Shunyata
/ʃuːˈnjɑː.tə/noun
In Mahayana Buddhism, the doctrine that phenomena lack inherent, independent existence.
Did you know?In Buddhist philosophy, Shunyata does not mean absolute nothingness; it means that things arise dependently rather than possessing an eternal, independent self.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
śūnya
“Empty, void, vacant; also used for zero”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
śūnyatā
“Emptiness or the state of being empty; formed with the abstract-noun suffix -tā”
1st–2nd Century CE
Buddhist Sanskrit
śūnyatā
“The philosophical emptiness of phenomena, especially their lack of inherent existence”
7th–9th Century
Chinese Buddhist usage
空性 (kōngxìng)
““Empty nature,” a major translation and interpretation of śūnyatā”
19th–20th Century
English
shunyata
“A Buddhist philosophical term commonly translated as “emptiness””