One day in China, a student asked his Zen master, « What is the most exquisite, deepest meaning of Zen Buddhism? »
The master answered, « Taoism says, ‘I did not hide anything.’ It is the same in Zen Buddhism; there is nothing hidden. » The master saw that the student did not understand what he was talking about, so he told him, « Please come and take a walk in our garden. Do you smell the fragrance of nature? »
The Student answered, « Yes » The master then said, « See? I am not hiding anything from you. »
The student was dumbfounded.
Buddhism, regardless of what kind of Buddhism or denomination, teaches that in the truth, there is nothing to hide. The only difference is the step that one chooses to step upon in order to attain one’s realization.
All the different forms of Buddhism teach only one thing and that is to attain the truth. The reason why there are many denominations and different forms of Buddhism is because of people’s likes and dislikes of certain practices.
Social Buddhism teaches to attain the truth and embraces all different forms of Buddhism. Under the care of Buddha (which means the absolute, the truth), Dharma and Sangha, one practices and polishes oneself. One is never separated from Buddha. In one’s daily life, when one polishes one’s six senses that are obscured by greed and desires, one lives a true life that is filled with love and compassion. One eliminates all of one’s ignorance and lives an Eightfold Path life, so that without even wasting one single moment, one lives an appreciative life.
One never looks back and has great hope for the future. One will then reach the realm of emancipation, so that life after life, one can attain joyous nirvana and true happiness. One will live one’s life and be like the sweet, beautiful fragrance of the lotus flower which has nothing to hide.