Two Empty Houses

The story of two friends, one poor and one wealthy, who both live in empty houses yet embody completely different meanings. This tale helps us understand the true nature of emptiness within the Prajnaparamita teachings.

As evening fell, the golden sunlight faded along the village road. A destitute man, dressed in tattered clothes, walked with heavy steps toward his empty house. The dwelling held nothing but four crooked walls and a thatched roof riddled with holes. At midnight, lying down, he could only see thousands of stars twinkling through the gaps. When rain came, water pooled everywhere, flowing like streams across the floor. There were no bowls, no chopsticks, no chairs, no tables—nothing at all. And not even a ghost would visit him.

He had lived this way for many years. His poverty fueled a constant longing for a life of sufficiency. One day, hearing news of a wealthy billionaire in the region, he rejoiced. He sought out the rich man, shaking hands warmly, embracing him, and patting his shoulder as if greeting a long-lost relative. He asked, "Where do you live? I wish to visit your home." The billionaire smiled and pointed the way: "My house is on Le Duan Boulevard, number one."

The next day, the poor man eagerly made his way there. But upon entering, he was stunned. The house was vast, yet utterly empty, devoid of any furniture or possessions. His heart sank, and he thought, "I imagined wealth, but it turns out to be just as empty as my own life." He pulled away from the billionaire’s hand, withdrawing his own, his face revealing deep disappointment. The billionaire looked at him, understanding his thoughts instantly, and said, "My friend, why did you let go?"

The poor man lowered his head, his voice sad. "I thought you were very rich, with a home full of comforts. Who knew it would be as empty as mine? I am so disappointed."

The billionaire laughed gently. "You have misunderstood. Your empty house is empty because of poverty; you have nothing to display. My empty house is empty because I cleared everything out to make room for people. Every day, countless visitors come to see me, sometimes two or three thousand at once. If I left things scattered about, where would they sit? I keep my house empty to welcome others, to show love, and to practice kindness toward everyone."

Hearing this, the poor man’s face turned red, and he bowed his head to the ground. He realized he had measured a noble heart with a petty mind. He murmured, "So... it is empty, yet not empty. It is empty to hold the fullness of human connection."

From that day on, he no longer viewed his empty house with self-pity. He began to clear his mind, letting go of selfishness and narrow-mindedness, opening his heart to receive others. Gradually, neighbors came to visit, becoming friends, then family. His empty house was no longer lonely; it was filled with laughter.

The Meaning of the Story

The word "emptiness" in the Prajnaparamita is not a denial of responsibility or love. Rather, it is the letting go of selfish attachments so that tolerance, generosity, and compassion may overflow. A true practitioner of the Prajnaparamita, after seeing that all things are empty, becomes more loving and kind, not indifferent or distant from others.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang