Discussion
Read the following quote by the Dalai Lama:
"As your insight into the ultimate nature of reality is deepened and enhanced, you will develop a perception of reality from which you will perceive phenomena and events as sort of illusory, illusion-like, and this mode of perceiving reality will permeate all your interactions with reality. . . . Even emptiness itself, which is seen as the ultimate nature of reality, is not absolute, nor does it exist independently. We cannot conceive of emptiness as independent of a basis of phenomena, because when we examine the nature of reality, we find that it is empty of inherent existence. Then if we are to take that emptiness itself is an object and look for its essence, again we will find that it is empty of inherent existence. Therefore the Buddha taught the emptiness of emptiness." - The Dalai Lama, The Art of Living (2001)
Now address the following questions:
• If there is no difference between nirvana and samsara, if there is no real existence, then how can you make a distinction between nirvana and samsara?
• If there is no difference in reality, then where must the difference lie?
Post your responses to this discussion board.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.