..續本文上一頁where is the “cause” of these differences
It is the karma they brought with them from prior births, and not to do with their parents. To their birth or growth, their parents are just the “condition”.
Of course, this is a profound idea, to truly understand it requires one to deeply study Buddhist sutras and sastras, and clearly contemplate the theories, then observe actual phenomena in all aspects of life. Then can you come to a real understanding.
(10) Question: For us young people, philosophical ideas such as the four noble truths, the twelve causes and conditions, and the visualization of emptiness are very attractive. But as soon as we read about this Buddha and that Bodhisattva in the sutras, we feel that they are so distant from us, and we find it hard to believe that they are real. Are they real
Answer: These are all real. Buddha Shakyamuni truly came to this world over 2,500 years ago. It is just that he came to spread the Dharma, to introduce truth to people of the world. His ideas have been retained in writing and you have seen these. People around the world are also studying these. Therefore, the Buddha is not a God. His life events are not legends.
What you just talked about, the four noble truths, twelve causes and conditions, and visualization of emptiness are representative ideas of the Buddha. If you are interested in them, you can study deeper. After studying, many ideas are not difficult to understand. In actual fact, many wise ones in the past were enlightened after studying and practicing these. If you read about the lives of great masters in various traditions such as Zen and Tantrayana, you find that their states of realization are incomparable to ordinary beings. If disciples in the past can be so accomplished, then how can the virtues of the Buddha, and Bodhisattvas such as Avalokitesvara and Maitreya be false
Also, if as you are studying the ideas of the Buddha and trying to experience the truth of Buddhadharma, you are also denying the existence of the Buddha, isn”t that somewhat unscientific
Of course, it is understandable to have doubts. Because there are many layers which you do not yet understand. Also, under the influence of the current environment and educational factors, it is indeed not very easy to have confidence in the ancient Buddhism, to have confidence in the Buddha who has no correlation in daily life.
However, I always believe that: when young people study Buddhism, they should not rely purely on a simple faith. Believing in Buddhism is not like believing in a God. If you wish to truly believe in the Buddha, you have to first fully understand his ideas.
(11) Question: I am a staff here in the Finance faculty. In a cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong, everyone is busily trying to make money. Although life is very comfortable, how do we address the troubles and worries of our mind
Answer: In contemporary society, it is not easy for someone to address his or her worries. It is not only in Hong Kong, the same applies to cities in Mainland China. People are increasingly busy and just answering and making calls have caused problems to many people”s hearing. At such a time, it is difficult enough to merely find a moment of peace, let alone to address one”s worries. Therefore, I suggest that everyone take a pause, look clearly at what you are doing. Who are you
… Otherwise, in your busy lives, you often lose yourself!
You need to know that the meaning of life is not just money. For many people, no matter how much you make, it is just a number in a bank. When you are busy running around for these, your life comes to its end without you realizing it. Some believe that enjoying life is the meaning of life. But in actual fact, the so-called enjoyment is but an illusory seeking, a blind li…
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