..續本文上一頁ddhism; some of you may believe in it but still have doubts about it; some of you are engaged in technological careers, and not only do you not have any faith or belief, you even refute all the views or doctrines of those that have faith and belief. Amongst the above, the last group of people must observe and analyze using their wisdom. Otherwise, if you don”t understand the effects of faith and religion, and proceed solely on the basis of the presupposition to refute other people”s views, this cannot be considered a scientific or rational way for ascertaining things.

　　We should know that, if we have faith and religion, even in times of great difficulties and hardship, we will still have something we can rely on and in which we can take refuge. I recall that at 10:00am on February 22nd, 2002, former U.S. President George W. Bush came to Tsinghua University. At that time, I was in Xiamen translating White Lotus: The Legend of Shakyamuni Buddha. When I switched on the TV, I happened to see the news. Although eight years have passed, I can still remember many things that he talked about. In one of his speeches, he said: “This may interest you—95 per cent of Americans say they believe in God, and I”m one of them…. Faith points to a moral law beyond man”s law, and calls us to duties higher than material gain. Freedom of religion is not something to be feared, it”s to be welcomed….” Although the religion that he talked about was Christianity, whether Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism, it is still better to have a religion than not have one. If you have faith and belief, you will live your life with discipline. Otherwise, if you don”t believe in life after death, you will not observe the law of karma and will therefore not refrain from any harmful activities. The case is just as it says in the Nirvana Sutra: “Not knowing that there will be a next life, you will create negative karma.”

　　2. What is correct faith

　　1) Law of cause and effect

　　For those of you here that are in the scientific field, if you understand that “wholesome activities bring happiness, unwholesome activities bring sufferings,” “melon seeds produce melons, bean seeds produce beans,” when you are researching and developing a new scientific technique, you will have a sense of responsibility and care for the community, country, and even the whole world. Otherwise, if you always act in a selfish way, the results and effects of your work will be detrimental.

　　Why are there so many fake, forged, and low quality products these days

　　 Why is there so much food that contains poisonous substances

　　 Why are so many hospitals, schools, and other public sectors just trying to make money

　　 All of these things are a result of people not observing the law of karma. In today”s world, many people are psychologically unhealthy. This problem is far more serious than a physical illness of the body. In order to cure this “psychological illness,” the only way is to use the truths of Buddhist philosophy, through meditation, recitation, and other methods to balance the mind. If this is not done, medical treatment will only be of little help.

　　Therefore, in this world, whatever your role or position, whether you are a scientist or educator, it is important to be responsible for the community. Establishing a correct view of life is a must. Of course, as we always say, “Everyone has different mental dispositions, just as no two human faces are exactly the same.” As everyone has different thoughts and feelings due to different mental dispositions, the result is that each person will have a different view of life, but, irrespective of these differences, there is one most important point here, which is to understand and realize that there are past lives and there will be future lives, and hence, obser…

《The Tibetan Culture of Nurturing the Mind and Prolonging Life》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…