Emptiness: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Nagarjuna17.JPG|frame|Arya [[Nagarjuna]]]]'''Emptiness''' (Skt. ''śūnyatā''; Tib. ''tongpa nyi''; [[Wyl.]] ''stong pa nyid'') | [[Image:Nagarjuna17.JPG|frame|Arya [[Nagarjuna]]]]'''Emptiness''' (Skt. ''śūnyatā''; Tib. ''tongpa nyi''; [[Wyl.]] ''stong pa nyid'') — the absence of inherent existence in all phenomena, which was explained by the [[Buddha]] in the [[sutra]]s of the [[three turnings|second turning of the Wheel of Dharma]], and further elaborated upon by masters such as [[Nagarjuna]] and [[Chandrakirti]]. | ||
[[Sogyal Rinpoche]] says: | [[Sogyal Rinpoche]] says: | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
:Generally, all philosophies tend to fall into one of [[two extremes]]: ‘eternalism‘: believing in the existence or permanence of something, or ‘nihilism‘: believing in non-existence. Shunyata goes beyond both of these extremes, because it is neither permanent nor non-existing, and that is, ultimately, how things are." | :Generally, all philosophies tend to fall into one of [[two extremes]]: ‘eternalism‘: believing in the existence or permanence of something, or ‘nihilism‘: believing in non-existence. Shunyata goes beyond both of these extremes, because it is neither permanent nor non-existing, and that is, ultimately, how things are." | ||
==The | ==The Analogy with Space== | ||
Shunyata is often compared to space, which is defined in [[Buddhism]] as the complete openness, or 'unobstructedness', which allows anything to occur. Likewise, because reality is 'empty' and not fixed in any way, it is said that anything is possible. As Nagarjuna said: | Shunyata is often compared to space, which is defined in [[Buddhism]] as the complete openness, or 'unobstructedness', which allows anything to occur. Likewise, because reality is 'empty' and not fixed in any way, it is said that anything is possible. As Nagarjuna said: | ||
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*[[Twenty kinds of emptiness]] | *[[Twenty kinds of emptiness]] | ||
==The | ==The Emptiness of Emptiness== | ||
Nagarjuna does not put forward emptiness as another view ''about'' reality. In fact, he says: | Nagarjuna does not put forward emptiness as another view ''about'' reality. In fact, he says: | ||
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And: | And: | ||
:I prostrate to Gautama, | :I prostrate to [[Gautama]], | ||
:Who, out of compassion, | :Who, out of compassion, | ||
:Taught the sacred Dharma | :Taught the sacred [[Dharma]] | ||
:That leads to the relinquishing of all views | :That leads to the relinquishing of all views | ||
==Alternative Translations== | |||
*voidness—an absence of an impossible way of existing (Alexander Berzin). | |||
[[Category:Key Terms]] | [[Category:Key Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Philosophical Tenets]] | [[Category:Philosophical Tenets]] | ||
Revision as of 23:15, 22 June 2009
Emptiness (Skt. śūnyatā; Tib. tongpa nyi; Wyl. stong pa nyid) — the absence of inherent existence in all phenomena, which was explained by the Buddha in the sutras of the second turning of the Wheel of Dharma, and further elaborated upon by masters such as Nagarjuna and Chandrakirti.
Sogyal Rinpoche says:
- "Unfortunately, the word ‘emptiness’, which is used to translate the Sanskrit term shunyata, carries a connotation of a nothing-ness, or a void. Happily, there is a wonderful definition in Tibetan that captures its true meaning: tak ché dang dralwa, which translates as: ‘free from permanence and non-existence'.
- Generally, all philosophies tend to fall into one of two extremes: ‘eternalism‘: believing in the existence or permanence of something, or ‘nihilism‘: believing in non-existence. Shunyata goes beyond both of these extremes, because it is neither permanent nor non-existing, and that is, ultimately, how things are."
The Analogy with Space
Shunyata is often compared to space, which is defined in Buddhism as the complete openness, or 'unobstructedness', which allows anything to occur. Likewise, because reality is 'empty' and not fixed in any way, it is said that anything is possible. As Nagarjuna said:
- To whomever emptiness is possible,
- All things are possible.
Subdivisions
The Emptiness of Emptiness
Nagarjuna does not put forward emptiness as another view about reality. In fact, he says:
- The victorious ones say that emptiness
- Undermines all dogmatic views,
- Those who take a dogmatic view of emptiness
- Are said to be incurable.
And:
- I prostrate to Gautama,
- Who, out of compassion,
- Taught the sacred Dharma
- That leads to the relinquishing of all views
Alternative Translations
- voidness—an absence of an impossible way of existing (Alexander Berzin).