1. Jittananto initiated this thread by quoting a person (let’s call X) who criticized Waharaka Thero’s interpretation of anicca. At the end of the quote, person X says, “I invite anyone who is familiar with waharaka thero to point out any errors I have made in quoting/paraphrasing him, and forgive me for any errors or any offence from this post.”
- Perhaps Jittananto can invite him/her to join the discussion.
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2. Stacy has provided some key insights into problems in the X’s critique. I can also provide the following observations for X to consider and respond to.
- Of course, “impermanence” is a feature of anything in the material world. Modern science has proven that not only everything on Earth, but also all stars and planets in the entire universe, are impermanent. However, the Buddha pointed out that it is a result of the ‘anicca nature.’
- The impermanence associated with material things we like leads to suffering when they inevitably become damaged or broken. Impermanence associated with those we love leads to suffering when they get sick or die. We all are destined to get old and die, too! All this is suffering. But, again, impermanence is the result, not a root cause.
- We cannot eliminate the suffering associated with impermanence by just observing the fact that everything is impermanent.
- The Buddha explained that impermanent “things and living beings” arise due to living beings not comprehending the “anicca nature” and engaging in immoral deeds. The root cause is a mental process!
- The Buddha did not elaborate on the origin of the inert material things because that is not necessary to attain Nibbana. He explained in detail how each living being generates kammic energy to fuel their future lives. That is the Paticca Samuppada process. It is a fully mental process! It begins with avijja (ignorance) and culminates in bhava (kammic energy that can generate future lives), resulting in jati (future rebirths). Those kammic energies are generated through (abhi)sankhara caused by avijja. That is the bridge between mind and matter (mind energy leading to subtle matter in a manomaya kaya or gandhabba)!
- When one begins to understand the deeper aspects of the Paticca Samuppada process, one can also see how even the external world arises through Paticca Samuppada. Only a brief description (without getting into Paticca Samuppada) is given in the Aggañña Sutta. See “Aggañña Sutta Discussion – Introduction ” and “Buddhism and Evolution – Aggañña Sutta (DN 27).” Again, it is a waste of time to spend time on that process.
- But it is good to know that everything in this world is based on “mental power.” See “Manōpubbangamā dhammā..” which means “mind is the precursor to everything.”
P.S. Also, the reason for anything created via “mental energy” to be impermanent: Mental energy (or any energy) can last only a finite time.
