What is Buddhism? Applications 5-2 - About the Theory of Emptiness, (Sunya) 2
So, let's take a closer look at what exactly "emptiness" means. The earlier example involved various elements like a chair or a human being, complexly intertwined. While it's understandable that these combinations form concepts, some might still think that the fundamental elements themselves exist.
Let's consider the example of
"water." Those with a substantialist viewpoint believe that there's
something with the nature or essence of water that exists. However, it's now
common knowledge that "water" is composed of molecules made up of two
hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, known as H2O. In other words, there isn't
an unchanging entity called "water"; rather, it's just a
manifestation based on the relationship between two hydrogen atoms and one
oxygen atom, dependent on environmental conditions such as temperature ranging
from 1°C to 99°C. We humans label this manifestation as "water."
Essentially, "water" is just one form manifested by a specific
relationship between hydrogen and oxygen atoms (cause) under specific
temperature conditions, and there's no existence of "water" beyond
the forms manifested by these relationships.
As evidence, if the
temperature drops below 0°C, it quickly turns into individual ice particles,
and if it rises above 100°C, it turns into vapor, becoming invisible. Hence,
the manifestation of "water" as a result of the specific relationship
between hydrogen and oxygen atoms (cause) is limited to certain conditions
ranging from 1°C to 99°C. If the conditions change, even with the same cause,
the manifestation changes.
In this way, everything in
this world manifests its form based on the relationship between cause and
conditions, and without such fixed entities or essences, they are considered
"empty."
Then, hydrogen and oxygen
atoms seem to have an entity of their own, but they, too, are ultimately a
combination of elementary particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.
And furthermore, those elementary particles are also said to be combinations of
quarks. Quarks are said to manifest their properties through the relationship
between several vibrating bodies, and these vibrating bodies are no longer
physical objects but are like aggregates of energy, and through the
interrelationships between them (aggregates of energy) various properties
emerge. It is through the interrelationships among them (aggregates of energy)
that various properties are said to emerge. The fact that this
"relationship determines the way of existence" shows that the most
advanced findings of modern physics and the ancient Buddhist view of
"emptiness" are in perfect agreement.
Since we've delved into
abstract discussions for a while, let's now apply the abstract concept of
"emptiness" to our daily lives.
Consider a person named A.
A is in a relationship with a
woman named B, making “A”, “B's boyfriend" and “B”, “A's girlfriend."
However,
as their relationship sours, B decides to break up with A. Despite B's
decision, “A” persistently pursues B. Once a "beloved boyfriend" to
B, "A" is now, in B's eyes, a terrifying "stalker" and
almost a "criminal. At home, however, "A" is a devoted son who
takes care of his elderly parents and is a "filial son. At work, “A” is
considered by the president to be an "excellent employee" and an
"obedient subordinate," by A's subordinates to be a "terrible
boss," by his close colleagues to be a "buddy," and by his
unfriendly rivals to be his "biggest enemy.
So, which one is the real A?
In fact, all of them are. Depending on the relationship between “A” and others,
the same person, “A”, can be perceived as a "criminal," "most
filial son," "excellent employee," "compliant
subordinate," "terrible supervisor," "colleague," or
"biggest adversary."
“A” himself is inherently
"empty," and his meaning changes depending on his relationships with
others.
If you want to change the
meaning, you can change the relationship. Alternatively, changing the
relationship may alter the meaning.
If “A” were inherently a
"villain," he would be a "villain" to everyone and should
remain so forever. There wouldn't be anyone for whom he's the "most
wonderful" person. However, in reality, he shows completely different
aspects depending on the person, and the meaning also varies accordingly.
Thus, there are no fixed
natures or essences in things or people; rather, everything is based solely on
relationships and conditions, and it's entirely up to us to assign meaning to
those relationships.
To make this perspective of
"emptiness" more practical in our lives, we can apply it to our
actual human relationships.
In our daily lives, we
encounter various human relationships—some good, some bad, some adversarial,
and some friendly. However, fundamentally, all people and events are just
"empty" and don't inherently hold specific meanings. Whether someone
is "good," "bad," an "enemy," an
"ally," a "bad event," or a "good event" is just
how it appears based on our relationship with them. Originally, we are free to
assign any meaning we want to these relationships.
For example, if someone
speaks ill of us or tries to hinder us, many would label them as an
"enemy." Once we assign that label, everything they do seems like
negative hostile actions. We start hating them, but no matter how much we hate
them, it doesn't affect them. Hence, our hatred only amplifies. In this way, by
arbitrarily labeling someone as an "enemy," we end up suffering
greatly. It's like fighting a battle alone.
Instead of labeling them as
an enemy, if we assign a positive meaning like, "Thanks to that person, I
can recognize my shortcomings and be more careful in my actions. In a way,
they're a benefactor," then whatever they do benefits us. If they criticize
us, it helps us grow, and if they speak ill of us, it helps us understand how
others perceive us, enabling us to grow even more.
Thus, depending on how we
assign meaning to the actions of others, we can interpret them in any way we
want. If there's something unpleasant, we can simply refrain from assigning
such meaning in the first place.
However, this is purely a
theoretical discussion. Humans aren't always rational beings. Viewing things
through the lens of "emptiness" may suggest this, but in reality,
it's often challenging to suddenly change our perspectives entirely.
Since human relationships are
built on various causes and conditions, perhaps the first step is to understand
why they've taken a negative turn. For this, effective communication with the
other person is crucial. Then, gradually, as our perspectives on each other
shift, the relationship may improve.
Regardless, humans inherently
aren't entirely good or bad; they can be exemplary or flawed depending on
various conditions and relationships. Everyone, at some point, may act kindly
or maliciously, be respectable or contemptible.
Everything changes with each
moment's choice and judgment. A person who was once admired by everyone might
become a criminal one day, or vice versa. A notorious criminal might sacrifice
their life to save a puppy, or a tyrant who once terrorized people like Ashoka
might later contribute significantly to spreading Buddhism worldwide.
Essentially, people and things are "impermanent,"
"egoless," and "empty," so no fixed beliefs or concepts
apply.
So, terms like "this
person is admirable" or "that person is worthless" only hold
true for about a day; no one knows what will happen tomorrow.
Viewed negatively, this might
seem unreliable, but positively, it implies that there's always potential for
improvement in everyone.
In summary, after all the
lengthy and convoluted discussion, it can be said that the perspective of
"emptiness" is a way to liberate oneself from all fixed beliefs,
assumptions, and attachments.
#Quarks
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