The Simple Truth

Dear One,

Not long ago, a lay monk wanted to know the true essence of Buddhism. He travelled far and wide and met many Buddhist masters to know the secret, yet he felt, they somehow missed the core.

While traveling thus, he found an old Master sipping a cup of tea with great relish. He came to the Master and asked respectfully, 'What is the essence of Buddhism?'

The Master took a piece of paper and beautifully inscribed on it "Attention."

'No Master,' said the young disciple, 'You got me wrong! Tell me the true essence of Buddhism.'

'Alright', said the Master thoughtfully and took the paper back and wrote 'Attention - Attention.'

Now the disciple was perplexed. He thought the Master had lost his sanity due to old age. He regained his composure and asked the Master once again, 'Master! That is not what I asked. Tell me what is the core teaching of the Buddha.'

The Master silently took the paper back once again and wrote, 'Attention - Attention -Attention'

This is truly the core teaching of the Buddha - Right attention to your speech and sight; right attention to your body and breath; right attention to your mind and heart.

Truth is always simple. The realized Masters have always expressed the ultimate truth in the simplest of terms. But we intelligent mortals, take pride in complicating it by our own intrepretations and end up writing a thousand books to explain a simple truth. A thousand words can fail to convey what a thoughtful word can. So, let's pay attention and understand the truth the way it is to be understood - In respectful silence.

Peace in oneself - Peace in the world.