Two Truths - one reality

Traditionally in Buddhism, there is what is referred to as "the two truths" or two "levels" of so called reality. One is called "conventional truth" and the other is called "ultimate truth". These are described in various ways in different contexts, so it's kind of difficult to generalize these terms.

'Conventional truth' can be somewhat understood as being what we 'conventionally experience' in our everyday lives as an objectified reality.

'Ultimate truth' can be understood to mean the truest or deepest 'existential mode' (valid level of existing) of that conventional experience.

For example, we conventionally experience cars so cars are a conventional truth. But when we look deeply at this experience of "car" we find there is no such thing as "car". Why?

Because "car" is merely the name or label we give to a gathering of parts (conditions) that we conveniently refer to as "car". Car is not there, it is empty (void) of being a real THING that the name car actually refers to. This is the "ultimate truth" of the car.

But now I want to explain the 'two truths' in a more direct and hopefully more realistic way.

The two truths are in fact, one reality that is viewed from 2 different angles.

Voidness as emptiness
Voidness as interdependence

Both (each) of these views are (although functional from their unique perspectives) partial, incomplete, un-holistic and therefore flawed.

In our ordinary understanding of "emptiness" we almost always conceive of it as a negative space or empty hole of sorts, maybe a vast black, absolute nothingness. In what ever way it comes to mind, it seems to be unavoidably like an affirmed (asserted or 'put forth') negation of reality - a kind of nihilism.

In a way, there is a validity to this view in so far as THINGS are not as solid as they appear.

But also, in our ordinary understanding of the term "interdependence" (the fact that all things are based on their conditions) we almost always conceive of real THINGS existing but as being made up of other real THINGS. Yes they interact, but they seem like real THINGS interacting.

Both these views are one sided, dualistic and un-realistic.

In reality, emptiness is not a THING such as it appears to be as an affirmed, absolute "noTHINGness". Nor is interdependence the interactivity of truly existent THINGS.

If you can remove the "THINGNESS" of both emptiness AND interdependence you can then glimpse the true (realistic) reality of all this - your present experience.

Emptiness minus the THING-NESS of emptiness is correctly seen as exactly interdependence.

Interdependence without any THINGS that interact is correctly seen as exactly emptiness.

In a correct view (non-conceptual or "view-less" view), both of these terms are completely interchangeable.

Emptiness (what I call "voidness") is not absolute nothingness which is the opposite of existing. Voidness is reality without the THING-NESS of reality. This is exactly the same thing as interdependence.

When you take all the "THING-NESS" out of your experiences, out of your life, what are you left with?

Relationship.

Relationship without any THINGS that are relating with one another. All of THIS is emptiness-interdependence, all of it is relationship.

And here too is why compassion plays such a prominent role in Buddhism.

When you remove the non-existent THING-NESS from reality, you then relate to your experiences (what ever happens in your life) in the most realistic way possible.

In Buddhism, in particular in Zen Buddhism, you treat everything with the utmost care and even "compassion". Why?

Because their are no THINGS, there are only relationships and relationship is what is important - not some non-existent "THINGS" (or even non-existent "beings"-THINGS).

Compassion works as a two way street in that it is both the result of a correct view of reality and also is a path to help get you to the correct view in as much as it helps remove selfish instincts and impulses.

You could view the Buddhist principle of "karma" as being synonymous with "relationship" as well.

'Karma' is behavior based cause and effect. In other words, the world we now experience is both the cause and result of our karma (HOW we actualize our intent, HOW we relate to our experiences). That is to say, the world we experience is one of relationship.

When you see this level of truth, the focus is completely altered!

On the one hand you have a view of the world where by it is made of these individual experiences of THINGS and BEINGS - that is one "truth".

But that "truth" leaves you with a lot of stress because all those THINGS are set to expire at some point. Then what?

On the other hand, you have this other more realistic truth.

THERE ARE NO THINGS

THERE ARE ONLY RELATIONSHIPS

And that calls for the utmost attention and care - what is called "the union of wisdom and compassion" in Buddhism.

In climbing it's not just that you climb a mountain, it's HOW you climb it that becomes important. You could take all the challenge out of it completely, maybe get lowered onto a summit by a helicopter or carried by someone up to the top, but what would be significant about that in your life?

We focus so much on the THING-NESS of things that we forget about the quality of the experience. We forget about the only really important aspect which is the relationship we have to our experiences.

Seeing this reality is the wisdom part. Actualizing it is compassion. They go hand in hand really.

THINGS or THING-NESS is one (level of) truth.

Relationship is another.

But be careful here, there is no THING-NESS to this kind of relationship (there are no THINGS or BEINGS to relate to), rather, there is simply 'relationship-emptiness'.

You don't have to react to every-THING-ness that happens in your life, you just have to RELATE to them. If you relate to them in an unrealistic way, by valuing them as THINGS, by picking and choosing some THINGS over others you create (via karma) that kind of experience where by THINGS are what matters to you. Where by, THINGS let you down, or give you a fix and then let you down.

In this context, THINGS are not just inanimate objects, they are the THING-NESS of any experience you have. If you are attached to a person, THAT is a THING or THING-NESS. If you are attached to your relatively good health at the moment THAT is a THING-NESS.

THINGS dissolve

THINGS perish

THINGS disintegrate

THINGS disperse

THINGS are void of reality

RELATIONSHIP IS REALITY

Just don't make it a thing.