Clarification on Ultimate and Conventional Nature of Mind in different Buddhist schools
manoman
New
Hello,
I am currently reading "A Buddhist approach" by Thubten Chodron and the Dalai Lama and am interested how the different schools of buddhism view the conventional and ultimate nature of Mind. How for example the Gelug differ from the Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya or also how other mahayana schools like Tiantai, Zen etc. view the Mind.
I understood that overall the Mind or mindstream is a continuum and although impermanent because it is moment to moment consciousness, eternal in the sense that it is inexhaustible and has no beginning or end even after enlightenment and buddhahood where the mindstream continues on in a purified form.
Is my understanding right for any of the buddhist schools?
In"A buddhist approach" I think it says that the mind has a conventional and ultimate mode. Ultimately it is empty of inherent existence and the "mind is devoid of mind" says the author. What does that mean? Do the Gelug say that the mindstream in ultimate reality is merely nonexistent?
Which school or traditon views the mindstream or mind in the ultimate reality as "existing" or continuing even after buddhahood? Is the purified mindstream not eternal?
Comments
Sometimes people use different terms. I wonder if this would be of any interest from a Kagyu/Nyingma teacher? It's from a public e-mailing called Buddhism Connect.
https://buddhawithin.org.uk/2020/03/14/ego-mandala/?utm_source=Buddhism Connect&utm_campaign=fbacde9533-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_12_21_12_16_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b2f18b1245-fbacde9533-69508745&mc_cid=fbacde9533&mc_eid=c45799e53e
I'm pretty partial to the Gelug way of explaining things. They always seem to be very thorough and logical.
There are important, from a grand perspective if not so much on a day to day level, differences between, not only Tibetan schools but others as well. Conventional and ultimate are also deeply entwined with the concept of emptiness so that is a slightly different topic that also understanding will help deepen your overall view.
Its a deep and extensive topic so hard for anyone here to address thoroughly. I would just encourage you to keep learning and suggest that it is important to hear what other schools think about the topic from their own mouths rather than the way a school different than their's may interpret or explain it.
Hello and welcome.
It means that during meditation, you will eventually find no-mind. Mind will not be in your thoughts (mind), that is just a jumble of nonsensical flitting. These mind arisings are something you can experience and find are without permanency or real being.
https://www.learnreligions.com/dependent-origination-meaning-449723
This experiential confirmation is something to find, explore and confirm, through meditation practice.
https://www.verywellmind.com/learn-how-to-meditate-3144793