The Phenomenon of Mind in Madhyamika Philosophy From Illusion to Reality!

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University.

2 MA Student, Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Madhyamika is one of the Mahayana schools that has created a new epistemological and ontological horizon in Indian and Buddhist thought by proposing the theory of "Emptiness" (Shunyata). "The phenomenon of Mind" is one of the practical components that the philosophers of the school have included in their fundamental concerns, the analysis of issues related to it; however, independent study of this issue has been neglected to some extent from the perspective of researchers. Therefore, the present research is based on the question: first, what is the meaning of the Emptiness of Mind? And second, based on what evidence and on which meaning does Madhyamika insist on the illusion of the Mind and its intentionality? Research findings indicate that the Madhyamika tries, in one respect, to demonstrate the unreality of the Mind and its signifiers through various arguments, including the negation of the source of knowledge (object), the demonstrating of the unreality of the Mind (subject), and the inexplicability of what is called mental knowledge; although, based on their claim to the dual aspects of reality, a). Samvrti-satya (relative reality) and b). Paramartha-satya (absolute reality), one can also conclude that its thinkers accept the relative reality of the Mind. Furthermore, from the perspective of this school, according to the dual assumption of reality, one can speak of two types of knowledge. The highest kind of knowledge in this school is Prajna, which is assumed to be another title for Shuniyata, and its actualization is possible only by going beyond mental knowledge and relative reality.

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References

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Religions and Mysticism
Volume 57, Issue 2
Autumn & Winter 2024/2025
March 2025
Pages 453-470

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