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26 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

Where we place our thoughts is how we produce it appears to us. The way reality truly exists is anchored
happiness, calm, and peace. The real trap we’re all in on non-self (anattā) and impermanence.
is believing that we will be happy when “X” happens.
Think about how many times we’ve said this: “I’ll be Does non-self means emptiness, and by extension,
happy when I get my own room. I’ll be happy when I can nothingness?
drive. I’ll be happy when I can move out. I’ll be happy
when I can move back in. When I graduate college, I’ll Emptiness does not mean nothingness. When you say
be happy, and when I get that great job. I’ll be happy your glass is empty and you want someone to refill
when I get married. I’ll be happy when I get divorced. I’ll it, this means it is empty of something. In that sense,
be happy when I have kids. I’ll be happy when the kids that someone will ask, “were you drinking water?” to
finally grow up and leave. I’ll be happy when I retire.” determine what your glass was empty of. Similarly,
We’re always pursuing something that we think will when Buddha says reality is empty, it means reality
give us satisfaction based on what we crave. is empty of something specific: reality is empty of
inherent existence. For example, a bowl that is empty
The Buddha suggested that instead of pursuing this of existing inherently acts as a bowl. While one person
endless cycle of searching, we learn how to make sees a bowl for soup, another might perceive an offering
ourselves happy. Then we get to be peaceful and happy bowl or a chamber pot! You are empty of existing
no matter the circumstances. This appears elusive to inherently as “I” (there are countless other beings also
us because our minds are untamed and uncontrolled— perceiving themselves as “I”). We are empty of existing
so being happy most of the time seems crazy. Yet it is inherently as old, young, a painter, a doctor, smart,
possible, and it’s not a high spiritual attainment beyond dumb, or any other label we have accepted. These are
our grasp. just mere labels, mere perceptions to the mind. To
explain how conventional reality appears to people,
An important but difficult topic the Buddha taught Buddha explained that all things are mere labels or
is non-self (anattā). Yet understanding non-self is mere perceptions to the mind.
important if we wish to live a happy and joyful life.
Why is this so? So what’s the Buddhist understanding of reality?

In accordance to Buddhism, anger, attachment and The correct view of reality has two parts: the Ultimate
ignorance are the causes of suffering. Ignorance, as the Truth that all things are empty of inherent existence
root of anger and attachment would result in mental and Conventional Truth, that all things are mere name,
afflictions that torment living beings causing them to mere label, mere perceptions, dependent-arising, and
harm one another. This ignorance refers specifically to impermanent. Conventional and Ultimate Truth are
our false understanding of the reality. Therefore most of two sides of the same coin. These are the two ways that
our worldly issues stem from the wrong perception of reality does exist. Ultimate Truth and Convention Truth
reality, causing us all types of trouble. are not easily shown or realised as it is not how things
would normally appear to us.
“All things are not-self.”
Seeing this with insight, Normally, we would be attracted to things we perceive
One becomes disenchanted with suffering. as inherently attractive while we would be repulsed
This is the path to purity. (Verse 279) by things we perceive as inherently unattractive. We
Buddha, The Dhammapada believe in our mind’s projections of beauty and ugliness.
A traditional analogy to help us understand how
The antidote to ignorance is the wisdom to realize how conventional reality exists is the magician’s illusion.
our reality exists as opposed to the false perception that