Right View, Wrong Truth: Why Numbers Are Not the Ultimate Reality

Have you ever asked yourself whether what you believe is truly correct? Imagine discovering one day that your entire life has been devoted to a complete misunderstanding. How would you feel? In the fifth verse of the Dhammapada, the Buddha warns of a subtle yet dangerous trap: mistaking the wrong for the right, and the right for the wrong. This is a state that many practitioners, even intellectuals, have fallen into.

Mistaking the Wrong for the Right – The Invisible Trap

The verse begins by describing those who confine themselves within wrong view. When a person firmly believes in falsehoods, they stand outside the path to enlightenment. The Buddha teaches: "Mistaking the wrong for the right, and the right for the wrong, one remains trapped in wrong view, standing apart from the path to enlightenment."

Conversely, those with right view clearly discern what is true and what is false, thereby advancing on the path to liberation. The Buddha says: "Knowing the right as right, and the wrong as wrong, one abides in right view, and the path to enlightenment is not long."

The Buddha spoke this verse in response to an event involving his two great disciples, Sariputta and Moggallana, and their former teacher, Sanjaya.

The Story of Sanjaya and the Friends Sariputta and Moggallana

Sariputta and Moggallana were young men of wisdom and virtue, determined to leave home to seek the truth. They studied under a famous ascetic named Sanjaya because he had many followers. However, as they learned more, they realized he could not answer their profound questions. Despite this, they respected him and stayed for a time. When the Buddha appeared, the two friends met him and gained insight. They returned to persuade Sanjaya to follow the Buddha.

At that moment, Sanjaya asked, "In this world, are there more wise people or foolish people?" Sariputta replied, "There are more foolish people." Sanjaya then said, "Let those with wisdom go to Gotama to practice, while the fools come to me. Then I will have the majority, and I will claim the power of numbers."

This answer awakened the two friends. They realized Sanjaya was not seeking truth, but only fame. He wanted many disciples so he could be worshipped. The Buddha criticized Sanjaya’s wrong view through the verse mentioned earlier. After Sariputta and Moggallana left, all of Sanjaya’s disciples abandoned him too. Overcome by anger and disappointment, Sanjaya eventually died vomiting blood.

How Do We Fall Into the Trap of Wrong View?

In modern life, we often repeat Sanjaya’s mistake. People tend to believe that whatever is popular must be correct, and whatever is trendy must be right. But Venerable Thich Chan Quang reminds us: "Our world today still errs in this regard. We seek the majority. Do not count people to calculate value; instead, seek what is truly right."

This trap exists not only in society but also in spiritual practice. For example, some believe that worshipping fire or making offerings to fire generates immense merit. In his talk, the teacher recounts ancient fire worship beliefs: people thought fire carried their wishes to heaven, so bowing to fire brought great blessings. They spent much time and wealth on these rituals, but in reality, it was merely a misconception. The teacher states: "There are things we think bring us merit when we do them. But unexpectedly, they do not."

When holding onto wrong view, all our efforts may become useless, or even harmful to the mind. So, how can we cultivate right view?

Knowing the Right as Right – The Path of Right View

Right view is not vague belief or blind faith. It is seeing the reality of cause and effect (karmic law), impermanence (anicca), and dependent origination. In the story, when Sariputta met the venerable Assaji and heard this verse: "All phenomena arise due to conditions. My teacher, the Great Ascetic Gotama, has spoken thus."

With just these two sentences, Sariputta attained the first stage of enlightenment. Why? Because he saw the truth that all arising and passing away depends on conditions (dependent origination). Recognizing this freed him from attachments and opened wisdom.

In daily life, we practice right view by constantly asking: "Is this truly aligned with the teachings of cause and effect (karmic law)?" When observing actions, we distinguish between wholesome and unwholesome deeds, choosing what is right. This is the foundation leading to enlightenment.

Conclusion: Abide in Right View

The fifth verse of the Dhammapada is a profound warning. Each of us may have once believed something wrong thinking it was right. But the important thing is not that we made mistakes, but whether we dare to acknowledge them and change. Learn to see clearly what is right and wrong. Do not hastily trust the crowd. Abide in right view, for the path to enlightenment is not long when we know clearly where we are going.