Truth · Internal Reference¶
This version presents the Guide's original teachings in full for in-depth study.
I. Definition: Truth = Tao = The Greatest Creator¶
What is Truth? The Greatest Creator is Truth.
Where is this Truth — the Greatest Creator?
Answer: In the Tao of the Greatest Creator.
Where is the Tao of the Greatest Creator?
Answer: In the unfolding of all things across every time and space — in our lives, in the daily act of eating, drinking, sleeping.
(Guide's Other Writings · 2007 · Truth Needs No Defense)
The Roman governor Pilate, wielding great power, asked Jesus: "What is Truth?"
Jesus declared: "I was born for Truth, I came into the world for Truth, I bear witness to Truth."
Countless billions of people throughout human history have sought Truth, even given their lives for it — so what, exactly, is Truth?
Democritus, "the greatest of the ancient philosophers," believed: "Truth lies in the depths."
Socrates, the most revered of thinkers, said that the one thing he was sure of was that he knew nothing.
The French philosopher Descartes found only one truth that could not be overturned: "I think, therefore I am."
Episcopal Bishop John Spong declared: "Absolute Truth is beyond reach."
Under the influence of Einstein's relativity, many concluded: "Truth is relative."
Many religious organizations claim to possess Truth.
What is Truth? Jesus said: "The Tao of the Greatest Creator is Truth."
Shakyamuni taught for 49 years; the center of his teaching was a single word: Tao.
Laozi's Tao Te Ching revolves around a single word: Tao.
Muhammad said: "Allah judges by Tao — by Truth."
Lifechanyuan's single, repeated appeal to humanity is: "Walk the Tao of the Greatest Creator."
Why is Tao so important? Because the Tao is Truth — or, Truth is the Tao. They are one and the same. This is why the divine, Buddhas, prophets, celestial beings, and sages all emphasize the Tao: what they teach is Truth.
(Chanyuan Corpus · Celestial Revelation · Truth!)
II. Core Propositions¶
Truth is Truth — there is no such thing as "absolute truth" versus "relative truth."
Truth is not optional.
Truth is one — there is no ambiguous Truth.
Truth is eternal — there is no "past truth," "present truth," or "future truth."
Truth can be recognized; it cannot be created.
Scientists strive to reveal Truth.
What Zen masters realize — that subtle, mysterious understanding that can only be felt, never fully articulated — that is Truth.
All religions appear to uphold Truth; in reality they act against it.
All political parties appear to uphold Truth; in reality they act against it.
Everything in the universe, including humanity itself, exists within the vast ocean of Truth.
(Chanyuan Corpus · Celestial Revelation · Truth!)
III. The Eight Attributes of Truth¶
Truth has eight fundamental attributes:
- Nothingness; 2. Totality; 3. Trustworthiness; 4. Naturalness; 5. Justice; 6. Warmth; 7. Uniqueness; 8. Eternity.
1. Nothingness: "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form — being comes from non-being. That non-being is the Tao, is Truth."
2. Totality: "Every tangible thing in the universe, including all living beings, originates from the Tao, is the Tao's manifestation. All phenomena are embodiments of Truth — Truth is totality."
3. Trustworthiness: "All natural laws are expressions of Truth, operating independently of human will, consistent, reliable, and dependable. Truth is trustworthiness. A person who breaks their word, lies, or fails to keep promises is acting against Truth."
4. Naturalness: "Truth is the natural unfolding of things — ripe fruit falls, water flows to where it belongs. Truth is authentic, not contrived. People can recognize Truth but cannot create it. A person or organization that forces control or demands outcomes is acting against Truth. Whatever one's station in life — rich or poor, healthy or sick — living without forced striving is living in accord with Truth."
5. Justice: "Truth is impartial toward every person and thing. Like death and air, it treats all equally. Whether a person belongs to a religion or political party, whether they are a doctorate holder or illiterate, wealthy or poor, president or shepherd — before Truth, all are equal. All have the hope and opportunity to recognize Truth and live in accord with it."
6. Warmth: "Truth is the Tao, the Tao is the consciousness and spirit of the Greatest Creator — Truth is living LIFE. Anyone who draws near to Truth will feel it to be naturally warm and close, like a wanderer returning home after a long absence, feeling settled, calm, and at ease."
7. Uniqueness: "Truth is precise and singular. There is no 'approximately true' or 'seemingly true.' The roads to Truth are countless, but they all lead to the same one Truth — never to thousands of different truths."
8. Eternity: "Since the birth of Taiji from Wuji, Truth has existed eternally. Even if Earth disappears and humanity ceases to exist, Truth endures. Where Truth exists, LIFE in the universe is everlasting. The universe is filled with Truth and therefore filled with LIFE — LIFE exists not only on Earth but on other worlds, simply in different forms."
(Chanyuan Corpus · Celestial Revelation · Truth!)
IV. Truth Is Living¶
Truth is alive, not fixed. What is true in three-dimensional space may be error in four-dimensional space; yesterday's truth may become tomorrow's error — just as yesterday's enemy may become tomorrow's friend. Whoever believes they have grasped Truth and clings to it rigidly is a bookworm drilling into a dead end.
(Guide's Other Writings · 2019 · Three Eights are Twenty-Three)
V. The Meaning of Seeking Truth¶
The American Encyclopedia notes: "Truth often provokes resentment, because Truth neither supports bias nor confirms rumor." So what provokes resentment, what most people turn away from, what stands apart from the crowd — may be exactly where Truth is. The gate of Truth is narrow; few find it, fewer enter. Truth is always known by the few. Where it is noisy, there is no Truth.
Truth is a priceless treasure. Seeking Truth, knowing Truth, and honoring Truth is the highest priority of human life — for whoever does so gains eternal LIFE and can reach any of the higher LIFE spaces: the Thousand-Year World, the Ten-Thousand-Year World, or the Elysium World.
(Chanyuan Corpus · Celestial Revelation · Truth!)
Truth must be defended. Only error requires no defense.
(Guide's Other Writings · 2007 · Truth Needs No Defense)
VI. Humility Toward Truth¶
I have always sought to expand everyone's thinking, to liberate people from constraint, to win as much spiritual and inner freedom as possible. I never bind others, never forge mental or spiritual shackles. If what I say is right, take it as a reference; if not, set it aside with a smile. Do not treat everything I say as "Truth." Truth is the Greatest Creator; my words are not Truth.
(Guide's Other Writings · 2005 · Family Chats, Part Eight)
Pursuing Truth requires confronting reality directly and pointing at the core.
(Guide's Other Writings · 2015 · The Flaw beneath the Halo)