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
Compassion, equanimity, and wisdom
A student once asked his Zen master, "How can I be a Spiritual Athlete when I am surrounded by so much negativity and chaos in the world?" The master replied, "Imagine a flower growing amidst a field of weeds. Despite the weeds, the flower still blooms and radiates...
Embrace imperfection
A young disciple once asked his Zen master, "What is the goal of the Spiritual Athlete?" The master replied, "The goal of the Spiritual Athlete is not to achieve perfection, but to embrace imperfection. They understand that the path of self-improvement is not about...
Patience, focus, and resilience
A young student once asked his Zen master, "What does it mean to be a Spiritual Athlete?" The master replied, "Imagine a person practicing archery. The ordinary archer will focus on hitting the target, trying to shoot the bullseye every time. The Spiritual Athlete, on...