I found the phrase in several places :
First in this book Still Flowing Water by Ajahn Chah translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu on Page 84.
Secondly here in this book by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu.
My question is whether such a quote exists in the Canon ?
Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ suññaṁ ?
Re: Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ suññaṁ ?
Searches of tipiṭaka.org & Sutta Central indicate it is not found in the Pali Canon.
A google search shows that it is regularly used in talks & writings by someThai teachers, including Ajahns Mahā Bua, Lee, Thoon, Chah, Dtue & Buddhadāsa.
I have feeling it may exist in one of the Thai Pali chanting books. Perhaps someone can confirm this?
aniccā vata saṇkhārā - tesaṁ vūpasamo sukho
Re: Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ suññaṁ ?
There are suttas that imply the quote, such as:
This, bhikkhu, is a designation for the element of Nibbāna: the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion. The destruction of the taints is spoken of in that way.”
https://suttacentral.net/sn45.7/en/bodhi
Knowing and seeing like this, my mind was freed from the defilements of sensuality, becoming and ignorance.
Tassa me evaṁ jānato evaṁ passato kāmāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccittha, bhavāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccittha, avijjāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccittha.
When it was freed, I knew it was freed.
Vimuttasmiṁ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṁ ahosi.
I understood: ‘Birth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is no return to this state.’
‘Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti abbhaññāsiṁ.
MN 4
A mendicant who has ended the defilements has given these up, cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, and obliterated them, so they are unable to arise in the future.
Te khīṇāsavassa bhikkhuno pahīnā ucchinnamūlā tālāvatthukatā anabhāvaṅkatā āyatiṁ anuppādadhammā.
That unshakable release of the heart is empty of greed, hate and delusion.
Sā kho panākuppā cetovimutti suññā rāgena, suññā dosena, suññā mohena.
https://suttacentral.net/mn43/en/sujato
They understand: ‘This field of perception is empty of the perception of the defilements of sensuality, becoming and ignorance.
So ‘suññamidaṁ saññāgataṁ kāmāsavenā’ti pajānāti, ‘suññamidaṁ saññāgataṁ bhavāsavenā’ti pajānāti, ‘suññamidaṁ saññāgataṁ avijjāsavenā’ti pajānāti, ‘atthi cevidaṁ asuññataṁ yadidaṁ—
That’s how emptiness is born in them—genuine, undistorted, and pure.
Evampissa esā, ānanda, yathābhuccā avipallatthā parisuddhā paramānuttarā suññatāvakkanti bhavati.
MN 121
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
Re: Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ suññaṁ ?
The other part of the Ajahn Chah quote is from Dhammapada Chapter 15, verse 203
Not sure about the suññaṁ.Hunger is the worst illness,
Jighacchāparamā rogā,
conditions are the worst suffering,
saṅkhāraparamā dukhā;
For one who truly knows this,
Etaṁ ñatvā yathābhūtaṁ,
extinguishment is the ultimate happiness.
nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhaṁ.
https://suttacentral.net/dhp197-208/en/sujato
It's also here: https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/Inner ... n0020.html and in other Thai Forest talks...
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Re: Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ suññaṁ ?
Probably not. Ajahn Chan was more Zen than Theravada.
Buddha save me from new-agers!
Re: Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ suññaṁ ?
It doesn't exist. It is based on the canonical phrase "nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhaṁ"
etaṁ ñatvā yathābhūtaṁ, Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhaṁ. [203]
knowing this as it really is, (know) Nibbāna is the supreme good.
https://www.ancient-buddhist-texts.net/ ... piness.htm
(which you probably know)
etaṁ ñatvā yathābhūtaṁ, Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhaṁ. [203]
knowing this as it really is, (know) Nibbāna is the supreme good.
https://www.ancient-buddhist-texts.net/ ... piness.htm
(which you probably know)
How good and wonderful are your days,
How true are your ways?
How true are your ways?
Re: Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ suññaṁ ?
The Suttas contain two types of teaching, per MN 117:
1. Noble Teachings
2. Merit (Moral) Teachings
Ajahn Chah mostly taught Noble Teachings
However, about "Theravada", modern Theravada is the doctrine of Buddhaghosa (Visuddhimagga and Commentaries), which blends together the Noble & Merit Teachings, generally making both ineffective.
There is always an official executioner. If you try to take his place, It is like trying to be a master carpenter and cutting wood. If you try to cut wood like a master carpenter, you will only hurt your hand.
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/paticcasamuppada
https://soundcloud.com/doodoot/anapanasati