Buddhist Knowledge

What is truth? In Ancient Greece, "truth" referred to that which is made manifest before the human intellect, embodying certainty and conformity to the principles of reason.

In Laozi's Tao Te Ching, "Dao" is a spiritual realm in harmony with nature and destiny, which he refers to as "truth." Confucius also considered that truth is found in adherence to the ethics aligned with Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, as well as the Three Principles and Five Constant Virtues.

In general, people, particularly philosophers, see truth as the goal of human existence. So, what exactly is truth? How do we attain truth? And how do we verify truth? These questions have been approached differently by religious and philosophical figures. Broadly speaking, Buddhism holds that "truth" must possess universality, necessity, equality, eternity, original nature, transcendence, and verifiability.

For example: "Emptiness" exists not because we discovered it; it exists inherently. Emptiness is therefore universal, necessary, and eternal. Similarly, birth and death, impermanence, and dependent origination are all universal and inevitable.

Human life can only transcend the ocean of suffering and attain liberation by realizing the true nature of these truths.

What is the Truth in Buddhism?

In a broader sense, the Buddha's teachings across the Three Baskets and Twelve Divisions of scriptures, as well as the truth fitting the nature and timing of each teaching, can all be considered truth. The essential teachings can be summarized as follows:

The Aggregation of Suffering (Dukkha):
"Suffering" typically refers to the pain and distress caused by karma, delusions, and afflictions. It manifests as the suffering of the five aggregates, such as physical and mental suffering. Even the so-called "pleasure" and "neutral" experiences can lead to suffering.
Ultimately, life in its entirety is suffering, and the way to overcome this suffering is to realize the emptiness of the five aggregates and transcend this suffering.
Impermanence (Anicca):
Everything in the world is in a state of constant flux, with nothing remaining unchanged. For instance, the four seasons cycle through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. People undergo birth, aging, illness, and death. Even the earth and mountains are subject to birth, existence, decay, and emptiness. Similarly, our thoughts constantly arise and dissolve.
While "impermanence" may seem negative, it also applies to positive aspects of life, such as happiness, which is also impermanent. By transcending worldly impermanence, we can attain lasting peace.
No-Self (Anatta):
The concept of "self" refers to an entity that controls and possesses things, but in truth, there is no "self" that can control or possess anything. The self is not free, autonomous, or permanent.
The teachings of Buddhism assert that all phenomena are empty of self, arising from conditions and causes, and not independent or self-sustaining. To transcend the illusion of the "self" is to realize the true nature of the self and attain liberation.
Emptiness (Shunyata):
"Emptiness" does not mean that things cease to exist, but rather that all things lack inherent, independent existence. They have no permanent, unchanging essence.
The Buddha explained that the existence of material forms is like bubbles, feelings like soap bubbles, appearances like mirages, and thoughts like banana trees or illusions. Only by abandoning mistaken perceptions can one realize the true nature of phenomena, which is dependent origination and emptiness.
Karma (Karma):
Karma refers to actions—whether physical, verbal, or mental. Every action, good or bad, generates a force that influences subsequent actions, creating a cycle of cause and effect.
This cycle of karma drives the process of birth, death, and rebirth, and continues in a repeating cycle of confusion, karma, and suffering.
Cause and Effect (Pratītyasamutpāda):
Cause and effect refer to the law that governs the arising and cessation of phenomena. The Buddha taught that nothing happens without a cause. Every effect is the result of a specific cause, and each effect in turn becomes the cause for the next cycle of events. This interdependence forms the endless web of existence.
Dependent Origination (Pratītyasamutpāda):
Dependent Origination explains that all phenomena arise due to specific conditions and cannot exist independently.
For example, if one thing exists, another must arise to support it. When the conditions change or cease, so does the phenomenon. Nothing exists in isolation; everything is interdependent and impermanent.
The Middle Way (Madhyamā-pratipad):
The Middle Way refers to a path that avoids extremes, such as the pursuit of excessive pleasure or the extreme renunciation of all desires.
The Middle Way does not imply compromise or a middle ground between two extremes but is the path of wisdom that balances and harmonizes these extremes, leading toward liberation and enlightenment.
Wisdom (Prajna):
Wisdom is the light that guides one toward the correct path in life. Only through wisdom can one truly understand the nature of dependent origination, emptiness, impermanence, and non-self, thus realizing the cessation of suffering.
Without wisdom, all Buddhist practices, like generosity, ethical conduct, patience, diligence, and meditation, remain mundane. With wisdom, these practices lead to liberation.
Nirvana (Nirvāṇa):
Nirvana is the ultimate goal, the cessation of all suffering. It is the state of complete liberation from desire, attachment, and ignorance. Nirvana is the realization of perfect peace and ultimate freedom.
Through Buddhist practice and the cultivation of wisdom, one can achieve Nirvana, entering into a state of pure, eternal peace and bliss.

Conclusion

The root cause of human suffering, according to Buddhism, is ignorance, or "avidya," of the true nature of the world. Once we understand these ten truths, we can transcend suffering and attain the peace of Nirvana. To overcome suffering, we must understand impermanence, no-self, emptiness, karma, cause and effect, dependent origination, the Middle Way, wisdom, and finally, attain Nirvana.

May all beings find refuge in these truths and practice diligently on the path to enlightenment.