I read in the internet what is supposed to be a quotation on impermanence by American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer, John Dewey:
In laying hands upon the sacred ark of absolute permanency, in treating the forms that had been regarded as types of fixity and perfection as originating and passing away, the Origin of Species introduced a mode of thinking that in the end was bound to transform the logic of knowledge, and hence the treatment of morals, politics, and religion.
This quotation is indeed hard to crack and would appreciate if some kind teacher passing along would put it in simpler words for me to understand and appreciate. Meanwhile, about impermanence which in Chinese: 無常 is wúcháng and Japanese 無常, mujō, this is supposed to be an important aspect of Buddhism called annica. According to the impermanence doctrine, you can see impermanence in human life in the aging process, the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara), and in any experience of loss. Because things are impermanent then, attachment to them is futile, and leads to suffering (dukkha). Now, what do you say to this doctrine?
Comments
I think, permanence is a necessary condition for our survival. If you know that in this place you can sleep and in that place you will find water, and if you run from the enemy you have to know how is the earth of your territory, because you can brake your leg if you are not sure where you run. And this means the end for you.
Stray cats don't like changes. They leave the place where they are not sure to find every time the same.
But permanence makes everything more hard. Fix.If you see the wall as hard, it is really hard. But if you are in the state of Clear Light, the walls do not exist. And you can pass through them.
Befor Darwin there was a fixed point of view on the species of animals. The Creation is and was always so as it is. It was permanent, fixed mentality. The "sacred ark", that was not to discuss and not to make questions. It is so -point here.
For this, the idea of Darwin was revolutionary in that moment. Because introduced flexibility in scientific thinking. We CAN discuss the "sacred", permanent, fixed ideas. Not evrything that repeat 3-4 academics has to be right. And if we may touch one "sacred ark" we can touch others too. Religion, politics ecc.
Maybe so...