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Vashistha an atheist when he is silent in answer to the same
question.
Shunya and Transcendent Reality
Some scholars have expressed certain doubts about the religious nature of the Buddha's teachings claiming that he only promulgated belief in “emptiness” or “nothingness,” (the literal meaning of shunyata) or “annihilation” (the literal meaning of the word nirvana), not in the existence of God or Higher Reality. Therefore, they argue, his philosophy should be considered as nihilistic. According to their reasoning, it would follow that those who teach about “emptiness” or “nothingness,” in the sense of the transcendent form of Ultimate Reality is also referred to as shunya cannot be theistic. However, teachings about shunyata (emptiness) are not only found in Buddhist literature, but are also prominent in the writings of many of theistic saints. Here are some examples:
Gorakh Nath Ji says:
It (God) is neither existent nor non-existent (shunya); its nature is beyond the reach of senses and thought.
Sant Kabir Sahab says:
Meditation on the Formless (shunya) is enjoyed by all knowers of Truth.
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