The Auspicious Sign at Birth

In the spacious room of a magnificent mansion in the city of Shravasti, the cry of a newborn echoed through the night. The father, a close advisor to King Pasenadi, rushed into the chamber. On the bed lay his wife, exhausted from childbirth, her eyes filled with worry.

"My dear husband, something very strange has happened," she whispered, her voice trembling. "The moment our child cried out, everything... everything in the house disappeared. Gold, silver, grain, furniture... only we and a few servants remained."

The father stood stunned. He looked around the empty room, which had just been filled with precious belongings. A cold fear ran down his spine. Was this an auspicious or an inauspicious sign? He immediately sent for a renowned physiognomist from the royal court.

The expert arrived and gazed thoughtfully at the infant lying peacefully, its eyes clear and bright. After a long silence, he spoke. "This is a strange omen, but not a bad one. This child will become the foremost person in the world who understands the 'meaning of emptiness.' He will view all things in this world as empty."

"What is the meaning of emptiness?" the father asked, completely bewildered.

"I cannot explain it either," the expert replied, shaking his head. "I simply know that it is so."

That answer became a great question mark in the father's heart. Yet life continued. The boy grew up surrounded by luxury, studying both literature and martial arts. He became a handsome and talented young man, equal to none. His name was Subhuti.

Years passed. Anathapindika, Subhuti’s uncle and one of the wealthiest and most powerful merchants in the capital, made offerings to the Buddha by building a monastery right in the center of the city. The inauguration ceremony was grand, attended by the Buddha, the Sangha, kings, ministers, and laypeople from far and wide.

Subhuti, now a young man, was brought by his father to attend the event. As he entered the garden, he was struck by the image of the Buddha. The compassionate beauty and peace radiating from every step and glance seemed to stop his heart. Then the Buddha gave a dharma talk. Each word flowed like a cool spring into the dry soul of a prince accustomed only to worldly splendor.

At that moment, Subhuti decided. "I will renounce the world."

His father, though pained to lose his heir to the noble lineage, respected the Buddha deeply. Encouraged by Anathapindika, he finally nodded in agreement. Subhuti took ordination. Soon after, thanks to deep roots cultivated over many lifetimes, he attained the fruit of Arhatship.

The Buddha praised him as the foremost in compassion among his disciples. But even more special was his attainment of the Samadhi of Non-Contention. This was a state of absolute meditative concentration where no trace of competitive mind or argument remained, even regarding doctrine or daily life.

One day, Subhuti entered a deep samadhi. His mind rested entirely in the "meaning of emptiness"—the truth that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, with nothing existing independently or permanently. This realization rippled outward, shaking the heavenly realms.

In the heavens, the devas sensed this joy. They happily brought fragrant flowers to scatter as offerings to the Venerable One sitting motionless beneath a tree. Flowers fell from above, drifting gently around him, filling the garden with sweet fragrance. But strangely, each petal vanished instantly upon touching the ground, leaving no trace behind.

A deva clasped his hands, his voice echoing in Subhuti’s mind during meditation. "Venerable Sir, we are hearing you preach a wonderful teaching on emptiness."

In his state of samadhi, Subhuti replied softly yet clearly. "Devas, there is no self here preaching about emptiness, nor is there any emptiness for me to preach."

This response was the ultimate "meaning of emptiness." There was no speaker, no teaching spoken, and no object of the teaching. Everything was empty of inherent nature.

The devas’ voices rang out again with joy. "How wonderful is this emptiness!" And the rain of flowers continued to fall around the Venerable One, creating a scene that was both mystical and profoundly meaningful.

The story of Subhuti, from the strange omen at birth to the moment of realizing the "meaning of emptiness" amidst a shower of radiant flowers, has become a beautiful symbol in the sutras. It reminds us that enlightenment does not distinguish between high and low status. Furthermore, the "meaning of emptiness," however abstract, can be lived and expressed in everyday life through a peaceful, compassionate mind free from contention.

The Meaning of the Story

The story of Subhuti illustrates two core teachings: impermanence (anicca) and the meaning of emptiness. The omen at birth—wealth vanishing and returning—is a metaphor for the impermanent nature of all visible things. Subhuti’s realization of emptiness, shown in his dialogue with the devas, reveals the pinnacle of Buddhist wisdom: recognizing that all phenomena, including the "self" and the "Dharma," are empty of inherent existence and lack independent substance. When the mind rests fully in this awareness, all competition and conflict naturally dissolve, leaving absolute peace—the Samadhi of Non-Contention.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang