Tibet Intention Quote by Karl Brunnholzl
““Pawo Rinpoche comments that, in Tibet, the intention of the lineage of profound view is usually explained as self-emptiness, that is, as a nonimplicative negation in which nothing whatsoever exists as a remainder after analysis through reasoning. The intention of the lineage of vast activity is explained as the other-empty ultimate that exists as a permanent and lasting remainder after such analysis. By clinging to one of these views as being the true meaning, the respective other one is then presented as a view of either permanence or extinction. However, these one-sided options, such as existence, nonexistence, permanence, and extinction, are neither the ultimate of the lineage of profound view nor the ultimate of the lineage of vast activity.””
About This Quote
The passage explains that Tibetan Buddhist teachings distinguish between two ultimate perspectives: emptiness (no inherent existence) and other‑emptiness (a lasting, inherent reality). Neither extreme—pure existence nor absolute non‑existence—captures the true nature of reality; both are partial views.
In simple terms: Avoiding extremes of existence and non‑existence.
Key Takeaway
Both emptiness and other‑emptiness are provisional lenses.
Themes
emptiness
other‑emptiness
Buddhist philosophy
non‑dualism
ultimate reality
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
serene
Type
philosophical
didactic
scriptural
When to use this quote
- scholarly study of Tibetan Buddhism
- meditation on ultimate nature
- comparative philosophy
- teaching workshops
Key Concepts
lineage of profound view
lineage of vast activity
nonimplicative negation
permanent remainder
Practical Applications
- academic analysis of Buddhist metaphysics
- guiding meditation practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing both views affect one's practice?
- What is the risk of clinging to a single ultimate view?
![“Hence, [emptiness] is also not an object of [something like the] cognition of Buddhas, because they do not have [such a thing as] cognition.” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c69/karl-brunnholzl-4600_emptiness_hence-emptiness-is-also-not-an-object-of_55069.jpg)
![“Here, master Bhavya states [this as] the main argument, and then he formulates four autonomous reasons as the means to prove the subject property. The venerable and fearless Candrakirti presents this by labeling the mere refutation of arising from the four extremes a "position." He teaches the…” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb7/karl-brunnholzl-4600_logic_here-master-bhavya-states-this-as-the-ma_140001.jpg)
![“Therefore, everything is the illusory magical display of one's own mind. It is appearing yet delusive, and delusive while appearing. Thus, all of it is contained in the body, and the [body] is again contained in the mind. As for the mind, it has no color and no shape. It is natural luminosity that…” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8f8/karl-brunnholzl-4600_psychology_therefore-everything-is-the-illusory-mag_189022.jpg)
![“Not only can nobody deny the appearance of mere consciousness whose nature is other-dependent and not affected by the flaw of conceptions of a body with form and so on, but those who make any such [denial] only invalidate themselves by perception and such.” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/52d/karl-brunnholzl-4600_consciousness_not-only-can-nobody-deny-the-appearance_199293.jpg)
![“If the mere nonexistence of attention and mental engagement is taken to be "nonattention" and "mental nonengagement," it is to be analyzed in what way these two [attention and mental engagement] are nonexistent. [Some utter] nonexistence is not suitable as a cause [for anything], so how could…” quote by Karl Brunnholzl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d01/karl-brunnholzl-4600_psychology_if-the-mere-nonexistence-of-attention-an_400862.jpg)
