The two truths in Buddhism refers to absolute and relative truth. These have quite a specific meaning and become centrally important in Buddhist philosophy.
Nearly everything we can think of as having some kind of existence or action falls into the category of the relative truth. Things come into existence out of causes and conditions, exist for a while in a context, and eventually break up or are transformed. We can describe everything by using words that have conventional meanings.
The absolute truth is true of all things. The truth of all things is that none of them can exist independently or exist in and of themselves alone. We can only describe it in negative terms. All things are empty of independent self existence - emptiness is the nature all things.
Both this absolute truth and the relative truth are really two sides of the same coin - emptiness. The coin itself is really perhaps more like a jewel with many facets. It is reality that can only be experienced directly in realization. It is empty of self existence yet it can be experienced. It is empty because it exists phenomenologically - it is the process of experience itself.
We can have a concept of what is not limited by what we can conceive of. We can conceptually recognise that reality is empty of the conception of non-existence implied by the idea of emptiness - reality is beyond concept. We can use a metaphor of reality like "the jewel that is lost in the mud" or the "gold that is buried beneath a poor man's house." We can imagine it, we can visualise it, we can contemplate it, we can make it the object of our concentration in shamata meditation, we can make ritual offerings to it... It is the provisional representation of reality unobscured by delusion... It is the goal that becomes the path in tantric practice.
It is not so much the finger pointing at the moon, it is an image of the moon that is the moon itself. It is the reflection of mind in the mirror of itself. It has no limit, the imageless mirror (Dharmakaya) which is reflected (sambhogakaya) and embodied (nirmanakaya) in the image projected by individual being.
Norbu
What if you're not a Buddhist..........
What if you're not a Buddhist..........
You call yourself what you like, Buddhist or not, it makes no difference.
Norbu
Not trying to be provocative, it was just that your post specifically referred to "The two truths in Buddhism" - I was just wondering about any other truths, that's all 😉
Not trying to be provocative, it was just that your post specifically referred to "The two truths in Buddhism" - I was just wondering about any other truths, that's all 😉
We'd be talking relative truths here? It all depends on your convention! 😮
Norbu
What is the truth about OM MANI PADME HUM
The Dalai Lama considers this, as one of the most important ones in Tibetan Buddhism. The mantra Om mani padme hum originates from ancient Tantric tradition, which has always celebrated female sexuality and the sexual union. The literal translation of the word mani is jewel, the traditional term for the lingam - the male sexual organ. The word padme (lotus flower), is universally known in eastern cultures as the word for the yoni, symbolizing the vulva - the female principle of the sexual union. There can be little doubt that the original meaning of Om mani padme hum - Hail, the jewel in the lotus - refers to the high esteem in which the harmony of sexual union of male and female was held - fundamental to tantric thought and rituals.
It is very interesting however, that his holiness the Dalai Lama, chooses to omit this and interpret this mantra entirely stripped and deprived of its original meaning:
[INDENT]- “It is very good to recite the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM, but while you are doing it, you should be thinking on its meaning, for the meaning of the six syllables is great and vast.
- The first, OM, is composed of three pure letters, A, U, and M. These symbolize the practitioner's impure body, speech, and mind; they also symbolize the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha…
- How is this done? The path is indicated by the next four syllables. MANI, meaning jewel, symbolizes the factor of method- the altruistic intention to become enlightened, compassion, and love...
- The two syllables, PADME, meaning lotus, symbolize wisdom…
- Purity must be achieved by an indivisible unity of method and wisdom, symbolized by the final syllable, HUM, which indicates indivisibility…
- Thus the six syllables, OM MANI PADME HUM, mean that in dependence on the practice which is in indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech and mind into the pure body, speech, and mind of a Buddha…”
I'm just wondering what the Buddhist view is on the "real" truth.
Thanks,
A
[/INDENT]
There can be little doubt that the original meaning of Om mani padme hum - Hail, the jewel in the lotus - refers to the high esteem in which the harmony of sexual union of male and female was held - fundamental to tantric thought and rituals.
I'm just wondering what the Buddhist view is on the "real" truth.
There is one thing that there can be little doubt over and that is that mantras may be given many different meanings and no meanings at all.
In Vajrayana or Tantrayana Buddhism the primary objective of any practice is to transform (purify) the mind of the practitioner. Normally tantric practices can only be transmitted by a lineage of adept practitioners. The transformative power of any tantric practice is thought to depend on the direct connection to the purified mind stream of the lama or guru. Any particular lineage lama or guru might give an explanation or series of instructions on how to practice any particular ritual including what particular meanings or process of thoughts the practitioner should follow during the ritual. The power of tantric practice is much dependent on the transmission and connection to the lama or guru.
Sexual imagery in tantric Buddhism represents the union of the female aspect of wisdom with the male aspect of skillful means. Realization, the bliss of which is represented by sexual coupling, emerges out of the union of wisdom and skillful means.
Wisdom is the realization of emptiness, the absolute truth. Skillful means are compassionate actions and are contextually dependent. Direct realisation of the union of both theses arms of practice is the objective of tantric Buddhist practice. In fact, to be initiated into tantric Buddhist practice, a devotee should have first established a solid base in understanding emptiness and in developing skillful means. Without having carried out preliminary practices that develop these aspects, tantric practice is thought to be quite damaging.
Buddhist practices seek to purify the mind the practitioner. Tantric Buddhist practices also involve transformation of subtle energies in the subtle body. The transformation process results from containment of the energy that would be dissipated when directed at outward objects of desire or fear or anger or other strong emotions. The processes which produce strong emotions are carefully observed while containing them in all Buddhist traditions. Understanding the emptiness of the objects of these emotions releases the energy bound to the emotions and wisdom, assisted by compassion, naturally arises in the practitioner.
Norbu
Thank you for your reply - effectively this means that actual physical sexual contact is unnecessary, as through Buddhist meditation, it can be transcended.
A