Buddhism: "If There Is No Self, What Is Reborn?"

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores the Buddhist concepts of 'self' and 'rebirth.' They explain that while the Buddha did not deny the existence of a self, he taught that the self is not permanent, emphasizing impermanence and the interconnectedness of mental and physical aggregates. The video further delves into the idea of rebirth, clarifying that it is not about a permanent soul but rather a continuation of consciousness influenced by karma. The speaker offers a personal perspective, focusing on ethical living in the present, while acknowledging the speculative nature of rebirth in traditional Buddhist teachings.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Buddha doesn't claim there is no self, but teaches the concept of non-self, emphasizing that the self is not permanent or a locus of perfect control.
• 😀 The Buddha encourages contemplation of experiences to show that nothing we experience fits the model of a permanent, blissful self.
• 😀 The self in Buddhism is understood as a stream of causes and conditions (the five aggregates), which are not permanent but constantly changing.
• 😀 Karma plays a crucial role in Buddhist teachings, suggesting that our actions in one life can have effects on the next life, even if the self is not permanent.
• 😀 The five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness) are interrelated and form the basis of what we conventionally call the 'self'.
• 😀 Rebirth in early Buddhism is not the rebirth of a permanent self, but rather a stream of causes and conditions that continue across lifetimes.
• 😀 The concept of 'gandaba' refers to rebirth consciousness, a causal process through which consciousness arises due to conditions, not as a permanent entity.
• 😀 The metaphor of a stream is used to explain the self: just as a stream is constantly changing but is still conventionally recognized as the same, so is the 'self' in Buddhism.
• 😀 Consciousness in Buddhism is not permanent. It arises due to causes and conditions and is replaced over time, reflecting the impermanent nature of existence.
• 😀 While the traditional Buddhist view of rebirth is speculative and not empirically verifiable, it remains important for understanding the Buddha's teachings on karma and continuity.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes focusing on skillful actions in the present life, regardless of one's personal beliefs in rebirth, to live a good and meaningful life.

Q & A

What does the Buddha teach about the concept of self?

The Buddha does not assert that there is no self, but rather emphasizes 'non-self'—the idea that the self is not permanent or unchanging. It is a conventional understanding of the interrelated aggregates of form, feelings, perceptions, volitions, and consciousness.

What are the Five Aggregates in Buddhist teachings?

The Five Aggregates consist of: form (physical body), feelings (positive or negative experiences), perceptions (how we interpret experiences), volitions (mental formations or intentions), and consciousness (awareness of experiences). These aggregates are impermanent and interdependent.

How does the Buddha define 'self' in early Buddhism?

In early Buddhism, the 'self' is understood as a stream of interrelated mental and physical events, not as a permanent, unchanging entity. The self is a conventional designation for this stream, which arises and passes away due to dependent origination.

What is the significance of dependent origination in understanding the self?

Dependent origination explains how the aggregates interact causally over time, producing a continuous stream of mental and physical events. This interconnected process is the basis for the conventional self, but there is no permanent self in this framework.

What is the relationship between karma and the self in Buddhism?

In Buddhism, karma is crucial for understanding the continuity of experience. While there is no permanent self, the karmic actions we take in one life influence future experiences, creating a sense of continuity through cause and effect.

How is the concept of rebirth understood in early Buddhism?

Rebirth in early Buddhism is not the reincarnation of a permanent self but rather the continuation of a stream of consciousness shaped by past actions (karma). The consciousness that arises in the next life is influenced by the karmic conditions of the previous life.

What is the 'gandaba' in relation to rebirth?

The 'gandaba' refers to a type of consciousness that is part of the process of rebirth. It represents an aspiring consciousness, or the continuation of karmic influence from one life to the next, rather than a permanent or unchanging entity.

How does the metaphor of a stream help explain the Buddhist concept of self?

The metaphor of a stream illustrates how a person is a series of changing mental and physical events. Just as a stream is continuously changing but still referred to as the same stream, a person is conventionally understood to be the same through different stages of life, even though no permanent self persists.

Why is the concept of no permanent self essential to understanding rebirth in Buddhism?

Without a permanent self, the idea of rebirth is understood as the continuity of causes and conditions rather than the transmigration of an unchanging soul. This aligns with the idea that actions (karma) influence future experiences, but there is no enduring self that carries them forward.

What is the Buddha’s stance on speculative theories about rebirth?

The Buddha offers teachings on rebirth but cautions that these ideas should not become a stumbling block for practice. The focus in Buddhism is on understanding and transforming the present moment, with speculative views on rebirth being secondary to living skillfully in this life.