Lesson 1: The Buddha and his Doctrines
The Doctrine of Anatman
Buddhism is unique in the religions of the world because it denies the existence of the self and of the soul. One of the insights of Buddha was that of anatman, which means “no soul”. This was a controversial claim in the time of the Buddha, and has always been so. Buddhists hold that the belief in a self gives rise to the idea of self and other, and to the ideas of “me” and “mine”. This eventually gives rise to clinging to impermanent things to satisfy cravings. The system is explained by the theory of dependant arising or origination.
The theory itself is incredibly complex, and is best understood by those who have studied it for years. What follows is only brief outline of the twelve “steps” – which is an incorrect name for them, as the cycle is more of a circle than progression. Buddhists often refer to these “steps” as spokes on a wheel – there is no beginning and no end, though one spoke progresses from the spoke previous to it. All of these spokes do not exist individually, but are dependant on one another:
- Ignorance – incorrect knowledge of the true nature of existence.
- Karma Formations – the burdens of karma become apparent.
- Conditioned Consciousness – a consciousness forms.
- Mental/Physical Complex – a sense of mind and body develops.
- Basis of Senses – the five organ senses and the mind come into existence.
- Sensory Impressions – these sense organs and mind experience sensations.
- Conscious Feelings – these sensations produce reactions in the budding consciousness.
- Desire – the consciousness develops desire for these sensations.
- Clinging – desire becomes a drive to hold and actively pursue these sensations.
- Becoming – the sense of individuality develops.
- Rebirth – the “individual” is born into the world.
- Death – the individual grows old or sick and passes away, only to allow the wheel to begin again.
Finally, there is the concept of nirvana. One does not go to nirvana; one attains it. It is not a state of bliss, but rather a state of inexistence, where one is free from illusion and consciousness. In the state of nirvana one does not experience any of the twelve spokes of the cycle of dependant arising, for one has realized the true nature of existence. It has been described as neither being nor not being, but it is ultimately indefinable.
