Definition of sunyata in English:
sunyata
noun ˈsuːnjətɑːˈʃuːnjətɑːˈso͞on-
mass nounBuddhism The doctrine that phenomena are devoid of an immutable or determinate intrinsic nature. It is often regarded as a means of gaining an intuition of ultimate reality.
Compare with tathata
Example sentencesExamples
- The Sanskrit term is sunyata, translates more or less into English as ‘emptiness’.
- Bodhisattvas, because of the intense development of their love and compassion, have come to understand sunyata, the emptiness of all phenomena.
- There's certainly an affinity between the Buddhist idea of sunyata of emptiness, and the Western mystical teaching of nothingness.
- In Buddhism, the term sunyata is used for Emptiness - and in Christianity the word kenosis is sometimes used.
- In the same way, purification of defilements is part of the process of enlightenment, and it is necessary for our ultimate realization of sunyata.
Origin
From Sanskrit śūnyatā 'emptiness'.