O paradoxo do Absoluto budista: negação e afirmação da eternidade das essências.

Abstract

The buddhist tradition is ordinarily known for its radical rejection of metaphysics, particularly in concern of “essences” and permanent patterns. Cardinal concepts such as “no-self/no-soul” (anatman) and “emptiness” (shunyata) are evident signs of confrontation with the Hindu metaphysics, but besides its deconstructive method of permanent essences, Buddhism also recognizes a fundamental aspect of reality, mainly equivalent to a primordial metaphysical instance. The history and the modus operandi of this dialectics is very complex, but well explored. However, a didactical presentation of Buddhism to the general western public ultimately established a reductive view of the more positive side of its metaphysics, leading to many misjudgments and difficulties in the religious dialogue, not last because the dominant stereotype of Buddhism is restricted to its skeptical and almost irreligious character.