..續本文上一頁ion have also said, this world is not merely what we see, apart from humans on earth; there is the existence of other beings.

　　Further, we are humans this life, but in the future we may become beings in hell, hungry ghosts, animals, heavenly beings. So the mishap you worry about does not exist.

　　Question: Based on this view, the human population growth now is due to a reduced population of one of the six realms where the beings have transformed into humans

　　Answer: Yes, it is like that, in Buddhist sutras and sastras there are specific descriptions about this. For instance, beings in hell that had created wholesome karma in the past, once their negative karma has been eradicated and the wholesome karma matured, they can be reborn as humans.

　　In reality, there are innumerable beings in the three lower realms. Hell beings are as numerous as stars in the night; hungry ghosts are fewer, like stars in the day. If hungry ghosts are like night stars; then animals are like day stars… reasoning as such, the number of humans is really insignificant. After these three-lower-realm beings have fully endured their sufferings, some can take rebirth as humans. Thus, the number of humans is not a fixed number; it can increase or decrease.

　　Question: Looking at history, there were three foreign cultural transplants into China: the first was Buddhism over several hundred years starting during the reign of Emperor Ming of Eastern Han Dynasty, eventually becoming a part of Chinese culture. The second was Christianity, which of course failed. The third was Marxism, whether it is a success or failure, I cannot conclude now. I wish to ask, why does Buddhism have such an enormous power for it to immerse into Chinese cultural

　　Answer: No matter the teaching in Buddhism, it cannot be refuted by any school of thought. Why

　　 Because it is the truth. True gold does not fear the test of fire.

　　Buddhism has been in existence for over 2,500 years . In this process, innumerable thinkers, politicians, writers have emerged and studied Buddhism to varying degrees. But until now, not one person could overthrow it.

　　From this perspective, I hope that you intellectuals can investigate it. Only then can you understand why I say Buddhism is the truth, why it can be merged with Chinese culture.

　　(9) Question: I am a Tibetan student in the School of Life Sciences. I initially did not have the guts to stand up, but just then a Tibetan senior stood up to ask a question and everyone laughed at her. I don”t feel cool about that.

　　My question is related to my major: this term we had to dissect live fish every day, but in our Tibetan Buddhism, fish is sacred, so I felt really tortured inside, as if the knife was cutting me, maybe even more tortured than that. Every time there was dissection, I did not take part. My classmates asked me why; I said I believe in Buddhism. Some classmates were very understanding, but some said: “Believing in Buddhism is a type of superstition; what”s the point of believing in it

　　” I was furious, but could only sit silently. I felt there was no need to answer, because I am the only ethnic Tibetan there. No matter what I say, they would not truly listen. Dear teacher: is belief a type of superstition

　　Answer: Tibetan girls tend to be quite shy. I am very happy that today you had the courage to ask this question!

　　Regarding dissecting animals, indeed, for those without Buddhist belief, perhaps they feel that it is no big deal. But for someone with belief, this is a very painful thing.

　　Considering Buddhism as a superstition is not reasoned. A while ago I gave a talk at Fudan University and quoted the famous modern writer, thinker, and historian Liang Qi Chao. He seriously analysed Buddhist belief and clearly showed the reasons for why it is not a supe…

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