The Sanskrit term Paramārthaśūnyatā can be transliterated into English as Paramarthasunyata or Paramarthashunyata, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Paramārthaśūnyatā (परमार्थशून्यता) or simply Paramārtha refers to the “emptiness of the absolute”, representing one of the sixteen or eighteen emptinesses (śūnyatā), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLVIII. Accordingly, “what is the emptiness of the absolute (paramārthaśūnyatā)? Here the absolute is nirvāṇa, and this nirvāṇa is empty of nirvāṇa because it is neither eternal nor transitory. Why? Because such is its essence. That is called: emptiness of the absolute (paramārtha-śūnyatā)”.

Emptiness of the absolute (paramārthaśūnyatā).—The absolute (paramārtha) is the true nature of dharmas because it is indestructible and inalterable. This true nature of dharmas itself is empty (śūnya). Why? Because there is no grasping (upādāna) or attachment (abhiniveśa) in regard to it. If the true nature of dharmas existed, one would be able to take it and become attached to it, but as it does not really exist, one does not take it and one does not become attached to it. If one does take it and becomes attached to it, that is a mistake.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Paramārthaśūnyatā (परमार्थशून्यता) or simply paramārtha refers to “ultimate emptiness” one of the “twenty emptinesses” (śūnyatā) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 41). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., paramārtha-śūnyatā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Paramartha, Shunyata.

Full-text: Shunyata, Paramartha.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Paramarthashunyata, Paramartha-shunyata, Paramārtha-śūnyatā, Paramartha-sunyata, Paramārthaśūnyatā, Paramarthasunyata; (plurals include: Paramarthashunyatas, shunyatas, śūnyatās, sunyatas, Paramārthaśūnyatās, Paramarthasunyatas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)

IV. The emptinesses (śūnyatā) in the great Prajñāpāramitā-sūtras < [Note on emptiness (śūnyatā)]

The Paramārthaśūnyatā-sūtra < [Chapter XLVIII - The Eighteen Emptinesses]

Chapter XLVIII - The Eighteen Emptinesses

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Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

Chapter XXII - On Pure Actions (b) < [Section Four]

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