This Realization is Called Enlightenment

Thusness, tathata, means everything just as it is, the nature of truth, "just so." Grasses, trees, men, all manifested forms reveal the truth or are the appearance of the truth. But men do not perceive truth as such, just as it is, and rather seek it elsewhere. Therefore, to become aware again that everything, just as it is, in its suchness, is the truth is called the attainment of buddhahood. This does not mean that bad men are converted to become good and then become Buddha. In the Bible, too, it is said, "Seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened unto you." Only if one seeks with all one's heart, and knocks with all one's might, is it possible to realize that the gate has always been open and that everything has always been just as it is. This realization is called enlightenment.

---Soko Morinaga---