If I may, Id like to know your opinions on a possible parallel between Buddhism and Zhuangzi (to be clear, I am referring to the textual traditions only). Buddhist schools can be conveniently divided into two groups: A. fruitional/resultant schools, which stress suddenness, acceptance/trust, embracing everything, realising the relativity of good and evil, bliss etc. They also had vague methods, if any, of accessing the enlightened state. Enlightenment is the present moment. Examples are Dzogchen and most Chan/Zen sects. About these schools, Longchenpa says, The resultant vehicles are so called because of asserting that the basis for purification is the (sugata) essence endowed with qualities that are spontaneously present as a natural possession in sentient beings, just as the sun is endowed with rays of light; that the objects of purification are the temporary defilements of the eight collections, like the sky being (temporarily) obscured by clouds; and that one realizes the result of purification, the primordially present nature by means of that which purifies, the paths of ripening and liberation. B. causal schools, which stress gradualness, effort and perseverance, delimiting wholesome states from unwholesome states (good vs. bad), cultivating the good and eliminating the bad, the suffering and insatisfaction of life etc. They had clear, rule-based methods of training. Enlightenment is in the future. Examples are Theravada, Tibetan Lam Rim etc. About these schools, Longchenpa says: The causal vehicles are so called because of accepting a sequence of cause and effect, asserting that buddhahood is attained by increasing the qualities of the buddha nature which is merely present as a seed, through the circumstance of the two accumulations. Do you think Zhuangzi has some similarities with the above? To me, it seems close to the fruitional schools of Buddhism.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:01:55 +0000
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