5 pages covering the AQA AS/AL RS Buddhism topic of Ultimate Reality. It covers:
- Anicca, Anatta, and Sunyata (and how they link).
- Summary of the views of the Buddha in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.
- 80th Dilemma: The Questions of King Melinda
- Essay and plan covering the importance ...
Ultimate Reality: Anicca, Anatta, and Sunyata
Views of the Buddha
Theravada
● Became inaccessible when he died.
● Only his teachings remain.
● He is now in pari-nirvana, which is inaccessible to un-enlightened beings.
Mahayana
● The buddha is compassionate so he would not cut himself off from humanity entirely, even after death.
● Trikaya doctrine
● Almost worshipped
● Dharmakaya enables the Buddha to still be accessible today (TBs don’t believe this)
● Believe in the power of “bodhisattvas” – those who are future Buddhas. They worship Gautama Buddha,
bodhisattvas, and past Buddhas. The end goal is eventually Nirvana, but there is a stronger focus becoming a
Bodhisattva. All people should aim to be Buddhas in the future to help others escape suffering.
● Buddha is still accessible in pari-nirvana, worshipping the Buddha brings Buddhists into a personal relationship
with him.
● Mahayana temples are generally more ornate and will have more images to worship, not just of Siddhartha
but of Maitreya the future Buddha and Bodhisattvas.
How Anicca, Anatta and Sunyata Link -
Anicca - Everything changes.
Anatta - Because everything changes, there must be no ‘self’ as the parts that make up the ‘self’ have no
inherent/permanent existence.
Sunyata - Because everything changes, nothing has inherent existence - not just the self.
*The three marks of existence are dukkha (Kisa Gotami story illustrates dukkha), anicca, and anatta*
Anicca -
Anicca is the concept that nothing stays the same and everything is always changing; in a constant state of flux.
Buddhists must accept that nothing can stay how it is – everything must move on or change. For example, once a
human is born, they will grow and develop and eventually become an adult until at some point they will no longer
exist. Everyone grows older and changes.
Anicca is a law of the universe, meaning it is inescapable. As it is a law, it is neither good nor bad - things change from
bad to good, like stress levels or certain situations.
The Buddha taught that people suffer because they cannot accept change. He believed that people can only come
closer to enlightenment when they accept that they are changing beings. The Buddha first recognised Anicca when he
saw the first of the Four Sights - the old man. He realised that there is nothing in the universe that remains constant
for eternity, nothing except for Nirvana as it is unconditional (not caused). There are two types of Nirvana: Nirvana,
and Pari-nirvana (nirvana after death).
It is also believed that a true understanding of Anicca can only be gained through meditation and enlightenment.
The Lotus flower represents overcoming suffering, blossoming as a person, and enlightenment: it grows from the mud
into a beautiful flower, showing how one can overcome suffering. It also represents change and impermanence in the
fact that change can cause suffering, but we can and we should overcome it through meditation and the other
practises encouraged by the Buddha.
Impermanence is arguably the most important mark of existence as it is applicable to everything: to the whole
movement of the universe and of human life. Impermanence permeates all aspects of life, even in inanimate objects,
and thus is a constant reminder of the powerlessness of man. An understanding of impermanence motivates
Buddhists to improve their quality of life; to achieve enlightenment.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller dianaozola23. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £4.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
