In Buddhism, what is ultimacy?

Question

Or how is the self positioned regarding ultimacy?

Answer 1

Regarding ultimacy in general (the quality or state of being the last result; being incapable of further analysis, division, or separation; the most remote in space or time.) Buddha didn’t say anything about it. The only reference to self ultimacy in Buddhism that I can think of is in some translations and commentaries on the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra, for this sutra insists upon the True Self's ultimacy and that the True Self is autonomous and sovereign. However it would be a mistake to think that the True Self is in reference to an individual self, spirit, soul or being. In Buddhism, at least in the Mahayana traditions such as Zen and Pure Land Buddhism, the True Self is Buddha nature, that is, the True Self is that witch is present in all sentient beings and can not be corrupted or tarnished. When one is enlightened, he or she has accepted Buddha nature and all other natures natures are disposed of.

"Bodhisattva E" who posted above is correct about the "self" however Buddha Nature is not the self but has been referred to in a few Sutras as "True Self" Buddhism teaches that the "self" is an illusion.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Good question!

First lets look at the definition of the word ultimate as a verb from the Oxford English Dictionary:

2. intr. To result finally; to end (in something).

c1834 A. H. STEPHENS in Johnston & Browne Life (1878) 95 How the thing will ultimate I cannot tell.

1868 L. OLIPHANT Let. in Life (1891) viii. II. 41 We have no place here for those who like to meditate, unless the meditation ultimates in useful work.

1887 Pop. Sci. Monthly Aug. 564/2 Believing that they..must ultimate..in an increase of egoism.

"A World Theology" has an interesting example of ultimacy pertaining to Buddhist Bodhisattva's (enlightened beings that choose to continue the cycle of rebirth in order to help those that have not yet awakened.) The example is on page 112 (link below.)

Basically, the Bodhisattva's ultimacy is due to enlightenment. He or she has ended in something/resulted finally - in this case enlightenment

Answer 3

Ultimacy is Thusness. It is the ineffable (unspeakable) reality. That is why the Buddha called himself the tathagatha, which means One Gone to Thusness. It is called thusness because you can't describe it, you can only wave your hand at everything and say reality is thus. You could also say that it is Nirvana although nirvana refers to the destruction of the impediments that then allows one to experience true reality. How is the self positioned regarding ultimacy? That one is easy, there is no self in buddhism. That is one of the three marks of existence, anatman. Everything is constantly changing and so there is no thing that can be identified as the self. The other two marks are impermanence (anicca) and suffering (dukkha).

Answer 4

The Buddha has noted that there are no ultimates. Everything is impermanent. The universe and everything is in a constant state of change. Our suffering derives from clinging to things that we can never possibly keep. Love, possessions, drugs, joy, happiness. Nothing lasts forever, we lose it all.

The end of suffering involves freeing ourselves from these attachments.

Answer 5

I cannot say that I have heard or read this term used within Buddhism...
However, I have heard the term enlightment many times...
I'm interested in seeing what other answers you will get.

Answer 6

There is no ultimacy. Everything in its "own being" is empty.

The self is a false view. At best a societal fiction. At worst, something we cling to that causes suffering.

In emptiness, "There is no suffering, no origination, no stopping, no path." In other words, the 4 noble truths are negated in emptiness. (Heart Sutra)