Overview
Throughout his teaching career, the Buddha observed that worldly beings and ascetics almost invariably fall into one of two philosophical traps. Both of these extreme views prevent the understanding of dependent origination and block the realization of Nibbāna.
The List
- Bhavadiṭṭhi - View of Existence (Eternalism): The belief in an eternal, unchanging soul or self (attā) that survives death and continues forever. The Buddha rejected this as a clinging to the aggregates.
- Vibhavadiṭṭhi - View of Non-existence (Annihilationism): The belief that death is the absolute end of the being, with no kamma and no rebirth. The Buddha rejected this because it denies the continuity of cause and effect.
Textual References
- Canonical: Diṭṭhigata Sutta (Iti 49) – The Buddha explains how deities and humans are held back or overreach due to these two views, while only those with vision see the truth.
- Canonical: Brahmajāla Sutta (DN 1) – Expands on the 62 wrong views, all of which stem from these two fundamental roots.