I am ofen asked by 真如followerers,"What does the word 真如"in 真如苑mean? I usully answer that the Chinese character for 真 means "true form"or"truth",while the character-如 indicates "a thing's permanent or essential quality," in other words,something unchanging, I also refer to the following passage from the Chapter on Tathagata's Lifespan in the Sutra of the Supremely Majestic Golden Light Any question's?