The higher and transcendent nature of man

We learn in the Pali Nikayas that the five aggregates are not the self or in Pali anattā (SN III.22–23).  Nor are these same aggregates the Tathāgata (SN III.111) which is another name for the Buddha. 

This is strange given the confusion that the self is, supposedly, what the Buddha denied according to some scholars although there is no real evidence for this claim.  Put another way, it is strange that neither the self nor the Tathagata have anything to do with the five aggregates.  The aggregates are always, in fact, never the self.  But more importantly, the five aggregates belong to the Buddhist devil, Māra (SN III.189). 

Can we say in light of the above that the self and the Tathagata are the same in virtue of the fact that both do not identify with the five aggregates?  It is difficult to believe otherwise.  Isn’t it also the very self (paccatta) that realizes nirvana (SN III.53–54) which is never other than unconditioned?  Certainly, it is also the Tathagata who attained complete awakening or nirvana. 

This awakening is described as unborn, unoriginated, unconditioned, etc.  It has also been described as the highest perfection (accanta.nittham). It is also extremely subtle and not graspable by those in bondage to the five aggregates which are the bait of Māra, the Buddhist devil.

The self and the Tathagata represent the higher and transcendent nature of man that awakens and attains liberation with the proper exertion and intelligence.  But today, few if any are interested in the transcendent nature of man.  Those who follow this blog are fighting a major battle for the hearts and minds of the human race.  There is much evil (excess attachment to the five aggregates).  The spiritual warriors are few.  

 

 

 

Comments

[dave b]

The denial of the self only comes in the form of "You are not allowed to say that the Tathagata after death (1) ceased to exist, (2) continued to exist, (3) both ceased to exist and continued to exist, nor (4) neither ceased to exist nor continued to exist."

So simply through that nonsensical sutta out, and we're done. Argument over. Of course the way Buddha describes Nibbana as the Ultimate Bliss, the Ultimate Supreme Security, the Deathless State, etc. he is saying that he would CONTINUE to exist, just in Nibbana rather than Samsara, just on the Further Shore rather than the Near Shore. So the sutta banning the statement that the Tathagata continues to exist is heresy. Drop the few (there are very few of them) suttas that say you aren't allowed to say this about the Tathagata, and the controversy is gone.