Buddhist Metaphors
via Buddhist Philosophy in Depth, Part 1
There are various imagery/metaphors used across Buddhist texts to help us understand their philosophical concepts. Here are some notes I’ve taken.
Fire
A metaphor of progression.
Just like there’s different levels in a path, there are different levels of practice.
Path
A metaphor of progression.
Just like there’s different levels in a path, there are different levels of practice.
Medicine
Metaphor on the triple refuge.
Doctor as Buddha
Nurses as Sangha
Medicine is dharma
We cannot rely everything on the doctor, need a community of practice and health promotion i.e. sangha to maintain consistent healthy practice.
We cannot rely on medicine, need to practise healthy habits in everyday life. How can we embody dharma in our lives? How can we put principles into practice?
Illusion metaphors
There are several illusion metaphors used to help us understand the metaphysical and epistemological concepts inherent in Buddhist philosophy. Here are the nuances between them:
Dreams
When we are sleeping, we’re oblivious to reality
When we are dreaming, we’re engaging with things that are disconnected from reality.
When we are awake, we are constantly aware of reality as is. We see sth that is not there, projection of mind taken for real
They also present a thought experiment on subject-object duality.
When we dream, we ascribe meaning and qualities to objects we see in our dreams. An object’s qualities, importance, independence that we project on things is coming from our minds.
Therefore, they’re not something we find in objects themselves.
Mirror
When we say that we’re looking at ourselves a mirror, the reflection is not the self. Rather, it’s an image of the self.
We are looking at the mirror and something in the mirror, although we know that there’s only one piece of glass.
It’s a metaphor to show the illusory qualities of subject-object duality. Instead of seeing subject + object, it’s actually non-dual; object in a subject. Or is it subject in an object?
Mirage
A mirage is something in which its mode of existence is incongruous.
E.g. mirage of oasis —> there is a real refraction of light and unreal oasis.
An example that shows how we superimpose something as real when it actually isn’t.
This reminds me of the absolute and conventional truths in Buddhist philosophy.
Echo
Hear as produced in one direction but actually produced in another
Same like mirage, mode of existence and mode of appearance do not align.
Illusions (conjured by magicians in magic shows)
There are two perspectives in play, one where we the audience are taken in by them, and another where the magician conjuring is not taken in, because they know what’s actually going on.
It’s a metaphor on Buddhist perspective on reality vs our own perspective of reality. The Buddha is able to see through deception when we’re taken in by it.
Double moon
Although we’re looking at a single moon, we perceive as double moon as a result of drinking that impairs our perception. Applies to hallucinations too.
This thought experiment aims to show that perception and seeing can be different.
In ordinary experiences, we see things that are conditioned by our inner psychological processes and sensory apparatus.
Reminds us to draw distinction between cause of perception (the single moon is the cause in this case) and how perception appears (as a double moon).
Agricultural metaphors
Seeds and sprouts
Metaphor for causality.
How atomic components can bring about significant effects.
Rain and harvest
Importance of continuous practice to a point where we can reap the benefits of practice
Reaping
Involves grasping the grain with our left hand and cutting roots with a scythe on our right.
Left hand represents knowledge and right hand represent wisdom.
Knowledge involves gathering and grasping concepts together and make sense of them.
Wisdom is when we cut off our attractions/attachments to them.
Shows how knowledge and wisdom goes hand in hand.