A young student asked their master, “What is the ultimate truth?”

The master replied, “The ultimate truth is beyond words and concepts, beyond mind and matter, beyond time and space. It is the truth of total liberation from all defilements, all impurities, all suffering. It is the final goal of everyone.”

The student pondered for a moment, then asked, “How can one attain this ultimate truth?”

The master replied, “One can attain this ultimate truth by observing reality as it is, by observing the truth inside oneself. As one practices, one frees oneself from the misery of mental impurities and penetrates to the ultimate truth of mind and matter. And then, one transcends that, and experiences the truth which is beyond mind and matter. Whatever name one gives this ultimate truth is irrelevant; it is the truth of total liberation.”

The student nodded, understanding the master’s words. From that day forward, they committed to their practice of observing the truth inside themselves, seeking to attain the ultimate truth of total liberation.

Anonymous

Read more

Gratitude

Gratitude

A student once asked his Zen master, "How can I cultivate gratitude as a Spiritual Athlete?" The master replied, "Imagine a person standing in a field of flowers. They could focus on the weeds and the imperfections, or they could focus on the beauty and the abundance...

read more
One step at a time

One step at a time

A student once asked his Zen master, "How can I cultivate resilience as a Spiritual Athlete?" The master replied, "Imagine a person climbing a mountain. Along the way, they encounter many obstacles, like steep inclines, rocky terrain, and unpredictable weather. But...

read more
Inner guidance

Inner guidance

A young disciple once asked his Zen master, "How can I cultivate wisdom as a Spiritual Athlete?" The master replied, "Imagine a person walking in a dark forest. They cannot see the path ahead of them, but they trust that the path is there and continue to walk with...

read more
Share This