Why is this a Buddhist Poem? Essay -- Literary Analysis, Who Are You?,

The protagonist of the poem, Who Are You, attempts to define his identity in the manner that most humans fall victim to. The inquirer, assumed to be Buddhist, is unsatisfied with his response as it contradicts the Dharma of the enlightened Buddha. Peter, when asked, â€Å"Who are you?† endeavors to label himself by the people that surround him, the place in which he was born, and the traits that he feels connected to. The question, however, is a deception used in the hope of unveiling the flaws of the perception that humans carry for themselves. The Buddhist questioner engages in conversation with the motive of exposing the three marks of existence. The first is Anitya, impermanence, the second is Duhkha, dissatisfactoriness, and the third is Anatman, no self. The no self is a principle that other religions contradict, and most humans have difficulty comprehending. The Buddha replaces the concept of an intrinsic or everlasting soul with the Five Aggregates, thus further illust rating impermanence. In order to eradicate the Duhkha in Peter’s life, he must recognize all these notions within the Buddhist doctrine along with that of Dependent Arising. This further explains the source of Anatman, offers a passage to eradicate the Duhkha, and further cease the existence of Samsara. With the dharma of the Buddha, it is evident that Peter’s ignorance towards life will become replaced by wisdom and comprehension, allowing him a lifestyle liberated from Duhkha. The method, in which Peter desperately attempts to decipher who he is, represents the flaws that the Buddha recognized in most sentient beings. These flaws are epitomized by the three marks of existence. The first mark of existence, reflected in the man’s responses, becomes visible. This... ...t his identity, he finds that no answer seems to satisfy the other. The more perplexed Peter becomes, he discovers how little he truly knows, and upon declaring this, the questioner is appeased. This is because the motive of the Buddhist is to unveil the dharma of the Buddha in hopes of enlightening his disciple. Through his questions, he illustrates the three marks of existence, Anitya, Duhkha, and Anatman. The Buddha replaces Anatman with the Five Aggregates to explain the impermanence and the dissatisfactoriness in the human realm. In addition, the notion of dependent arising is prevalent in hopes of explaining the cause for Duhkha, ignorance, and the method to eliminating it. Through the banter between he who is enlightened, and he who is not, the reader is hopeful that Peter will appreciate the dharma presented and cease the delusion and dissatisfactoriness.