The theory of truth in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy: Analytical Study

Abstract

            This academic article aims to study the theory of truth in Theravada Buddhist philosophy. The study found that:- Knowledge that arises according to Theravada Buddhist philosophy is pure and true knowledge. This is what the Buddha practiced for 6 years. And He has seen things that are considered to be true, certain, and resistant to proof. And it must be something that can be proven true. In addition to being related to practical benefits, Truth also involves being able to prove it to be true on the level of sensory or super sensual experience. There are four theories of truth in Theravada Buddhist philosophy: 1) The arising and passing away of the mind, 2) The birth and death of all things, 3) Karma and 4) Nirvana. However, these theories of truth must be based on the principle that: 1) Truth must be consistent with perception and external things, or truth must be consistent with facts. If it contradicts or is not consistent, it is considered untrue. 2) The truth must not contradict the whole, or must be consistent. Buddhist philosophical teachings do not focus only on theoretically consistent truths. But it also emphasizes the truth that is consistent between theory and practice. 3) Truth is the benefit gained from practice or something that is real. According to the principles of Buddhist philosophy, all truth must be useful, or all usefulness must be true, and that truth must be something that can be proven through ordinary or special experience that can be put into practice, and the results of that practice must lead to a higher level of true peace and 4) Truth must be something that can be proven experimentally or proven through experience. It must be reasonable, testable, accepted by scholars, and a universal truth forever.