Not to start a huge philosophy argument but I always only understood it as "the real power to change things around is only in you -- no magic scrolls will help

Not to start a huge philosophy argument but I always only understood it as "the real power to change things around is only in you -- no magic scrolls will help you with that". In a very typical (and loved by me) Buddhism fashion you have the protagonist of a tale e.g. be promised wisdom or power if they climb a mountain and talk to the monks on top and eventually it turns out that while you were climbing the mountain you gained the wisdom and strength you were seeking. Arriving at the top of the mountain was just the event that is supposed to make you aware that you have now succeeded. I viewed Kung Fu Panda part 1 similarly. If you go through all the trials to gain the Dragon Scroll and finish them successfully then you ALREADY ARE the "dragon warrior". You don't no need scroll for that. That's why it's empty. Not just empty; it's a mirror. To show you that the wisdom and power are already inside you. That's what I got out of it.