVERY reason. "Click" and you too shall find.

[@donovansnyder2898]

Excellent! The best presentation of Sunyata that I have ever seen. Thank you.

[@danalaniz7314]

This was an excellent episode and I look forward to more information about Buddhism. Thank you.

[@pandaonsteroids5154]

As an atheist, I find many Buddhist ideas are great comfort. I enjoy revisting and re-learning things (as well as learning new things) because I do not think about these ideas on a normal basis!

[@joker-mo8cb]

I think that's why Buddha taught the way he did. So anyone could do it and not have to feel the heaviness of a god or soul. I do think the trick is it does help you be one with an energy or essence that some would call God. I like the way the tao or brahman is explained. I think a lot of atheists think that people think of this God as a man with a white beard and as a wish master in the sky. The tao or braman explains it more as the universe and the connection we have to all things.

[@_G4.R4_]

as an atheist existential nihilist for the most part, really learning Buddhism lately is giving me a whole new respect and intrigue for the teachings, to me the world is super dark and bleak and meaning is what you give it, out of all religions this one is really speaking to me and helping me think about my own depression differently

[@joker-mo8cb]

@@_G4.R4_ It's technically not even a religion. So your an existential nihilist? Does that mean it's meaningless that you have a small penis?

[@tamsalingnetworknepal2705]

I became atheist after coming close to budhist philosophy

[@AdvaiticOneness1]

​@@_G4.R4_ The Advaita vedanta philosophy is way more believable than Buddhism.

[@marinaloulli3452]

Excellently portrayed.People usually get Nargarjuna a bit awry, but you’ve laid out Sunyata very well, to my mind.

[@dialaskisel5929]

Wonderful video! One of the better explanations of Emptiness that I have ever seen. I, personally, can't wait for you to cover the Huayan school of Buddhism, at some point.

[@Sarke2]

Glad you started to explore Buddhism, really enjoyed this video, thank you !!!

[@sherabsamten344]

"One who sees Pratītyasamutpāda (Dependent Origination) sees the Dhamma; One who sees the Dhamma sees Pratītyasamutpāda" (Dependent Origination). - The Buddha, in Majjhima Nikāya 28. "One who sees the Dhamma, sees me." - The Buddha, in Saṃyukta Nikāya 22.87. Nagarjuna took these verses to heart. To him, the most important teaching of the Buddha is Pratītyasamutpāda (Dependent Origination) - which is basically 'Śūnyatā' or 'Emptiness' when viewed from a particular angle. Like a true spiritual disciple, Nagarjuna spent a lifetime defending the core of all Buddhist teachings, namely Pratītyasamutpāda (Dependent Origination)/ Śūnyatā (Emptiness) - that all phenomena dependently rise and are unceasing, unborn, unannihilated, uneternal, impermanent and ever-changing, non-self, and free from all conceptual imputations.

[@redseneastmkii]

Buddhism is an intensely practical religion.

[@buddhaexhumed9922]

