What is Emptiness in Taoism? 什么是空
Paul PengWhat is Emptiness in Taoism?
Originally a Buddhist term,
it refers to the illusory and insubstantial nature of all things in the form realm. All phenomena are formed by the conjunction of causes and conditions, arising and perishing in an instant, without possessing their own essential attributes. Taoism adopted this concept to describe the existential form of The Dao.
What is Emptiness in Taoism?
The Classic of the Supreme Lord Laozi on the Origin of Emptiness and Spontaneous Nature states: "What is emptiness? Emptiness is the state before the coming into being of heaven, earth, mountains and rivers—when one looks left and right, all is vast and boundless, without hindrance or limit, a pure expanse where nothing can be seen or heard, from which the Dao arises of its own accord."In Taoist philosophy, emptiness, non-being and vacuity are often used to interpret and explain one another.
