..续本文上一页ssion, there is some difference between us. In the United States, many people respect and worship God. Even during the President”s inaugural talks, they start by praying to God and finish with “God bless you.” This kind of faith and belief is beneficial to a country, but when compared to great compassion, there are some differences.

　　In accordance with the teachings of Buddhism, we should refrain from harming even small insects like flies, ants, or mosquitoes. Why

　　 Because, like us, they feel the suffering of pain and want happiness. Think about it this way: if you belong to a disadvantaged group and someone discriminates against and tramples on you, would that person face condemnation from human rights activists

　　 I am sure he would. Since people who are disadvantaged shouldn”t be bullied and harmed simply because they have less than those who are better off, surely those sentient beings who are not able to speak, but have similarities with us, such as an innate desire to be happy and to avoid suffering, should also be protected, too.

　　Perhaps when you hear this you may argue that it makes no sense, because there is a huge difference between animals and humans. However, if you apply logical reasoning to this matter, you will not find a valid reason to support the thesis that animals should be killed. Every sentient being is equal. This is a very important point, and we must always bear this in mind.4) Ascertaining things and events as emptiness

　　Just now, I mentioned that Buddhism has unique and special features from the perspective of wisdom and compassion. Compassion means to love and care for all sentient beings equally. Now I am going to talk about wisdom. Why is wisdom in Buddhism so special

　　 It is because the Buddha has expounded the most profound approach to realize the wisdom of emptiness.

　　Unaware of the doctrines of emptiness, at present, many ordinary people think that relationships, wealth, property, status, fame, power, and so on are real entities, and then they strongly grasp onto them. They are continuously bound by the belief in real entities, and, as a result, this gives birth to various mental and emotional sufferings. Venerable Sarahapa said, “Even though a desire may be as small as a sesame seed, it can trigger immense sufferings.” Nagarjuna also said, in the Sixty Verses on Reasoning, “If one believes in real entities, Awful and vicious views arise, Which give birth to attachment and aversion; From this contentions ensue.” All sufferings are rooted in grasping, and the assumption that phenomena have a real, intrinsic nature. These days, many people are suicidal, even though they have little hardship in their lives. From the Buddhist point of view, all things and events arise due to dependent origination: when causes and conditions are present, things gather together, and when these causes and conditions are exhausted, things then disperse. Even hardship is just a common phenomenon. Feeling suicidal over hardship is unnecessary.

　　Not long ago, I went to Yushu to provide disaster relief after the earthquake. There, 99% of the people believe in Buddhism, and I found that the way they faced the disaster was very different to that of the victims of the Wen Chuan earthquake. At that time, many psychologists from different parts of the country went to Yushu to provide counselling, but they couldn”t find anyone who needed their help. The victims were aware of the impermanent nature of things and events, and so they understood that disasters arise due to causes and effects, and they could deal with and accept their hardship, even without any comfort from others. Those who have faith in Buddhism in everyday life already think about and consider good things as well as bad, such as death, illness, aging, bankruptcy, and …

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