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Ivan Frimmel presents

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What is Sunyavada in Buddhism?

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Buddhism is…

a religion, philosophy, soteriology and a religion, philosophy, soteriology and way of life that was developed in North-way of life that was developed in North-Eastern India from the teachings of a man Eastern India from the teachings of a man called Siddartha Gautama, born about 624 called Siddartha Gautama, born about 624 BCE as a prince in a Hindu royal family BCE as a prince in a Hindu royal family called Sakyamuni, who after his called Sakyamuni, who after his enlightenment became known as Buddha, enlightenment became known as Buddha, the Enlightened One.the Enlightened One.

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The Main Schools of Buddhism

TheravadaTheravada

MahayanaMahayana Pure LandPure Land Ch’an / ZenCh’an / Zen

Vajrayana / TibetanVajrayana / Tibetan

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Various Dictionary Definitions of Reality re·al·i·ty (rê-àl-î-tê) noun, plural re·al·i·ties

1. The quality or state of being actual or true.

2. One, such as a person, an entity, or an event, that is actual.

3. The totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence.

4. That which exists objectively and in fact: Your observations do not seem to be about reality.

5. In Western philosophy: That which has necessary existence and not contingent existence. Absoluteness of Being. That Which Is.

6. In Buddhism: the word reality can refer to the eternal, unchanging, all-embracing truth, which is no other than Suchness,

Dharmadathu, or the Dharma-body; and often to the paradoxical view called Sunyavada in Mahayana Buddhism:

i.e. the view that the Ultimate Reality is void or unreal (Sunya).

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What verbal symbol do you think best expresses THIS Reality?

Reality, Ultimate Reality, It, This, That, Thusness, Suchness, One, Mind, One Mind, Buddha Mind, I, I am, Self, God, Spirit, Tao, Brahman, Jahweh, Allah, Infinity, Infinite Intelligence, Absolute, Energy, Universe, Presence, Omnipresence, Absence, Void, Sunyata, Emptiness, Nothing, Aum, Silence…?

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What numerical symbol do you think best expresses THIS Reality?

00 – Zero? – Zero? 11 – One? – One? 2 2 – Two?– Two? 33 – Three? – Three? ?? – Many? If many, how many? – Many? If many, how many? ∞ ∞ – – Infinity / Eternity? Infinity / Eternity?

Infinitely large or small space / or Time?Infinitely large or small space / or Time?

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And what pictorial symbol do you think best expresses THIS Reality?

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

∞∞

etc.

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Any Other Symbol?

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Enso – the Zen Symbol

At first glance the Enso At first glance the Enso - an ancient Zen symbol - - an ancient Zen symbol - may appear to be nothing may appear to be nothing more than a circle. Yet when more than a circle. Yet when painted by a skilled artist, it painted by a skilled artist, it becomes much more than becomes much more than that: representing the mystery that: representing the mystery and oneness of life, the and oneness of life, the beginning and end (or beginning and end (or emptiness?) of all things and emptiness?) of all things and the inter-connectedness and the inter-connectedness and infinity of all existence.infinity of all existence.

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What is Sunyavada? (1) SunyavadaSunyavada is a Mahayana Buddhist theory is a Mahayana Buddhist theory (vada)(vada) of negation, holding that of negation, holding that

the world, reality to be empty, void the world, reality to be empty, void (sunya),(sunya), or unreal. or unreal.

SunyavadaSunyavada is also known as Madhyamika (“The Middle Way” School of is also known as Madhyamika (“The Middle Way” School of Buddhism). The Madhyamika method does not deal with dualities by Buddhism). The Madhyamika method does not deal with dualities by attempting to arrive at a compromise between the two sides or by formulating attempting to arrive at a compromise between the two sides or by formulating a position that lies between the two. Rather, it attempts to supersede the sphere a position that lies between the two. Rather, it attempts to supersede the sphere of conceptual thinking and its dualistic modes. of conceptual thinking and its dualistic modes.

SunyavadaSunyavada was founded by an Indian Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna (150 – was founded by an Indian Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna (150 – 250 CE) and based on the Prajnaparamita Sutras, expounding the philosophy 250 CE) and based on the Prajnaparamita Sutras, expounding the philosophy of emptiness, voidness (sunyata), which later also influenced Ch’an in China of emptiness, voidness (sunyata), which later also influenced Ch’an in China and Zen in Japan. and Zen in Japan.

