Q25. What is the fullest emptiness?

~ By Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~

Total emptiness or freedom is called Nibbāna. The reality completely and thoroughly empty of self-essence is Nibbāna. This can be summarized by ‘Nibbāna is supreme emptiness.’* This unique vision transcends ordinary knowledge. We transcend the various types of conventional knowledge through seeing that ‘Nibbāna is supreme emptiness.’

Nibbāna is supreme emptiness, supreme emptiness is Nibbāna. Do remember that what we refer to as ‘Nibbāna’ is the perfection of emptiness. That is, emptiness of greed, hatred, and delusion.

(*) Nibbānaṃ paramaṃ suññaṃ.

(From “Buddha-Dhamma for Inquiring Minds”)

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Buddha-Dhamma for Students (title of original translation) was composed of two talks given by Ajahn Buddhadāsa in January 1966 to students at Thammasat University, Bangkok. It was translated from the Thai by Rod Bucknell, and revised in 2018 by Santikaro Upasaka. To read/download as free ebook (pdf).

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For all English retreat talks, visit Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu.

For more information and free ebooks, visit Suan Mokkh – The Garden of Liberation.

Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives E-30