..续本文上一页speaks the truth. Two thousand five hundred years have passed since Shakyamuni Buddha”s teachings appeared, and not a single scientist can overturn his teachings. Thus, we can establish that the many subtle and profound, mysterious phenomena explained in Buddhism are certainly true and without fault, because they have been revealed by Buddha himself. Through this method, we can validate those slightly unclear and hidden, unknown phenomena by relying on the words of Buddha.

　　You believe that Buddhism has a non-logical approach. Actually, it is not necessarily non-logical; it can also be established via logic. We can either use the proof of valid direct perception or otherwise the valid inferential perception to reason it. Through these two methods, we can establish phenomena.

　　Question: I would like to ask another question about inevitability and coincidental events in this world. For example, regarding the earthquake in Japan, if I lived there, and then an idea to go to the beach arose in me that day, I would have been swept into the sea. It is also possible that I wouldn”t have that thought, and I would stay at home, thus avoiding the disaster. In this case, is this considered to be something that has happened by chance

　　Answer: For a person to be swept away by the waves out to sea, on a surface level, seems to be an accidental phenomenon; however, a kind of law of certainty does exist.

　　If you murder someone, the evil cause has already been committed. Later, you will be arrested by the police, whether at that time you are eating at a restaurant, at the seaside, or at home. On the surface level, it seems that the police caught you at a certain place by chance. However, no matter where you are, due to the fact that you have committed a crime, the police will certainly come for you. In the same way, once a sentient being has committed unwholesome activities, suffering results will definitely be experienced later. Although you have not committed evil actions toward the waves, the waves will still sweep you into the sea. If we investigate the root causes of this, we will find that it has a close relationship with the negative activities you committed in this life or your past life.

　　From the environmental point of view, it is possible that there is an element of coincidence, but from our personal viewpoint, this is a kind of law of certainty.

　　(12) Question: I just graduated from Nanjing Jinling Institute of Technology. Last year, I had an opportunity to stay at Serthar Buddhist Institute, listened to your teachings, and now I am studying the Bodhicharyavatara. During this process, I deeply felt that your words, actions, or movements are all for the benefit of sentient beings. I would like to ask: how can we gain this kind of great bodhicitta to benefit sentient beings and to diminish our clinging to the self

　　Answer: You mentioned that all my words and actions are always for the benefit of sentient beings; actually, this is not true. Just now, I drank some water, and that is for my own interest, not to benefit sentient beings (laughs). Whoever we are, whatever our status, it is important that we at least cultivate a little bit of the altruistic mind. This is especially true for contemporary society, where everyone is trying to cheat each other, and most people are self-centered, doing things only out of their own interest. It is therefore important for us to brighten others with an altruistic mind. If you can do this, whether you are civil servants, teachers, or intellectuals, your contributions to society will be far beyond the value of material things.

　　At present, many people in the cities only seek money and wealth. Actually, this has no significant meaning. Only by having a strong and kind heart and continuously helping other…

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