DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Anatta Analysis derail: Roles of reason and jhana practice in enlightenment

**squicscor** · 08-19-2011, 02:47 PM

You think it is possible to realize anatta by reasoning?

I remember at least one Pali sutta in which the Buddha said that some monks are capable of the highest attainments through meditation and others through reasoning, and that both paths should be equally regarded. I'd have a hard time finding that sutta now, but I'll give it a try, if you like.

Edit: Or maybe my memory fails... http://books.google.com/books?id=JBb...ddhism&f=false Edit 2: Related, I think-

Paths to Nirvana in the Pali canon

In the Visuddhimagga, Ch. I, v. 6 (Buddhaghosa & Ñāṇamoli, 1999, pp. 6–7), Buddhaghosa identifies various options within the Pali canon for pursuing a path to nirvana,[33] including:
1.by insight (vipassana) alone (see Dh. 277)[34]
2.by jhana and understanding (see Dh. 372)[35]
3.by deeds, vision and righteousness (see MN iii.262)[36]
4.by virtue, consciousness and understanding (7SN i.13)[37]
5.by virtue, understanding, concentration and effort (see SN i.53)[38]
6.by the four foundations of mindfulness (see Satipatthana Sutta, DN ii.290)[39]

Depending on one's analysis, each of these options could be seen as a reframing of the Buddha's Threefold Training of virtue, mental development[40] and wisdom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana...the_Pali_canon

But I am straying off-topic a bit. The question was about realizing anatta, not nibbana. I'm not sure how anatta could be realized without reasoning, but I think I'll stop short of saying that it is sufficient in itself. I think the two kinds of knowledge are distinct, one cerebral and the other visceral, for lack of a better word.

What do you think, Deshy?

08-19-2011, 02:47 PM	#1
squicscor Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 402 Senior Member	Anatta Analysis derail: Roles of reason and jhana practice in enlightenment You think it is possible to realize anatta by reasoning? I remember at least one Pali sutta in which the Buddha said that some monks are capable of the highest attainments through meditation and others through reasoning, and that both paths should be equally regarded. I'd have a hard time finding that sutta now, but I'll give it a try, if you like. Edit: Or maybe my memory fails... http://books.google.com/books?id=JBb...ddhism&f=false Edit 2: Related, I think- Paths to Nirvana in the Pali canon In the Visuddhimagga, Ch. I, v. 6 (Buddhaghosa & Ñāṇamoli, 1999, pp. 6–7), Buddhaghosa identifies various options within the Pali canon for pursuing a path to nirvana,[33] including: 1.by insight (vipassana) alone (see Dh. 277)[34] 2.by jhana and understanding (see Dh. 372)[35] 3.by deeds, vision and righteousness (see MN iii.262)[36] 4.by virtue, consciousness and understanding (7SN i.13)[37] 5.by virtue, understanding, concentration and effort (see SN i.53)[38] 6.by the four foundations of mindfulness (see Satipatthana Sutta, DN ii.290)[39] Depending on one's analysis, each of these options could be seen as a reframing of the Buddha's Threefold Training of virtue, mental development[40] and wisdom. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana...the_Pali_canon But I am straying off-topic a bit. The question was about realizing anatta, not nibbana. I'm not sure how anatta could be realized without reasoning, but I think I'll stop short of saying that it is sufficient in itself. I think the two kinds of knowledge are distinct, one cerebral and the other visceral, for lack of a better word. What do you think, Deshy?
	Quote