"Emptiness" In Mahayana & Therevada

Philosophos

For all you Buddhism-interested guys out there, I recently stumbled across an interesting shift upon the meaning of "emptiness". I asked my meditation teacher about his use of the term during his latest Dhamma lecture (he's a vipassana guy - which stems from the Theravada tradition), and he responded that it's used in the Pali Canon. A Wikipedia article demonstrates this, although I haven't come across it in my readings. Before this, I thought that "emptiness" was strictly for Mahayanans.

So, one more point of understanding of the difference between Mahayana and Theravada:

-In Mahayana, "emptiness" is for everything

-In Theravada, "emptiness" is about anatta (no-self).

At least, that's my current understanding. It's subject to change... like everything... Wink

Anyways, food for the Buddhist-inclined thoughtful...
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The whores and politicians will shout 'save us'...

...and I'll whisper 'no'.

Wickedtruth

Philosophos

Wickedtruth

Wickedtruth · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:17 am Post subject:

A fun book you Buddhist folks might enjoy. It's not a religious book, but a thailand murder trilogy. The main detective is a son of a hooker, and grows up in a buddhist monastery. The boooook is freaky. Even though they talk mostly about murder and crime n stuff, the book is chocked full of Buddhist stuff. The hero casually makes references to the past lives of others, about his police partner is an arhat who must be a transexual in this life due t his karma, alien reincarnation n stuff lol. Coooooooooool trilogy of books. Here is the first one.

"Bangkok tatoo" http://www.amazon.com/Bangkok-Tattoo-John-Burdett/dp/1400032911/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/105-7936375-6336412

Wag_taJ

Andreusz

Tormentor

~CFSwitchKillClick~ · Visitor Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 21 Local time: 10:14 PM

Emptiness is loneliness' pessimistic cousin.

CET · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:57 am Post subject:

"Emptiness" is often a loaded term, only because westerners tend to take it as nihilistic.

If you have a chalkboard and it's fully of writings, scribblings, drawings, etc., when you go to make a new drawing on it, it's hard to tell what you just drew. However, if you clean the chalkboard, whatever you draw now is very clear. One of the meanings of emptiness is to create a blank slate upon which anything you create is clear.

I say "one of the meanings", because there are many levels to the understanding of emptiness, and it takes many years to probe and understand. As was mentioned earlier about "anatman", understanding emptiness is part of realizing "no-self". This is another phrase that sounds nihilistic, but isn't at all. It's simply coming to the understanding that you are not your ego. You are not your name. You are not your blue jeans. You are not the car you drive.

Boddhidharma traveled from India to China. In China lived Emperor Wu, who was very dedicated to Buddhism, and built many grand temples. When the emperor heard that Boddhidharma was in China, the emperor sent for him.

When Boddhidharma arrived, the emperor told Boddhidharma of all the great things he had done for Buddhism and asked how much good karma he had accumulated. Boddhidharma replied, "None at all." The emperor flew into a rage and shouted at Boddhidharma, "Who do you think you are?!" Boddhidharma replied, "I Don't know." And left the presence of Emperor Wu.
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Namaste,
CET Cool

The Spiritual Atheist

"Much of the suffering in the world comes from the delusion that we are separate from one another." - Gautama Buddha

"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music." - George Carlin

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