Tricycle Talks How to Lose Yourself with Jay Garfield
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Feb 12, 2025 Jay L. Garfield, a scholar of Buddhist philosophy and professor at Smith College, shares compelling insights on the concept of no-self. He explores how our fixation on individuality fosters suffering and moral dilemmas. Garfield emphasizes the importance of interdependence and compassion in human connections. The conversation delves into Buddhist teachings on selflessness, advocating for the dismantling of ego to cultivate deeper relationships. He also discusses the philosophical arguments against nihilism, championing a view of reality rooted in interconnectedness.
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Two Truths in Madhyamaka
- Madhyamaka builds upon early Buddhist teachings by emphasizing two truths: ultimate and conventional.
- The ultimate truth is emptiness, while the conventional truth is everyday empirical reality.
Language and the Self
- Language about the self is conventional and refers to the conventional person, not an ultimately real self.
- Avoid separating "I" from its components (body, mind) to avoid the self-trap.
Chandrakirti's Philosophy
- Chandrakirti takes conventional reality seriously, recognizing its importance for ethics and the path.
- He emphasizes our social nature and the conventional nature of language and thought.