I agree with you. Buddhism is an intensely practical religion. Please allow me to interrupt. I do research on how Buddhism disappeared in Bihar. I realized it never disappeared from Bihar. Buddhists simply failed to research Indian Buddhism. They looked at Buddhism through the sphere of their own cultures searching for only the Buddha. Buddha had a myriad of names in different villages according to his teachings there. Example. His favorite teaching was 'Lust and desire causes pain. Remove lust and desire, and pain is removed'. Translated into Bihari (where the Buddha story took place) it is DHUKH HARAN meaning to remove dukha. Three dozen villages pray to DUKH HARAN Baba. Its clear that DUKH HARAN Baba is none other than the Buddha. Problem is Buddhists are searching only for the Buddha. In the real Vaishali the Buddha begged for alms. The locals there pray to 'BHIKHAINI' Baba (Beggar Baba). Bhikhaini was mispronounced by Buddhists as Bhikshu. Who is BHIKHAINI Baba. The Buddha no doubt. But people are searching for a man called Buddha. In the real Vaishali, in Beluha the Buddha suffered a sickness and felt he had grown old. The locals pray to 'BURHA' Baba (Old Baba). Who is BURHA Baba. The Buddha no doubt. In the real Vaishali the Lichavies pressurized Buddha not to die. They trailed him to Bandagawan pressurizing him not to die. To put pressure in Hindi is DABESHWAR. Three dozen villages around the stupa where Buddha gave the Lichavies his patra, the villagers pray to Baba 'DABESHWAR NATH' meaning the man who won the pressurizing game. It was the the Buddha no doubt as he gave the Lichavies his patra and succeded in sending them back. But Buddhists are searching for the Buddha. In Pidhauli (Vaishali) the local deity is Bardiha Baba. Bardiha means the Baba who didn't allow us to stay where he was staying. Bardiha Baba is the Buddha no doubt because he didn't allow the crowd of Lichavies to stay with him in Bandagama. Forgive me for commenting out of the topic. I just wanted to impart this information to you.

[@redseneastmkii]

@@buddhaexhumed9922 That's interesting. Thanks for posting it.

[@buddhaexhumed9922]

@@redseneastmkii thanks for understanding. My self posting in such a manner was rude of me. But I felt I had to get the message to Buddhists who say India converted to Hinduism. Just ten days ago I videographed the exact spot where Buddha's foster mother Prajapati Gautami attained Parinirvana

[@bretta7057]

Very high quality and engaging video, as usual. Since you’re turning toward the East, here’s one that definitely deserves its own episode (and seems to be rarely discussed): the Bön religion of Tibet, and its large influence on Vajrayana/Tibetan Buddhism.

[@wordawakeningny]

Great teaching Brother Holm. Enjoyed it!

[@BakerBikerGeshe]

This is an incredibly well done explanation!!! Amazing work and thank you!

[@illuminatingmanuscripts1800]

Thank You So Very Much For All Of The Beautiful Spiritually Illuminating Content You Provide!

[@Fear_ALLAH_and_speak_the_Truth]

Isn’t Kabbalah the black magic of the Freemasons? Didn't Jew,'s learn Kabbalah (black magic) in exile in Babylon. Prophet (ﷺ) predicted this zionist ONE-EYED SATANIC anti-Christ system will be a worshiped deity. Deuteronomy 18:22 If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared." Zionist will rule the earth with Mighty Evil! (Islamic Prophecy). Also, Zionist anti-Christ system will be annihilated by people of non-Muslims and Muslims according to the Glorious Quran's Prophecy Isaiah 42 and Duetornomy 18 15-22 clearly predected the coming of an Arabian Prophet (Muhammad ﷺ) to establish the justice (judgement of God) throughout the world 🌎. It’s the real Truth to destroy the Falsehood. “And say: Truth has now arrived, and Falsehood has perished: for Falsehood by its very own nature is bound to perish.” Holy Quran: Chapter 17 Verse 81. Why one-eyed Egyptian pyramid on one $ USA? There also written "in god we trust" so they believe in one-eyed antichrist? Left-eyed antichrist symbol ? “No prophet was sent but that he warned his nation of the one-eyed liar. Verily, he (antichrist) is blind in one (right) eye and your Lord (ALLAH) is not. Verily, between his two eyes is written the word of unbelief “which every believer can read whether he is literate or not.” Source: S‌ah‌i‌h‌ al-Bukha‌ri‌ 6712, S‌ah‌i‌h‌ Muslim 2933: Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim May Almighty ALLAH protect us from this antichrist (dajjalik) fitna. Aameen

[@adamakaru2683]

I am Mahayana, buddhist and I thank you for your presentation about the part of the Buddhism that make me think!.

[@jacobsomebody9266]

Thank you so much for tackling Buddhism! Please, can you do an episode on the Yogachara school of thought? I feel like an episode on their views would make a great episode!

