[Buddha-l] Pudgalavada #4

[Dan Lusthaus]

(Longer version, continued and conclusion)



Q: What is the heuristic for cessation?

 

A: The heuristics for cessation [refer to] appropriation being exhausted, and no [further] appropriation [occurring], coming to rest. (sūtra)

 

Appropriation is as explained above. When that is already exhausted, "no appropriation," "no obtaining another [life]," "coming to rest," "with no remainder," "passing from this shore to the other shore," these are heuristics for cessation. The [heuristic pendulum] of annihilation and permanence rotates in this way. If one seeks to stop such activities, he basically appropriates the heuristic of parinirvāṇa. This, too, is a not-said.

If different [from the skandhas, etc.], then one doesn't [obtain] parinirvāṇa. If not different from [the skandhas, etc.], then one doesn't [obtain] parinirvāṇa.

 

These kinds of views have given rise to suffering and have not been explained (=said) [adequately by other Buddhists] who would [say] Parinirvāṇa should [be metaphorically explained as] like, internally, a lamp ceasing. The same [problem applies to] appropriation. If one seeks [to understand] suffering and yet doesn't clarify it with the heuristics of appropriation and metaphorical devices, [such as] past skandhas, dhātus and āyatanas, basically this is like saying "I am named King Kuśa." In such a way the heuristic of future cessation means that the cessation of appropriation is the main point to be explained.

 

(T.25.1505.10a3-29)





So are they really the "self realists" Buddhists past and present have accused them of being?

 

Dan Lusthaus

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