SunyavadaSunyavada (Nagarjuna) recognizes two forms of Truth, the (Nagarjuna) recognizes two forms of Truth, the relativerelative that can that can be spoken about and discusssed (Samvriti), and the be spoken about and discusssed (Samvriti), and the AbsoluteAbsolute (Paramartha) – (Paramartha) – Sunyata, or the Voidness of all things, particulars, phenomena – of which Sunyata, or the Voidness of all things, particulars, phenomena – of which nothing can be said: Sunyata is neither relative nor absolute, neither existent nothing can be said: Sunyata is neither relative nor absolute, neither existent nor non-existent…nor non-existent…

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What is Sunyavada? (2)According to Sunyavada According to Sunyavada

the phenomenal world is said to have no reality; yet the the phenomenal world is said to have no reality; yet the world “underlying” it (Noumenon?) defies all description, world “underlying” it (Noumenon?) defies all description, because of our inability to see, grasp, comprehend “the-because of our inability to see, grasp, comprehend “the-thing-itself ” (svabhava);thing-itself ” (svabhava);

all we can see and know is “dependent origination” and all we can see and know is “dependent origination” and impermanence;impermanence;

so, if nothing is permanent and real, reality (including the so, if nothing is permanent and real, reality (including the seeming reality of I, me) is empty (sunya) of any substance. seeming reality of I, me) is empty (sunya) of any substance.

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What is Sunyavada? (3) Sunyavada Sunyavada is in many ways similar to is in many ways similar to

Plotinus’Plotinus’1 negative characterization of the One negative characterization of the One the Neti- Neti approach of the Uphanishads & Advaita Vedantathe Neti- Neti approach of the Uphanishads & Advaita Vedanta Via Negativa in Christian MysticismVia Negativa in Christian Mysticism the Zero-Point Energy theory in modern science.the Zero-Point Energy theory in modern science.

SunyavadaSunyavada is not a view or thesis to uphold, its reality is beyond any is not a view or thesis to uphold, its reality is beyond any affirmation or negation, beyond any words.affirmation or negation, beyond any words.

SunyavadaSunyavada is the best “criticism” of all theories and speculations is the best “criticism” of all theories and speculations (including the theory of Nihilism) - and is best “expressed” in Silence.(including the theory of Nihilism) - and is best “expressed” in Silence.

1 Plotinus (205-270 AD) - Egyptian-born Roman philosopher who founded Neo-Platonism.

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A Scriptural Prophecy Regarding Nagarjuna

As is written in the Manjusrimulakalpa, the Acarya Nagarjuna lived As is written in the Manjusrimulakalpa, the Acarya Nagarjuna lived for a total of 600 years: for a total of 600 years:

        

After I, the Tathagata, have passed away After I, the Tathagata, have passed away    And 400 years have elapsed,    And 400 years have elapsed,    A bhiksu, "The Naga", shall appear, of    A bhiksu, "The Naga", shall appear, of    Great faith and benefit to the teaching.    Great faith and benefit to the teaching.    He shall achieve the stage of Great Joy    He shall achieve the stage of Great Joy    And for 600 years remain living.   And for 600 years remain living.

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Some Criticism of Sunyavada

Classical Hindu and some Buddhist thinkers dismissed Nagarjuna's Classical Hindu and some Buddhist thinkers dismissed Nagarjuna's extreme use of the Via Negativa as self-condemned: extreme use of the Via Negativa as self-condemned: the negation of everything is inconceivable without implying an the negation of everything is inconceivable without implying an

affirmation, a positive ground to negate;affirmation, a positive ground to negate; nothing can be proved false if nothing is taken as true; nothing can be proved false if nothing is taken as true; therefore: therefore:

the ultimate truth cannot be negative;the ultimate truth cannot be negative; absolute negation is impossible. absolute negation is impossible.

One could also say that the act of negation itself requires the existence One could also say that the act of negation itself requires the existence of the negator. of the negator.

Total skepticism is a figment, since such skepticism implies the Total skepticism is a figment, since such skepticism implies the acceptance of the validity of the skeptic's judgment.acceptance of the validity of the skeptic's judgment.