[@bloodyclovis5964]

I'm a master in the rinzai school of Japanese zen and let me just say I really enjoy your erudition and also the fact that you always remain unbiased which makes me wonder what you believe

[@NomadOutOfAfrica]

Anyone who starts a sentence by saying I’m a master is not actually a master but has his head stuck where the sun don’t shine. As to what he believes it couldn’t be more obvious that he believes in honest inquiry.

[@vhyome9786]

Would absolutely love it if you start a series on book recommendations!

[@Liliphant_]

Yess I been waiting for Buddhism

[@Knaeben]

Thank you for covering this topic!

[@phk2000]

Thank you for this! Excellent video.

[@TheBobbysPerspective]

Looking forward to this series.

[@sherabsamten344]

Nagarjuna would vehemently disagree with people who half-listen to what he is saying and then conclude "nothing exists" to describe 'Emptiness". Even though, in English translation, Sunyata does sound like 'void' or 'emptiness' - Nagarjuna would argue that's not what he means. He is saying that nothing exists independently. Nothing has 'Svabhaba'. This distinction is important to Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna was pretty adamant about this, because his Hindu opponents constantly accused him of saying 'things don't exist' (which he never said, and he wrote a whole book "Vigrahavyavartani" or the "The Dispeller of Dispute" to correct them).

[@nemonada3501]

Looking forward to more videos on this subject. Thank you.

[@twodonks]

Thanks for the great post! 🙏🏼

[@draywilson2386]

You explained the "absence of self" better than almost anyone I've heard explain it. This is coming from a Buddhist. Well done!

[@TheFighterheart]

Excellent presentation, I am happy to hear that you will focus more on Buddhism too

[@annachonovitsch569]

I must say I loooooove this channel as a student of religion science and not knowing what is going on. Every time I search on a topic, that I dont understand, this channel explains it sooo nicely, and I'm just out here thanking you for helping me understand !

[@deussivenatura5805]

Religion science sounds like an oxymoron

[@latifa1310]

Beautiful and very plaisant presentation, thank you.

[@matthewgillam-lewis6831]

For those practitioners of the Way-as well as those who study these teachings academically or just as curiosity-I highly recommend Jay Garfield’s “Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way”. This is a translation of Nagyaharjuna Daiosho’s Mulamadhyamakakarika, as well as providing commentary on translation choices/context/concepts/etc. I have practiced in Soto Zen tradition for many years, and this text has been a constant companion since the beginning of my journey till today. . . . The Wisdom of Madhyamaka can seem dense and unapproachable at first. But Garfield’s translation is beautiful and very approachable-just give it time and patience. ✨🙏✨

[@theodora_pilates]

You're suggesting this book as helpful for Soto Zen practitioners? Noted, thank you. Any others? For beginners maybe?

[@uncommonsensewithpastormar2913]

As Filip acknowledges, to say that nothing possesses an intrinsic nature or “essence” is not the same thing as to say that nothing exists.

[@uncommonsensewithpastormar2913]

Filip is correct, of course, in saying that some have interpreted Nagarjuna’s concept of emptiness as a form of ontological nihilism. The very name he has given his philosophical position, the Middle Way, is to claim it is a middle way or somehow transcends the dualism between ontological nihilism and eternalism. I must admit, however, that it does come dangerously close to ontological nihilism.

[@letsomethingshine]

@@uncommonsensewithpastormar2913 I think (if the languages are comparable in this sense, like said @16:21) that is why he chose the word "empty" rather than "nothing".. essences are empty, and they probably borrowed a lot from Taoism that speaks about how it is the "empty" aspect of a bowl that makes it useful, not really the solid aspect which can be any shape that "guards" the useful empty part of a bowl that can be filled. As such there is no "actual essence" of things and things are still distinct from (and inter-related with) each other and from nothing (which is also having no "actual essence" specifically in that the essence of nothingness is paradoxical at best).

