The Paradox of Becoming
by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
4.83 · Rating details · 24 ratings · 1 review
Jun 01, 2014Balaji Ramasubramanian rated it it was amazing
Shelves: dhamma
The doctrine of rebirth and karma are normally to be taken on faith. The Buddha doesn't offer any 'proof', empirical or otherwise, of these core principles of the Dhamma. Another doctrine that involves a leap of faith is the teaching that one can transcend the whole samsara - cycle of birth and death. Both these teachings (karma and nirvana) are the central teachings of the Buddha, and both cannot be proven empirically.
This leaves us with two choices: blindly accept or reject the teaching, or choose one of these courses through informed consideration of the theory behind them. Of course, neither of these methods will give us assurance of the reality of these teachings - only direct realization can. But the choice of accepting or rejecting these teachings itself comes with its own share consequences. If we assume that there is no causal relationship between actions and results, the basis to establish a moral or ethical code of conduct reduces to a social convention. But it would also imply that no man can ever choose specific actions that lead to his happiness. It also implies that one cannot develop skill, because the idea of a skill can arise only if one could tweak results by carefully choosing actions, and that can never happen if there were no causal relationship between actions and results. So we can see that there is at least some sensible logic in accepting that actions and results are casually related. Any reasonable person a can accept this much.
But some important ideas are not addressed by this level of understanding of karma: rebirth, and the ending of all rebirth. If rebirth never happens at all, then there is no need to try and put an end to it. But the whole of the Buddha's teaching essentially culminates in the teaching of nirvana - the ultimate cessation of all dukkha, including that of rebirth. In fact the pursuit of the Buddhist path leads to progressive levels of freedom, (the four stages to enlightenment) all of which are described in terms of how many more times one may be reborn before finally attaining nirvana. So the teaching of rebirth is central to the teaching of nirvana. Accepting the doctrine of rebirth or the possibility of nirvana requires a leap of faith, and even if one does accept rebirth as a form of after-life, accepting the teaching of nirvana, requires an even greater leap of faith.
The Buddha employed several ways to encourage faith among his listeners. Of these, explanations through questions, counter-questions, and answers is a very important method. Thanissaro Bhikkhu's treatise on 'Becoming', or bhava, serves as a great volume of deep understanding of the Dhamma.
This book goes into the depths of becoming, rebirth, consciousness, karma, and nirvana. But as Ajahn explicates this in his inimitable style, he notes a complex paradox built within the framework of the Dhamma. Because the causal network of factors is so complex it is inherently unstable. The Buddha used this essential instability to his advantage and employed it to the attainment of nirvana. This involves the understanding of a queer paradox, that Thanissaro Bhikkhu beautifully describes. Read it and enjoy this truly stupendous masterpiece. (less)
