Wednesday 25 November 2009

Permanence and Permanent Phenomena in Buddhism

Impermanent and Permanent Phenomena
It's a common misconception that Buddhists believe that all phenomena are impermanent. But in fact there are permanent phenomena in Buddhist philosophy. A permanent phenomenon is one that is not affected by circumstances and does not disintegrate moment by moment.

Buddhist philosophy states that all functioning phenomena are impermanent, however some non-functioning phenomena, such as unproduced* empty space, are permanent. Another group of phenomena which are classed as permanent are generic images.

The poor old Dodo may have suffered extreme symptoms of impermanence, but its generic image is permanently with us.



Permanent phenomena can only be known by the mind and not by the physical senses. Thus you can't see empty space, you can only conclude it's there by looking through it.

Emptiness also is a permanent phenomenon.

The integer numbers are permanent phenomena, being both generic images and, according to set theory, arising out of emptiness.


* As distinct from 'produced empty space', eg the quantum vacuum, which is seething with impermanence.

- Sean Robsville
 

RELATED ARTICLES:

Generic Images in Buddhism

Essentialism, Ideal Forms, Plato, Buddhism and Generic Images

Existence, Impermanence and Emptiness in Buddhism

Rational Buddhism

The Four Seals of Dharma

The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in Science and Engineering

Essentialism in Physics, Chemistry and Biology

Sunyata - the emptiness of all things

Inherent Existence in Buddhist Philosophy

Quantum Buddhism - Buddhist Particle Physics


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1 comment:

deanna said...

My Understanding from Teachers in Mcleod Gunj is that "When an Object ceases to exist then so does its Emptiness......"(When the Object is gone its Emptiness is gone)..therefore Emptiness is impermanent........