Prajnaparamita and Nagarjuna

Question 1

on the Dalai Lama, Heart of Wisdom teachings Quote

Answer 1

“The phrase ‘empty of intrinsic existence is Avalokitesvara’s reference to the subtlest, highest
understanding of emptiness (Sunyata)”

Question 2

P. Harvey,
the
Mahayana Philosophy Quote

Answer 2

“The Madhyamaka school was also known as the ‘Sunyata-vada’, the Emptiness
Teaching’…also central to the ‘Perfection of Wisdom …the oldest Mahayana text” -

Question 3

Prebish & Keown, Development;

Mahayana Quote

Answer 3

“Madhyamaka is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by Nagarjuna, and emphasising the
emptiness of all components of experiential reality”

Question 4

P. Harvey quote (nature of the dhamma)

Answer 4

“all the dhammas are nirvanic from the very begging”

Question 5

Give some examples of prajnaparamita sutras

Answer 5

The hearts sutra

The diamond sutra

Question 6

what does the diamond sutra discuss?

Answer 6

The lack of an attman and how their in no inherent existence

Question 7

when did Nagajuna find the texts?

Answer 7

2nd century

Question 8

What are the translations of the Prajnaparamita we mostly have today?

Answer 8

Chinese translations from the first millennium CE

Question 9

quote from the heart sutra

Answer 9

‘form is emptiness, emptiness is form’

Question 10

who speaks in the heart sutra

Answer 10

avalokitsevara

Question 11

What is the issue of causation with svabhava?

Answer 11

the issue of secondary causes and how this links to christianity

Question 12

What is nagajuna’s path referred to as

Answer 12

the middle path between eternalism and nihilism

Question 13

P. Harvey quote about reality

Answer 13

“fluxing, interdependent, baseless phenomena”

Question 14

What is a teaching that links to Svabhava?

Answer 14

Thich Nhat Hanh on a piece of paper

Question 15

What is an issue with the realisation of the ultimate reality?

Answer 15

You may become disengaged from helping others - the 9th and 10th Buhmi stages - nihilistic

Question 16

What is an issue with the realisation of the ultimate reality?

Answer 16

You may become disengaged from helping others - the 9th and 10th Buhmi stages - nihilistic

Question 17

What would Pure Land Buddhists say about the ultimate reality?

Answer 17

That it is too much of a hard path and that this knowledge can be attained though other means.

Question 18

What is the support from western philosophy?

Answer 18

Kant’s realities

Question 19

Is it too much to ask someone to realise the ultimate reality?

Answer 19

• coping mechanisms

- the base needs

Question 20

How is Theravadin tradition an issue?

Answer 20

• does not accept nagarjuna
• does not agree with metaphysics
• it has an older status
• the teachings have no grounds in the Pali cannon

Question 21

How does the mahayana tradition counteract the negatives of therevada here?

Answer 21

• more compassionate understanding +use
• arhat’s vs bodhisattvas
• not dependent on being a man or status

Question 22

how can svabhava help someone develop good karma?

Answer 22

recognising that we are all one and when we hurt someone we hurt the whole

Question 23

How is nagarjuna’s works an example of upaya

Answer 23

upaya to mahayana tradition sees the buddha’s teachings as privisions to be built on