[@uncommonsensewithpastormar2913]

@@letsomethingshine I am not well enough versed in Taoism to comment upon it, but I do know that the Buddha’s teaching regarding dependent co-arising leads directly to emptiness, since dependent co-arising is a relational rather than essentialist ontology.

[@minoozolala]

@@uncommonsensewithpastormar2913 Nagarjuna never called his position the Middle Way, nor did he even call himself a Madhyamaka. These were later developments. The title of his main text was also applied later.

[@uncommonsensewithpastormar2913]

@@minoozolala So what did he call his main text?

[@Maynard0504]

yours and religion for breakfast's channels are amazing. thanks for the free knowledge!

[@anweshakar146]

Love the beautiful paintings and the random clips of nature and waterfalls.

[@aidanharrison3888]

The statue you showed is at Samye Ling in the Scottish borderlands . Lived there for 2 yrs , and had the privilege of knowing the guy who designed and made it . I truly am a lucky boy .

[@1617Willow]

thank you; this really helps; even after decades i still doubt my understanding of sunyata, anatta, and related concepts; thank you, also, to Nagarjuna, Thich Nhat Hanh and all the spiritual ancestors for their spiritual "labor." it helps to see footsteps on the path before me.

[@tiggtiggs]

Meditation: "when we move beyond 'this & that' & reach a still point, at this still point can be seen the infinite in all things." - Taoist Sage. Concepts are constructs of the mind...entelechy transcends intellect..."know thyself"- Socrates.

[@jgranahan]

Thank you for this explanation and your thoughts about Buddhism and emptiness!! Very cool.

[@SPscorevideos]

A very, very, very long waited video! Thank you very much, can't wait to see the next episodes about Buddhism. I hope you'll be able to analyze the similarities and connections between Buddhist mysticism and other form of mysticism you already greatly covered, from the sufi tradition to Meister Eickart. Thanks again!

[@patrickmac2799]

Interesting and profitable viewing. The Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh explores this concept in very simple ways in many of his writings. Indeed, it was through him that I became aware of this truth. I write aware because to say I understand it would be a gross overstatement. Nonetheless, I have found it useful. Thanks again.

[@tristancelayeta6890]

You're doin' it. Your scholarship is mind music.

[@karenslaughing]

Thank you- I appreciate the talk and your respect for the nuance and depth of Buddhism. 🙏

[@ericd7051]

loving your videos very very informative thank you Esoterica for sending me over here

[@stevenvaleriojr1177]

I've always said that it's not there's nothing, it's just that there's no thing.

[@ilmnaut8032]

Something a Mahayanist would say.

[@stevenvaleriojr1177]

@@ilmnaut8032 Well, yeah, technically. I practice Zen.

[@4fgs34]

False. Nagarjuna puts it really clear: there is nothing, nothingness and inexistance. Go and read him.

[@TheMagicofJava]

Thank you Filip. As a Kejawen Muslim understanding Buddhist philosophy is so important to me.

[@musamusashi]

As salam alaikum, i am a Muslim myself but never heard of Kejawen... what is it about?

[@TheMagicofJava]

@@musamusashi It is Javanese Sufism, although is open to any monthesist. Although there are many parallels with middle eastern Sufism, it is also likely that the philosphy is derived from Hinduism and Buddhism particularly Shaivism and Shaivist Tantrism. Whilst not regonised as a religion in its own right it probably has as many as 100m followers, so a significant movement within Islam.

[@Nothing-yo5uo]

@@TheMagicofJava 100 million can't be spiritual I can't believe it

[@TheMagicofJava]

@@Nothing-yo5uo maybe do a little research before posting?

[@fretnesbutke3233]

Thank you so much! Fascinating! I'm an admirer of Javanese gamelan music and Sufi,by way of the Afghan tradition. I'm Buddhist,but so grateful for the beauty and wisdom in the world there for my benefit. Sincere gratitude! I'll be studying your tradition. 🕯️(Kejawen, Kejawen..remember..Kejawen..)

