..續本文上一頁 the same four elements, should likewise be capable to produce consciousness at any given time. But this is not the case, is it

　　 The argument may sound simplistic, but it actually is imbued with quite profound logic that will take one a long learning process to comprehend. Merely having heard one lecture or studied one treatise will not make you a firm believer immediately, nor will it dispel all your doubts on past and future life right away. It”s not that simple!

　　I used to know a scholar who started as a total nonbeliever of reincarnation. As he is not an irrational person, when he could find no argument to refute me after a few rounds of debate, he began to look up references, make inquiries, listen to teachings, and think it over. In the end, he made a 180-degree turn into a firm believer.

　　He says: “I found no reliable evidence to support the nonexistence of past and future life, but plenty supporting their existence. These include cases of past-life regression; teachings, logistic reasoning, koans in Buddhist scriptures; and scientific documentation. If I still remain unconvinced of the existence of the past and future life, am I not a complete idiot

　　 In addition, such an attitude would be unfit for me as a researcher in philosophy.”

　　Therefore, right view can be cultivated within oneself by proper ways. Many of you may have the same questions this scholar had early on, and I hope you will find time to investigate persistently, and do not take in blindly what so-called experts have to say. Not too long ago I saw an “expert” on the show CCTV Lecture Room who said, “According to superstitious people, past and future lives do exist, and so does the law of cause and effect.” Upon hearing this, I really had the urge to walk up to him and ask him if he ever studied the topic of past and future life, and why he is drawing his conclusion so flippantly

　　 Too bad at that time he was appearing on the TV and I had no way to debate with him.

　　Of course, this kind of expert is not just one or two, but there are plenty of them around. After my talk today, you may not instantly vote for the existence of past and future life either. But at least you should think it over: “Is what this the monk said based on sound reasoning

　　” If the answer is no, then make your case by refuting. Otherwise, you may as well reflect deeply. Try also to read books of modern and ancient times and of all countries. In this way you will not go on to make many mistakes. Otherwise, when you prattle on about something which you are ignorant of, you become what Shakespeare has described ““Disparage not the faith thou dost not know, lest, to thy peril, thou aby it dear.”

　　In the world, any talk that runs contrary to the truth should be regarded as a fallacy; there”s no argument about this point, whether the talk comes from a leader, an expert, a university professor, or a monastic. It pays for us humans to wake up to the truth quickly, to be free from the deep mires of confusion. I sincerely hope that you intellectuals here will establish more communications with people in the Buddhist circle; it definitely will be beneficial to you.

　　Not too long ago I read the discussion of his 8-day Tibet trip of Zhu Qingshi, former chancellor of University of Science and Technology of China, with his calligrapher friend. I felt Professor Zhu has made fairly impartial points about Tibetan Buddhism in their discussion. But unfortunately he met only a few Tibetan masters who, perhaps due to the lack of time, did not speak to him about more profound Dharma. Nonetheless, Professor Zhu felt his mind had been refined considerably after his trip to Tibet.

　　Therefore, we need to have an overall understanding of our life and at the same time see the confusion of people around us. It is a pity…

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