There Is Only One Truth: The Simplest Thing Is Also the Most Profound

There is a humorous story: Two friends are arguing about how to love. One says, "If you love someone, you must indulge them—never let them be sad." The other insists, "No, tough love is the right way to love." Both draw on their life experiences to defend their views. Listening in, an outsider becomes confused: which one, in the end, is the truth?

The dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang, given on the occasion of the memorial ceremony, shed light on this very question. He affirmed: there is only one truth, and it is not something complicated, but the simplest and most profound thing that all of us already recognize.

Everyone wants to live rightly—and the journey of seeking truth

Living in this world, each of us wants to live rightly. The word "rightly" contains some sense of what ought to be—people call it truth, principle, or simply "what is real." Since ancient times, human beings have tirelessly searched for that truth—in the scriptures, in science, in folk life, and in lofty philosophical theories.

In truth, all of us living in this world try our best to live rightly. Because throughout this life, if we make mistakes, first we are despised by others, or more seriously we are punished by the law, and according to religious belief, we will bear the consequences of our karma in many future lives.

Yet that journey has lasted thousands of years and still has no end. Even modern science, after great effort, has only discovered simple things like the fact that the earth is round. This shows that truth is not easy to grasp, and therefore we need a solid foundation all the more.

Contradictory "truths"—why?

In daily life, we encounter countless opposing viewpoints. Some say "if you love someone, indulge them," while others insist "tough love is true love." Some believe "kindness brings good fortune," while others teach "when with the Buddha, wear the robe; when with demons, wear paper armor." Each has its own logic, but applying it in the wrong place causes disputes and division.

When we love someone, we naturally want to indulge them. That is a natural principle. But there is another teaching: tough love. It depends on the case—when we love someone, do we use tough love? We love our own children; if we want them to become good people, we must be strict and know how to discipline them firmly.

When each person sees only a fragment of the truth and believes themselves absolutely right, the world becomes fractured. This is precisely what drives people further apart, instead of bringing them toward a common voice.

The one and eternal truth: Love one another

Among the countless things called "truths," one thing has stood firm through time: human beings must love one another. The Buddha taught that "compassion is the foundation of the Way." This truth needs no proof, for if you ask anyone, no one would dare deny it. It is an indestructible, eternal truth.

Human beings must love one another. That is a truth that never fails. If we were to bring this truth and ask everyone in the world, no one would dare oppose it.

Yet in reality, because there are so many small "truths," people become divided and love one another less. Therefore, we must return to this supreme truth. When all of us live in love, the world will be at peace, and life will be more beautiful.

The karmic law of cause and effect (karmic law)—the truth guiding the path of rebirth

Beyond love, Buddhism points to another profound principle: cause and effect (karmic law). Every action we take creates consequences in this life or in future lives. Nothing happens by chance. The very way we treat others will shape our appearance and our lives in the next life.

Cause and effect (karmic law) is merely a law—the one who creates the results is each of us ourselves. That is, it is we ourselves who have treated others in a certain way, and this becomes the karma that comes back to us in a future life.

For example, when we sincerely praise someone, we will receive similar praise in a future life. That is why, if we want a beautiful face, if we want to be loved, we must begin by loving and respecting others in this very life. As the Teacher recounted: one monk was originally thin and sickly, but through cultivating virtue, his countenance became serene and handsome.

Begin with the simplest thing

Studying the Dharma is like studying mathematics. Before solving equations, we must master one plus one equals two. With spiritual teachings, we begin with the simplest thing: "kindness brings good fortune." Before understanding the complexities of cause and effect (karmic law), let us live gently, respect the Buddha and honor the Sangha, practice generosity and making offerings, regularly bow to the Buddha, and keep the mind/heart humble. Only such small steps can lead us to deeper truths.

Let us begin with the simplest things like this. Simply live by the principle that kindness brings good fortune. Respect the Buddha, honor the Sangha, practice generosity and making offerings, regularly bow to the Buddha, and regularly keep the mind/heart humble—just stay with these fundamentals first, and everything more complex will come later.

When we nurture compassion and learn to live in love, all good things will come naturally. Truth is not far away—it lies right within each small daily decision: speaking a loving word, doing a good deed, smiling at the person before us. There is only one truth: to live as a human being who knows how to love oneself and love others. Let us begin today.