Indra's Net

[Tim R]

This is probably the most beautiful illustration of the idea of "emptiness" or "Shunyata" that I've ever come across.

Imagine an infinitely extended spider's web, covered with dew drops in the morning. If you inspect one of the drops, what would you see? You would see in it the reflection of every other drop! And what do the reflections contain? Also the reflections of every other drop. So every "individual drop" actually consists out of every other drop and has therefore no individual self. Thus its true nature is emptiness - empty of a separate self. What a brilliant idea. 

It's an infinite fractal, containing itself everywhere and completely. What a gorgeous image. 

[mandyjw]

Just reflecting you here, but I also absolutely love this metaphor/ illustration. 

Edited January 1, 2021 by mandyjw

[snowyowl]

I did wonder what's the connection with Indra. Turns out one of his powers is God of rain, which makes sense looking at your fab illustrations. Indra us an interesting God, the historical roots appear to be equivalent to Jupiter and Thor with their magical thunderbolts and hammers.