[O]ne could assume an incompatibility, at one and the same…
““[O]ne could assume an incompatibility, at one and the same level of reference, between two philosophical propositions, both of which cannot be true in accordance with the principle of contradiction. Alternatively, one might perhaps suppose a complementarity - perhaps even an incommensurability - between two doctrines that relate to different levels of reference or discourse, and which are accordingly not mutually exclusive or contradictory."'- In fact, this is precisely one of the major points in Dolpopa's original presentation of self-emptiness and other-emptiness that was often overlooked by later proponents of other-emptiness as well as their opponents. Despite the claims of his opponents, Dolpopa's use of this distinction is epistemological in nature and not ontological or reifying. In his main work, A Mountain Dharma, The Ocean of Definitive Meaning,''" he himself makes a clear distinction between a "philosophical system" (Skt. siddhanta, Tib. grub mtha') based on certain explanations and arguments and a "point of view" in the sense of an outlook (Skt. darsana, Tib. Ita ba). For him, the latter is understood in the broad sense of including what is directly experienced in meditative equipoise. This is what he calls "Great Madhyamaka" and "other-emptiness," the outlook of noble beings who see how things really are. As such, it is clearly contrasted with Madhyamaka as a mere philosophical system. 'T'hus, on these two levels, the entire perspective of mind and, consequently, the way of discourse are quite different.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Distinguishes between logical contradiction at a single level and complementary perspectives across different levels, emphasizing epistemological rather than ontological differences in Buddhist philosophy.
In simple terms: Two kinds of disagreement: logical vs. perspectival.
Recognize when debates are about viewpoints, not truth claims.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic discussion
- interfaith dialogue
- meditation instruction
- comparative theology
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you tell if a disagreement is about facts or perspectives?
- When is it useful to adopt a complementary view?
The distinction may be abstract and hard to apply in everyday reasoning.