I have seen noted elsewhere online that SOME Buddhists hold the view that "Only Consciousness is real."
Christian,
I have my answer to your question, although there are those who would say my answer is biased against Buddhism. Nicholas is a practicing Buddhist, so let's see what kind of answer he may give first.
| QUOTE (ChristianMyst @ Nov 10 2007, 04:35 PM) |
I have seen noted elsewhere online that SOME Buddhists hold the view that "Only Consciousness is real."
How would Buddhism, then, corrolate "experience" into this equation. Such a question begs the next, "how can the Absolute be considered in relation to reality?"
Is only the "percieved reality" recognized in Buddhism?
Is this so broad a topic that it cannot be found defined in brief statements or documents? I mostly only see reality discussed or defined in relation to the "things" of reality.
Thanks,
Christian |
"Only Consciousness is Real" was a common misunderstanding of the Mind Only or Yogacara school of Buddhism. Mind Only does not mean an all-pervading Universal Mind. It just means our mind or consciousness is gatekeeper and ruler of all awareness. Whether there is a object separate from our subjective mind is moot. Because all we are & know is the content of our awareness.
Our mind can only reflect, like a mirror; not see directly, like a window, they say.
Christian,
I would add to Nicholas' post that Theosophy teaches that the Absolute is the only One Reality. Everything else, including any kind of periodic cosmic consciousness, is an illusion.
Regarding the modern Buddhist teaching of consciousness, a Buddhist will tell you that consciousness exists, but the Atman (soul) does not. On the other hand, a Theosophist says neither one exists more than the other. When a Buddhist tells me there is no soul, I point to the table in front of him or her and say, "And the table in front of you does not exist either, right?" They are then forced to answer yes, which always ends the debate and double-talk.