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Expert: - 1/21/2010


Question
Hey again Alex, my question concerns the Tathagatagarbha. I was wondering if it really does contradict the Buddhist doctrine of Anatta? And if you could tell me what you know on this topic of Tathagatagarbha.

Thanks heaps
Tony

Answer
Hi Tony,
Put simply, critics (within Buddhism) say it does conflict, that it is a kind of "crypto-Hinduism"; adherents say that just because, when it is misunderstood, it sounds a bit like Hindu doctrine, that is no reason to reject it, and that it does not conflict with anatta - only with a primitive and crude version of anatta.
Many large tomes have been written, are being written and, all being well, will be written about this. Do not expect a clear answer. But thinking about it can be fun!

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Alex Wilding

Expertise

I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

Experience

I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

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