Describe the state of liberation (mokṣa) according to Yajñavalkya in Brihadaranyaka 61-63.
In about one double-spaced page, answer one of the following questions. For this kind of brief response, full citations are not necessary. Parenthetical citations of the form (Brihadaranyaka XX, Pali Canon XX) where the title is in italics and “XX” represents the page number are fine. Since you have very limited space, it is best to skip a conventional introduction. Focus on answering the question(s). 1. Describe the state of liberation (mokṣa) according to Yajñavalkya in Brihadaranyaka 61-63. How does one achieve liberation? Why does liberation mean having no perceptions or thoughts? If one has no perceptions or thoughts, how can liberation be bliss? 2. According to the Upaniṣads, why must the atman exist and what essential properties does it have? What is a fundamental assumption that is the basis for the idea of atman? Give at least one objection to the Upaniṣads’ conception of atman. 3. What did the Buddha mean by saying there is no self? What is a person, if not a self? Analyze one Buddhist argument for non-self. Does this argument succeed in proving there is no self?
