Why Did the Buddha Call a Wonderful Dharma Teacher "Empty"?

Have you ever thought you were doing something very good, something you excelled at, only to have someone consider it merely "an empty shell"? In the Dhammapada, the Buddha offers a lesson on this that is both surprising and deeply moving.

The Story of Elder Potila: A Gifted Teacher Who Had Not Yet Attained the Path

Among the monks, there was an elder named Potila, famous for his wonderful Dharma teaching and his precise instruction. Many young monks attained realization thanks to his guidance. Yet he himself had not yet attained the path. Because of this, the Buddha often addressed him with a name that included the word "empty": "Empty Potila, come here!" This caused him great embarrassment before the assembly.

"The Buddha kept using the word 'empty,' 'empty,' again and again, striking at the attachment he held—that this was his life's work, his specialty, his strength, his talent. What he considered his excellence, the Buddha called empty, worthless, without value."

The Buddha's stern rebuke was not meant to humiliate, but to awaken. Potila realized that a career of teaching was not the final destination. He asked permission to leave the crowded assembly and sought out a quiet place to devote himself to meditative concentration.

The Skillful Means of Adversity: Sweet Fruit from Headwinds

In Buddhism, there are two ways of guiding people: through gentleness and through adversity. Gentleness means tender words and kind assistance. Adversity means strictness, rebuke, and sometimes even the rod. Master Thích Chân Quang emphasized:

"Adversity is truly essential for spiritual practice."

Look at everyday life. When we set out to hear the Dharma, if we have enough inner strength, the celestial beings may cause our car to break down along the way—a challenge for us to overcome, increasing our merit. If we are not yet strong enough, they will arrange for someone to give us a ride. A good teacher acts the same way: when a disciple first ordains, the teacher coaxes with sweetness; once the disciple's resolve is firm, the teacher becomes strict, forcing us to examine ourselves. This is precisely the skillful means of adversity—an essential seasoning of practice.

The Trap of Self-Satisfaction and the Trap of Indulgence

Potila was complacent about his gift for teaching, so the Buddha used the word "empty" to shatter that complacency. Conversely, many loving parents fall into the trap of indulgence:

"If you love your child but spoil them, giving them whatever they want, remember, you are killing your own child."

When a child cries, if we strike the table and soothe them with "stop crying now," we are teaching the child that crying is a weapon. Let the child cry until they are tired, so they understand that goodness is what earns love. Adversity is truly necessary, but it must fit the conditions (dependent origination). Without sufficient virtue, one cannot use gentleness; without sufficient wisdom, one does not know how to use adversity.

The Lesson from the Novice: Bowing Low in Order to Rise

Potila sought out thirty Arhats, bowing in homage to each in turn, from the highest to the lowest, until he came to a young novice. He felt no wounded pride, no doubt. When the novice told him to jump into the pond, he jumped at once. Then the teacher instructed him: close all five doors and open only one. Potila understood immediately and began to dwell with full awareness of the entire body. Gradually his insight meditation grew, he entered deep concentration, and he attained Arhatship just as the Buddha appeared before him.

The act of jumping into the pond symbolizes the complete letting go of the proud "self." Only when we bow down to the very lowest can we open the door to wisdom.

The Lesson for Us Today

Do not take adversity lightly. Do not run from honest rebukes. Have the courage to look at what you are still complacent about. Be grateful to those who dare to give you "headwinds"—they are helping you grow along the path of the Dharma.