Inner silence: the end of struggles and conflicts

 The right religion is one that enables human beings to live in peace with one another.

This was the first calligraphy that Minamisawa Zenji presented to Kanshôji.

How can we learn to live in peace with one another?

After his awakening, after he had freed himself from the three poisons[1], the original master, Shakyamuni Buddha, hesitated to teach the way of liberation to his fellow human beings because, he said: “They have inverted minds”. He could see his fellow human beings rushing towards illusory happiness based on the three poisons.

Be that as it may, after some reflection, he finally decided to teach the way of liberation.

To teach inner silence, to silence struggles and conflicts, such was the Buddha’s project, his purpose. To teach inner silence, to silence struggles and conflicts. That is all there is to it.

To practice inner silence, to silence struggles and conflicts. It is to this spiritual task that we must devote ourselves at every moment. To attain the inner silence that puts an end to struggles and conflicts.

Buddhism teaches nothing but inner silence, the end of inner conflicts. This inner silence is the fruit of a delicate practice at every moment. Inner silence is the fruit of a delicate attention at every moment. This delicate attention at every moment is itself the fruit of a decision at every moment. This decision is itself the fruit of a profound reflection. Why is silence the best way to live one’s life? Why don’t we want to be silent?

This profound reflection, this profound conviction, this profound decision, this profound attention – this is the life of a monk, this is the life of an awakened person. It is not enough to sit like a sack of rice on a cushion. Rather than daydreaming, stirring up all kinds of thoughts from dawn until dusk, and passing one’s live in vain, please, heed the teaching of Buddha and attain the inner silence that puts an end to all struggles, to all conflicts, that puts an end to madness.

[1] The three poisons: ignorance, greed and aversion.

Taiun JP Faure, april 2026