LESSON 3: THE HUMAN PERSON AS AN EMBODIED SPIRIT

3.1 The human person as an embodied spirit

A. Hinduism
- The Aum – Root of the universe and everything that exists and it continues to hold
everything together.
- Human beings have a dual nature; one is the spiritual and immortal essence (soul); the
other is empirical life and character.
- Generally believe that the soul is eternal but is bound by the law of Karma (action).
- Humanities basic goal in life is the liberation (moksha) of spirit (Jiva).
- Hinduism holds that humanity’s life is continuous cycle (samsara).

B. Buddhism
- Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
- Law of Salvation or Dharma – a simple presentation of the gospel of inner cultivation of
right spiritual attitudes, coupled with a self-imposed discipline whereby bodily desires
would be channelled in the right directions.
- The four noble truths - life is full of suffering, suffering is caused by passionate desires,
lusts, cravings, only as these are obliterated, will suffering cease, such eradication of
desire may be accomplished by only following the Eight Fold Path of earnest and
endeavour.
- Eightfold Path – Right view, Right intention, Right speech, Right Action, Right
Livelihood, Right effort, Right concentration, Right mindfulness.
- Nirvana (enlightened wisdom)

St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas Aquinas

- St Augustine (354 BCE – 430 CE) - Philosophy is Amor Sapiental, the love of
wisdom; its aim is to produce happiness. Christianity as presenting the full
revelation of the true God is the only full and true philosophy.
- Augustine's theory of knowledge begins with the conviction that there is such a
thing as truth and that it is accessible to human reason.

- St. Thomas Aquinas – of all creatures, human beings have the unique power to
change themselves and things for the better
- Summa Contra Gentiles - it was probably written to aid missionaries in
explaining the Christian religion to and defending it against dissenting points of
doctrine in Islam and Judaism.
- Summa Theologica - It is intended as an instructional guide for theology
students, including seminarians and the literate laity.
- He considers human beings as moral agent, we are both spiritual and body
elements; the spiritual and material.
3.2 Evaluate own limitations and the possibilities for their transcendence

A. Forgiveness – when we forgive we are freed from our anger and bitterness
because of the actions or words of another. On the other hand, the hardness of our heart is
reinforced by whole series of rational arguments.
B. The Beauty of Nature – There is perfection in every single flower; this is what
the three philosophies believed. For a hug, for every sunrise and sunset, to eat together as a
family, are our miracles. These kinds of experiences are true moments of grace.
C. Vulnerability – to be vulnerable is to be human. To work in the office or study
in school without asking the help of others, is to live without meaning and direction. We need
help from other people. Moments of dependence on others are not a sign of weakness but
being true to ourselves.
D. Failure – our failures force us to confront our weaknesses and limitations,
when a relationship fails, when we fail a subject, when our immediate desires are not met.
Acceptance of our failures makes us hope and trust that all can be brought into good
E. Loneliness- our loneliness can be rooted from our sense of vulnerability and
fear of death. With our loneliness, we can realize that our dependence on other people or
gadgets is a possessiveness that we can be free from.
F. Love – To love is to experience richness, positivity, and transcendence. In
times of struggles, the love for a friend, family member or special one can open in us something
in the other which takes us beyond ourselves.

3.3 Recognize the human body imposes limits and possibilities for transcendence

A. Hinduism: Reincarnation and Karma – interesting Hindu belief is the

transmigration of souls, reincarnation or “metempsychosis”. Essential Hinduism is based on the
belief in Karma and has its first literary expression in Upanishads, ancient Sanskrit texts that
contain some of the central philosophical concepts and ideas of Hinduism.
B. Buddhism: Nirvana – state in which one is absolutely free from all forms of
bondage and attachment. It means to overcome and remove the cause of suffering.
C. St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas: Will and Love – For Augustine we are
free, yet morally bound to obey the law. The Eternal Law is God himself. According to this law,
humanity must do well and avoid evil. Definitely to live a chaste life is difficult; all are called to
be chaste whether married of single. Though all are called to different lifestyles, all are called to
be holy, pure and chaste within that lifestyle.
3.4 Distinguish the limitations and possibilities for transcendence

Transcendence - In philosophy, transcendence conveys the basic ground concept from the word's
literal meaning (from Latin), of climbing or going beyond, in religion, transcendence refers to the
aspect of a god's nature and power which is wholly independent of the material universe, beyond all
physical laws.

Limits and Possibilities of human beings common to Indian thought:

- It is the spiritual that endures and is ultimately real. In Hinduism the human
aspiration is to move to the divine
- There is the preoccupation with the inner life, the road to enlightenment
that stretches not outward but inward to. To understand nature and the
universe, we must turn within.
- There is an emphasis on the non-material oneness of creation. This means
that there are no polarities; a single spirit provides cosmic harmony.
- There is acceptance of direct awareness as the only way to understand what
is real.
- There is a healthy respect for tradition, but never a slavish commitment to it.
The past can teach but never rule.

SUMMARIZATION
Indian thought recognizes the complimentary thought of all systems of belief. Hinduism
is neither rooted in any single doctrine, nor does it claim a monopoly on truth or
wisdom. Meaning it believes in both. Buddhism preaches tolerance of all sincere
viewpoints and includes many of these within its own spiritual teachings.

For Christian faith, the power of change cannot be done by human beings alone, but is
achieved with cooperation with God. Between humanity and God, there is an infinite
gap, which God alone can bridge through his power.

In this vein, the core of “loob” for Filipinos deepens and broadens the meaning of God in
the lives of people. “Loob” is a Christian perspective that is both individual and societal.
Filipinos normally encounter God during conflicts and sufferings. In Philippine
Culture, Loob or Kalooban refers to one's inner self, or, more specifically, to the internal
dimension of a person's identity.