Study shelf
The Theory of Two Truths in India
A thorough philosophical overview of how Indian Buddhist and classical schools debated conventional and ultimate truth.
- Authors: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Date: Living reference entry
- Last checked: 2026-10-19
- Access: Freely readable online at Stanford University.
- Read at publisher or institutional page
When a study circle wants to understand the classical Indian roots of saṃvṛti-satya (conventional truth) and paramārtha-satya (ultimate truth) in their own historical context, this encyclopedia entry is one of the clearest starting points available. Reading it alongside Chapter 1 of our book helps us appreciate the rich commentarial debates within Madhyamaka and other Indian traditions on their own terms.