The Tradition of Truth

The word “tradition” derives from the Latin ‘tradere‘, meaning to transmit, to hand over, to give for safekeeping.

Life is too short to discover and understand everything we need to know about our true nature from scratch. How much free time do we actually have to study? There is a collective understanding that has been refined over thousands of years and which is constantly tested: the Buddha’s Dharma is a blueprint of the mind which helps us know where we are. Much depends on our capacity to understand this map and here, the tradition and commentary of teachers is vital, interpreting the meaning for the culture and age in which we find ourselves. Such a map is only relevant if we intend to make the journey ourselves: it is merely theory otherwise.

The Buddha’s Dharma is one such tradition, passing on wisdom by word of mouth (unbroken lineages), for us to realise our true nature for ourselves. It stands up to logic and reason; if there is dark, there is light. Being attracted to a tradition could mean we have connected with it previously, and so we are building on our past appreciations. We are not worshipping anyone, but merely uncovering our true nature.

What is so special about the Buddha’s Dharma?

It goes beyond common-sense.
It is the understanding of the inseparable interaction
between dark and light.

The Buddha’s Dharma helps recognise deceptions:
that is the light in the dark!