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Sunyavada as Prajnaparamita The Sunyavada School considers all philosophy as The Sunyavada School considers all philosophy as prajna-prajna-paramitaparamita = the supreme non-conceptual intellectual intuitive = the supreme non-conceptual intellectual intuitive awareness and wisdom. awareness and wisdom.

According to SunyavadaAccording to Sunyavada

PrajnaPrajna is the supreme, immediate, sudden, non- is the supreme, immediate, sudden, non-progressive attainment of non-dualistic Knowledge progressive attainment of non-dualistic Knowledge (known as (known as JnanaJnana in Sanskrit), through Enlightenment; in Sanskrit), through Enlightenment;

Ultimate or Absolute RealityUltimate or Absolute Reality can be known only by can be known only by the removal of all views about It.the removal of all views about It.

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Sunyavada as Absolutism & Nondualism Sunyavada teaches thatSunyavada teaches that

The only absolute being is self-evident and real, here & now;The only absolute being is self-evident and real, here & now;

The Absolute is transcendent AND immanent, being the reality of The Absolute is transcendent AND immanent, being the reality of (and not behind) the appearances;(and not behind) the appearances;

There is no difference between infinite and finite, between There is no difference between infinite and finite, between samsara and nirvana; reality and illusion, etc;samsara and nirvana; reality and illusion, etc;

The duality of phenomenal and noumenal (absolute), as all The duality of phenomenal and noumenal (absolute), as all dualistic views, is ignorance (avidya);dualistic views, is ignorance (avidya);

There are two truths: the illusory (dualistic) truth of the empirical There are two truths: the illusory (dualistic) truth of the empirical standpoint and the Ultimate (Nondual) Truth of the Absolute, standpoint and the Ultimate (Nondual) Truth of the Absolute, which cannot be expressed in any words or symbols.which cannot be expressed in any words or symbols.

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Sunyavada is not Nihilism

It does not teach that there is no reality, but It does not teach that there is no reality, but that there can be no doctrine or views about that there can be no doctrine or views about reality.reality.

Sunya is not the negation of the Absolute, Sunya is not the negation of the Absolute, but the affirmation of its indescribability.but the affirmation of its indescribability.

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Sunyata and Wu-Wei, Wu Hsin & Wu-Nien

Sunyata Sunyata or or wu wu ((kokorokokoro or or mumu in Japanese) in Japanese)= = absolute emptiness, absolute emptiness, voidnessvoidness

Wu-weiWu-wei == non-actionnon-action

Wu-hsinWu-hsin == no-mindno-mind

Wu-nienWu-nien == no-thoughtno-thought

Sitting quietly, doing nothing,Sitting quietly, doing nothing,Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.

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Sunyata – the “element” beyond all elements

Sunyata is not a Sunyata is not a material / formmaterial / form element (matter) element (matter) Sunyata is not an Sunyata is not an immaterial / formlessimmaterial / formless element (energy, spirit, earth, element (energy, spirit, earth,

water, fire, wind, consciousness, or empty space)water, fire, wind, consciousness, or empty space)

Sunyata is not a Sunyata is not a changingchanging element element Sunnyata is not an Sunnyata is not an unchangingunchanging element element

Buddha called “it” Buddha called “it” the “element” beyond all elementsthe “element” beyond all elements the “coolness” or “quenching” or “deathless” elementthe “coolness” or “quenching” or “deathless” element the state free of “I” and “mine”the state free of “I” and “mine” the state of “renunciation”, or “non-grasping”:the state of “renunciation”, or “non-grasping”:

renunciation of materiality and sensualityrenunciation of materiality and sensuality renunciation of immateriality renunciation of immateriality

• ……and finally: - the renunciation of renunciation.and finally: - the renunciation of renunciation.

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Two “kinds” of Sunyata, Voidness Buddha Taught

Voidness (insubstantiality) of all thingsVoidness (insubstantiality) of all things material, physicalmaterial, physical immaterial, non-physical, mental, spiritualimmaterial, non-physical, mental, spiritual

Voidness (insubstantiality) of self - annataVoidness (insubstantiality) of self - annata absence of “I” & “mine” absence of “I” & “mine” total quenching of ego and egoism.total quenching of ego and egoism.

