Kyla McDonald

December 18, 2016

REL 320
Todd Tremlin

Final Exam

Theravada, Gelug-pa, and Zen each emphasize the importance of emptiness, no-self, or Buddha

nature. Explain these terms. What is emptiness? Explain this as clearly and accurately as you

can. Why is emptiness so important in Buddhism? When we compare, and contrast the

techniques for gaining insight among these three traditions.

Theravada, Gelug-pa, and Zen each emphasize the importance of emptiness, no-self, or Buddha

nature. Emptiness is the peace of “Sunyata”, meaning nothing exists in itself. Buddha taught a

doctrine called “anatta”, which is often defined as no-self or the teaching that the sense of

being permanent, autonomous, self is an illusion. Buddha Nature is a term often used in

Mahayana Buddhism, that isn’t easy to define. It is basically described as the fundamental

nature of all beings.

Emptiness, is most commonly referred to as the most misunderstood word in Buddhism. It is

the concept that nothing in this world exists by itself. Every element is impermanent and

interdependent of each other. Emptiness is so important in Buddhism, as it is used as a mode

of perception, a way of looking at experience that’s utilized in mediation. The concept of

“emptiness” it refers to the nature of objects and or phenomenon striped of ones’ attachments.

Names, labels, likes are all tools that the mind

uses to separate one thing, even from another thing or event. The term emptiness is often used

to describe the purpose of empty space.

Emptiness, no self, and Buddha nature all refer to much the same thing they all refer to state of

enlightenment. This state is the goal of what most Buddhists are looking for or in search for.

When we think of Buddhism everything is based off first-hand experience and if that’s not the

case then it’s not of value.

Emptiness, is most commonly referred to as the most misunderstood word in Buddhism. It is

the concept that nothing in this world exists by itself. Every element is impermanent and

interdependent of each other. Emptiness is so important in Buddhism, as it is used as a mode

of perception, a way of looking at experience that’s utilized in mediation. Emptiness can have

multiple meanings depending on its doctrinal context.

“In Theravada Buddhism, Buddhists normally grasp the perspective espoused in the Tipitaka,

Pali canon, which scholars generally agree contains the earliest surviving record of the Buddha’s

teachings.” “Theravada Buddhists believe that emptiness is merely the “not-self” nature of the

five aggregates as well as a mode of perception which is “empty of the presuppositions we

usually add to experience to make sense of it” especially that of unchanging selfhood.”

Emptiness is also often used to refer to a meditative state or experience.

Emptiness is important to Theravada tradition as it is to others. In addition to that their major

goal is liberation. In some causes in their tradition emptiness may not be taught right away until

they feel that the student us ready for the teachings. Even though emptiness is another form of

liberation. In the teachings of liberation, it comes with insight on emptiness it’s not their

primary goal because Awakening comes first.

“Gelug-pa, is a school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419).” The

teachings of the Gelug-pa takes the view of the Indian master Atisa and the standard

development of the view of emptiness. Yoga is very common in this tradition with the key

focus being the firsthand experience of the unification of delight and emptiness.

Zen Buddhism adopted the idea of emptiness from Mahayana Buddhism. Emptiness is the

ultimate goals for all Buddhists and the true nature of reality. However, Zen Buddhism is a

slightly different from traditional Buddhism in many ways. Buddhism is a philosophy where one

will detach from the material world, but Zen Buddhism differs in teachings “because it teaches

individuals human beings that they should try to grasp and adapt to the “empty” world”

(peopleof.oureverydayllife.com). Their vision is while practicing one evaluate their inner side of
themselves and defeat their own illiteracy, preferably “retreating into the knowledge that the

world is an illusion.” (peopleof.oureverydaylife.com). To understand and fathom Zen,

individuals should be compelled to practice it straight through meditation methods. Any of the

teaching about the emptiness of the material world is secondary to the personal firsthand

experiences of Zen Buddhists.

 Part II

Gary Snyder published “The Practice of the Wild”. This book is nothing more than the etiquette

of freedom and the relation to wildness. He has grasped Nature’s great lesson that wilderness,

and wild mind are not chaotic and out of control, but self-determining. He relates to Buddhist

because it encourages that everything you do and to follow the grain of Nature’s most deeply

confound laws. The book truly emphasizes on being a person of place. Base thins off personal

experiences. Learn more about where you are, learn the people you meet, animal and plants.

Love nature and what is made of such as air, land, and water. Clearing your mind on past beliefs

and experience for firsthand. Know where everything came from and where it’s going and how

it effects your family. Forget what you have learned and clear your mind and start learning

again. Practice meditating every day to clear your mind.

Snyder’s book is very interesting and some deep literature. Some examples “there will be

enough pain in the world as it is”, “supernatural is a name for phenomena which are reported

by so few people as to leave their reality in doubt” and “the world is our consciousness the

conscious agenda planning ego occupies a very tiny territory” were just some quotes that stood

out to me and how this book relates to the beliefs and visons of Buddhists. This book is a deep

collection on nature, wilderness, the wild and human culture. Be compelled and the book

forces you to think and rethink preconceptions and attitudes towards nature. View life around

you and find the wild inside yourself.

Snyder digs deeply from Buddhists vision and teachings and brings forward the teachings of

many cultures. “Snyder’s distinguishes the two terms nature and wild. Nature is empirical; the

wild is not.” Nature is ultimately in no way endangered; wilderness is.” The wild is

indestructible, but we might not see the wild.”

In conclusion from reading the book “The Practice of the Wild” he included nine different

essays that differentiate visons and beliefs of humankind and nature. I had to take my time

reading each essay to fully understand and grasp his beliefs and concepts. The wild is sacred

and all wild places are considered sacred. Humans must preserve things for human sake and

our planet’s sake. One must practice self-discipline, and self-control at some point and not take

more than what we need In this book, Mr. Snyder emphasized encompasses many aspects of

life such as history, nature, religion, and different cultures. It expands on living life through

personal firsthand experiences such as Buddha practices. We learn practices and myths through

lessons of the planet to teach and direct us how to live. We often use myths, human nature,

and religion integrated and this is what Grandfather/Grandmother wisdom will tell us.
“The Practice of the Wild” Gary Snyder, 1990

Peopleof.oureverydaylife.com

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki, June 28, 2011

Buddhanet.net