Difference between revisions of "Abhāva"
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| − | A Sanskrit word meaning absence, non-existence, or non-being. Helena P. BLAVATSKY, in her article entitled ''The Septenary Principle in Esotericism'' (CW IV:580) refers to ''Abhāva'' as, “Nonexistence or ''non-being'' . . . in the sense of, and as separate from, objectivity or substance — to the highest monad or ''Atman''.” Some Indian philosophical systems (notably Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika) hold that abhāva or non-existence is a distinct category, with an existential import (that is, they claim that we actually perceive absences), whereas other systems (such as the Buddhist schools) deny the positive character of negation altogether. | + | A Sanskrit word meaning absence, non-existence, or non-being. Helena P. BLAVATSKY, in her article entitled ''The Septenary Principle in Esotericism'' (''CW'' IV:580) refers to ''Abhāva'' as, “Nonexistence or ''non-being'' . . . in the sense of, and as separate from, objectivity or substance — to the highest monad or ''Atman''.” Some Indian philosophical systems (notably Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika) hold that abhāva or non-existence is a distinct category, with an existential import (that is, they claim that we actually perceive absences), whereas other systems (such as the Buddhist schools) deny the positive character of negation altogether. |
Latest revision as of 03:54, 5 May 2011
A Sanskrit word meaning absence, non-existence, or non-being. Helena P. BLAVATSKY, in her article entitled The Septenary Principle in Esotericism (CW IV:580) refers to Abhāva as, “Nonexistence or non-being . . . in the sense of, and as separate from, objectivity or substance — to the highest monad or Atman.” Some Indian philosophical systems (notably Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika) hold that abhāva or non-existence is a distinct category, with an existential import (that is, they claim that we actually perceive absences), whereas other systems (such as the Buddhist schools) deny the positive character of negation altogether.
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