Appearance and reality

Book Description

In the heart of Buddhist wisdom lies a profound question that has captivated spiritual seekers for centuries: What is truly real? Guy Newland invites readers into this essential inquiry through an exploration of Buddhism's foundational teaching on the two truths—conventional truth and ultimate truth.

Drawing from the Dalai Lama's guidance that understanding these dual aspects of reality serves as an ideal entry point for Western students of Buddhism, this accessible work illuminates how different Buddhist philosophical traditions approach this central mystery. Rather than getting lost in abstract concepts, Newland demonstrates how the ultimate nature of existence reveals itself not in some distant realm, but right here in our immediate experience.

The book examines how various Buddhist schools have wrestled with the relationship between the world of shifting appearances—our everyday conventions, customs, and perceptions—and the deeper reality that the Buddha discovered upon his awakening. Through this lens, readers gain insight into fundamental questions about the nature of existence itself.

At just over one hundred pages, this concise exploration offers both newcomers and seasoned practitioners a clear pathway into one of Buddhism's most important teachings. Newland guides readers through the philosophical landscape where ancient wisdom meets contemporary understanding, revealing how the search for truth unfolds not through escape from the world, but through deeper engagement with what is already present.