Reasons for Conventional Reality

[Malcolm]

which contains all kinds of views about what conventional truth is, what the ultimate and nirvana are. In short, a whole worldview, not to mention all kinds of epistemological beliefs about what is or isn't valid reasoning etc.

All kinds of views? Describe them please and lets see of they are in fact views. For starters, what is a conventional truth according to Nāgārjuna. And why is this a thesis?

[gad rgyangs]

which contains all kinds of views about what conventional truth is, what the ultimate and nirvana are. In short, a whole worldview, not to mention all kinds of epistemological beliefs about what is or isn't valid reasoning etc.

All kinds of views? Describe them please and lets see of they are in fact views. For starters, what is a conventional truth according to Nāgārjuna. And why is this a thesis?

As it says two karikas earlier, conventional truth is worldly truth, that is, consensus reality. It isn't a thesis (neither he nor I said so), because he isn't trying to prove it: he's taking it as a given, which is even worse as it is an unproven belief.

[Malcolm]

which contains all kinds of views about what conventional truth is, what the ultimate and nirvana are. In short, a whole worldview, not to mention all kinds of epistemological beliefs about what is or isn't valid reasoning etc.

All kinds of views? Describe them please and lets see of they are in fact views. For starters, what is a conventional truth according to Nāgārjuna. And why is this a thesis?

As it says two karikas earlier, conventional truth is worldly truth, that is, consensus reality. It isn't a thesis (neither he nor I said so), because he isn't trying to prove it: he's taking it as a given, which is even worse as it is an unproven belief.

So in other words, he is starting with what the opponenet takes as real, correct?

In this case, how is this a) his beleif b) a philosophical position of his? The answer is, actually, they are not his beleif nor his philosophical position.

M

[conebeckham]

Perhaps we need to define what a "view" is.

[Astus]

Perhaps we need to define what a "view" is.

Apparently there is a major linguistic chaos generating unclear reactions here.

[gad rgyangs]

So in other words, he is starting with what the opponenet takes as real, correct?

In this case, how is this a) his beleif b) a philosophical position of his? The answer is, actually, they are not his beleif nor his philosophical position.

M

He's accepting the validity of the two truths scheme, which (he says) is what Buddhas rely on to teach "truth". He would have to maintain either that he has already demonstrated the validity of this schema through his argumentation earlier in the book, or that he's accepting it on faith since Buddhas rely on it. In either case, its a philosophical position.

[Acchantika]

Perhaps we need to define what a "view" is.

View or position (Pali diṭṭhi, Sanskrit dṛṣṭi) is a central idea in Buddhism. In Buddhist thought, in contrast with the commonsense understanding, a view is not a simple, abstract collection of propositions, but a charged interpretation of experience which intensely shapes and affects thought, sensation, and action. Having the proper mental attitude toward views is therefore considered an integral part of the Buddhist path.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View_(Buddhism)

I personally feel this is a pretty good definition.

[gad rgyangs]

Perhaps we need to define what a "view" is.

View or position (Pali diṭṭhi, Sanskrit dṛṣṭi) is a central idea in Buddhism. In Buddhist thought, in contrast with the commonsense understanding, a view is not a simple, abstract collection of propositions, but a charged interpretation of experience which intensely shapes and affects thought, sensation, and action. Having the proper mental attitude toward views is therefore considered an integral part of the Buddhist path.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View_(Buddhism)

I personally feel this is a pretty good definition.

N doesn't say he doesn't have any view (drsti) he says he has no thesis (pratijñā)

[Malcolm]

So in other words, he is starting with what the opponenet takes as real, correct?

In this case, how is this a) his beleif b) a philosophical position of his? The answer is, actually, they are not his beleif nor his philosophical position.

M

He's accepting the validity of the two truths scheme, which (he says) is what Buddhas rely on to teach "truth". He would have to maintain either that he has already demonstrated the validity of this schema through his argumentation earlier in the book, or that he's accepting it on faith since Buddhas rely on it. In either case, its a philosophical position.

