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40 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Kaoshung, Taiwan Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Kaoshung, Taiwan

Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Monastery, Wollongong, Australia Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Monastery, Jenjarom, Malaysia

Rely on Ultimate Truth, Not on Relative Truth The Four States of Mind for Studying the Dharma

When we say, “rely on ultimate truth,” this means What state of mind should Buddhist practitioners have
that we rely on the definitive meaning and not on the when they study the Dharma? To be able to receive the
various methods of teaching. Buddhism has divided teachings, we must possess a mind with faith, a mind
into different traditions in order to teach the Dharma that questions, a mind of awakening, and finally, no
to as many sentient beings as possible. Within these mind at all.
traditions, many different schools have been established
based on various methods of cultivation. Faith
We study Buddhism to purify and calm the body and
The various methods that the Buddha taught us are mind, elevate our character, open up our world, and give
all “skillful means,” because they are tailored to the us direction. Buddhism can help us discover that we
different needs and capacities of sentient beings. are in charge of the mind. On this path to self-discovery,
However, we cannot consider these skillful means as faith plays an important role.
the ultimate way to learn the Dharma since they are
relative truth, and they change with the person and the Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), regarded as the Father
conditions. According to the Buddha, the ultimate way is of the Republic of China, once said, “Faith is strength.”
to follow the definitive meaning of the Dharma, which is The Treatise on the Perfection of Great Wisdom says,
in accordance with the Buddha mind. “The Dharma is as vast as the ocean. It can only be