[arerrurrY]

The phrase 'empty of inherent existence', although its a rather clunky phrase (or translation) seems to me a kind of unfolding or explication of dependent arising. So it seems a bit harsh to describe the phrase 'empty of inherent existence' as either extraneous or nonsense.

hi MarkD

i agree. to me, it is quite a handy phrase, once one gets over its 'clunkiness'. i read this phrase used over & over again for many years, without any clear explanation and one day i decided to understand it. i discovered it can be quite practical

for example, take suffering. if the mind is suffering, it can reflect: "this suffering is empty of inherent existence". this will cause the mind to examine the causes of that suffering, each of which will also be empty of inherent existence. so, through examining the lack of inherent existence, the suffering will lose its energy, diminish, then fall apart & cease

on its own, the phrase is vague, needing explanation. but once understood in context, it is very useful; skilful means, imo

with metta

Element