Question: While the three spheres (of self, other and connecting action) are interdependent of each other, how does emptiness come into this framework?
Answer: Here is a simple illustration… First, we need to remember emptiness means being empty of a fixed unchanging self. Next, let’s look at how the components of the trio are each empty.
1. Giver – A person, who is mind and matter,
the duo which changes from moment to moment, and is thus empty.
2. Given – A gift, whether material or spiritual, is also expressed as mind or matter,
the duo which changes from moment to moment, and is thus empty.
3. Receiver – A person, who is mind and matter,
the duo which changes from moment to moment, and is thus empty.
An example that strings all three together is that though Person A who gives money to Person B to help him, Person A and B are empty (of fixed unchanging selves), while the money is also empty (of fixed unchanging self) as its value changes due to conditions (e.g. during war, inflation, when there is nowhere to spend it…)