Buddhist Belief Blog

Last week in our writing about Buddhist Belief, we began to delve into the topic of “No-Self”. And, as I mentioned last time, this is a topic most of us have trouble truly integrating into our lives even though it is vitally important. As a matter of fact, the question of whether or not there is or is not a self is a major stumbling block, especially for those of us who live in Western cultures.

This past week I was doing some more studying on this and found some teachers with interesting thoughts. There were a few of them who questioned this concept of “No-Self” saying, if Buddhism teaches we have no self, then what is it, or who is it, who experiences Karma – or who is it that experiences rebirth? Interesting, huh? Just a little something to add to our confusion, right?

Then, I did some more digging around and found some teachers who refer to the Pali Canon – which is, supposedly, the earliest written record of Buddha’s teachings, and those teachers say the question of Self vs. No-Self isn’t even mentioned. There is even mention in some of the ancient literature where Buddha refused to answer this question when asked. He said to come down on either side of the question of the Self vs. No-Self issue would cause one to enter into “wrong view” which is one of the steps in the Noble Eightfold Path (Right View), and would lead to additional suffering. Hmmm, this is getting even more interesting!

Since I see my role in writing this blog about Buddhist Belief to be that of one who is explaining Buddha’s teaching in language we Westerners can comprehend, then I feel I also need to be careful not to mislead in any way. Buddha did have some thoughts about how questions like this should be answered. He said a question should be looked at in this way:

Does it require a simple “Yes” or “No” answer?
Does it require and analytical answer?
Does it require the question to be answered with a question?
Does it require being set aside and not answered at all?

Buddha felt this was a question which should be put aside, rather than attempt any further effort to answer the question — is there a self? — In last week’s post we dealt with the thought of how any mention of self or no-self leads to an identification with a “self” of some sort, which in turn leads to a form of attachment or clinging and thus can lead to suffering. (Based on the basic teachings of Buddha – The Four Noble Truths.)

I’m beginning to make some sense in all this. I hope you are as well. Buddha is saying those nagging questions about “Do I exist?” or “Don’t I exist?” should be set aside because no matter how we try to answer them, our minds become occupied with, or attached to, the “Self” implied by the questions themselves — which can then lead to suffering and dissatisfaction.

Rather, what I see the Buddha saying is – go back to the basics – the Four Noble Truths – (1) there is suffering and stress in life, (2) the causes for the suffering, craving, clinging, desire, attachment, etc. (3) there are ways to get rid of the causes and the suffering, (4) and the steps to make it all happen. When issues occur in our lives, we should look at them in an attitude of calm and peace, such as what we experience when we meditate. (See, I’m always promoting meditation – always!)

Think of how we can look at these issues of suffering and stress in terms of the Noble Eightfold Path – look at them within a place of calm and you will see these issues are not about the question of “Self” or “No-Self”, but rather — is this suffering because of something I’m attached to – or something I’m foolishly holding onto – or something I want which I don’t have – or something I have that I don’t want? Is this thing making me suffer really about me, myself or mine? If this thing is making me suffer, then why hold onto it? Let it go! It’s truly not about me, myself, or mine. It’s only because you think it is which is making you cling to it. You will feel a lot better if you let it go, and you’ll also learn how, when you get rid of some of the attachments and clinging in your life, you will also get rid of another form of self-identification. Once the sense of self-identification is gone, you’ll have nothing left but pure, beautiful happiness.

Let’s see, did I just proceed to contradict everything I said last week? I don’t think so. When Buddhist teachers talk about “No_self” I think what they’re saying is — it is our self-obsession, our focus on the things and stuff we crave and cling to, including our obsession with a self, which leads to our suffering and dissatisfaction. When we experience emotions like anger, jealousy and desire, these are the result of an attachment to what we think of as “me”. These emotions come and go, they are not stable. These emotions come from our own pride – our feeling we are separate from – perhaps even better than – everything else. This pride is our ego , our mind, telling us yet another lie. We’re making our mirage into a lake of water. If we didn’t have this confusion, there wouldn’t be a belief in a self, for there wouldn’t be any self-obsession.

If only it wasn’t for our mind!!

Let’s end this post with these words from an article written by Lama Chuck Stanford, of the Rime Buddhist Center & Monastery which, hopefully, will help us to understand:

Once you have a life of pure, beautiful happiness, there won’t be any further thought of whether a “Self” or a “None-Self” is experiencing it – it just won’t matter any longer. Life will be good. We will know true happiness.

Metta ….May I be well and happy. My I live in safety. May I be healthy and strong. May I live with ease. May all beings be well and happy. May all beings live in safety. May all beings be healthy and strong. May all beings live with ease.

Namaste — Be in Peace.

Ron Rink

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Just click the links that are sort of Grey in color to take you to where you can learn more about each book and how you can purchase a copy for your own library.

Stephanie Kaza — Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume

Stephanie Kaza, an amazing writer and Buddhist teacher I knew from my 36 years living in Vermont, gathers key Buddhist thinkers to reflect upon aspects of consumerism, greed and economics. Certainly, many other authors have examined consumerism from the lens of their religious traditions, but this book’s Buddhist perspective is unusual, and its pairing of consumerist critiques with core Buddhist concepts is generally fruitful. Check this one out! Hooked!

Stephanie Kaza — Mindfully Green: A Personal and Spiritual Guide to Whole Earth Thinking

Another one from my Vermont friend — Stephanie Kaza, a biologist and professor of Environmental Studies at University of Vermont, combines Zen Buddhist practices and teachings with her 40 years as an environmentalist for this guide to enlightened environmentalism, proposing a belief in the interdependence of people and nature as the genuine way to “go green”: “When we come to see ourselves as part of the green web of life… we are naturally drawn to respond with compassion.” A good read for Buddhists or anyone from any religion. Mindfully Green

Anam Thubten — No Self – No Problem

No Self – No Problem
shows how to realize the ultimate meaning of life in each moment by dissolving all notions of ego-identity. It asks that spiritual seekers wake up to their true nature, which is already enlightened. Based on Buddhist wisdom traditions, this easy-to-read book discusses in simple, but profound and inspiring language, how we can live a life full of love, satisfaction, and happiness. No Self – No Problem

Sharon Salzberg — The Kindness Handbook

“It takes boldness, even audacity, to step out of our habitual patterns and experiment with a quality like kindness–to work with it and see just how it might shift and open up our lives. This book is an invitation to do just that. — From The Kindness Handbook