When practicing contemplation, they should wish that all beings see truth as it is, and be forever free of opposition and contention.

Gautama Buddha

See Truth As It Is

Theme: Truth

Sitting cross-legged, they should wish that all beings have firm and strong roots of goodness and attain the state of immovability.
Cultivating concentration, they should wish that all beings conquer their minds by concentration, ultimately, with no remainder.
When practicing contemplation, they should wish that all beings see truth as it is, and be forever free of opposition and contention.

Gautama Buddha

Gautama Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was a spiritual teacher and the founder of Buddhism. Born in the 6th century BCE in Lumbini, now modern-day Nepal, he was destined for greatness. At the age of 29, he renounced his luxurious life as a prince and embarked on a spiritual quest to find the ultimate truth about human suffering and the nature of existence.

After years of intense meditation and self-discipline, Gautama attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, at the age of 35. He became the Buddha, which means "the awakened one" or "the enlightened one." Gautama Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which formed the core principles of Buddhism. His teachings emphasized the importance of overcoming desire and attachment to achieve liberation from suffering. Known for his compassion and wisdom, Gautama Buddha's teachings have had a profound impact on millions of people worldwide, inspiring them to seek inner peace and spiritual enlightenment. His legacy as a spiritual leader and philosopher continues to resonate and guide individuals on their spiritual journeys to this day.

Buddhism
Garland Sutra

Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture - a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991, p. 595 [Garland Sutra 11].

Gautama Buddha

Theme: Truth

About This Garland Sutra 11 Quotation [Commentary]

The Garland Sutra emphasizes a key spiritual practice: aspiring for universal clarity and harmony. It urges, “When practicing contemplation, they should wish that all beings see truth as it is, and be forever free of opposition and contention.” This quote reflects a deep desire for understanding to overcome conflict. It’s not just a passive hope, but an active intention during contemplation. The sutra advocates for a direct, unbiased encounter with reality, fostering a truth that is not only intellectually grasped but also experientially known, dissolving barriers and fostering peace.

The passage’s context adds depth. It combines the physical act of sitting cross-legged with altruistic intentions, suggesting that spiritual practice should be both inwardly focused and outwardly compassionate. It links a deep understanding of truth with moral integrity, and highlights concentration as key to recognizing and living the truth. This blend of personal discipline and altruistic aspiration illustrates how individual enlightenment and collective harmony are interconnected.

The Garland Sutra conveys that seeking truth is not solitary or selfish. It encourages walking this path with awareness of others’ struggles, wishing for their liberation from ignorance and discord. This aligns with a universal principle across wisdom traditions: individual enlightenment and collective well-being are deeply connected. By aspiring for universal truth recognition, the practitioner not only seeks personal liberation but also contributes to global understanding, compassion, and peace.

D.T. Suzuki’s Comments About the Avatamsaka-Sutra* [Commentary]

“As to the Avatamsaka-Sutra*, it is really the consummation of Buddhist thought, Buddhist sentiment, and Buddhist experience. To my mind, no religious literature in the world can ever approach the grandeur of conception, the depth of feeling, and the gigantic scale of composition, as attained by the sutra. Here not only deeply speculative minds find satisfaction, but humble spirits and heavily oppressed hearts, too, will have their burdens lightened. Abstract truths are so concretely, so symbolically represented here that one will finally come to a realization of the truth that even in a particle of dust the whole universe is seen reflected—not this visible universe only, but a vast system of universes, conceivable by the highest minds only.”

—D. T. Suzuki, Commentary—The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra, by Thomas Cleary—(October 12, 1993).

*Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is traditionally credited with the teachings of the Garland Sutra, also known as the Avatamsaka Sutra, one of the most revered texts in Mahayana Buddhism. Believed to be delivered by Buddha shortly after his enlightenment, this sutra is recognized for its complexity and expansive cosmological views, suggesting its evolution over time with contributions from various Buddhist masters post-Buddha. This highlights a dynamic aspect of Buddhist tradition, where foundational teachings are expanded and interpreted in diverse ways, reflecting the rich and evolving tapestry of Buddhist literature and thought. The Garland Sutra, synonymous with the Avatamsaka Sutra, serves as a key example of this developmental process, symbolizing the interconnectivity of all phenomena as a central theme in Buddhist philosophy.

Additional Buddhist Quotes

“Concentration is unafflicted one-pointedness.”

–Nagarjuna [Precious Garland 437].

See Truth As It Is

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