[Buddha-l] Emptiness

[Jackhat1 at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/1/2008 4:22:44 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
curt at cola.iges.org writes:

ackhat1 at aol.com wrote:
> I will stick by my analysis for now.  There are 82 ultimates according  to 
> Thera's Abhidhamma. They  are: consciousness, 52 mind constituents (for  
example, 
> effort),  nirvana and 28 forms of matter. Hardness, smell and color of  
wood  
> are forms of matter. According to the Abhidhamma, these ultimates  cannot 
be  
> reduced further. Ultimates do arise and pass away.  Yes, the whole point is 
to  
> reduce clinging.
>   
>   

I do not think that orthodox Theravadins claim  that these things are 
genuinely "ultimates" in the strongest sense (for a  Buddhist) of being 
permanent, unchanging, and simple (non-composite). I  think the 
Sarvastivadins, or some branch thereof, may have,  though.
===
They are defining "ultimates" in a different way than you are. As I said  
above, ultimates as they are using the term are not unchanging and  permanent. I 
could provide Abhidhamma references if anyone is interested.
 
Jack



**************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for 
fuel-efficient used cars.      (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)