Tibetan Buddhism, an ancient wisdom system originating from the snowy plateau, is not only a religious belief, but also a profound philosophy of life and psychological practice. Its core teachings such as "emptiness" and "selflessness", as well as unique meditation techniques, are affecting modern people's lives in various forms. This article will take you to understand how Tibetan Buddhism has brought profound influences to modern philosophy, psychology and daily life in an easy-to-understand way, combining professional knowledge and practical cases.
"Emptiness" Philosophy: What is the Essence of the World?
What is "Emptiness"?
"Emptiness" is one of the core concepts of Tibetan Buddhism. It sounds a bit abstract, but it can actually be understood with a simple metaphor: imagine you are watching a movie. The pictures in the movie look very real, but in fact they are just projections of light and shadow, and have no real existence. Tibetan Buddhism believes that the world we see is like this movie, seemingly real, but essentially "empty" - there is no independent, eternal, unchanging entity.
Philosophical significance:
"Emptiness" tells us that everything is interdependent and nothing exists in isolation. For example, your mobile phone is made up of countless parts, and these parts come from different materials and factories. Without these conditions, the mobile phone would not exist. This concept challenges our inherent cognition of reality and reminds us not to be too attached to superficial phenomena.
Psychological significance:
Modern people often suffer from their attachment to material, status or relationships. The philosophy of "emptiness" tells us that these attachments are actually based on an illusion. When we recognize the "emptiness" of things, we can more easily let go of obsessions and reduce anxiety and stress.
The concept of "no self": Do you really understand yourself?
What is "no self"?
"No self" is another important concept in Tibetan Buddhism. It does not mean that "you" do not exist, but that "you" are not a fixed entity. Imagine that you are a river, the river is constantly flowing, and the river at every moment is different from the previous second. Tibetan Buddhism believes that the "self" is like this river, composed of countless instantaneous experiences and feelings, and there is no eternal "I".
Philosophical significance: This concept challenges the concept of "self" in Western philosophy. For example, Descartes said "I think, therefore I am", but Tibetan Buddhism believes that "I" is just a temporary phenomenon, not a fixed entity.
Psychological significance: The study of "self" in modern psychology is also inspired by the concept of "no self". For example, psychologist Ken Wilber believes that "self" is a multi-layered structure rather than a single entity. This view helps us better understand our inner world and reduce our attachment to "self".
Jung and Mandala: Mirror of the Mind
What is Mandala? Mandala is a geometric figure in Tibetan Buddhism that symbolizes the universe and is often used for meditation and practice. It looks like a circular pattern with a dot in the center surrounded by various symbols and images.
Jung's Discovery:
