Reading guide
Ānanda's second question
Following his question on “the world” at SN 35.84, Ānanda now asks what the saying “the world is empty” refers to — a phrase evidently already in circulation, which the Buddha's answer sharpens rather than introduces.
Empty of self, not empty of matter
The Buddha's definition is exact: the world is empty “of self or what belongs to self,” not empty of substance or existence — a meditation claim about not-self, not a metaphysical claim of nonexistence.
A practice, not a doctrine to be debated
Sujato's own note situates this teaching among a cluster of parallel discourses (SN 41.7 = MN 43 = MN 106, Snp 5.16) and points to MN 121's own fuller treatment — framing “emptiness” here as primarily something to be realized in meditation, not settled by argument.
Key terms
The text
§1And then Venerable Ānanda … said to the Buddha: “Sir, they say that ‘the world is empty’. What does the saying ‘the world is empty’ refer to?”
§2“Ānanda, they say that ‘the world is empty’ because it’s empty of self or what belongs to self. And what is empty of self or what belongs to self?
§3The eye, sights, eye consciousness, and eye contact are empty of self or what belongs to self. … The pleasant, painful, or neutral feeling that arises dependent on mind contact is also empty of self or what belongs to self. They say that ‘the world is empty’ because it’s empty of self or what belongs to self.”
Self-check quiz
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