Appearance and Reality: The Two Truths in the Four Buddhist Tenet Systems

by Guy Newland

When someone seeks to understand Buddhism, where should that person start? With the meaning of taking refuge in the three jewels? With the four noble truths? The Dalai Lama, when asked this question, suggested that for many in the West today, understanding the two truths—conventional truth and ultimate truth—is the best place to start.

When the Buddha awoke from the dream we still dream, he saw the ultimate reality of things just as they are. There are shifting appearances and conventions, the manners and traditions of the vast and diverse world; and then there is the mystery of the sheer reality of things. And yet we cannot find this reality anywhere else but right here.

Each system of Buddhist philosophy has its own way of explaining exactly what these two truths are and how they relate to one another. In exploring these systems, we are looking over the shoulders of Buddhist thinkers as they grapple with a basic 'What is real?' This is not an idle intellectual exercise but a matter which cuts to the heart of our practice in life.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion

112 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 1999

Reviews

[Sven · Rating 4 out of 5]

All buddhist tenet systems are stating two truths: the conventional and the ultimate truth. The author examines these views on conventional and ultimate reality which –while ascending from Hinayana schools to the Geluk consquentualist school – become more subtle and so harder to understand. I’ve always thought that this division is a mere categorization for it’s own sake. (To be honest: I’ve found buddhist ontology always a bit too enthusiastic in categorizing objects, subjects, states of mind, recognition, aggregates… – all the terms are quite overwhelming) „Appearance & Reality“ has helped me to understand, that the distinction between ultimate and conventional truth is not only a concept helping to get a better understanding of Shunyata (emptiness). It is crucial to not step into the trap of nihilism. This is the most important outtake of this book. The Kindle edition of the book is a bit annoying because the footnotes are not clickable – flipping pages back and forth on an e-reader is inconvenient. But that is not the authors fault. He has done a great job in explaining the important issue of the two realities and helped me to gain a more appropriate „Middle Way-ish“ view on emptiness.

[Euan Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small book, but incredibly dense! Trying to capture the two truths across various sutras and systems. It takes extremely complex subject matter and does a very good job of making it comprehensible. I'm going to have to read it again and take notes though. And then probably read it again after that!

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book for beginners, for someone looking to learn about the broad basis of Buddhist practice. The writing is clear but the focus is tight. The language specialized.

[John]

nonfiction,religion,philosophy,meditation,Buddhism