..續本文上一頁lful and know how to be patient. This way, through long-term efforts, except for prior unchangeable causes and conditions, many peoples” lives can be changed.

　　Therefore, when it comes to the question of benefiting others, I only have one thing to say: you must strive actively!

　　 (6) Question: I am a teacher from a Mainland Chinese school. I discovered that during class, if I directly teach about traditional culture or Buddhism, most students would be a little repelled. Because of this, I generally do not directly teach such content, but indirectly touch on them. But sometimes I worry if this is in accord with the Dharma

　　 Or is it a type of blasphemy towards Buddhadharma

　　Answer: This is skilful means, not “blasphemy”.

　　You are all aware that under the current societal mood, traditional culture is still not widely recognized. If it is taught directly, especially under inappropriate conditions, the result may be opposite to what was intended. Not only can it not help others, it may cause various misunderstandings, or even lead to unfavourable conditions. So you have done the right thing.

　　But Buddhism also says, “everything is impermanent”, this situation may one day change. There was one slogan during the Cultural Revolution- “Criticize Lin [Biao], criticize Confucius, persevere to the end”, but as soon as the era changes, no one shouts the slogan and no one does the criticizing. Nowadays, not only do we not criticize Confucius, we have instead started to praise him again. Even the Department of Education has had a change of heart and wishes to restore traditional culture in schools. If it is truly to be restored, then the three main parts of traditional culture are Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. As a member of these, Buddhism will definitely have a vast arena for spreading by that time.

　　Certainly, for the time being, use some skilful packaging, the “stuffing” is Buddhadharma, the “wrapper” is something people like. Giving something well wrapped like this, not only is there no wrongdoing, there is even great merit.

　　Question: You previously mentioned, “cannot be grasped”, Dao De Jing says: “As soon as everyone in the world knows that the beautiful are beautiful, there is already ugliness”, I feel that here, it has broken down the duality of beautiful and not beautiful. Is this middle state of “not beautiful, not not beautiful” the same as “cannot be grasped”

　　 Is it “emptiness”

　　Answer: This can also be considered a form of “cannot be grasped”, or “emptiness”, but is not yet “appearance and emptiness are inpisibly one” – appearance is itself emptiness, emptiness is itself appearance, it is also not a Middle Way state that is free from the four conceptual extremes and eight extremes of conceptual elaboration.

　　True “emptiness” is not simply the manifest separation that breaks down “beautiful “or “not beautiful”, but is “appearance” and “emptiness” being inpisibly one. Sure, this state cannot be described by words, because in our discriminative thinking, something is either “appearing” or “empty”, appearance and emptiness inpisibly one cannot manifest. Only through long periods of studying, contemplating, and cultivating the Dharma can one attain this state through true realization.

　　 (7) Question: I am a Chemistry student here. What are your views on highly qualified youths becoming a monk or nun

　　Answer: In truth, among university students, the ratio of highly qualified youths becoming a monk or nun is very low. The reason why people pay great interest to it is still because of popular understanding.

　　In the past, everyone felt that to become a monk or nun is a very negative thing. If someone is willing to become a monastic, it must be because they have no other avenues in life. Also to many people, the skill level of thos…

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