Buddhism
The Two Truths: Conventional and Ultimate
· 8 min read
A guide to the Two Truths doctrine according to Nagarjuna.
The Two Truths
The doctrine of the Two Truths is fundamental in Mahayana Buddhism.
Conventional Truth (Samvriti-Satya)
The conventional truth is the world as it appears in everyday experience.
Ultimate Truth (Paramartha-Satya)
The ultimate truth is the empty nature of phenomena, which transcends concepts.
The Relationship Between the Two Truths
According to Nagarjuna, the two truths do not contradict each other.
The Three Drops (Tsongkhapa)
Tsongkhapa taught that the two truths are understood progressively.
The Practice
Meditation on the Two Truths helps us to live in the world without attachment to it.
Sources
- Nagarjuna: Mulamadhyamakakarika
- Tsongkhapa: Ocean of Reasoning
- Jay Garfield: The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way
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