The world is empty (SN 35.85)

This teaching is from the section Shining the Light of Wisdom of the book "In the Buddha's Words" by Bhikkhu Bodhi.

The Buddha tells Ānanda that the “world” consisting of six sense experience is empty because it is empty of self and what belongs to self.

Looking for the self and not finding it | Picture Credit: https://twitter.com/this_is_silvia/status/1766133309497659828

Then, Venerable Ānanda said to the Blessed One:

"'The world is empty, the world is empty', it is said, venerable sir. In what sense, venerable sir, is it said, 'the world is empty'?"

"Because, Ānanda, it is empty of self and of what belongs to a self, therefore it is said, 'the world is empty'. And what, Ānanda, is empty of self and of what belongs to a self?

• The eye, Ānanda, is empty of self and of what belongs to a self. Forms are empty of self and of what belongs to a self, eye-consciousness is empty of self and of what belongs to a self, eye-contact is empty of self and of what belongs to a self.
• Ear, Ānanda, is empty of self and of what belongs to a self. Sounds are empty of self and of what belongs to a self, ear-consciousness is empty of self and of what belongs to a self, ear-contact is empty of self and of what belongs to a self.
• Similarly, the nose and odors, ....
• the tongue and flavors, ....
• the body and tactile sensations, ....
• the mind and mental objects — all are empty of self and of what belongs to a self. Mind-consciousness is empty of self and of what belongs to a self, mind-contact is empty of self and of what belongs to a self.

Whatever feeling arises with mind-contact as condition — whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, that too is empty of self and of what belongs to a self. Because, Ānanda, it is empty of self and of what belongs to a self, therefore, it is said, 'the world is empty'."

-------------

One can understand the six sense bases, reflect and then independently verify both:

• how Diverse Perceptions, Intentions, Passions, Quests (SN 14.7) come to be due to lack of sense restraint and mindfulness, and
• how with application of sense restraint and cultivation of mindfulness (to be gradually practiced in), one can experientially experience a gradual decrease in attachment/grasping/clinging/holding on to a sense of self through any of the sense doors, as well as the relief associated with not seeing a self.

Related Teachings:

• The end of the world can't be reached through experiences (AN 4.45) - In this teaching, the Buddha is sharing that one doesn't get freed from suffering, from discontentment, by having varied experiences or by traveling. The use of end of the world phrase is a simile for a desire to experience peace, to understand reality.
• Full Understanding Of the Six Sense Bases (SN 35.26) - Without understanding the “all” consisting of the six interior and exterior sense bases and becoming dispassionate towards it, it is impossible to be free of suffering.
• All is Burning (SN 35.28) - The “all” consisting of the six interior and exterior sense bases is burning.