Difference between revisions of "Non-substantiality"
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[[空]] (Skt [[shunya]] or [[shunyata]]; Jpn [[ku]] ) | [[空]] (Skt [[shunya]] or [[shunyata]]; Jpn [[ku]] ) | ||
| − | A fundamental [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|concept}}, also translated as [[emptiness]], [[void]], [[latency]], or [[relativity]]. The [[Sanskrit]] [[shunya]] or [[shunyata]] means [[emptiness]]. [[Shunya]] also means "[[empty]]" and "[[empty of]]." It is the {{Wiki|concept}} that things and [[phenomena]] have no fixed or independent {{Wiki|nature}} or [[existence]] of their own. [[Non-substantiality]] is neither negative nor [[world]]-negating but teaches the importance of perceiving the [[true nature]] of [[phenomena]], which are on the surface transient. The [[Wisdom sutras]] developed the [[Mahayana]] {{Wiki|concept}} of [[nonsubstantiality]] and [[Nagarjuna]] (c. 150-250) systematized it based on them. This {{Wiki|concept}} originated in connection to those of [[dependent origination]] and of the {{Wiki|nonexistence}} of [[self]]-{{Wiki|nature}}. [[Dependent origination]] means that, because [[phenomena]] arise only by [[virtue]] of their relationship with other [[phenomena]], they have no {{Wiki|distinct}} {{Wiki|nature}} or [[existence]] of their own. {{Wiki|Nonexistence}} of [[self]]-{{Wiki|nature}} means that there is no independent {{Wiki|entity}} that [[exists]] alone, apart from other [[phenomena]]. The common message is that the [[true nature]] of all [[phenomena]] is [[non-substantiality]], and that it cannot be defined in terms of the concepts of [[existence]] and {{Wiki|nonexistence}}. [[Nagarjuna]] explained it as the [[Middle Way]], a {{Wiki|perspective}} that regards the categories of [[existence]] and {{Wiki|nonexistence}} as [[extremes]], and aims to transcend them. The practical [[purpose]] behind the [[teaching]] of [[nonsubstantiality]] lies in eliminating [[attachments]] to transient [[phenomena]] and to the [[ego]], or the [[perception]] of [[self]] as an independent and fixed [[identity]]. | + | A fundamental [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|concept}}, also translated as [[emptiness]], [[void]], [[latency]], or [[relativity]]. The [[Sanskrit]] [[shunya]] or [[shunyata]] means [[emptiness]]. [[Shunya]] also means "[[empty]]" and "[[empty of]]." It is the {{Wiki|concept}} that things and [[phenomena]] have no fixed or {{Wiki|independent}} {{Wiki|nature}} or [[existence]] of their [[own]]. [[Non-substantiality]] is neither negative nor [[world]]-negating but teaches the importance of perceiving the [[true nature]] of [[phenomena]], which are on the surface transient. The [[Wisdom sutras]] developed the [[Mahayana]] {{Wiki|concept}} of [[nonsubstantiality]] and [[Nagarjuna]] (c. 150-250) systematized it based on them. This {{Wiki|concept}} originated in connection to those of [[dependent origination]] and of the {{Wiki|nonexistence}} of [[self]]-{{Wiki|nature}}. [[Dependent origination]] means that, because [[phenomena]] arise only by [[virtue]] of their relationship with other [[phenomena]], they have no {{Wiki|distinct}} {{Wiki|nature}} or [[existence]] of their [[own]]. {{Wiki|Nonexistence}} of [[self]]-{{Wiki|nature}} means that there is no {{Wiki|independent}} {{Wiki|entity}} that [[exists]] alone, apart from other [[phenomena]]. The common message is that the [[true nature]] of all [[phenomena]] is [[non-substantiality]], and that it cannot be defined in terms of the [[Wikipedia:concept|concepts]] of [[existence]] and {{Wiki|nonexistence}}. [[Nagarjuna]] explained it as the [[Middle Way]], a {{Wiki|perspective}} that regards the categories of [[existence]] and {{Wiki|nonexistence}} as [[extremes]], and aims to transcend them. The {{Wiki|practical}} [[purpose]] behind the [[teaching]] of [[nonsubstantiality]] lies in eliminating [[attachments]] to transient [[phenomena]] and to the [[ego]], or the [[perception]] of [[self]] as an {{Wiki|independent}} and fixed [[identity]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php www.sgilibrary.org] | [http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php www.sgilibrary.org] | ||
[[Category:Śūnyatā]] | [[Category:Śūnyatā]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:32, 1 February 2015
non-substantiality
空 (Skt shunya or shunyata; Jpn ku )
A fundamental Buddhist concept, also translated as emptiness, void, latency, or relativity. The Sanskrit shunya or shunyata means emptiness. Shunya also means "empty" and "empty of." It is the concept that things and phenomena have no fixed or independent nature or existence of their own. Non-substantiality is neither negative nor world-negating but teaches the importance of perceiving the true nature of phenomena, which are on the surface transient. The Wisdom sutras developed the Mahayana concept of nonsubstantiality and Nagarjuna (c. 150-250) systematized it based on them. This concept originated in connection to those of dependent origination and of the nonexistence of self-nature. Dependent origination means that, because phenomena arise only by virtue of their relationship with other phenomena, they have no distinct nature or existence of their own. Nonexistence of self-nature means that there is no independent entity that exists alone, apart from other phenomena. The common message is that the true nature of all phenomena is non-substantiality, and that it cannot be defined in terms of the concepts of existence and nonexistence. Nagarjuna explained it as the Middle Way, a perspective that regards the categories of existence and nonexistence as extremes, and aims to transcend them. The practical purpose behind the teaching of nonsubstantiality lies in eliminating attachments to transient phenomena and to the ego, or the perception of self as an independent and fixed identity.