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Sunyata and Awareness If the mind has lust, know that the mind has lustIf the mind has lust, know that the mind has lust If the mind has hatred, know that the mind has hatredIf the mind has hatred, know that the mind has hatred If the mind has compassion, know that the mind has compassionIf the mind has compassion, know that the mind has compassion If the mind is deluded, confused, depressed… know that the mind is deluded, If the mind is deluded, confused, depressed… know that the mind is deluded,

confused, depressed…confused, depressed… If the mind is not liberated or void, know that the mind is not liberated or voidIf the mind is not liberated or void, know that the mind is not liberated or void If the mind is liberated or void, know that the mind is liberated and void If the mind is liberated or void, know that the mind is liberated and void

If the mind is liberated, it is void, empty:If the mind is liberated, it is void, empty: empty of clinging to any thought or conceptempty of clinging to any thought or concept

including the thought “I” and “mine”including the thought “I” and “mine”

If the mind is liberated & empty, it is totally in the present, If the mind is liberated & empty, it is totally in the present, here & now, empty & marvelous…here & now, empty & marvelous…

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Levels of Sunyata, Voidness

Experience of “just earth”

Experience of infinite space & timelessness

Experience of infinite consciousness & bliss

Experience of infinite nothingness

Experience that is neither experience nor non-experience

Supreme, unsurpassable voidness, nirvana

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Living with Sunyata We We realizerealize = we realize sunyata = we realize sunyata We We see clearlysee clearly = we see sunyata clearly = we see sunyata clearly We We knowknow = we know sunyata = we know sunyata We We live withlive with = we live with sunyata = we live with sunyata

We are void, empty = we are voidness itselfWe are void, empty = we are voidness itself:: not holding-on to any “thing” not holding-on to any “thing” not holding-on to any “no-thing” or concept, not holding-on to any “no-thing” or concept,

not even the concept of sunyata, emptiness… not even the concept of sunyata, emptiness…

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Quote about Striving to Get to Where You Already Are

Even if you go through all the stages of a Boddhisattva’s Even if you go through all the stages of a Boddhisattva’s progress towards Buddhahood, one by one, when at last, in progress towards Buddhahood, one by one, when at last, in a single flash you attain a full realization, you will only be a single flash you attain a full realization, you will only be realizing the Buddha-Nature which has been with you all realizing the Buddha-Nature which has been with you all the time – and by all the foregoing stages you will have the time – and by all the foregoing stages you will have added to it NOTHING AT ALL. added to it NOTHING AT ALL.

You will come to look upon all those aeons of work and You will come to look upon all those aeons of work and achievement as no better than unreal actions performed in achievement as no better than unreal actions performed in a dream.a dream. - Huang Po - Huang Po

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Quotes about Emptiness If you want to get the plain truth,If you want to get the plain truth,

Be not concerned with right and wrong.Be not concerned with right and wrong.The conflict between right and wrongThe conflict between right and wrongIs the sickness of the mind. Is the sickness of the mind. - Seng-ts’an- Seng-ts’an

Even to say that the ultimate truth or reality of Buddhism is Even to say that the ultimate truth or reality of Buddhism is “nothingness” or “sunyata” is besides the point, for isn’t this “nothingness” or “sunyata” is besides the point, for isn’t this also and idea or viewpoint? – and Sunyavada will have none also and idea or viewpoint? – and Sunyavada will have none of it! of it!

If you run away from the Void, you can be never free from it; If you run away from the Void, you can be never free from it; if you search for the Void, you can never reach it.if you search for the Void, you can never reach it.- Niu-tou Fa-yung- Niu-tou Fa-yung

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Some Final Quotes

The deepest truth cannot, like other objects of The deepest truth cannot, like other objects of study, be put into words: from long intercourse study, be put into words: from long intercourse and close intimacy with the facts, it comes and close intimacy with the facts, it comes suddenly into existence…suddenly into existence… – Plato. – Plato.

Be still, and know that I am God.Be still, and know that I am God. – Psalms. – Psalms.

Those who know don’t speak – those who speak Those who know don’t speak – those who speak don’t know. – don’t know. – Zen.Zen.

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Thank YouThank You

Ivan FrimmelIvan Frimmel

Cell: 082-454-0311Cell: 082-454-0311

E-mail: E-mail: ivan.frimmel@nanhua.co.zaivan.frimmel@nanhua.co.za