The Relationship Between Ultimate Truth and Conventional Truth

All dharmas are empty; material objects are also dharmas among the myriad dharmas, and are all empty—all are empty, and none is not empty. For example, cars of various models and types are all empty, yet these empty cars have so many marvelous functions; the hands are also empty, yet they type out so many words—this is indeed strange. Some 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 and let the tathāgatagarbha do the typing and driving, accomplishing all endeavors, letting the tathāgatagarbha work day after day, year after year, life after life—humans would not even need to be born. If one erases the conventional truth and completely replaces it with the ultimate truth, the fault would be very great. Apart from the conventional truth, the ultimate truth is completely powerless and can accomplish nothing—how could it function in this way or that way?

In studying Buddhism, we must practice 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 practicing in a certain way in order to attain the fruit, then we should listen to the Buddha's words and practice exactly that way. Do not engage in your own inventions and innovations, and do not take any individual's interpretation as authoritative. Relying on the Buddha is the most reliable course, because the Buddha has extinguished all ignorance, has no self-centered mind, will not assert himself, and will not lead the blind while being blind himself.

If you truly wish to study Buddhism and achieve realization, do not seek to take it easy, and do not look for shortcuts. If a shortcut existed, the Buddha would certainly have told us about it; 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 cannot be trusted, then there is no one left who can be trusted; even those of equal enlightenment and marvelous enlightenment cannot be trusted, let alone ordinary, average people. If someone teaches the Dharma in a way inconsistent with the Buddha, we should make a choice: without any hesitation, choose to trust the Buddha.

Those who want to take shortcuts all have a greedy mentality, a mind that seeks something. With greed, one easily falls under the sway of Māra, is exploited by Māra, becomes one of Māra's retinue, gradually departs from the Buddha's path, and cannot attain liberation. If you approach Buddhist study and practice with the mindset of elevating yourself, transforming yourself, enriching yourself, maturing yourself, and perfecting yourself, you will be able to stay far away from Māra's affairs and proceed steadily and securely. It may appear slow, but in fact it is the fastest way. Rushing headlong forward produces the opposite effect, and things will turn out contrary to your wishes.