Buddhism and Emptiness

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the three kinds of Buddhists; the Theravada, Gelug-pa and Zen emphasize the importance of emptiness, also known as no-self and Buddha nature. The paper explains why emptiness is so important in Buddhism and then looks at how they all use similar but slightly different ways to pursue this goal of emptiness.

From the Paper:

"Theravada, Gelug-pa, and Zen all emphasize the importance of a concept that goes by several different names, but basically means the same thing. This concept is referred to as emptiness, as no-self, and as Buddha nature, among other things. All of these states may be part of enlightenment, or may make enlightenment possible. Emptiness is seen also as ultimate reality. Therefore, knowing emptiness means knowing the most important reality - perhaps the only reality we can be sure of (Mitchell, 1991)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Mitchell, D. W. (1991). Spirituality and Emptiness: The Dynamics of Spiritual Life in Buddhism and Christianity. New York: Paulist Press.
• Murphy, Patrick D. (1992). Understanding Gary Snyder. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press.
• Suzuki, Shunryu. (1997). Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. New York and Tokyo: Weatherhill.

More papers on Buddhism and Emptiness:

• Analytical Essay # 132358 : "The Lotus Sutra and Emptiness"
• Term Paper # 144785 : "Buddhism and the "Empty Person"
• Term Paper # 134182 : "Emptiness in Buddhism"

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