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Chapter 16: Refuting remaining counter-arguments

Verses 376-382

Refuting remaining misconceptions of inherent existence and emptiness. Part of a series of talks on Aryadeva’s Four Hundred Stanzas on the Middle Way.

  • The error of thinking things inherently exist because they exist
  • The error of seeing emptiness and non-existence as the same
  • Emptiness does not inherently exist
  • Emptiness does exist conventionally but it is not a conventional truth
  • The difference between being able to bear ultimate analysis and being found by ultimate analysis. Emptiness is found by a reasoning consciousness analyzing the ultimate but that does not mean it can bear reasoning analyzing the ultimate

98 Aryadeva’s 400 Stanzas: Verses 376-382 (download)

http://www.youtu.be/l0aMULL0Ioc

Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.