..续本文上一页; Enquire accurately; Reflect carefully; Discriminate clearly; Practice earnestly”. This principle comes from the Doctrine of the Mean. These five stages of scholarship can fully correspond to the Tibetan Buddhist system of studying, contemplating, and practicing.

　　I remember mentioning this when I was teaching Standards for Being a Good Student and Child. “Study extensively” means no matter what you study, listen broadly and study extensively; otherwise you cannot master its essence. This is the equivalent of the “studying” in Tibetan Buddhism, which is to first rely on a virtuous and knowledgeable wise spiritual mentor, then listen extensively to the Dharma from your mentor, to avoid blind cultivation and practice.

　　“Enquire accurately” means after listening to the Dharma, if there are places you do not understand; enquire in detail, to eliminate any doubt and confusion. Our Tibetan Buddhism has always valued debating; using rigorous logic and reasoning to entirely dispel one”s own doubts and misunderstandings. Following this, one needs to “reflect carefully”, to repeatedly scrutinize an idea. Then “discriminate clearly”, to clearly discriminate between what is true and what is false, what to keep and what to reject. These three points are equivalent to the “contemplating” in “studying, contemplating, and practicing”.

　　Finally, it is not enough to merely understand an idea; one also needs to implement it practically, rather than just remain with empty words. This is called “practice earnestly”, which is equivalent to “practicing”.

　　Thus, Tibetan Buddhism”s studying, contemplating, and practicing are exactly the same as Sun Yat-sen University”s motto. It is just that one comes from a worldly perspective and one from a supra-worldly perspective. Regarding any truth, you must first know it, then contemplate it, finally implement it practically.

　　My talk today on “Buddhism”s Theories and Methods in Dispelling Mental Afflictions” actually is about this. The “theories” on dispelling mental afflictions are within the extent of studying, contemplating, whereas the “methods” are in the domain of “practicing”. Through today”s exchange, I hope that in future you can unite these three aspects of studying, contemplating, and practicing; to truly apply the knowledge you have learned.

　　Many university students now have attended school since they were six or seven. After studying for over twenty years, much of what they learned cannot be applied to life. This is quite a shame. I believe that knowledge learned must be used. It cannot just stay stagnant in books, in words, or just in exchange for a piece of certificate. One should combine its meaning to experience, experiment in real life. This is very important!

　　2. The deep historical roots between Christianity and Buddhism

　　Mr. Sun Yat-sen held Buddhism in high esteem throughout his life, and also had bonds with many eminent monks and great masters. I am not sure if you intellectuals can understand this, but as a Buddhist, I not only care about society in general, I also care at the same time about how historical figures viewed Buddhism. For example, in 1912 when Mr. Sun Yat-sen served as the provisional President, Master Taixu organized an “Association for the Advancement of Buddhism” in Nanjing. When the two later met, Mr. Sun Yat-sen was full of praise for Master Taixu”s revolutionizing of Buddhism.

　　In addition, there was one conversation between Mr. Sun Yat-sen and Master Xu Yun. I once read Feng Feng”s Empty Cloud, a book that gave an account of Master Xu Yun”s life. The book said, Mr. Sun Yat-sen felt that in spirit, Christianity and Buddhism are very close. Master Xu Yun told him that Buddhism and Christianity originate from the same root. After Jesus turned 18, he once headed to India…

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