Oh, if only it were possible to find understanding, ” Joseph exclaimed. “If only there were a dogma to believe in. Everything is contradictory, everything tangential; there are no certainties anywhere. Everything can be interpreted one way and then again interpreted in the opposite sense. The whole of world history can be explained as development and progress and can also be seen as nothing but decadence and meaninglessness. Isn’t there any truth? Is there no real and valid doctrine?” The master had never heard him speak so fervently. He walked on in silence for a little, then said: “There is truth, my boy. But the doctrine you desire, absolute, perfect dogma that alone provides wisdom, does not exist. Nor should you long for a perfect doctrine, my friend. Rather, you should long for the perfection of yourself. The deity is within you, not in ideas and books. Truth is lived, not taught. Be prepared for conflicts, Joseph Knecht - I can see that they already have begun. . Hermann Hesse
About This Quote

Joseph Knecht, a young man who had been taking lessons from a famous Zen teacher, was troubled. He had been studying the Zen tradition for many years and he believed he understood it well. But as he journeyed on, it became clear to him that his teacher was wrong. In his frustration, Joseph lashed out at his teacher.

"If only there were a dogma to believe in," he said to himself, "everything would make sense." The master responded in silence for a time, then said: "There is truth, my boy. But the doctrine you desire, absolute, perfect dogma that alone provides wisdom, does not exist. Nor should you long for a perfect doctrine, my friend.

Rather, you should long for the perfection of yourself. The deity is within you, not in ideas and books."

Source: The Glass Bead Game

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