Yaroslav Komarovski
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- June 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780190244958
- eISBN:
- 9780190245009
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190244958.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Buddhism, World Religions
This book connects the Tibetan Buddhist polemics over realization of ultimate reality with contemporary debates regarding mystical experience. It argues that realization of ultimate reality as ...
More
This book connects the Tibetan Buddhist polemics over realization of ultimate reality with contemporary debates regarding mystical experience. It argues that realization of ultimate reality as understood by Tibetan thinkers on the one hand in significant ways resembles the category of unmediated mystical experience, and on the other challenges and suggests rethinking the very meaning of that category. Correspondingly, the book proposes to move beyond the interpretive models used by “constructivists” and “perennialists” in their debates regarding unmediated mystical experience to a different model used by Tibetan Buddhist thinkers. According to that model, the direct realization of ultimate reality is not mediated by any concepts or mental constructs at the time of its actual occurrence, but it is necessarily mediated by conditioning contemplative processes leading to it. Consequently, the book suggests that in order to understand this type of mystical experience, one has to shift attention from the resultant experience per se to the deconstructive processes that condition it. It is here, it argues, that one should search for elements responsible for differences and similarities of experiences of ultimate reality addressed by different traditions. Exploring conflicting positions on realization of reality held by seminal Tibetan thinkers Tsongkhapa and Gorampa, the book shows that differences between mediating conceptual processes proposed by them pertain mostly to the conflicting descriptions of those conditioning processes, as well as minor variations in those processes, while on the practical level those processes are equally effective in terms of leading to the same realization of ultimate reality.Less
This book connects the Tibetan Buddhist polemics over realization of ultimate reality with contemporary debates regarding mystical experience. It argues that realization of ultimate reality as understood by Tibetan thinkers on the one hand in significant ways resembles the category of unmediated mystical experience, and on the other challenges and suggests rethinking the very meaning of that category. Correspondingly, the book proposes to move beyond the interpretive models used by “constructivists” and “perennialists” in their debates regarding unmediated mystical experience to a different model used by Tibetan Buddhist thinkers. According to that model, the direct realization of ultimate reality is not mediated by any concepts or mental constructs at the time of its actual occurrence, but it is necessarily mediated by conditioning contemplative processes leading to it. Consequently, the book suggests that in order to understand this type of mystical experience, one has to shift attention from the resultant experience per se to the deconstructive processes that condition it. It is here, it argues, that one should search for elements responsible for differences and similarities of experiences of ultimate reality addressed by different traditions. Exploring conflicting positions on realization of reality held by seminal Tibetan thinkers Tsongkhapa and Gorampa, the book shows that differences between mediating conceptual processes proposed by them pertain mostly to the conflicting descriptions of those conditioning processes, as well as minor variations in those processes, while on the practical level those processes are equally effective in terms of leading to the same realization of ultimate reality.
Yaroslav Komarovski
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- June 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780190244958
- eISBN:
- 9780190245009
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190244958.003.0003
- Subject:
- Religion, Buddhism, World Religions
This chapter addresses several Buddhist path models. It explains the interdependent nature of different types of path-related training and conditioning and the experiences and realizations they aim ...
More
This chapter addresses several Buddhist path models. It explains the interdependent nature of different types of path-related training and conditioning and the experiences and realizations they aim at bringing about. In particular, it explores the negative process of deconstruction of conceptual thinking, designed for achieving realization of ultimate reality. It argues that although realization of reality is similar to other mystical experiences in certain ways, what makes it unique is that it consists of negations, not affirmations. It also introduces a distinction between the “practical” level, which pertains to realization of reality and deconstructive contemplative processes leading to it, and the “descriptive” level, which pertains to the articulation of that realization, its “objects,” and its triggering processes. It argues that while the two levels are interrelated, different ways of describing realizations of reality and deconstructive processes leading to them do not necessarily indicate differences in those realizations and processes.Less
This chapter addresses several Buddhist path models. It explains the interdependent nature of different types of path-related training and conditioning and the experiences and realizations they aim at bringing about. In particular, it explores the negative process of deconstruction of conceptual thinking, designed for achieving realization of ultimate reality. It argues that although realization of reality is similar to other mystical experiences in certain ways, what makes it unique is that it consists of negations, not affirmations. It also introduces a distinction between the “practical” level, which pertains to realization of reality and deconstructive contemplative processes leading to it, and the “descriptive” level, which pertains to the articulation of that realization, its “objects,” and its triggering processes. It argues that while the two levels are interrelated, different ways of describing realizations of reality and deconstructive processes leading to them do not necessarily indicate differences in those realizations and processes.
