Assignment Task: One of the most important Buddhist doctrines is the doctrine of "No-Self." As discussed in the reading for our class, an important figure (fictional or real) named Vimalakirti sought to teach this doctrine by way of "silence." This silence becomes a definitive account of the dharma door of non-duality. In other words, the secret to understanding no-self is that it is beyond comprehension, beyond concepts, and only silence is left. It is an ineffable truth.
Consider the following questions (respond to one or more):
1) Is the theory of no-self plausible?
2) Is such a theory intellectually plausible, or does it seem like silly nonsense?
3) If you give up the notion of "self," what else are you giving up (such as personal rights and liberties, intellectual growth, etc.)?