The Truth We Believe Is It Really Ours? – Critical Thinking from Tolstoy's Wise Sayings

The Truth We Believe Is It Really Ours? – Critical Thinking from Tolstoy's Wise Sayings




🧠 The "Jinri" we believe in. Is it real?
There are things that we often believe to be true.
Didn't your parents, school teachers, and society teach you when you were a kid believe you were **'truth'**?
But Tolstoy asked the question, "Is the truth that we believe in really our truth?"
The truth he said is a warning that it is likely an outside idea that we have accepted without criticism.


📜 Tolstoy's wise saying
"We all, at first, heard the unquestionable 'truth' from my grandmother,
Next, I heard "Jinri" from my teachers,
It's like a little kid who repeatedly says 'truth' that he's heard from more prominent people who are older."
– Tolstoy

This quote seems to confess that we live like children by repeating other people's words.
As we grow up, we learn a lot of 'truth'.
But can they be our truths?
Maybe we're just mistaking someone's words for "truth"?

🔍 Who made the 'truth' we commonly believe in?
Many of the truths that we believe and follow
It comes from outside influences such as society, education, religion, and culture.
But these truths didn't go through my own experiences and thinking,
It may be merely an acceptance as given.

• The truth that your parents tell you,

• The teaching of the school teacher,

• Social norms and so on are examples of that.

Just because they all believe and follow the truth, is it really 'the truth I have experienced'?

💭 Where does the true truth come from?
The truth that Tolstoy said is the truth that he has agonized and experienced.
We do not necessarily follow the truth given from the outside,
It is important to find the truth through the process of thinking and experiencing deeply.

• The process of doubting, questioning, and exploring is the way to find the true truth.

• They grow their own thoughts away from external influences,
Finding what you really believe in is the way to true truth.


🌱 Today's question
Why do I believe that?
We are often prone to being swayed by the voices around us.
So I want to ask myself, reflecting on Tolstoy's famous saying.

• Why do I believe this idea to be true?

• Is the belief based on my experience or did I learn from someone?

• Are you making an effort to find my truth beyond the outside 'truth'?

When we ask these questions, we are no longer trapped in the truth of others,
You will be able to find your own truth.

✨ What is truth?
Truth is not simply a fact given from the outside.
The true truth is the result of my own experience, doubt and inquiry.
Therefore, it is important for us to always ask ourselves and have an attitude of concern.

Four Principles of True Happiness from the Dhammapada

Life moves so fast that we often don’t realize how the day has passed. Between work, social interactions, and staying connected online, we rarely stop to ask ourselves how we truly feel inside. Wealth and success are important, but at some point, a quiet thought arises:

“Am I really happy living like this?”

That’s when ancient wisdom gently reminds us: “True happiness does not come from the outside—it resides within you.”

Today, let us reflect on a powerful verse from one of Buddhism’s most renowned scriptures, The Dhammapada, and explore what it teaches us about genuine happiness.

✅ 1. Health is the Greatest Gain

We often overlook our health—until we lose it. Even if we achieve great wealth or fame, everything falls apart without health. True gain is not in numbers or possessions, but in having a sound body and a peaceful mind.

✅ 2. Contentment is the Greatest Wealth

Contentment is not decided by external conditions, but by our internal attitude. Even with abundance, if we always want more, we live in constant lack. But with less, if we’re grateful, our heart overflows with richness. In a world obsessed with “more,” learning to appreciate “what is” becomes essential.

✅ 3. Trust is the Greatest Connection

Meaningful relationships enrich our lives deeply. But at their core, there must be trust. True trust goes beyond belief— it grows in relationships rooted in sincerity and truth. Connections built on heart, not conditions or gain, are the real treasures of life.

✅ 4. Yet, Nothing Is More Joyful Than Peace of Mind

Even if we have health, wealth, and trust— if our mind is anxious or restless, we cannot feel true happiness. All these values shine best when supported by inner calm. Pause for a moment and look within: Is your heart at peace? Are you kind to yourself? Happiness is the flower that blossoms from peace of mind.

🌿 In Closing

These four principles help simplify a complicated life and guide our anxious minds to stillness:

• Take care of your health
• Practice contentment
• Build sincere relationships based on trust
• Protect and nurture your inner peace

This is the path to true happiness as taught by the Dhammapada.
So, what kind of happiness are you seeking today?

 

Four Conditions of True Happiness from the Dhammapada

In our fast-paced lives, days pass by in the blink of an eye. We work hard, meet people, stay connected on social media— and often forget to check in with ourselves. While success and wealth may seem important, a quiet question sometimes arises from within:

“Am I truly happy living this way?”

That’s when the wisdom of ancient texts whispers to us:

“Happiness is not found outside—it lives within your heart.”

Today, let us reflect on one powerful verse from the Buddhist scripture Dhammapada, which reveals four simple yet profound conditions for true happiness in life.

✅ 1. Health is the Greatest Gain

Health is often unnoticed—until it’s gone. No matter how wealthy or successful we become, it all crumbles without physical and mental well-being. True gain is not in numbers, but in the wholeness of our body and mind.

✅ 2. Contentment is the Greatest Wealth

Contentment is not about how much we have, but how we perceive what we have. Even with plenty, we can feel poor if we always crave more. But even with little, if we feel gratitude, our heart remains rich. In a world chasing “more,” let us learn the power of “enough.”

✅ 3. Trust is the Greatest Relationship

Meaningful relationships enrich our lives. At the core of all lasting bonds lies trust. Trust is more than belief—it grows in sincerity and truth. Real connection comes not from conditions or gain, but from heart-to-heart encounters. These are the true treasures of life.

✅ 4. But Peace of Mind is the Greatest Happiness

Even with health, wealth, and trust—if the mind is restless, true happiness cannot bloom. All blessings shine brighter from a calm and steady mind. Take a moment to pause and look within. Is your mind at peace? Are you kind to yourself? Happiness is the flower that blossoms from inner peace.

🌿 In Closing

These four truths guide us through the noise of life and bring us back to a grounded, meaningful path:

• Care for your health
• Practice contentment
• Build trust in your relationships
• Protect your peace of mind

This is the path of true happiness, as shared by the Dhammapada.

So, what kind of happiness are you seeking today?