Among the many tales of Tibet’s legendary yogi Jetsun Milarepa, there is one unforgettable episode that brings the Buddhist teaching of emptiness (śūnyatā) to life—literally. This story, often told in Lapchi Snow Mountain monasteries and Himalayan pilgrimage circles, reveals how true realization is far beyond intellectual debate.
A Skeptical Scholar
A learned Dharma teacher, well-versed in Buddhist philosophy, had long heard of Milarepa’s fame as a realized master. Unimpressed, he invited Milarepa for a debate, eager to challenge him.
Milarepa smiled and said, “Before we debate, tell me—do you understand what emptiness truly is?”
The scholar immediately began reciting a long series of philosophical explanations, quoting scriptures and intricate reasoning about the nature of emptiness.
The Stone Pillar
When the teacher had finished, Milarepa pointed to one of the massive stone pillars in the temple hall.
“All that you’ve said is theory,” he said. “Now, is this pillar empty or not?”
The scholar replied, “Of course the pillar exists—it’s solid stone! How can it be empty?”
Milarepa said, “You say it exists. I say it is empty.”
To the scholar’s astonishment, Milarepa then passed his hand back and forth through the pillar as though it were made of air.
“Form is emptiness, emptiness is form,” he explained. “It is not enough to merely say these words—you must realize them.”
The scholar fell silent.
Walking in the Sky
Milarepa then pointed to the open sky.
“Is the sky empty or not?” he asked.
The scholar answered, “It is empty.”
Milarepa shook his head. “I say it exists. Watch.”
With that, he stepped into the air as though onto a staircase, walking upward, higher and higher, until he was strolling about in the sky as if on solid ground.
The scholar was stunned, overcome with awe and shame at his earlier arrogance. Recognizing Milarepa’s mastery, he bowed deeply and took refuge in him as his teacher.
The Lesson of “Form Is Emptiness”
This demonstration was not mere magic—it was the living embodiment of the Heart Sutra’s most famous line:
“Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.”
Milarepa showed that realization of emptiness is not about clever speech or memorized scripture. True understanding transforms one’s perception entirely—where others see solid matter or intangible space, the realized mind sees no barrier.
For Pilgrims and Practitioners
For those who travel to Milarepa’s meditation caves in Lapchi or Mount Kailash, this story is more than a miracle tale—it is a reminder that the essence of the Dharma is to be experienced directly, not just studied. The outer pilgrimage is a mirror of the inner pilgrimage toward realization, where concepts give way to living insight.