..續本文上一頁enerally speaking, if you long for liberation, then knowing that the basis of all things and events is “empty” is indispensable. Due to grasping on the alaya consciousness as inherently real, the Yogacara is contrary to this point. That is not to say that they don”t have differences with the Samkhya.
(7) Question: I am a graduate student from the China University of Mining and Technology. I have a question and hope you can shed light on it. Since the enlightened beings have already realized emptiness and are free from death and rebirth, why do they still aspire to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha
Answer: Taking rebirth in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha is the best way to perfect the skills for benefiting sentient beings, just like if you want to get a job, then going to Peking University is a very good bridge to help you achieve that goal. His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok also said that: If you have a chance to take rebirth in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, all the noble qualities in your mental continuum will be perfected quickly. After that, it will be very easy and effortless for you to benefit infinite and boundless numbers of sentient beings. Therefore, even for many great masters, although they are already free from rebirth and death, they still aspire to rebirth in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha to perfect all the noble qualities first. Only then do they move forward to tame and help sentient beings.
(8) Question: I am a student at the University of International Business and Economics. We all know that the fundamental basis of the Mahayana is to benefit all sentient beings. For so many years, you have continuously taught the Dharma and benefited sentient beings. As long as you are in the monastery, no matter how tired you are, you will continue to teach Dharma to your disciples. Teaching Dharma has occupied a large part of your life. I would like to ask: How do you strike a balance between teaching Dharma and benefiting sentient beings with your personal practice
Answer: I do not dare to claim that I have made significant efforts in teaching Dharma and benefiting sentient beings. However, I truly feel that the most valuable thing in my life was my encounter with Mahayana Buddhism and all my gurus, who transmitted the precious Buddhadharma to me. I have visited some countries, enjoyed some worldly fame, and received good treatment from others, yet, at my age, when I look back at my life, I feel that all these things are meaningless and insignificant when compared to what the Buddhadharma can bring about.
For that reason, whether I am at our monastery or going out doing other activities, I always remind myself about this: Even if it is only for one being, as long as I can benefit him or her by transmitting the wisdom of the Buddhadharma, I will feel that I have done a meaningful thing. We should know that we can help others in many ways. If we give someone ten or twenty thousand Yuan, that person might be very happy, but this cannot help him or her to solve the sufferings of revolving in cyclic existence. Only by transmitting the pure Dharma can beings receive immense benefits in this life and all future lives.
I cannot tell what will happen to me in the future, whether my wishes will be fulfilled. I cannot tell because causes and conditions for everyone are ever-changing. However, I am not very demanding. In the past, when I formed the Buddhist Study society, I said that even if there were only twenty people carrying out long term study, that was fine. As long as I am still alive, if I am teaching Dharma to ten people, five people, or even one person, I will still feel that my life is meaningful. I am not just saying this; it comes from deep down in my heart.
By understanding the importance of the Buddhadharma, knowing that teaching the Dharma is the most important thing, as well as being satisfied even if I have only one student, I try to get up early every day, and go to bed a little bit late, so that I can find some time for my practice, which includes reciting sutras and so on. This is how I strike a balance between the two. I have very little time for practice because I usually have many things to deal with, since I am reluctant to give up translation and charity causes. Decades of a human life are really very short, so when the causes and conditions are there, we should treasure them and perform virtue. Of course, things are not always as easy as we think they should be, and sometimes, we have to face many difficulties. However, whether I am successful or not, I still feel happy and joyful.
《Question and Answer Session at the Department of Philosophy of Peking University》全文閱讀結束。