Date: 04/12/2025 04/13/2025
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Sitting Meditation
Contemplating Dependent Arising and Emptiness
“Dependent arising and emptiness” is one of the most profound teachings in Buddhism.
The Buddha taught: “When this exists, that arises; when this ceases, that ceases.”
This means that all phenomena arise from conditions, have no inherent self-nature, and are therefore empty.Contemplating this reveals the structure of experience and leads to genuine freedom.
1.What Is Dependent Arising?
1.All phenomena arise from conditions
Nothing appears on its own.
The body depends on food, environment, and habits.
Emotions depend on memory, triggers, and perception.
Thoughts arise from stimuli and associations.
2.No phenomenon exists independently
There is no standalone pain, joy, thought, or sensation.
Everything relies on multiple factors.
3.Reality is relational
Existence is a web of conditions, not isolated entities.
In short: everything is interconnected, impermanent, and without a fixed essence.
2.What Is Emptiness?
1.Emptiness is not nothingness
It means lack of inherent, independent existence.
2.Emptiness is “non-self-nature”
Because things rely on conditions, they have no permanent core.
3.Emptiness is freedom
Without a fixed essence, change and liberation are possible.
Dependent arising describes how things exist;emptiness describes what things are.
3.How to Contemplate Dependent Arising and Emptiness
Method One: Examine the conditions behind each experience
Steps
When emotion arises, ask:
“What conditions created this?”
Observe the body, memory, environment
See how changing conditions change the emotion
Purpose
Emotions are not solid; they are conditioned processes.
Method Two: Observe the arising of thoughts
Steps
See how thoughts appear suddenly
Identify the triggers
Notice lack of control
Watch thoughts fade on their own
Purpose
Thoughts are not the self; they are conditioned events.
Method Three: Observe bodily sensations
Steps
Observe pain or tension
Notice how posture, breath, or mood influences it
See how sensations shift with conditions
Purpose
Body sensations are impermanent and not self-existing.
Method Four: See emptiness through dependent arising
When you observe:
No fixed source of emotion
No stable thinker behind thoughts
No solid body sensation
It becomes clear:Because all phenomena arise from conditions,none of them have inherent existence.This is emptiness.
4.The Wisdom That Arises
1.Letting go of attachment
Nothing has a fixed core to cling to.
2.Letting go of resistance
Phenomena are processes, not enemies.
3.Flexibility and freedom
The mind becomes spacious and adaptable.
4.Natural compassion
Understanding conditions makes us more forgiving.
Conclusion
Dependent arising shows that nothing exists independently.Emptiness shows that nothing has a fixed essence.Contemplating both in daily experience—thoughts, emotions, sensations—allows us to release clinging and discover inner freedom.
