While

Question

But impermanence is more than an idea. It's an inisght, an insight into the nature of reality. It's an insight with the power to liberate us from our sorrow. For while everyone knows, at least in a vague and abstract way, that everything is impermanent and changing, the Buddha could see in this insight something life changing and transformative.

I'm wondering why while is used in the underlined part. Does the sentence mean Because everyone knows everything is changing, the buddha could see something life-changing and transformative?

I don't understand the use of while here.

Thanks in advance!

Ivanhr · Accepted Answer

That doesn't sound good to me. I'd omit the "for".

"While" is sometimes used for saying that you can accept something but with certain reservations (like it's not the whole truth). In this particular instance, you accept the fact that everything is changing but at the same time only the Budha can see beyond that. (an insight into the nature of reality)

One easier example might be

While I agree with you, I don't think it's the best way to go about it. (you accept a certain fact even though you have some doubts or reservations about it)

So to answer your question, the while in your example doesn't mean "because", but "for" is sometimes used to mean "beacause".

For I know that he's a good man. (Because I know...)

Mariott · Answer

Thanks a million Ivanhr!!!

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