[@tahirkamrankhan]

Well done Filip , simplification is commendable. I’ll ask my colleague from Myanmar to watch it too .

[@timothyburns4340]

Outstanding video! Most of this makes more sense when you sit with it.

[@donrad]

The concept of emptiness is helpful to the Buddhist practitioner because it helps to remove mental attachments and to clear or settle the monkey mind. For many Buddhists, the cessation of suffering is nothing more than having a peaceful mind and body that can concentrate on the present moment.

[@induchopra3014]

Excellent. But mind is not static. Only when in love, with the lover

[@jimmyjasi-]

"Sunyata" means interdependent existence. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHvWpH-vq9Z6b9E I know that for religious Dualists it's a crime to mingle Quantum with Consciousness but that's the Best "prediction" of Buddhist metaphysics. People in the West often classify Buddhism as fundamentally Idealistic philosophy. None of Buddhist schools seem to adhere to anything sounding remotely like Deepak Chopra subjective nonsense. It would be good to do a video on Chittamatra school. I don't understand it well.

[@donrad]

@@jimmyjasi- One of the Buddha's teachings was that a person needs to find reality of cause and effect by direct experience. Not by listening to someone else talk or teach with words. He even went so far as to say that nobody should even take his own teachings as the ultimate truth, only suggestions of where to look. Reportedly he said " I can point to the moon, but my finger is not the moon." I personally have found reality by studying the evolution of life on earth, which is not directly covered by Buddhism. In the modern western world almost all suffering is caused by poor nutrition, lack of exercise, stress, and poor sleep habits. They are the leading causes of premature ageing, sickness, and death. So a modern Buddhist practitioner should perhaps focus on the cause and effect relationship of these factors.

[@jimmyjasi-]

@@donrad I'm by no means religious Dualist. I think that wherever nature of reality is must be answered or ruled out scientifically not by claiming that there's spiritual realm totally sepárate from natural world. I think the latter ridiculous! I find esoteric practices of very little use. Just can't see how is it going to change anything other than indulge esoteric practicer in some semischizotic state. And even if there's some deeper reality to it it's only going to change practicioners perception not the world with it's illnesses. However I like very much Buddhist philosophy and its encouragement to engage with other people rather than on occult practices. You say that you have found Dharma by studying Evolutionary Biology... Well if You mean compassion or sense of humbleness you're right. But if You mean seeking God. I hope that You are aware of multiple lines of evidence in Evolutionary Biology both, genetic and anatomicall (vestigial organs like Whales limbs, often lethal organs like in the case of human Appendix) that neither we nor any other animals were clearly not designed by any Deity. What I like in Buddhist philosophy as well is rejection of Creator. It's not just about Evolutionary Biology I mean God that is above Physics can do whatever he likes and there's no reason why should he abade any ethics at all. Buddhism seems to be the only non-materialist philosophical tradition that can be Made compatible with Naturalism. I'm agnostic, but although I already have quite elaborate opinions on all theistic religions I find this channel incredibly well reaserch and interesting. Thanks

[@Nattapong69]

Incorrect. Freedom from suffering is your eternal, permanent, indestructible Buddha nature, outside your mind and body, which is never born and never dies. There can be no freedom from suffering inside the mind, because everything within the 5 elements, 5 senses, mind, etc, is impermanent. So there can be no permanent "freedom from suffering" inside the five senses, mind, present moment, etc. Liberation from suffering is liberation from the present moment, into the eternal Buddha nature.

[@SiddharthS96]

Really good video! It'd be great if you make more such videos on Buddhist/Indic philosophy and logical traditions. There's so much to discover and know. Also, not being a pedant, but since I've been following you for long and notice that you make a good effort to pronounce names and terms correctly, such as in your videos with Arabic terms, it'd be really good if you'd nail Indian terms too (the transliterations/phonetic spellings of Indian terms are quite simple, especially with the accent marks like macrons for the long vowels). Just a small suggestion, not taking away from the great work you're doing nonetheless, keep up the great work :)

[@markcharron]

Nagarjuna is top-shelf Buddhism, and that's saying a lot.

