..续本文上一页 Question: I am a PhD student in the Business School. I don”t know much about Buddhism. May I ask: What is the viewpoint of Buddhism regarding group and inpidual goals

　　 Has Buddhism ever mentioned this

　　 How can we achieve these goals in a more joyful way

　　Answer: Speaking about goals, Lord Buddha mentioned this in both the Agama Sutra and Vinaya Sutra. Inpidual goals can be pided into temporary and long-term goals. As for the ultimate goal, it is not just about this life, it is about the attainment of fruition after countless lifetimes. Many people do not even dare think about this. As for group goals, it is about the interests of monastics, the benefits of group practice for lay people, and so on. As we can see, inpidual and group goals were mentioned in Buddhism a long time ago.

　　How can inpiduals achieve their goals in a more joyful way

　　 First, we must learn how to live and adapt according to causes and conditions. “Sui Yuan” is often mentioned in Zen. It means that while we are working for our goals, we should care more about how to make our efforts and contributions and not worry too much about what we hope to gain. As long as we work hard, there are no regrets, even if during the process we have to endure various difficulties or are not able to get what we want. There is no need to be agitated by this. We should learn how to adapt to changing circumstances. With this kind of mentality, we will be very joyful and happy.

　　In addition, whatever we do, we must have a proper and clear plan. If, without a goal, no specific arrangements are made, it is impossible to achieve our ultimate goal.

　　In short, whether in our work or daily life, whatever unfavorable conditions confront us, we shouldn”t strongly grasp. The more we cling to something, the less chance we have to achieve it; on the contrary, the less we cling to something, the more easily it will come.

　　(5) Question: Buddhism believes in karma: a positive thought will bring happiness and a negative thought will bring suffering. Is this concept of “wholesome activities bring happiness, unwholesome activities bring suffering” considered as a belief or a truth

　　 If it is a truth, can we use logic or experiment to prove it

　　Answer: The law of karma, “wholesome activities bring happiness, unwholesome activities bring sufferings” is actually an objective truth. This verse not only appears everywhere in Buddhist sutras, but we can also find it in other places, including Marshal ChenYi from China. He also said: “wholesome activities bring happiness, unwholesome activities bring suffering. When you can”t see the result, it is not because that there is no result, it is just because the time hasn”t arrived for it to ripen; when the time of maturity is reached, all results will ripen.”

　　It should also be possible to prove it by experiment. For example, if you are a good and kind person in this life, you will gain only benefit and not harm. Even if you can”t see your future life now, when you experience the results, every cause will produce its result accordingly and perfectly. This is the only way you can prove it by experiment.

　　On the other hand, by way of logical proof, we must first establish Buddha as a means of valid cognition and then have faith in his words. Through this, then we can believe that whatever Buddha said is true and not false. For example, Buddha said in the Karma Xia Gatha that: “Whatever karma sentient beings created will remain even after a hundred eons. When causes and conditions are there, their results will ripen.”

　　As such, the corresponding happiness and sufferings from the wholesome and unwholesome activities we have committed will be experienced in the end. This is like if you plant a seed of a medicinal plant, then the result is a medicinal plant that we c…

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