svabhavas

Svabhāva is a Sanskrit term that translates to "own-being," "intrinsic nature," or "self-nature." It is a concept that appears in various Indian philosophical traditions, most notably in Buddhism and Hinduism. In Buddhism, particularly in Mahayana traditions, svabhāva is often used to discuss the nature of reality. It is frequently associated with the doctrine of emptiness (śūnyatā), suggesting that phenomena lack inherent, independent existence. Things do not possess a fixed, unchanging svabhāva but rather arise dependently on causes and conditions.

This understanding of svabhāva, or the absence thereof, is central to the Buddhist path of liberation, as it aims to dismantle the illusion of a permanent self and the inherent reality of external objects. By realizing the lack of svabhāva, one can overcome attachment and suffering.

In some Hindu schools of thought, svabhāva can refer to the essential nature or inherent quality of a thing. For example, the svabhāva of fire might be considered its heat and burning property. However, the interpretation and emphasis on svabhāva can vary significantly between different philosophical systems within Hinduism, with some traditions positing an underlying, eternal essence. The precise meaning and implications of svabhāva remain a subject of philosophical debate and interpretation across these traditions.