emptiness starter

A Normal Explanation; What Is Emptiness?

In Buddhism, emptiness, is a term used to distinguish between how things appear to be and how they actually are.

Things appear to exist on their own, independent of anything else. They appear to be self-sufficient and clearly defined and existing in a final state yet our previous experience and education already tell us that is a shaky belief. All things come from, are the result of, previous components and energies and are on their way to becoming parts of other things.

Plants arise from seeds, they die and decompose back into soil that feeds other seeds in an endless process. The Buddha famously called this dependent arising which includes all things, us too, and what we call natural laws. Everything.

This process is also impermanent and never ceasing for a moment. It is this state of flux which determines the idea that things are empty of being things. Not only the glass is empty of liquid, it is empty of being a glass even though it acts as a glass. It’s not gone, it’s still called a glass that holds liquid.

According to Buddhism, understanding emptiness helps us to free ourselves from attachment and suffering by seeing things as they truly are. If I have no essence (anatta) and the object has no essence either, then then no repulsion or desire can arise for it, and hence no suffering.