Faith and Life

　　Speech at Academy of Religious Study

　　Peking University, China

　　(June 24, 2010)

　　Good afternoon to all the lecturers and students. Today, I am very glad to be able to speak with members of the Zen Society, the Medical Society, the Kentu Society, and other societies from Peking University.

　　Our gathering here today in this special place is due to what Buddhists would call causes and conditions. To be precise, we can say that these reasons are actually our karmic links with Buddhism. From the Buddhist point of view, were it not for causes and conditions, things and events would not arise. Therefore, that we are able to be here discussing and communicating with each other is indeed due to the karmic links between us.

　　What I would like to share with everyone here today concerns the topic of “faith and life.” What is faith

　　 In simple terms, faith is our confident belief or trust in a certain concept, religion, or the trustworthiness of a person; we use the objects of faith as a role model or guidance for our actions. Faith can be pided into material beliefs, ethical beliefs, religion, and several other premises. Correct faith is essential for the community; through having it people behave ethically and properly. Without faith, negative phenomena occur. In the modern era, caring about the need for faith is very important.

　　I. Faith ≠ Superstition

　　Although the topic of faith is vast, because I am Buddhist I am going to talk mainly about religious faith.

　　At present, there are numerous religions in the world, and each religion has its own doctrines. Whichever religion you follow, it is extremely important for it to have a basis of rational wisdom. Currently, many people have some kind of superficial faith. For example, when they visit a monastery, meet a guru, or have contact with a religious group, they may feel that their body and mind are calm and pleasant. If this happens, then they trust and have confidence that this is, indeed, their faith. Such confidence is actually without grounded reason and is therefore unstable. It is vulnerable to change due to the transitional nature of outer conditions. What kind of confidence is more stable and sustainable

　　 Consider this example from a Buddhist point of view: If we have confidence in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and if this confidence is based on long-term observation, using rational reasoning and repeated comparisons, as a result, we finally, truly, and fully understand that within the three realms, Buddha is preeminent and that what he taught is very profound Dharma. This is considered stable confidence. This confidence in faith is not just a whim—not just because someone said so—it transcends words and writings, such that you appreciate it deep down in your heart. This is known as irreversible confidence in faith.

　　As intellectuals, we should desire to pursue this type of confidence. Otherwise, if we hold to a blind faith, which comes from superstition, then when something unfortunate happens, wrong views of our faith will arise in our mind easily. The most reliable faith, therefore, is built upon grounded reason using wisdom.

　　I have been engaged in translating works and also teaching Dharma to people for many years. During this process, I have realized that correct faith is very important. In today”s society, if someone possesses wealth and reputation, such as footballers or superstars, thousands of people admire them blindly. What is the purpose of this

　　 It is not fueled by desire to become a superstar, only to meet or have their photograph taken with the star. If we observe this with wisdom, what is the point of doing this

　　 Perhaps the person is not even sure why. Perhaps he simply follows the crowd, and his behavior is a consequence of having incorrect faith.

　　Bec…

《Faith and Life》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…