The Truth is Non-Dual
Bliss can only arise when one transcends dualism. One reaches the realization of equality, where “I ” and “you ” are one. The current confusion in human society can be said to stem from the mistaken belief that diversity is the ultimate truth.
It is said that approximately 8 billion people live on this planet. Even among identical multiples, no two individuals have exactly the same face, shape, or form. This applies not only to physical appearances but also to mental and spiritual characteristics.
In the vast universe, celestial bodies like Earth are countless, and it is believed that on each of these celestial bodies, there exist innumerable humanity beings, just as there are on Earth. It is reasonable to assume that none of them share the exact same facial features. What does this reality signify?
It signifies that all individuals are manifestations of a single, unique existence, appearing in various forms. Some are born with disabled persons, others with beautiful bodies, some with outstanding intellect, and some without. Despite these variations, all are human beings. Observing these external differences, we perceive diversity and consider diversity to be the truth.
The human body breathes, the heart beats, and all organs function tirelessly, without a moment’s rest, until death. Yet, no one can fully explain why these bodily functions continue to operate.
Now, having been born into this world as a human being, I must contemplate: What is the purpose of my life until my physical body ceases to exist? Why was I born as a human? Unlike humans, other countless creatures exist as part of the natural order.
Humans, however, have manipulated Earth’s nature for their own benefit, treating the planet as if it were at their disposal. As a result of human actions, the environment has deteriorated to the point where even the survival of many life forms is now threatened. But we were not born as humans to destroy nature and endanger other life forms. Human intelligence exists to seek the truth. This is the answer to why we were born as humans: to inquire into the fundamental question— “Who am I? What kind of existence am I? “
Buddhism teaches “Nirvana is serene and silent ” and “With no obstruction in the mind, there is no fear; one is free from all illusions and attains ultimate Nirvana. ” Even if one reaches this state, in the end, one cannot understand what kind of existence “I ” am.
The phenomenal world is filled with countless life forms, each with its unique appearance and ecosystem, each a mysterious and wondrous existence.
“Lotus ” depicted on the pedestals of Buddhist statues and in Buddhist paintings, often depicted in Buddhist art. It grows its rhizomes in the mud beneath the water, extends leaves above the surface, and blossoms into fragrant pink or white flowers that open in the morning and close by midday. The lotus possesses a rare trait of blooming simultaneously with its seeds (fruit). Another remarkable feature is its rhizome, the lotus root, which develops underground in the mud. The lotus root is connected by nodes, and despite being submerged in mud, its hollow chambers contain air.
Consider also the dragonfly. In its larval stage, called a nymph (yago), it lives in freshwater. At a certain point, it climbs onto a plant, sheds its skin, and transforms into an adult dragonfly with wings, a form unimaginable from its earlier stage. How does the nymph know when it is time to undergo this transformation? The adult dragonfly can fly and hover in midair but can no longer survive underwater.
Why do various life forms with distinct ecosystems exist in nature? Each life form fulfills a specific role within the natural order.
But who created these life forms?
From a scientific perspective → “Life forms emerged through natural laws and evolution. “
From a philosophical perspective → “Life forms were created by the consciousness that perceives them (Self or Universal Consciousness). “
From a religious perspective → “Life forms were created by the universal law (Dharma) or by God. “
These are the prevailing views, yet no definitive answer exists.
We only know the appearance and behavior of all living things, but we cannot know the original cause of their manifestation. We have to say that all manifested existence is the result of the creation of the Creator; specifically, without the Creator, the creation would not exist.
Dualism cannot know the unity and wholeness within diversity, and will not encounter the truth of non-dualism. All existence has within it “it ” that can only be described as “it ” and manifests itself in its own unique form. “It ” is “it ” that enables the life functions that can only be described as “it “, and it is “it ” that is inherent in all living things, and the life phenomena maintained by “it ” have the same functions and exist in common in all living things.
Going beyond dualism is nothing other than knowing “it ” that exists deep within the unique forms and shapes of manifested living things and is the true existence that functions their activities.
In other words, it means encountering my own True I.
3/13/2025
Author : Hiroaki Oshida
Translator：Makoto Ishii