Yaroslav Komarovski
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- June 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780190244958
- eISBN:
- 9780190245009
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190244958.003.0002
- Subject:
- Religion, Buddhism, World Religions
This chapter provides a general sketch of mind models used by Tibetan Buddhist thinkers, outlining diverse perspectives on the structure of mind and mental processes. In particular, it explores the ...
More
This chapter provides a general sketch of mind models used by Tibetan Buddhist thinkers, outlining diverse perspectives on the structure of mind and mental processes. In particular, it explores the twofold division of mind into conceptual and nonconceptual—a critical distinction for understanding such key mystical experiences as realization of ultimate reality. It also criticizes the category of pure contentless consciousness, which forms an important part of contemporary polemics over the question of unmediated mystical experience. It also shows how Buddhist mind models are used in discussions of realizations of reality, meditative states, etc., and demonstrates that those models not only describe such experiences and realizations, they play an important role in shaping them. It argues that this interdependent relationship between mind models and mental states is one of the reasons why it is important to interpret Buddhist mystical experiences with the help of specific Buddhist models of mind.Less
This chapter provides a general sketch of mind models used by Tibetan Buddhist thinkers, outlining diverse perspectives on the structure of mind and mental processes. In particular, it explores the twofold division of mind into conceptual and nonconceptual—a critical distinction for understanding such key mystical experiences as realization of ultimate reality. It also criticizes the category of pure contentless consciousness, which forms an important part of contemporary polemics over the question of unmediated mystical experience. It also shows how Buddhist mind models are used in discussions of realizations of reality, meditative states, etc., and demonstrates that those models not only describe such experiences and realizations, they play an important role in shaping them. It argues that this interdependent relationship between mind models and mental states is one of the reasons why it is important to interpret Buddhist mystical experiences with the help of specific Buddhist models of mind.
Yaroslav Komarovski
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- June 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780190244958
- eISBN:
- 9780190245009
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190244958.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Buddhism, World Religions
This chapter addresses mystical experience, appraising the contemporary debate between “constructivists” and “essentialists” over the issue of unmediated mystical experience and discussing benefits ...
More
This chapter addresses mystical experience, appraising the contemporary debate between “constructivists” and “essentialists” over the issue of unmediated mystical experience and discussing benefits of and problems involved in using categories like “mystical experience” when addressing experiences and realizations dealt with by Tibetan Buddhist thinkers. Treating the direct realization of ultimate reality as one of the highest expressions of mystical experience, it argues that it is one of the most challenging topics of Tibetan theories and practices, and the issues of accessing that realization, maintaining it, and providing an adequate description remain a focus of heated polemics. It shows that although many elements involved in this polemical issue are unique to the Tibetan Buddhist world, their analysis can help us achieve a better understanding of mystical experiences in general and the issue of (un)mediated mystical experience in particular. Overall, it provides a background for analysis of “mystical experiences” in Tibetan Buddhism.Less
This chapter addresses mystical experience, appraising the contemporary debate between “constructivists” and “essentialists” over the issue of unmediated mystical experience and discussing benefits of and problems involved in using categories like “mystical experience” when addressing experiences and realizations dealt with by Tibetan Buddhist thinkers. Treating the direct realization of ultimate reality as one of the highest expressions of mystical experience, it argues that it is one of the most challenging topics of Tibetan theories and practices, and the issues of accessing that realization, maintaining it, and providing an adequate description remain a focus of heated polemics. It shows that although many elements involved in this polemical issue are unique to the Tibetan Buddhist world, their analysis can help us achieve a better understanding of mystical experiences in general and the issue of (un)mediated mystical experience in particular. Overall, it provides a background for analysis of “mystical experiences” in Tibetan Buddhism.
