二諦

According to the doctrines of San-lun sect, all Buddhist teachings are induced by the Double Truths, i.e. Real Truth ( 真諦 ) and Common Truth ( 俗諦 ).

The Real Truth, i.e. Paramartha-satya in Sanskrit, refers to the correct dogma of the Real Mark of Middle Way, which is beyond words and perception by human beings.

 The Common Truth, i.e. Saṃvrti-satya in Sanskrit, refers to the expedient teachings as if all phenomena are real.

The two forms of statements in the Buddhist teaching are complimentary to each other. If the Buddha teaches us the Real Truth only, ordinary people cannot interpret all the phenomena, which are then believed to be discrete and extinct. If the Buddha teaches the Common Truth only, they do not understand thoroughly the ultimate principle of tranquility of self nature and thus unable to be liberated completely and salvaged.

The teaching was refined by Chih-tsang (549-623 AD) in his commentaries 'The Essay on the Double Truth'.