Bhanti's Monday Evening Teaching - 07/26/06

Emptiness and Nothingness

Last week we discussed a question which Mike asked. It was a question from the Sutra. The Sutra talks about when Bodhisathwa Siddhartha (Lord Buddha before enlightenment) visited the two teachers Alarakalama and Uddakarama Puththa. It is said that he learned about emptiness from one teacher and nothingness from the other teacher.

The question was: what is the difference between Emptiness and Nothingness?

Bhante turned to the audience: what do you think, is it two different things or just one thing? Everybody agreed it is two different things and one said since it is mentioned separately it is logical to think there is a difference. One said according to my knowledge I think there should be something present for it to be empty.

Bhante agrees. Yes, there should be something existing for it to become empty. As one of you said if a cup is filled with water and if you throw the water out, the cup is empty. Then what do you get, Space; Empty space which it can be filled with anything again. Likewise the mind can be emptied. Emptied of emotions like anger, ignorance, and attachment. But still there is space which can be filled again with the same things or maybe if one has wisdom, from compassion, ……., ……….

To take a step further when there is no space at all that can be filled again with anything Nothingness occurs. It is no longer empty, neither full; the mind has gone beyond matter. It is Nothingness. As an example say there is a burning candle and one blows the flame away. Where did the flame go?  There is nothing, no flame, it has become nothing.

The audience: But there is still the potential?  

Bhante: Is it the same flame?

Think about yourself. Is it the same you that sits here today, that was born several years ago? Think about the changes that occurred along the line. What shaped you to be the person today? Is this the same you yesterday? Think about it.