Parikalpitasvabhva

Parikalpitasvabhva is a term originating from Indian philosophical traditions, particularly within the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism. It translates roughly to "imagined or conceptual existence" or "attributed nature." The concept is used to describe phenomena that do not possess an inherent, independent existence but rather derive their apparent reality from conceptual imputation or designation. In essence, things are understood to exist only in dependence upon the mind that conceives of them.

This is contrasted with svabhava, which refers to inherent existence or self-nature. Madhyamaka philosophy argues that all phenomena lack svabhava, meaning they are empty of intrinsic being. Parikalpitasvabhva is the way these conventionally real phenomena appear to us, as if they have a solid, independent reality. This perceived reality is a product of our conceptual frameworks, habits of mind, and linguistic conventions.

Understanding parikalpitasvabhva is crucial for deconstructing our ordinary perception of reality. By recognizing that the inherent existence we attribute to things is merely a conceptual overlay, one can begin to see the interdependent and impermanent nature of all phenomena. This insight is considered a key step towards liberation from suffering, as it undermines the attachment and aversion that arise from mistakenly believing in the substantiality of things. It is a way of describing the illusory nature of everyday experience without denying its functional reality on a conventional level.