Theme 6- Social Identity

Theme 6: Social Identity

Who am I?
“I” “self” –independent, permanent one, entity, substance (atman)
Myself: body, feeling, perception, volition and consciousness (5 skandhas)
Self and others
Cultural/National
Social
Familial
Personal/Relationship
Individual/Psychological
Professional
Spiritual/Religions
Racial
Gender
Martin Buber (1878-1965): “I-it” and “I-Thou” two types of relationship
I-it: “one engages with another sentient being views simply as an object, to be manipulated in accordance with one’s self-centered desires.”
I-Thou: “one may transcend the polarity of self and other and engage with a sphere between self and other, in which both access the “eternal thou” that transcends individuality.
Buddhist Concept of Non-self (anatman)
Diamond Sutra on
p. 11 & 67 on “Bodily appearances”
p. 15 on “Self” “Individual” “Being” and “Life Span”
p. 55 “mind”
The Four Immeasurables
Loving-kindness selfish affection
Compassion sorrow
Joy frivolity
Equanimity cold and indifference
Recommended readings:
Martin Buber: I and Thou
Diamond Sutra
Yifa’s article on “Buddhism and Politics of Identity” (draft only)
“Buddhist concept on non-self” in What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula