Svalakshanashunyata, Svalakṣaṇaśūnyatā, Svalakshana-shunyata: 1 definition
Introduction:
Svalakshanashunyata means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Svalakṣaṇaśūnyatā can be transliterated into English as Svalaksanasunyata or Svalakshanashunyata, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraSvalakṣaṇaśūnyatā (स्वलक्षणशून्यता) or simply Svalakṣaṇa refers to the “emptiness of specific characteristic”, representing one of the sixteen or eighteen emptinesses (śūnyatā), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLVIII. Accordingly, “what is the emptiness of specific characteristic (lakṣaṇaśūnyatā)? Form has, as its characteristics, to be broken up; sensation, to be experienced; concept, the grasping [of characteristics]; formations, the fact of conditioning; consciousness, the fact of apprehending. Whether it is a matter of the characteristic of conditioned dharmas or unconditioned dharmas, all these dharmas are each empty of their own characteristic because they are neither eternal nor transitory. Why? Because such is their essence. That is called: emptiness of specific characteristics (lakṣaṇa-śūnyatā)”.
Emptiness of specific characteristics (svalakṣaṇaśūnyatā).—All dharmas have two kinds of characteristics (lakṣaṇa), i) shared characteristics (sāmānyalakṣaṇa) and ii) specific characteristics (svalakṣaṇa). These two kinds of characteristics being empty, the Prajñāpāramitāsūtra speaks here of the ‘emptiness of characteristics’ (lakṣanaśūnyatā). What are the shared characteristics and what are the specific characteristics? Answer.—The shared characteristics are impermanence (anityatā), etc., for example. The specific characteristics, in the sense that dharmas, although they are impermanent, each possess their own specific characteristic. Thus, for the earth (pṛthivī), it is solidity (khakkhaṭatva), for fire, it is heat (uṣṇatva).
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Shunyata, Svalakshana.
Full-text: Shunyata, Shodashashunyata.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Svalakshanashunyata, Svalakṣaṇaśūnyatā, Svalakshana-shunyata, Svalakṣaṇa-śūnyatā, Svalaksanasunyata, Svalaksana-sunyata; (plurals include: Svalakshanashunyatas, Svalakṣaṇaśūnyatās, shunyatas, śūnyatās, Svalaksanasunyatas, sunyatas). 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)
Chapter XLVIII - The Eighteen Emptinesses
IV. The emptinesses (śūnyatā) in the great Prajñāpāramitā-sūtras < [Note on emptiness (śūnyatā)]
Emptiness 13: Emptiness of specific characteristics < [Chapter XLVIII - The Eighteen Emptinesses]