[@audreyfrank1]

so thankful for your work. thank you thank you thank you

[@TheForeignersNetwork]

This is an excellent introduction to Madhyamika. Nagarjuna was one of the greatest thinkers of all time, although I do think that some of the Hindu criticisms of his philosophy are valid. For me, Hindu Tantra and Buddhist philosophy are almost like two sides of the same coin, and it's kind of amazing. The ideological differences are palpable, and yet the different sets of logic both lead to the exact same place if you're willing to reconcile them with the ultimate reality.

[@darkprince2490]

There is no ideology in Hindu Buddhist Dharma. You are too westernized

[@anubratabit3027]

Nagarjuna is perhaps the most hated Buddhist philosopher in Vedanta academic circle. Combined with the Buddha's doctrine of anatta (non-existence of individual soul) , nastikya (non-existence of an omnipotent, self-manifested creator deity), emphasis of meditation in place of rituals & rejection of the Vaidika authority, Nagarjuna's doctrine of Shunyavada ultimately transformed Mahayana Buddhism into the bete-noire of Hinduism. When Buddhist divinities started to be incorporated into the Hindu fold once Buddhism started to decline in the Indian subcontinent, Buddha was portrayed as a sort of prophet who was sent to cheat humanity by propagating atheism in order to make the demons who had been born as humans, return back into their infernal realms, thereby preventing them from acquiring super-natural powers through adherence of the Vaidika tenets. Adi Shankara thoroughly refuted back Madhyamika doctrine through Advaita Vedanta.

[@sherabsamten344]

@@anubratabit3027 Firstly, wow! Hindu Advaita Vedanta teachers, such as Swami Atmapriyananda, Swami Sarvapriyananda, and Pravrajika Divyanandaprana are highly respectful of Nagarjuna and his teachings. Some even acknowledge that the entire Māṇḍukya Kārikā of Gauḍapāda (who was Shankara’s Paramaguru or ‘Highest Teacher’) was heavily influenced by Nagarjuna’s teachings. In one lecture, which you can find on KZbin, Swami Atmapriyananda goes as far as to admit that, “Shankara took most of his ideas from Nagarjuna, and replaced Shunya (Emptiness) with Purna (Fullness)”. To be perfectly fair to Shankara, I don’t think he was even doing that knowingly, he was simply following Gauḍapāda - who was full of ideas that are directly from Nagarjuna, often word for word. There are multivariant reasons why Buddhism declined in India. Scholar Giovanni Verardi’s excellent text ‘Hardships and Downfall of Buddhism in India’ explains each of these factors very well, and it has almost nothing to do with Tantric/ Vajrayana Buddhism - as some Hindus like to portray. The most popular and recognisable form of Buddhism in the West right now is Tibetan Buddhism, which is Vajrayana, which is Tantric Buddhism. It is true that Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha was portrayed as a ‘False teacher’ by Hindu scholars. In the Brahma Sutra Vasya, Shankara even calls him an ‘incoherent, mad man’ - which is extraordinary, given how respectful most Hindus are towards the Buddha, and even considers him an Avatar of Vishnu. Shankara’s personal attack on the Buddha is also in stark contrast to what Swami Vivekananda said about the Buddha, “The sanest philosopher the world ever saw … who never had any cobwebs in his brain”. Your last statement - “Adi Shankara thoroughly refuted back Madhyamika doctrine through Advaita Vedanta.” Listen to what Swami Sarvapriyananda has to say about this. He studied Nagarjuna under Prof. Jay Garfield at the Harvard Divinity School and he admits that calling Nagarjuna a ‘nihilist’ is not really refuting him (which is what Shankara did in the Brahma Sutra Vasya). It’s a strawmen argument, Nagarjuna was not a nihilist, every scholar worthy of their name in the Ramkrishna Mission knows this, and most scholars of comparative religion I have read think Shankara didn’t even understand Nagarjuna (and what he was supposedly refuting). I am happy to provide references to this last statement if you can’t find anything.

