The Relationship between Ultimate Truth and Conventional Truth

All dharmas are empty, and material things are also dharmas among the myriad dharmas—all are empty, all are empty, there is nothing that is not empty. For example, cars of various models and types are all empty, yet these empty cars have so many wonderful functions; the hands are also empty, yet they type out so many words—this is indeed very strange. Some people say it is the tathāgatagarbha that drives the car and types the words, that all of these are the wondrous functions of the tathāgatagarbha. If that were truly the case, human beings could simply sleep all day long, letting the tathāgatagarbha do the typing and driving and carry out all activities, letting the tathāgatagarbha work day after day, year after year, lifetime after lifetime—humans would not even need to be born. If the conventional truth (saṃvṛti-satya) were obliterated and completely replaced by the ultimate truth (paramārtha-satya), the fault would be very great. Apart from the conventional truth, the ultimate truth would be utterly powerless and incapable of action—how could it then do this or that?

In studying Buddhism, we must cultivate in accordance with the Dharma taught by the Buddha, just as it is. The Buddha possesses unsurpassed wisdom; only when all dharmas have been actually practiced and realized do they count. If the Buddha says that attaining realization requires cultivation in such-and-such a way, then we should listen to the Buddha's words and cultivate exactly that way. Do not engage in your own inventions and innovations, and do not take any individual's teachings as authoritative. Relying on the Buddha is the most reliable course, because the Buddha has extinguished all ignorance, has no self-view, will not assert Himself, and will not lead the blind while being blind Himself.

If you truly wish to study Buddhism and attain accomplishment, do not seek to take things easy, and do not look for shortcuts. If there were a shortcut, the Buddha would certainly have told us; He would not let us take detours or lead us in circles. To have complete faith in the Buddha is the most fundamental principle of studying Buddhism—faith comes first. If the Buddha were not trustworthy, then there would be no trustworthy person at all; even those of equal enlightenment and wondrous enlightenment could not be trusted, let alone ordinary, common people. If someone teaches the Dharma in a way inconsistent with the Buddha, we should make a choice: without hesitation, choose to believe the Buddha.

Those who want to take shortcuts all have a covetous mentality, a mindset of seeking something. With greed, one easily falls under the sway of māras, is exploited by māras, becomes a member of the māra's retinue, gradually departs from the Buddha's path, and cannot attain liberation. If you study Buddhism and cultivate with the mindset of improving yourself, transforming yourself, enriching yourself, maturing yourself, and perfecting yourself, you will be able to stay far away from māra's affairs and remain steady and secure. It may seem slow, but in fact it is the fastest way. Rushing headlong and advancing recklessly will only be counterproductive and thwart your own wishes.