SN 35.85. The World is Empty

Venerable Ananda asked the Buddha: “Sir, you said the world is empty. To what extent did you say the world is empty?”

”Ānanda, I said ‘the world’ is empty, because it is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. And what is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self?

The sense of sight is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Sights are empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Sight-consciousness is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Sense impression of sight is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Any sensation coming from sense impression of sight—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—is also empty of a self or anything belonging to a self.

The sense of hearing is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Sounds are empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Hearing-consciousness is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Sense impression of hearing is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Any sensation coming from sense impression of hearing—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—is also empty of a self or anything belonging to a self.

The sense of smell is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Smells are empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Smell-consciousness is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Sense impression of smell is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Any sensation coming from sense impression of smell—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—is also empty of a self or anything belonging to a self.

The sense of taste is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Flavors are empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Taste-consciousness is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Sense impression of taste is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Any sensation coming from sense impression of taste—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—is also empty of a self or anything belonging to a self.

The sense of touch is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Tangibles are empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Touch-consciousness is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Sense impression of touch is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Any sensation coming from sense impression of touch—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—is also empty of a self or anything belonging to a self.

The mind is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Mental phenomena are empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Mind-consciousness is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Sense impression of the mind is empty of a self or anything belonging to a self. Any sensation coming from sense impression of the mind—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—is also empty of a self or anything belonging to a self.”