Atyantashunyata, Atyantaśūnyatā, Atyanta-shunyata: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Atyantashunyata means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Atyantaśūnyatā can be transliterated into English as Atyantasunyata or Atyantashunyata, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraAtyantaśūnyatā (अत्यन्तशून्यता) or simply Atyanta refers to “absolute emptiness”, representing one of the sixteen or eighteen emptinesses (śūnyatā), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLVIII. Accordingly, “what is absolute emptiness (atyantaśūnyatā)? That which has no limit is absolute. The absolute is empty of the absolute because it is neither eternal, nor transitory. Why? Because such is its essence. That is called: absolute emptiness (atyanta-śūnyatā)”.
Absolute emptiness (atyantaśūnyatā).—The emptiness of the conditioned (saṃskṛtaśūnyatā) and the emptiness of the unconditioned (asaṃskṛtaśūnyatā) destroy all the dharmas to the point where there is nothing left over (niravaśeṣa): that is absolute emptiness.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaAtyantaśūnyatā (अत्यन्तशून्यता) or simply atyanta refers to “endless emptiness” one of the “twenty emptinesses” (śūnyatā) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 41). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., atyanta-śūnyatā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Shunyata, Atyanta.
Full-text: Shunyata, Atyanta, Nirdesha, Sankshepa, Samkshepanirdesha, Alakshana, Dharmanirdesha, Dharmavibhanga, Ekalakshana, Shodashashunyata.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Atyantashunyata, Atyantaśūnyatā, Atyanta-shunyata, Atyanta-śūnyatā, Atyantasunyata, Atyanta-sunyata; (plurals include: Atyantashunyatas, Atyantaśūnyatās, shunyatas, śūnyatās, Atyantasunyatas, sunyatas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
IV. The emptinesses (śūnyatā) in the great Prajñāpāramitā-sūtras < [Note on emptiness (śūnyatā)]
The Non-existence of Time According to the Mahāyāna < [Part 1 - Mahāyānist list of the eighteen special attributes of the Buddha]