Difference between revisions of "Unthinkable"
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| − | To call something '''unthinkable''' is to say that it is too unpleasant or too abstruse to think about or that no amount of [[thinking]] about it will yield a clear understanding of it. The [[Buddha]] uses the term unthinkable ([[acinteyya]]) in this last sense. He said: ‘There are these four unthinkables, not to be [[thought]] about, [[thinking]] about which one will become mad and confused. What four? [[Thinking]] about the range of a [[Buddha]]’s understanding, [[thinking]] about the range of the [[jhānas]], [[thinking]] about the results of [[kamma]] and [[thinking]] about the origins of the [[world]].’ (A.II,80). Paradoxically, a great deal of [[Buddhist]] commentarial [[writing]] has been devoted to the first three of these subjects. [[Buddhist]] theoreticians and [[abhidhamma]] thinkers of the past speculated endlessly and argued with one another about the nature of the [[Buddha’s]] [[realization]] and about what past action would have caused what [[kammic]] results. See [[World]]. | + | To call something '''[[unthinkable]]''' is to say that it is too [[unpleasant]] or too abstruse to think about or that no amount of [[thinking]] about it will yield a [[clear understanding]] of it. The [[Buddha]] uses the term [[unthinkable]] ([[acinteyya]]) in this last [[sense]]. He said: ‘There are these four [[unthinkables]], not to be [[thought]] about, [[thinking]] about which one will become mad and confused. What four? [[Thinking]] about the range of a [[Buddha]]’s [[understanding]], [[thinking]] about the range of the [[jhānas]], [[thinking]] about the results of [[kamma]] and [[thinking]] about the origins of the [[world]].’ (A.II,80). {{Wiki|Paradoxically}}, a great deal of [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|commentarial}} [[writing]] has been devoted to the first three of these [[subjects]]. [[Buddhist]] theoreticians and [[abhidhamma]] thinkers of the {{Wiki|past}} speculated endlessly and argued with one another about the [[nature]] of the [[Buddha’s]] [[realization]] and about what {{Wiki|past}} [[action]] would have [[caused]] what [[kammic]] results. See [[World]]. |
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[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=435 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=435 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Philosophy]] | [[Category:Buddhist Philosophy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:51, 16 March 2015
To call something unthinkable is to say that it is too unpleasant or too abstruse to think about or that no amount of thinking about it will yield a clear understanding of it. The Buddha uses the term unthinkable (acinteyya) in this last sense. He said: ‘There are these four unthinkables, not to be thought about, thinking about which one will become mad and confused. What four? Thinking about the range of a Buddha’s understanding, thinking about the range of the jhānas, thinking about the results of kamma and thinking about the origins of the world.’ (A.II,80). Paradoxically, a great deal of Buddhist commentarial writing has been devoted to the first three of these subjects. Buddhist theoreticians and abhidhamma thinkers of the past speculated endlessly and argued with one another about the nature of the Buddha’s realization and about what past action would have caused what kammic results. See World.
