Today, I would like to talk about emptiness and form, because I think emptiness is a key concept in Buddhist philosophy. We could learn an idea of the way of life. The following phrase is the most celebrated paradox associated with Buddhist philosophy.

“Form is emptiness; emptiness is form. Emptiness is no other than form; form is no other than emptiness. “

There have been many ways to explain the meaning of emptiness and form. In order to bring their meaning into our lives closer, here, I would like to make an example as simple as possible to help us understand better through scientific analysis.

As we know well, matter is every substance in the universe, from the tiniest speck of dust to the largest galaxy, they are visible solid form. They are everything that is not simply empty space. Everything we can see and touch is made up of matter. Surprisingly though, even the most solid looking matter is mostly empty space too. When we observe matter from the view of microscopic observation, it is made from tiny pieces called atoms with empty space. Scientists once thought they were the smallest things in the universe and that they were like tiny balls that could never be split or destroyed. But they are more like clouds of energy, and they too are mostly space, dotted with even tinier “subatomic particles.” We can not see them, or the space between them, because they are amazingly small. Matter is form that can be seen with the naked eye, but it is also empty when we see it through a microscope. It is the same idea when we observe a galaxy from the view of a telescope, it is solid looking form too, but it is also empty between stars in the galaxy just like emptiness between earth, sun, moon and other stars in our solar system when we see them from earth. Now, we understand that both the tiniest speck of dust and the largest galaxy are visible solid form but they are also empty. Therefore, form is emptiness, and emptiness is form. In other words, what is seen does not differ from what is empty, what is empty does not differ from what is seen.

Regarding form and emptiness, habitually, we adhere to form and reject emptiness. We experience the world as having better and worse components. We attempt to collect and consume form we see as better, and rid ourselves of emptiness we take to be worse. We only fear emptiness because we imagine a characteristic form will be lost. We cling to form as security because form temporarily allows us to pretend that it is not also empty.

Most of us are very attached to how things look or what others may say about us. Because of this preoccupation, we care too much for ourselves instead of others, having instead of not having, or gaining instead of losing. We constantly fret over what we think is desirable and avoid what we think is not, creating much agony for ourselves and others in the process. Materialistic attachments are often the genesis of our desires. When our desires are out of control, endless desires become greed, which is the root of all evils. We should be aware of the fact that it is impossible to satisfy our endless desires because the world has limited resources. Contentment is much better than satisfying endless desires. To overcome this habitual tendency, we should let go of our attachment to appearances, a sort of form. If we are at ease with our circumstances, then we will find peace and happiness in all that we do.

Form can be understood as ‘existence’ and Emptiness as ‘non-existence’. Emptiness however, is not merely ‘nothing’. Emptiness is not necessarily to be experienced negatively. Emptiness is the arena in which everything occurs. It is the creative space in which form comes into being. Form can only exist because of emptiness, which is why emptiness is often referred to as the great potentiality.

Emptiness does not mean being without anything, because something can, indeed, arise from emptiness. For example, take a vacant lot. It is because it has nothing on it that a building can be constructed there. Similarly, a cup must be empty before it can hold tea or water for us to drink. If the cup already contains wine or oil, the tea would taste different. Thus, the state of emptiness is not necessarily bad; it can teach us many things. In our undertakings, we should start with the expectation of emptiness. Those who are truly capable do not expect others to do everything for them; they can achieve their goals even when starting from nothing.

Emptiness pervades everything. When we have insight into emptiness, we will be able to see that emptiness is the basis of existence and that there is no need for us to cling to anything in particular. We will be able to expand our horizons and be more accommodating of others. The understanding of emptiness is much more beneficial to us and can carry us through the ups and downs of life.

* I personally believe in no possessions, no religions and no countries. However, I appreciate some ideas from the religions that give me inspiration to be good man and to do good deeds.