How would a buddhist respond to the following criticism of the Buddhist philosophy in the Mrgendra Agama?
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The Mrgendra Agama, A Saivite Hindu Agama text, in a certain chapter pertaining to the refutation of Rival schools makes the following criticism of the Buddhist position -
> **cidyavañjakasya karmādeḥ kṣaṇikatvānmuhurmuhuḥ| vyajyate jāyamāneva
> kṣaṇike matā paraiḥ|| 24**
>
> Due to the functions and operations of those instruments which help
> for the manifestation of consciousness, cit (knowledge) appears to be
> momentary, since those functions are of fractional duration. Not
> knowing this, the Saugatas say that consciousness is momentary.
>
> **tadasatkarmaṇo bhogādātītānubhavasmṛteḥ| sthitirinanvaye nāśe na
> smṛternāpi karmaṇaḥ|| 25||**
>
> **vināśa lakṣaṇopaiti na muktāvapyupaplavaḥ| na cāstyanubhavaḥ kaścit
> bhāvāvasthā varaṃ tataḥ|| 26||**
>
> This view of momentariness is untenable. If consciousness itself is
> momentary, the experience of meritorious and sinful effects and the
> remembrance of previous experiences cannot occur. Because
> consciousness which occurs at one moment perishes at the next moment
> itself. How could the effect of karmas done by one man be experienced
> by another man?
>
> Or, how could the experience attained by one man be
> remembered by another man? Because of the ascertained occurrence of
> the karmic effects and remembrance, it is to be deduced that the self
> is essentially eternal; not momentary.
>
> There is another defect in the
> concept of momentariness of the self. Can the occurrence of
> uninterrupted continuity of momentary-self be considered as
> liberation? Or, can the pacified and stilled state of consciousness
> itself after knowing the object, just like the extinguished beam of a
> lamp, be considered as the state of liberation? If it is the case of
> former, then, even in the state of liberation, the continuity of the
> momentary self frequently gets destroyed. If it is the case of latter,
> then, there is no experience of bliss in the extinguished state of the
> self. Therefore, when compared to this kind of blissless liberation,
> "to be enmeshed in the transmigratory phenomena" is more preferable;
> more superior.
~ Mrgendra Agama, Vidya Pada, 2.24-26
How would a Buddhist respond to this critique philosophically?
Asked by user28162
Dec 26, 2024, 11:44 AM
Last activity: Jan 1, 2025, 05:41 PM
Last activity: Jan 1, 2025, 05:41 PM