What is Emptiness? | Geshe Lhakdor

n this brief and insightful teaching, Geshe Lhakdor—Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, India—explains the profound Buddhist concept of emptiness.

Emptiness, or Śūnyatā, is a central idea in Mahayana Buddhism. It teaches that all phenomena lack inherent, independent existence and instead arise through causes, conditions, and interdependence. Understanding emptiness helps practitioners see beyond fixed ideas of self and reality, leading to greater wisdom and compassion.

In this talk, Geshe Lhakdor offers a clear introduction to this deep philosophical teaching, helping viewers understand how recognizing the interdependent nature of all things can transform the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us.

This explanation provides an accessible entry point into one of the most important concepts in Buddhist philosophy and practice.