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　　 Apart from this, as I said just now, I don”t know anything about my past life.

　　However, through years of study and experiences, I am convinced that past lives certainly exist, and that my past life must have been as someone studying and practicing the Buddhadharma. Why

　　 Because since my childhood, whenever I see a Buddhist scripture, statue, or monastic, I feel very joyful and delighted. On the contrary, I feel disgust at killing bugs or committing unwholesome activities. I lived in a very remote rural area in my childhood, and the conditions were very harsh. To live our daily lives, my family and neighbors would slaughter some small cows or sheep. If I found the animals before they did, I would desperately try to protect these animals and beg my family or neighbors not to kill them. I have had this kind of “gene” since my childhood. I therefore believe that I was probably a monastic in my past life or otherwise someone that practiced the Buddhadharma and thus has slightly stronger habitual tendencies in this particular area in this life.

　　Question: Is it possible for ordinary people like us to know our past lives, such as with the use of hypnosis, and so on

　　Answer: Many hypnosis techniques are now quite popular in western countries. However, there are also some elements in this area that are untrue. Previously, there were quite a number of books about this area in China; however, some of the contents are untrue.

　　In Buddhism, there are some meditation practices that are similar to western hypnosis. For example, Karma Chagme Rinpoche recorded in his practice diary a method which allows us to enter into a certain sleeping state. In this subconscious state, you can recall your past life. Although there are many such cases, not everyone can recall their past life.

　　Question: Since reincarnation exists, can I say that the original self, the core of the soul that dwells in us, will continue without end

　　 Will my personality from my past life pass on to my present life

　　Answer: During the process of rebirth, our soul continues unbroken, and our personality from our past life will continue to our present life. Regarding this process, there is an abundance of logical reasoning and references in Buddhist scriptures to which we can refer. For example, practicing virtue or developing wisdom is very easy for some people, but other people, especially those who were born as animals in their past life, such as a cow or horse, are dull in terms of reasoning and analysis in this life. From a physiological viewpoint, it is believed that the root causes of these differences are due to genetics. However, in Buddhism, we believe this is due to previous virtuous or non-virtuous habitual tendencies accumulated in our alaya.

　　Of course, these habits can be changed or enhanced. Through making efforts in one, two, or countless lifetimes, eventually all negative habits can be purified, and the fruition of the bodhisattva or Buddha can be attained. Each sentient being has the same opportunity to make progress.

　　(11) Question: I am from the Department of Astronomy, Nanjing University. I know that Buddhism emphasizes logic; however, it stresses even more a non-logical and highest level of realization. May I know more about this non-logical method

　　Answer: Indeed, Buddhism does discuss logic, and this kind of logic is extremely meticulous. In Buddhism, there are two types of logic: one is logical reasoning and the other is scriptural reasoning. For logical reasoning, the main reasoning uses the Pramana three modes of analysis; this is quite similar to the use of major and minor premises to infer a conclusion in the western philosophical system.

　　As for scriptural reasoning, we first establish that Shakyamuni Buddha is someone that …

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