Acinteyya


Acinteyya is a Buddhist term that is commonly translated as imponderable or incomprehensible. They denote four issues that should not be thought about, since this distracts from practice, and hinders the attainment of liberation.

Etymology

Acintya means "incomprehensible, surpassing thought, unthinkable, beyond thought."
In Indian philosophy, acinteyya is
It is also defined as
The term is used to describe the ultimate reality that is beyond all conceptualization. Thoughts here-about should not be pursued, because they are not conducive to the attainment of liberation. Synonymous terms are avyākrta "indeterminate quesions," and atakkāvacara, "beyond the sphere of reason."

Four imponderables

The four imponderables are identified in the Acintita Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya 4.77, as follows:
  1. The Buddha-range of the Buddhas ;
  2. The jhana-range of one absorbed in jhana ;
  3. The results of kamma ;
  4. Speculation about the cosmos is an imponderable that is not to be speculated about.

    Ten indeterminate questions

Nirvana is atakkāvacara, "beyond logical reasoning". It is difficult to comprehend with logic or reason, since it is not a concrete "thing." It cannot be explained with logic or reason to someone who has not attained it by themselves. This is illustrated in the Aggi-Vacchagotta Sutta, "Discourse to Vatsagotra on the Fire," Majjhima Nikaya 72, the Buddha is questioned by Vatsagotra on the "ten indeterminate question:" avyākrta
The Buddha refuses to answer the questions, avoiding getting entangled in debate, but answers with a simile:

Hindrance to liberation

Pondering over the four acinteyya is a hindrance to the attainment of liberation. Sacca-samyutta, "The Four Noble Truths", Samyutta Nikaya 56:
And the Aggi-Vacchagotta Sutta, "Discourse to Vatsagotra on the Fire," Majjhima Nikaya 72:
The Buddha further warns that