Voidness as in MN 121 & 122

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
Post Reply
form
Posts: 3471
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 3:23 am

Voidness as in MN 121 & 122

Post by form »

Do you think meaning of voidness has something with emptiness? That is the stage beyond the formless jhana?

What is the difference between neither perception and non perception, and cessation of feeling and perception?
SarathW
Posts: 21226
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Voidness as in MN 121 & 122

Post by SarathW »

MN 121 Cula Sunnata Sutta.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .budd.html

MN 122 Maha Sunnata Sutta
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html
Śūnyatā (Sanskrit: शून्यता, romanized: śūnyatā; Pali: suññatā) pronounced in English as /ʃuːnˈjɑː.tɑː/ (shoon-ya-ta), translated most often as emptiness, vacuity, and sometimes voidness, is a Buddhist concept which has multiple meanings depending on its doctrinal context.
Base on the above translation it seems both refer to the same.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
SarathW
Posts: 21226
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Voidness as in MN 121 & 122

Post by SarathW »

In my opinion, the contemplation on emptiness is a Vipassana meditation hence it is not Jhana.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
SarathW
Posts: 21226
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Voidness as in MN 121 & 122

Post by SarathW »

form wrote: Wed Dec 08, 2021 7:11 am

What is the difference between neither perception and non perception, and cessation of feeling and perception?
Neither perception and nor non-perception is the highest Arupavacara Jhana.
Cessation of perception and feeling (Nirodha Samapatthi) only the Anagami and Arahant can enter this state.
The way I understand this is not a type of Jhana but a Samadhi.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
form
Posts: 3471
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 3:23 am

Re: Voidness as in MN 121 & 122

Post by form »

SarathW wrote: Wed Dec 08, 2021 8:27 am
form wrote: Wed Dec 08, 2021 7:11 am

What is the difference between neither perception and non perception, and cessation of feeling and perception?
Neither perception and nor non-perception is the highest Arupavacara Jhana.
Cessation of perception and feeling (Nirodha Samapatthi) only the Anagami and Arahant can enter this state.
The way I understand this is not a type of Jhana but a Samadhi.
U are right that it is not Jhana. It is beyond jhanas. There are only four jhanas. One material fourth jhana and four immaterial fourth jhana.
Post Reply