But if he does not accept the validity of conventional truth (he does not) how can you say he is erecting a philosophical position around the two truths?

Remember, he states "Since the Jinas have proclaimed nirvana alone is true, what wise person would not understand the rest is false?"

The two truths, are for Nāgārjuna merely a pragmatic methodology used by Buddhas to lead sentient beings from delusion to non-delusion. But they are not a philosophical system, at least, not for Nagarjuna and Aryadeva. In other words, if anything, the two truths are a pedagogical method, and that is all.

N

[Lhug-Pa]

Parikalpita, Paratantra, and Paranishpanna.

[Malcolm]

Perhaps we need to define what a "view" is.

View or position (Pali diṭṭhi, Sanskrit dṛṣṭi) is a central idea in Buddhism. In Buddhist thought, in contrast with the commonsense understanding, a view is not a simple, abstract collection of propositions, but a charged interpretation of experience which intensely shapes and affects thought, sensation, and action. Having the proper mental attitude toward views is therefore considered an integral part of the Buddhist path.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View_(Buddhism)

I personally feel this is a pretty good definition.

N doesn't say he doesn't have any view (drsti) he says he has no thesis (pratijñā)

Sure he says he has no views:

gang gis thugs brtse nyer bzung nas/ /lta ba thams cad spang ba'i phyir/ /dam pa'i chos ni ston mdzad pa/ /gau ta ma de la phyag 'tshal lo

"I prostrate to Gotama, who, through his loving mind, taught the sublime Dharma in order to abandon all views".

[Malcolm]

Parikalpita, Paratantra, and Paranishpanna.

The three own natures are irrevelant in any discussion of Madhyamaka.

[deepbluehum]

Do you ever get the feeling you are in a room full of smokers discussing the fresh air in Switzerland?

[Malcolm]

Do you ever get the feeling you are in a room full of smokers discussing the fresh air in Switzerland?

No, I get the feeling that I am a non-smoker trying to convince smokers that they should breath fresh air.

[deepbluehum]

Do you ever get the feeling you are in a room full of smokers discussing the fresh air in Switzerland?

No, I get the feeling that I am a non-smoker trying to convince smokers that they should breath fresh air.

I meant except you of course. I'd like to read a good fishin' tale. Know any?

[Malcolm]

Do you ever get the feeling you are in a room full of smokers discussing the fresh air in Switzerland?

No, I get the feeling that I am a non-smoker trying to convince smokers that they should breath fresh air.

I meant except you of course. I'd like to read a good fishin' tale. Know any?

Old man and the sea?

Moby Dick?

[Lhug-Pa]

Parikalpita, Paratantra, and Paranishpanna.

The three own natures are irrevelant in any discussion of Madhyamaka.

Strictly speaking. But when reading the title of this thread and the initial post by its author, we can see that it is not strictly about Madhyamaka; and that the mentioning of the Three Natures could help to answer his questions.

[conebeckham]

I like fresh air.
Just sayin'.

[padma norbu]

pretty sure my post was the most awesome one here. sorry you guys missed it.

[Sherab]

I thought that agreement between people automatically means that whatever is agreed is "established" for them individually. Method of establishment could be different for each individual but there has to be "establishment" before agreement takes place.

By established I meant a logical system. That is rarely something people care to contemplate.

I don't know about others, but I do try to establish for myself the reasonableness of various aspects of Buddhist teachings (e.g. cause and effect, impermance) and practices (e.g. rationale for yidam visualisation) through logical arguments/reasonings. But these logical arguments/reasonings cannot establish the validity of the teachings or practices.

In addition, the logical arguments/reasonings that I use for myself may not suit others because there are always assumptions upon which an argument/reasoning has to rest upon, and these assumptions may not make sense to or may not be accepted by others.

You may wish to ask yourself, how you yourself come to accept various aspects of Buddhist teachings.