Emptiness (Śūnyatā) & Middle Way

[Gan]

Hello everyone,

I'm Gan, a beginner in Buddhism.
I'm reading a lot of books about Buddhism, and I'm studying a lot. Buddhism and the path to Enlightenment had became important things in my life.


I realised that I've never completely understood the Śūnyatā, or emptiness teaching, as well as the middle way.

* What did Buddha mean by Emptiness of the world and ourselves? What was his point of view?

* Concerning the Middle Way, is loving someone (wife, husband, girlfriend...) is considered an extreme?

Thank you very much.

Wishing you the best,

Gan

[Aloka]

Hello and welcome to BWB, Gan,

This topic about emptiness, (or sunnata in Pali) , in which there are some links to sutta references, might be helpful for your first question .

https://www.buddhismwithoutboundarie...avada-Buddhism

...and regarding your second question, having a loving relationship with a husband, wife or partner isn't considered an extreme for a lay person. The Buddha said in sutta AN4.55:

Husband & wife, both of them
having conviction,
being responsive,
being restrained,
living by the Dhamma,
addressing each other
with loving words:
they benefit in manifold ways.
To them comes bliss.
Their enemies are dejected
when both are in tune in virtue.
Having followed the Dhamma here in this world,
both in tune in precepts & practices,
they delight in the world of the devas,
enjoying the pleasures they desire.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipi....055.than.html

[Gan]

Thank you very much!

I will study what you sent me.

I wish you the best,