Lectures on the Sutra of the Compendium of Fathers and Sons (51)

Characteristics of the Realm of Space

Original Text: O King. When material forms disintegrate, all becomes empty. Why is this so? Because the realm of space is originally inexhaustible. It is tranquil and unmoving, like Nirvana. It pervades all places without obstruction.

Explanation: O King, after material dharmas disintegrate, they become void, becoming the realm of space. Why does everything become empty once matter vanishes? Because the realm of space has no end, no boundary; everything can become empty. Moreover, space itself is originally tranquil and unmoving, unarisen and unceasing, neither increasing nor decreasing, like the nature of Nirvana. Space pervades all places, and there is no dharma that can obstruct it.

When objects disintegrate, they become space. For example, when a house is destroyed, that place entirely becomes space; when the earth is destroyed, the place that was the earth entirely becomes space; when the three thousand great thousand worlds are destroyed, the three thousand great thousand worlds all become space. Within space, there is nothing at all.

Space is tranquil and unmoving. Why is it unmoving? Because it is the absence of matter; matter itself is illusory. Objects can move, yet no one can move space itself. If a tall building is constructed within space, can it displace space? Space cannot be moved; no one can move space because space has no substance and no boundaries—how could it move? Within space, there are no material dharmas; it is utterly devoid of anything, empty. We constantly need space and emptiness in order to move our bodies and place objects, because space has no obstruction. Sentient beings need this unobstructed nature for activity and for storing things.

Some say that air is also empty and should be boundless and immovable like space. In reality, however, air and space are vastly different. Air may appear insubstantial on the surface—invisible and intangible—but scientific instruments can detect its presence or absence. Air consists of matter; it contains various gases we need, all composed of the four great elements (earth, water, fire, wind). Therefore, air can flow. Sentient beings need air, primarily for the oxygen within it.