..续本文上一页ys people are curious about implements made from human bones, thinking they are wonderful. Business dealers saw the opportunity and started to promote them heavily as merchandise. In reality, these peculiar bone implements are not meant to be used casually or openly; such practice is supposed to be done in secret. But in our current society, people are drawn to rare and unusual things. Many Han Chinese had their curiosity aroused when they saw these items in Tibetan areas; they then acquired them and brought them back to Han China. Many bone ritual implements like the kapala (human skull cup) thus make their stately appearance to the general public.
However, these implements cannot be equated to a lack of compassion in Buddhism, since these bones are derived from people that were already dead. It”s not like killing a person in order to harvest the bones. Hence, it”s a non-issue with regard to Buddhist compassion.
Q: India is the birthplace of the Buddha and Buddhism, but why at this time has Buddhism dwindled while Hinduism is ever thriving in India
A: This is exactly the impermanence I have just mentioned. In the same way, the province Henan was the birthplace for Chinese Buddhism, but now Buddhism is not very popular here and even college students are oblivious of the Dharma. Therefore, it is due to the play of cause and conditions; when its time is up, everything will become dissipated.
Nonetheless, Buddhism in India is not in dire demise either. Many large Dharma assemblies (pujas) are being held in the four sacred places like Bodhgaya and usually have attendees coming from all over the world. I was in India in 1990 and Buddhism was doing well then. Tibetan Buddhism, especially, still has its influence in India.
Q: I am a senior in fine arts and also a member of the Nanyang study group on A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life. It is only today that I get to see you in real life, not just video images from the computer, so I am so excited! May I ask you: As I”ll be graduating soon, I am facing tremendous pressure to find a job. At this juncture, shall I put all my energy to acquire all worldly knowledge, or shall I carve out one portion to ensure participation in weekly group study
Which one will be most beneficial to my future
A: This has to be decided according to inpidual circumstances. You should not let go of your academic studies. As a senior, you are now at a critical juncture in your life, and after many years of hard study, it is now the time for you to take an active part in society and pay back to it.
I often remind members of the study group that they should not let Dharma study interfere with their daily lives. Do not try to finish the required number of recitations at the expense of your academic study or your job. If you find it difficult to reach the practice goal in Dharma for the moment, you can make it up at a later time.
Q: I am a sophomore in business administration. Out in the world, I have always succumbed to desire and given myself up to rivalry and vanity. I forgot my own identity and my true goal. How can I be mindful of self-reflection and find my true self
A: Modern people are infested with strong vanity; young students and adults alike are all full of jealousy. In this kind of environment, we really need a right faith to rely on in order to maintain a peaceful mind. Otherwise we will be chasing material goods insatiably: You want a second car when you already have one, you need a second house after you”ve got one, and even that”s not quite enough, better to get one abroad…. Our desire knows no end and its fulfillment can never bring us happiness.
There is a slogan, “People”s needs must be met.” The truth is that the “need” is insatiable. Human wants are a bottomless pit. Unless we are content with what we already have, we cannot find satisfaction by possessing material goods alone.
In the rather short time today, I am afraid I have not made you comprehend the supreme quality of the Dharma. I can only wish that in pursuing your beautiful future, you will always seek inner peace while you are going after material necessities. And the perfect and ultimate answer to follow can only be found in Buddha Shakyamuni”s teachings.
I can see from your expressions that many still have a long list of questions to ask. But I am afraid I cannot answer each and every one of them due to time constraints. Should you be keenly interested in the Dharma, please take advantage of the Internet wherein various venues are available to learn the profound Dharma.
Today I am just sharing with you my understanding of the Dharma. I am by no means a man of great wisdom, but I have spent years studying and perhaps have learned a little. I hope I have brought to you something useful today. Thank you!
《Question-and-Answer Session at Nanyang Normal University》全文阅读结束。