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

How can they lead to the same place if they have radically different views of the ultimate? If the ultimate view is wrong, the conventional view is wrong!

[@TheForeignersNetwork]

@@TheGuiltsOfUs This can only be experienced through meditation. If you really want an answer, compare the works of Abhinavagupta and Nagarjuna and you'll discover that they just have two different ways of saying the same thing. Although they had sectarian differences that were typical of their historical time period, their philosophies were not radically different.

[@BaldingClamydia]

I know this is all figurative and philosophical, but if you look at it literally, this is also true! We are just quantum fields. When you get down to the barest building blocks of the world, there isn't anything there that we can prove physically exists; quarks and all that are an expression of a probability field, it's not really there. Our eyes are just taking in frequencies of waves that our brain interprets as colors of light (color is based on the wavelength), and we are constantly up to 7 seconds in the past. And of course life is suffering. :D So yes, there is no self!

[@thiagolourenco4020]

It's amazing because I also watched this video thinking about the quantum particles and how in the core of everything basically there is no self, it's just a concept that helped us as species to survive and then continued to being used in logic, math and philosophy. Self it's just a conventional term similar to left/down being the negatives and the positive being the right/up.

[@rabidL3M0NS]

The literal is based upon the figurative. "All our reasonings concerning matters of fact are founded on a species of Analogy." - David Hume

[@benlee181089]

After watching many of your videos, I just want to say thankyou. The information is great 👍

[@vinodsingh-gr1xj]

Thankyou for giving an outline of mahayana Buddhism , and the comments also gave an Idea to those who are having bare understanding of different school of Buddhism.

[@dylath2304]

So glad you’re finally getting into Buddhism 🙏

[@Purwapada]

yay thanks for talking about Nagarjuna, my favourite philosopher of all time! Along with Zhuangzi and the buddha

[@pemasherpa6637]

Such a beautifully explained. You are very knowledgeable person. I have learned Buddhism for so many years, and I can't explain like this simple.

[@MrGksarathy]

The Madhyamika idea of sunyata really helped me when I was in a dark place during the pandemic. When I was at my loneliest and most self-hating, the idea that there was no inherent reality to anything, that all things are dependently originated, and that as a result, everything is connected really helped me accept myself for all my strengths and flaws and strengthened my compassion for my fellow beings. If nothing has substantive reality, and all things are derived from interconnected elements, then everyone and everything matter and are equally precious. This combined with me finding socialism and beginning to understand the perspective of dialectical materialism, to my knowledge, gave me the framework to build a worldview compassionate to myself and others. Madhyamika is a great example of positive/active nihilism and its potential to empower.

[@vertbeke7977]

Compassion is not a bad thing

[@rdreher7380]

Great video! śūnyatā, or as I call it, 空 kū, is an aspect of Buddhism I never truly understood. 無我 muga, aka anatta, and 縁起 engi, aka dependent origination, are things I had a decent foundation on, but despite living in Japan for all these years and learning about Buddhism from a very Japanese, Mahayana perspective, I never had a decent grasp on what "emptiness" means until now. Thank you.

[@simpernchong]

Hi, the emptiness can be experienced directly. It's prerequisite is a matured and experiential realisation of anatta or no-self. I can conceptually explain it but the liberating effect of the experience of emptiness will not be captured. When no-self 无我 is experienced long enough and stable.. the fixation to 'things' can also be seen and then emptiness can become perceptible. Yup, it does also feel like 'I' have never existed before .. but not in a nothingness way.

[@zakyzayn5361]

Flip Holm's knowledge of comparative religion never fails to impress me

[@shadbakht]

Wondrium _the Great Courses_ has an excellent audio lecture on this subject

[@JasonGalvas]

This was a fantastic episode