Non-Self Debate
(Ying Yang drawing found on Facebook. Artist unknown)
Tsem Rinpoche (TR): Meditation on what?
B: Actually we must have a certain level of concentration in the mind so that to reach the peaceful level and start to contemplate on that understanding
TR: So therefore the mind is in peace therefore you can focus, you can stay on the subject more clearly
B: Correct
TR: If you stay on the subject more clearly, you gain understanding, is that correct?
B: Correct
TR: You get understanding, peace arises at the same time.
B: Yes.
TR: Therefore we believe that it can be changed, because it is not correct perception, we do not suffer.
B: Again?
TR: If we believe that yesterday, today and tomorrow is changeable, and it is not unchanging, therefore we understand that it does not exist by itself, by itself, suffering stops, is that correct?
B: Not really.
TR: If it is not correct, what is correct?
B: OK, depends on your understanding only on intellectual level or deep down…
TR: so therefore, in your opinion right now, how do we stop wrong preception that perceives everything is unchangeable and stiff and not ever.. In your preception, to change things that we perceive as stiff, unchangeable, what is the first procedure?
B: We must have this preception
TR: Yes, this understanding. For this understanding to become firm, what is necessary?
B: We need to actually purify our mind
TR: How do we purify our mind in your opinion?
B: We must have meditation
Do watch the video to hear the completion of the debate…..
(Above transcribed by Eric Kksiow. I noticed this debate I had on facebook because Eric posted it. Eric said he loves the debate. So I thought if he loves it, then it might benefit others. So I posted it here. A friendly debate I had with a intelligent young man in Malaysia many years back. Thank you Eric for posting this on Facebook.)
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This was an excellent debate I got to witness.
It’s amazing because this person hardly knew Rinpoche and it clearly shows past lives or reincarnation do exist because this guy could explain Dharma understandings so easily and quickly. We were all quite amazed with his ability to debate with Rinpoche with such clear, calm understanding of the profound subject. A must watch over and over again. To meditate without understanding and without realisations would just be a waste of time.
Thanks Eric for bringing it up again!
Rinpoche teaches us in so so many ways, thank you.
Dear Rinpoche,
Very nice video of the debate.
I needed to watch a few times to grasp an understanding from it. Honestly, I haven’t quite get it.
Will contemplate further on this.
Thank you.
And the doggie slept right thru it!
Dear Rinpoche,
Actually is Rinpoche transcribed, i copy from YouTube comment corner.
I watched over and over again, it’s make me contemplate the topic again and again too. Love – when peoples debate in the Buddhism topic, learn a lot.
Best Regards : Eric