Buddhism and the Illusion of Self
Religions, as such, are known to bring sense and purpose to people’s lives. For instance, in Buddhism, enlightenment – a state of inner peace and wisdom – is the concept that serves as the ultimate goal. It is also referred to as Nirvana, which can be contextually translated as freedom from the boundaries inherent to humans and other living beings (Nhat Hanh, 2010, para 5).
In this context, Eret (2023) elaborates on one of these boundaries: the concept of “self” (05:45–05:50). According to the lecturer, there is not a single notion regarding this Western “bounded individual sort of perception that allows us to create and grow” (Eret, 2023, 05:52–05:57). Interestingly enough, it can already be seen from the word “bounded” that was used in the definition as to why “self” is not included in the sacred text. That is, Buddhism considers it an illusion that has to be overcome to reach enlightenment.
Confucianism’s Ethical Focus on Human Relationships
In the meantime, Confucianism provides a more practical approach, putting forward ideals that focus on how to live rather than what to pursue as the end goal. In his lecture, the first ideal Eret (2023) focuses on “ren,” or humaneness. It symbolizes the importance of “relationships with others,” implying deep respect for the people individuals meet throughout their lives (Eret, 2023, 04:25–04:27).
This concept is reflected in the Analects of Confucius, which is a collection of aphorisms spoken by Confucius himself and memorized by his followers. For instance, in the 1.6 paragraph of the Analects, Confucius comments on how young people should behave, highlighting the respectful treatment of people within and outside their homes (Eno, 2015). This behavior can be considered a moral compass for Confucian followers.
Uncertain Concept
The lecture regarding Christianity shows different interpretations of the same scene. Eret (2023) showcases these Matthew’s and Luke’s versions at 10:33 and 11:40, respectively. Given that oral transmission is one of the Bible’s primary sources, which implies ambiguity in the canonical version, how can we know the actual sequence of events?
References
Eno, R. (Trans.) 2015. The Analects of Confucius. Chinatxt. Web.
Eret, D. (2023a). Human 1 – The story of Buddhism [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Eret, D. (2023b). Human 1 – The story of Confucius [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Eret, D. (2023c). Human 1 – The story of Jesus [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Nhat Hanh, Thich. (2010). Sutras / The diamond that cuts through illusion. Plum Village. Web.