Question and Answer Session at Nanjing University Doctoral Forum
(March 14, 2011 evening)
(1) Question: I am a student at an ordinary college in northern Liaoning. My major studies are in the principles of Marxism. I would like to ask you a question: In contemporary society, in which a multitude of philosophies has caused conflicting views, how can we maintain a calm and peaceful state of mind with which to face life
Answer: At present, we can indeed see some conflicting ideas in different cultures. In order to obtain a calm and peaceful state of mind, I have always thought that the best way is to study Buddhism.
This is because Buddhism advocates giving up ourselves and helping others. This mindset for interacting with others and living our life is certain to bring about harmony, joy, and happiness. This idea is also supported by many scholars. They say that we should start with the spirit of the Mahayana, exchanging self with others, if we want to have the most peaceful and harmonious world.
(2) Question: I am a PhD student at Nanjing University Business School, and graduated in 2010 in accounting. May I ask: After the Wen Chuan earthquake, Faye Wong sang a song called “Heart Sutra.” What is the essence of this song
What is the benefit of it for sentient beings, when it is sung
Answer: I have come across the “Heart Sutra” song by Faye Wong and suggested that we should all widely promote it. The Heart Sutra says that the eye, ear, nose, tongue, and body are empty, and form, sound, smell, taste, and touch are all empty. There are many struggles and sufferings that we have to endure in this society; there is also a multitude of things and events. However, if we trace and investigate their origin, we find that they are all actually emptiness. Thus, the core meaning of the Heart Sutra is to let us cut the clinging to all things and events; this is a supreme and inconceivable state. Precisely, during the second turning of the wheel of Dharma, Shakyamuni Buddha expounded the prajnaparamita, which is emptiness. Just as within the human body, our heart is most important, in the same way, within the teachings of wisdom on emptiness, the most fundamental sutra is the Heart Sutra.
If you can recite the Heart Sutra and sing the “Heart Sutra” song, it will lessen the various troubled, dualistic thoughts in your mind. A teacher I know said that when she feels very agitated, if she reads the Heart Sutra once, her mind settles down. If she then sits for a while, the previous discomfort will disappear entirely.
Question: Just now, you asked us to make a dedication for the victims of the disaster in Japan by reciting “Om Mani Padme Hum.” Some great masters say that “Om Mani Padme Hum” symbolizes a kind of supreme wisdom. May I know what exactly these few words mean
Answer: The merits of “Om Mani Padme Hum” are extremely great; this is mentioned in several sutras. If we chant “Om Mani Padme Hum” for those who have already passed away, even if originally they had to experience suffering, through the unsurpassed power of this sound it is possible that they can gain happiness immediately. Especially at present, when disasters are occurring so frequently, if we pray to Avalokiteshvara or recite his mantra, through this kind of power we can clear up disasters to the greatest extent. There are many scriptures and reasonings that can clarify this point.
In summary, it is not only unsurpassed wisdom, but also an extremely powerful invisible force.
(3) Question: I am a PhD student of School of Liberal Arts. I don”t believe in Buddhism, nor do I believe in Christianity. I do not have a faith. I believe that my situation represents the majority of people. Despite the fact that I do not have a faith, if we are talking about the promotion of Bud…
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