Broad View, Boundless Heart by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. The Theravada tradition works with three characteristics of existence — anicca, dukkha, anatta (impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, selflessness).These are “chapter-one, page-one” Buddhism. But the Theravadans also talk about three other characteristics of existence, at a more refined level: suññata, tathata, and atammayata. Suññata is emptiness, which is talked about a lot. That expression, suññata, derives from saying “NO” to the phenomenal world. It’s like saying, “I’m not going to believe in this. This is not entirely real.” Tathata means suchness. It has a very similar quality to suññata but derives from a “YES.” There is nothing, yet there is something. The quality of suchness is like the texture of Ultimate Reality. The Teachings talk in those ways in Suññata and tathata —emptiness and suchness. But this other quality, atammayata, is little known, but is here explained in detail. Download the free pdf ebook here:

Broad View Boundless Heart

The Buddhist concept of Suññata

Suññata, often translated as “emptiness” or “voidness,” is a fundamental Buddhist concept, particularly in the Mahayana tradition. It is most notably discussed in the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, including the Madhyamaka and Yogacara schools. Suññata is a complex and profound idea that challenges conventional ways of understanding reality.

Suññata doesn’t refer to literal emptiness or nothingness but rather points to the lack of inherent or independent existence in all phenomena. It’s a philosophical stance that aims to counter the notion of substantial, unchanging entities and instead emphasizes all things’ interdependent and contingent nature.

Key aspects of the concept of Suññata include:

1. Dependent Origination: Suññata is closely tied to the concept of dependent origination, which asserts that all phenomena arise due to interdependent causes and conditions. Nothing exists independently or self-sufficiently; everything is interconnected.
2. Non-Self (Anatta): Suññata challenges the concept of an enduring, independent self (or soul). In Buddhism, the idea of an eternal, unchanging self is considered a source of suffering and attachment. Embracing Suññata involves recognizing the absence of a fixed and independent self.
3. Ultimate Reality: Suññata describes the ultimate nature of reality, revealing that phenomena lack intrinsic essence. This concept opposes the common human tendency to perceive things as inherently existent and separate from each other.
4. Middle Way: The concept of Suññata is related to the Middle Way, which is a foundational teaching in Buddhism. The Middle Way emphasizes avoiding extremes, such as eternalism (the belief in permanent existence) and nihilism (the belief in absolute non-existence). Suññata represents a balanced perspective beyond these extremes.
5. Madhyamaka and Yogacara Schools: The Madhyamaka school, founded by Nagarjuna, is known for its rigorous analysis of reality, emphasizing the emptiness of all phenomena. The Yogacara school, on the other hand, delves into the nature of consciousness and the interplay between the mind and the world.
6. Practical Implications: Understanding Suññata has practical implications for Buddhists. It’s believed that realizing the emptiness of phenomena leads to a profound shift in perception, freeing individuals from attachment, suffering, and ignorance. This understanding is often coupled with practices such as meditation, which can help cultivate insight into the nature of reality.

It’s important to note that Suññata can be a challenging concept to grasp, and interpretations may vary among different Buddhist traditions and scholars. While it might seem abstract, the concept of Suññata offers a deep and transformative perspective on the nature of existence and the path to liberation from suffering.