The doctrine of the twelve links of dependent origination transcends eternalism and annihilationism ⏳

The twelve links of Dependent Origination are regarded as a “teaching by the middle” becuase it trandsends two radical views that polarize philosphical reflection on the human condition. These are eternalism and annihilationism. These extremes pose insuperable problems. Eternalism encourages obstanate clinging to the five aggregates. Annihilationism threatens to undermine ethics and to make suffering a product of chance. The twelve links of Dependent Origination thereby offer a cogent explanation of the problem of suffering that one hand avoids the philosophical dilemmas of a permanent self, and on the other hand avoids the dangers of ethical anarchy to which annihilationism eventually leads.

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References

• Bodhi, Bhikkhu. (2005). In the Buddha’s Words An Anthology of Discourses From the Pali Canon Chapter IX. SHINING THE LIGHT OF WISDOM (Location 5443). Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications.

• Bodhi, Bhikkhu. (2005). In the Buddha’s Words An Anthology of Discourses From the Pali Canon Chapter IX. SHINING THE LIGHT OF WISDOM (Location 6202). Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications.

• Samyutta Nikaya 12:15; II 16–17

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Type:🔵 Tags: Philosophy Status:☀️