Many people look for the truth during their entire life, yet ultimately fail, because they set the wrong course for their search (Wright, 1997). They suppose that truth comes as bliss. However, they soon realize that they are wrong.
The truth is in suffering.
Passing through suffering is an integral part of becoming a true Buddhist; however, suffering itself is not enough. It is not the pain that helps reveal the truth, but the wisdom that comes with the ability to fight the pain.
The truth is in suffering and finding the way to deal with this suffering.
Only when facing a painful dilemma, one can look into one’s mind and face the problems that (s)he has been running away from for too long. Moreover, finding the answer to these questions through enduring pain is the way to cognize the truth.
The truth is the revelation that comes as a result of suffering.
Those who want to seek the answers to their questions must start with learning the answers to the questions to one’s own self. Only when learning one’s true nature and understanding one’s real purpose, one can develop further on and reveal the links between the objective reality and the postulates of Buddhism.
The key problem of Buddhism nowadays is the doubt among its members, and the attempts to seek the solution to their problems outside Buddhism.
Thus, Buddhist knowledge and postulates get mixed with the influences of other religions and philosophies. Thus, one gets even further away from true knowledge than one used to be when starting one’s Path.
The truth is in defining and cognizing one’s self.
Buddhism is not the answer to one’s problems, nor is Buddhism the key to the problems solution. Providing the means to learn about the links between the elements of the world and allowing to understand how a human being factors into these relationships, Buddhism offers the Path that leads to learning the truth.
However, on the way to the ultimate truth, one has to pass Four Noble Truths. As it has been mentioned, Buddhism does not help escape suffering – on the contrary, it helps one merge with suffering and understand its essence. Only facing one’s deepest fears, one can become absolutely free and ready to absorb the ultimate truth.
Therefore, cognizing dukkha (suffering) is not enough (Fowler, 1999). One has to learn its origin, which will lead to figuring out how to put a stop to it; then, the path that leads to the cessation of the suffering will be revealed, which, in its turn, will lead to the ultimate truth.
The truth is the revelation that comes after the Four Noble Truths have been cognized.
Many Buddhist followers nowadays are confused about the necessity to suffer in order to cognize the truth. They try to cut the road to enlightenment short. However, only passing the four dukkhas, one can become the enlightened one.
The truth is a revelation and the enlightenment.
Reaching for the truth is what a person’s life must be devoted to. Once the truth has been discovered, one is able to become the Enlightened One and cognize the mystery of life.
Seeking truth is the only reasonable purpose in life; though very few manage to learn the truth, its search should be the guiding principle, for living without truth means wandering in darkness.
Reference List
Fowler, M. (1999). Buddhism: Beliefs and practices. Sussex, UK: Sussex Academic Press.
Wright, C. (1997). Buddhism for today. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.