About Getting Back Home
Pravachanasara lays out a clear roadmap: right belief (samyag-dṛṣṭi) sparks the journey, right knowledge (samyag-jñāna) lights the way, and right conduct (samyag-cāritra) carries it through to the finish line.
Right belief is about planting seeds of genuine faith. It isn’t blind devotion, but a settled conviction that the soul is distinct from matter and that liberation is attainable. In an age of “fake news” and deepfakes, this first step is like tuning into a trusted station amid static—choosing the authentic signal over noise.
Once belief takes root, right knowledge follows. Kundakunda describes it as piercing through layers of illusion (māyā) to see reality’s fine print: the soul’s pure consciousness versus karmic particles that cling like stubborn lint. This isn’t just bookish learning; it’s first-hand insight gained through disciplined reflection and meditation. Think of it as swapping out a blurry, low-resolution screen for ultra-HD clarity—every nuance of existence becomes crisp.
Finally, right conduct transforms inner conviction into outward action. This isn’t about ticking moral checkboxes, but weaving nonviolence, honesty, and restraint into daily life. In today’s fast-paced world—where tweets fly faster than bullet trains—this means slowing down, speaking with care, and letting each step echo that deeper understanding.
Interplay among the three is like a three-legged stool: wobbly if any leg is missing. Belief without knowledge can drift into superstition. Knowledge without conduct remains theoretical, gathering dust on the shelf. Conduct without belief and knowledge risks becoming hollow ritual.
Recent mindfulness movements and zero-waste campaigns show how these ancient principles still resonate: people aren’t just recycling plastics—they’re recycling beliefs about consumption, unearthing fresh insights and reshaping habits. At its heart, Pravachanasara invites cutting through life’s clutter—sorting out what truly matters so each thought, word, and deed aligns with the soul’s journey toward liberation.