True Nature

In the world today there are many beliefs, religions and cultures, many different viewpoints of how to explain our world and our relationship to it. But although we seem to have so many differences, we really have so many similarities. Do not kill, do not steal, do not lie. Do all that is good and nothing that is bad. Do unto others as you would have done unto you. Remember the kindness of others and repay the kindness with gratitude.

Whether we call it caring for and respecting others or loving-kindness or compassion, we believe in helping others, in giving of what we have or who we are, to those who need our help or our wisdom. Today, many people are searching for wisdom, for the understanding of why we are born, why we live, and why we die. We are compelled by conflicting emotions. We are compelled by logic. When we hear of other beliefs the feelings of many people range from fear to curiosity, from surprise to fascination, from suspicion to cooperation.

Everywhere we look, we see societies with greater diverse cultures, societies with more differences, societies that often emphasize these differences. Today many people look outside of themselves, to these differences, believing that they are the reason why so many are so unhappy. But the reason lies within us.

As human beings, we undergo the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness, death, hardships, unfulfilled wishes, separation from our loved ones, and association with those we dislike. The failure of people to understand the real cause of their unhappiness—their suffering—is increasing this very suffering.

To overcome this suffering we need to achieve ultimate wisdom. Accomplishing this is the main objective of our learning and cultivation. Everyone has the potential to realize this state of ultimate wisdom, because it is already an intrinsic part of our nature. It is not something we can obtain externally.

But most of us have become confused through general misconceptions and therefore, are unable to realize this potential. However, if we can break through this confusion, we will realize this intrinsic part of our nature. Thus, the Buddhadharma is an educational system aimed at uncovering our own innate true nature.