tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-336393486999992734.post6025309465614392049..comments2024-03-13T03:02:35.437-07:00Comments on notes on the Dhamma: MN 111 Bhikkhu Analayo, circular reasoning and red herringsfrankkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11426926451988418505noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-336393486999992734.post-74362716948324965042019-02-12T17:17:58.224-08:002019-02-12T17:17:58.224-08:00Analayo's argument here indeed is tenuous.
Fir...Analayo's argument here indeed is tenuous.<br />First, the lateness of MN111 is based entirely on circumstantial evidence. Second, to argue that MN111 has Abhidhammic elements is actually defeating his own purpose: late Abhidhamma has a tendency to posit that, since every moment of consciousness can only take up one single object, jhana (as a mental object) cannot coexist with another object (e.g. intention, energy, contact, and the other factors that MN111 lists). It is very odd that, if MN111 indeed is influenced by Abhidhamma reasoning, it would go against a very common late Abhidhamma assumption, which is to posit that jhana is a kind of singular absorption/trance that does not allow for reflection!<br />Third, MN111 is hardly the only sutta that talks about insight in jhana. Its position that jhanas contain both calm and insight is the rule rather than the exception in the early Buddhist canon.William Chuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15848216299822396718noreply@blogger.com