Atyanta śūnyatā
atyanta ṡūnyatā (T. mtha’ las ’das pa stong pa nyid [alt. mtha' las 'das pa'i stong pa nyid]; C. bijing kong 畢竟空).[1] Translated as "emptiness that transcends limits", "emptiness of that beyond extremes", etc.[2][3] One of the sixteen types of emptiness.[2]
The emptiness of reality free of the two extremes—the extreme of existence and non-existence.[2]
That which transcends the extremes of existence (i.e samsara) and peace (i.e. nirvana) is emptiness.
The Madhyamakāvatāra states:
That to which extremes do not apply
Is expressed as being “beyond extremes.”
Its emptiness of its very self
Is explained to be the “emptiness of that which is beyond extremes.” (193)[4]
The Garland of Radiant Light states:
The transcendence of extremes of existence and peace is the state of perfect and complete buddhahood. Here one takes buddhahood as the subject, and contemplates its empty nature.[5]
Thrangu Rinpoche states:
The emptiness beyond limits is the emptiness that is beyond all extremes to benefit all sentient beings. Beyond all limits refers to samsara on the one hand and nirvana on the other. As long as we have attachment for samsara, we will fall into the extreme of being too involved in worldly phenomena; as long as we have attachment to nirvana, we will fall into the extreme of resting in a solitary, peaceful state. By understanding that both samsara and nirvana are empty, we will not abide in either extreme. We meditate upon the emptiness that transcends all extremes in order to rest in neither extreme and thus be able to benefit all sentient beings.[6]
Notes
- ↑ Buswell & Lopez 2014, s.v. Lists of Lists, "sixteen emptinesses".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2
mtha' las 'das pa stong pa nyid , Christian-Steinert Dictionary
- ↑ mtha' las 'das pa'i stong pa nyid , Christian-Steinert Dictionary
- ↑ Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso 2003, Appendix 3.
- ↑ Dharmachakra Translation Committee 2007, "The Characteristics of Emptiness".
- ↑ Thrangu Rinpoche 2000, Chapter 1.
Sources
Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University
Dharmachakra Translation Committee (2007), Middle Beyond Extremes: Maitreya's Madhyantavibhaga with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham, Snow Lion Publications- Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso (2003), The Sun of Wisdom, translated by Ari Goldfield, Shambhala
- Thrangu Rinpoche (2000), Distinguishing the Middle from the Extremes. The root text by Maitreya and a Commentary by The Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Namo Buddha Publications