Mahayana Interpretation
of Sunyata not different
from Interpretation given
in the Pali Nikayas
Comparsion with the Astasahasrika
Prajnaparamita
Mahayana Interpretation
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Mahayana interpretation of Sunyata applies to
all Dharmas. By that way Mahayanists tried to
bring forward Dharma Sunyata. Dharma
Sunyata is the special focus of Mahayanists
because Theravadins explained Pudgala Sunyata.
This is the Theravada and Mahayana difference
of views. But the Pali Nikayas do not have such
difference. Pali Nikayasa explained Sunyata on
the lines of Anatta doctrine.
Mahayana Interpretation
Asta sahasrika prajnaparamita mentions “Sunya
eva Bhagavan sarva dhamas’tathagatenakhyatah”
(The Bhagavan, expressed all dharmas are sunya).
By these words the nature of all Dharmas have
Expressed. That is the Dharmata (nature of
Dharmas).
The nature of Dharma is Sunya and that is
unexpressable. (Sa ca sarvadharmanam
Dharmata anabhilaya). Here anabhilapya
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Mahayana Interpretation
Means cannot express by words.
 If anything is sunya that has been mentioned as
Aksaya ( Changeless, decay less).
“If anything has been mentioned by the Buddha
as Sunya that is limitless and decayless”. (Ye ca
Subhute sunyah, aksaya api te. Ya ca sunyata
aprameyata’pi sa- tasmat tarhi Subhute esam
dharmanamartho viseso va nanakaranm va
nopalabhyate). “If aything has been mentioned
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Mahayana Interpretation
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By the Buddha as sunya that is limitless and
decayless, if the manner of this there is no
difference of meaning of these dharmas”.
This is exactly what mentioned in the Pali
Nikayas. We can see how “Unconditioned Path
has been explain the Samyutta Nikaya.
(S. IV.360). Katamo ca bhikkhave
asankhatagami maggo? Sunnata samadhi,
animitta samdhi, appanita samadhi. Ayam
Mahayana Interpretation
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Vuccati bhikkhae asankhatagami maggo”.
In order to achieve these attainments three
modes of concentrations also have been
mentioned.
Sunnatna samadhi – Anatta bhavana
Animitta samadhi –Anicca bhavana
Appanihita Samadhi – Dukkha Bhavana.
Mahayana Inerpretation
Same sunnata has been explained in the sutta
nipata atthaka vagga.
 Sunnato lokam avekkhassu
Moghraja sada sato
Attanuditthin uhacca
Evam maccutaro sia
(Mogharaja, with ever mindfulness view the world
as sunna. Remove the self-view ( when you look
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Mahayan Interpretation
At the world without the self view you can cross
over Mara.).
 In order to realize Sunyata the importance
ofPrajna have been discussed in Prajnaparamita
Literatur.
In the Nikayas in order to realize Nibbana panna
Has been mentioned as an necessary factor. One
will be able to realize Nibbana through Panna.
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