Q: What is ‘emptiness’?

A: It can be understood as the Middle Path based on Nagarjuna or Oneness based on Seon (Zen).

Q: How can I understand ‘emptiness’5 connecting with Oneness?

A: In such case, ‘emptiness’ is transcendental emptiness. It means form is nothing other than emptiness; emptiness is nothing other than the form. Therefore, in this stage, samsara and nirvana or Buddha and sentient being are one. This is called ‘emptiness’.

Q: How should I then understand ‘emptiness’ connecting to the Middle Path?

A: In such case, ‘emptiness’ means unreality (things do not exist) and reality (things exist).

Q: It is really hard to understand. I can’t especially understand the difference between the ‘emptiness’ as oneness and the ‘emptiness’ as the Middle Path. How are they different?

A: The ‘emptiness’ as oneness focuses on the nature of non-discrimination or absolute equality between ‘I’ and ‘You’. On the other hand, the ‘emptiness’ as the Middle Path emphasizes transcendence between existence and non-existence.

Q: It is still hard to comprehend. Could you explain about “emptiness” a little bit easier than that? I would like to know how you personally understand the word ‘emptiness’.

A: From my understanding (in the conventional level or in the level of unenlightened mind), I think ‘emptiness’ is the teaching of interrelationship or interdependence among all things including living and non-living things. I also understood that ‘emptiness’ is the root of wisdom; its fruit is compassion.

Q: Then what is ‘emptiness’ in your own words?

A: I think it is mind, Buddha, and sentient being. The mind produces all; all that are produced are in the mind.

Q: Do you mean in order to understand ‘emptiness’, one has to understand the mind?

A: Yes.

Q: Is there any way to understand or practice “emptiness”?

A: You can’t understand or practice ‘emptiness’ conceptually. You can only experience it.

Q: How can I experience ‘emptiness’?