The Two Truths: The Root of Buddhism

From Jizang:

The Two Truths are the root of Buddhism. By virtue of the two truths, Buddhas train themselves and transform others.

From Nagarjuna:

The Buddha’s teaching of the Dharma

is based on two truths:

a truth of worldly convention

and an ultimate truth.

Those who do not understand

the distinction between these two truths

do not understand

the Buddha’s profound teaching.

Without depending on the conventional truth

the meaning of the ultimate cannot be taught.

Without understanding the meaning of the ultimate,

nirvana is not attained.

From the Dalai Lama:

Form is emptiness, emptiness is form; form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form.” (Heart Sutra)

He explains: When you search for the inherently existent table, you don’t find it (emptiness). Yet the table still functions—you can put your tea cup on it (conventional appearance).

Everything that exists does so dependently. Because it is dependent, it lacks independent, objective existence—that is emptiness. Therefore dependent arising and emptiness are not contradictory; they are in complete harmony. Understanding this is the only way to destroy the root of ignorance and attain liberation.”

Top Ten Things that are Conventionally Existent but are Empty of Inherent Existence because they arise Dependently

Me

You

Thoughts

Feelings

Concepts

Mind

Objects

Persons

Phenomena

The Entire Universe