Reference no: EM132288683

Reflection : THE FALSE SELF (Buddhism)

One of the key distinctions between Hinduism and Buddhism is that Buddhism dispenses with the notion that there is an ultimate reality (Brahman) of which we are part (Atman). Instead, it introduces the concept of "anatman" - of NO SELF, insisting that our experience of the self is, in fact, an illusion.

In reality, we are nothing but our fleeting, impermanent, scattered impressions of ideas, desires, fears, and so on, which we misidentify as who "we are." Once we recognize this reality, Buddhists say, we will no longer live in a state of perpetual suffering and disappointment but will, rather, be able to be content with our experience of life in the moment.

While this view many seem radical - i.e., you do not really exist - most people's experience tells them that the self is not as "self-apparent" as we might wish it to be. Most people actually find that "being oneself" is one of the most difficult things to achieve in everyday life.

We also know that the person we are in one mood is not at all the same as in a different mood; or that we are one kind of person with some people (friends) and an entirely different person with others (parents, teachers).

We can be multiple people in a day depending on what happens and whom we meet. We also know that rather than living in the moment, we can spend much of our time trying to recapture the past that's long gone or anticipating a future that hasn't come yet, which, according to Buddhists, is another way we inflict suffering and disappointment on ourselves.

In your reflective paper for this unit, try to explain all the ways the Buddhist view of the self seems to capture your own or others' experiences. Why is it so hard to be yourself? What or who stops you?

Why does the self seem so impermanent and mutable? Do you think that there is some kind of permanent psychological entity that's "you," or is your own sense of being dependent on many things you don't have any control over? If so, what can we mean when we refer to the self at all? If not, why is the self still so prone to misrepresentation to others - and ourselves? And finally - what makes this a religious or spiritual question after all?

Your reflective (but critical) response should be at least 500 words and support your thoughts and arguments with citations (in text, author-page) from the readings as appropriate. If you are using only the class readings, a works cited is not necessary, but any materials you may wish to bring in should be cited properly with a correct bibliographic reference.