REL 320 Study Guide - Final Guide: Bodymind, Gary Snyder, Theravada
Document Summary
Final exam: theravada, gelug-pa, and zen each emphasize the importance of emptiness, no-self, or buddhanature. Explain this as clearly and accurately as you can. Compare and contrast the techniques for gaining insight among these three traditions. (30 points) Emptiness, no-self and buddhanature all refer to the goal of buddhists, a state of enlightenment. Theravada buddhism views emptiness as one of the many significant paths to liberation. According to theravada teachings, there is no self either in the individual or in the dhammas (wtbt 58). The buddha"s teaching on anatta, no-soul, or no-self, should not be considered as negative it is truth; reality; and reality cannot be negative. It is the false belief in a non-existing imaginary self that is negative. most importantly, the teaching on anatta dispels the darkness of false beliefs, and produces the light of wisdom (wtbt 66). Theravada buddhism did not develop a philosophy of buddhanature.
