[Buddha-l] Emptiness

[Curt Steinmetz]

Jackhat1 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.

Curt Steinmetz