探求心
Spirit of enquiry (of truth)
2024-04-05 18:00:00
When viewed from a rational perspective, the actual practice of Buddhist training can be seen as nothing less than the pursuit of truth, so to speak.
However, what is required there is something different from the worldly spirit of inquiry.
That's because while worldly inquiry typically stops at understanding things as extensions of what has been previously grasped in a worldly sense, the pursuit of truth requires exploration and understanding of uncharted territories, so to speak.
Specifically, this entails a fundamental understanding of "What is the kindness of truth?" and moreover, it is usually something that doesn't exist in this world.
However, at times, it emerges in this world and beckons mindful individuals toward this tranquil state (= Nirvana).
Now, when we say it entails exploring and understanding uncharted territories, it means that the search for truth doesn't involve discovering something already existing, nor does it involve studying or reliving something already accomplished by someone else, nor does it involve understanding or experiencing something.
And what this exploration actually brings about is 'the encounter with a decisive event,' which should be a first-time experience for everyone, along with 'a correct understanding and recognition of that origin and causality,' culminating in the phenomenon of "becoming a Buddha" as a result of this causal connection.
In this sense, the actual pursuit of truth is not a lofty investigation based on profound consciousness, but rather a gradual accumulation of straightforward inquiries driven by the simple desire to know the truth.
However, it requires a deep faith in Buddhism and trust in oneself.
Without these, the pursuit may end in vain or even lead to a one-way ticket to misfortune.
So, how should practitioners engaged in the pursuit of truth proceed?
The pursuit of truth must be seen as inclusive of everything.
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