The Two Truths: Conventional and Ultimate

“Conventional truth” and “ultimate truth” name a philosophical distinction you may encounter in Tibetan Buddhist teaching. Begin with the particular teacher's explanation, then keep the question in its context as you read.

Two truths about the phenomena being discussed

Alexander Berzin's introductory explanation presents conventional, or relative, truth and deepest truth as two valid aspects of how things exist. He explicitly notes that there are several presentations and follows an explanation used by the Dalai Lama for general audiences. [2]

In that presentation, events occur through causes and conditions. Deepest truth concerns the absence of the impossible, independent manner of existence we project onto them. His example distinguishes a cat under a bed from the monster a frightened child imagines there: removing the projection does not remove the cat. [2]

Keep the scope of the explanation in your notes. “Berzin's introduction says…” is a useful opening when asking about a passage. It lets the teacher identify whether a different text uses the terms in the same way.

Why dependence matters to the explanation

The Dalai Lama's office reports a March 13, 2021 teaching on Tsongkhapa's Three Principal Aspects of the Path. In its discussion of dependent arising, the report explains that analysis does not find the independently established identity things appear to possess, while they still exist conventionally. [1]

It explicitly rejects interpreting emptiness as nothing being there. Because things depend on other factors, they lack independent existence. The teaching connects this with cause and effect rather than treating emptiness as the destruction of what functions. [1]

For a reading-group conversation, ask: “What exactly is being denied here, and what still functions conventionally?” Write down the answer before moving to the next passage. If the reply introduces another unfamiliar term, request an explanation of that term as well.

Knowing the wording is one stage of study

In Profound Instruction on the View of the Middle Way, Mipham distinguishes a conceptually understood ultimate from non-conceptual wisdom. His text describes appearances as empty and emptiness as appearing, then develops the distinction further. [3]

Near its close, the text emphasizes refining conduct and arriving at experiential certainty in stages. Its comparison between hearing about water and drinking it underscores the difference between learning and experience. Adam Pearcey's translation identifies the composition as dating to 1892. [3]

This is a demanding instruction text. Use the reference to recognize a distinction, and take questions about its practice instructions to a qualified teacher. This article does not supply a method for entering the states it describes.

Keep ordinary responsibilities in the conversation

Here is an example supplied by this site. You agreed to bring cups to a community event, then forgot. Someone asks where the cups are. A useful response identifies what happened and what you can do next: check whether cups are available nearby, tell the organizer what you can arrange and follow through on the revised plan.

If you are studying the two truths, take a question from that incident to the teacher: “How does the explanation of emptiness relate to an ordinary promise and its consequences?” Do not use a philosophical term to end the organizer's practical question. The example supplies a topic for discussion, not a demonstration of direct insight.

Make a small study record

Choose one passage from the teaching you are following. Record the author, translator or speaker, the page or section, and the sentence you want explained. Then add three questions:

• How does this text define conventional and ultimate truth?
• What manner of existence is being rejected?
• How does this explanation preserve cause and effect and guide conduct?

After the discussion, save the teacher's explanation beside the passage. Mark any question that remains unanswered. Our guides to hearing, reflection and meditation and the four reliances offer related study questions.

Sources and further reading

1. Three Principal Aspects of the Path. Office of the Dalai Lama, March 13, 2021; teaching report on dependence and emptiness.
2. The Two Truths. Alexander Berzin, Study Buddhism; May 2012 seminar transcript, introductory presentation.
3. Profound Instruction on the View of the Middle Way. Mipham Rinpoche; Adam Pearcey translation, 2004; version dated January 15, 2025.

Sources checked October 29, 2026. Written with AI assistance and checked against the linked texts. The examples and brief review are supplied by this site; they do not replace instruction from a qualified teacher.