1. 從20世紀至21世紀的現在,世界上經常發生文明間或宗教間的衝突,例如基督教與伊斯蘭教間的衝突,以及緬甸、孟加拉地區佛教與穆斯林的衝突,政治學者Samuel P. Huntington更指出「文明衝突將是現今衝突的主導模式」,請問佛法在促進世界安定與和平上能發揮什麼功能?
Since the twentieth century till now, cultural or religious conflicts have occurred frequently around the world, such as the clashes between the Christianity and the Islam, or the fights between Buddhists and Muslims in Cambodia and Bangladesh. Political scientist Samuel P. Huntington has proposed that “the clash of civilizations would be the primary source of conflicts in the contemporary era.” What is the function (or role) of Buddhism in promoting the peace and serenity in the world?
In this age of booming internet and intelligence technology, there have been various kinds of technical advancements, such as Pokemon Go, social media, wearable devices, virtual realities, etc. Some people claim that the machine will be replacing human beings in the future. What is the Buddhist view of the technological advancement? Is it possible to develop a robot with the same realization as Rinpoche?
Recently, there have been calls for social reforms in Taiwan, such as legalizing same-sex marriages and reducing wealth inequality. What is Rinpoche’s view of gays and wealth inequality? Could Buddhism offer some insights for those social issues?
A: 根據puex(?)的調查,佛教已經衰退許多。其實很多學者之前在想為什麼佛教和耆那教,會跟社會的總總好像常沒有什麼關係,因為佛教是要尋找真諦,他跟要去建造一個更好的社會沒有關係,諸位年輕人應該都很重視這件事情,佛教是佛陀教導的,佛陀有一切的東西,有家庭宮殿等等,以相對世界的角度,悉達多是個快樂的人,擁有一切。但故事是這樣,佛陀看到有人死掉了,這引導他去追尋,所以真理、真諦是對佛教來講最重要的事情。佛教裡面連結婚儀式都沒有,我們怎麼用佛教的原理來舉辦一個婚禮,佛教不能在婚禮上說,你知道事情是無常的,你們不會永遠在一起,不能這樣講。佛教裡面真理是最重要的,所以你有多少的性、跟什麼樣的人什麼性別的人有性關係,對佛教來講不是什麼議題。雖然這麼說,佛教傳播到世界各地,西藏中國韓國等等,多少也影響到佛教,這是有可能的。從一個非常大的佛教的觀點來說,異性婚姻並不能保證能比同性婚姻來得長久,從另外一個角度來看,如果同性婚姻貢獻了對於沈思或禪定的道路有更大的道路,那我們還比較喜歡這個同性婚姻勝於異性婚姻。基本上我們在談的是偏見,最近我去了尼泊爾,在過關的時候有很棒的事情發生,過海關時要填一個表格,名字、護照號碼等等,M是男性要打勾,F是女性要打勾,還有一個O, for other,台灣還沒有那麼進步,諸位還為了同性婚姻在受苦,這是過氣的問題了,如果是雙性人怎麼辦呢,他們要不一樣的廁所,台大有嗎?我們在談的是偏見,偏見就永遠不是好事,偏見是人類最糟糕的一種個性,但偏見不容易去除,因為在不同文化對偏見都是很保護的。
|貳、個人心靈 (About Personal Spiritual Cultivation)
1. 我覺得很快樂,沒有什麼痛苦,那還需要學習佛法嗎?佛法對大學生有什麼好處?
I am feeling happy now, without any pain, should I learn Buddhism? What is the benefit of Buddhism for a university student?
How to face the negative emotions, such as the sense of loss, being hatred, being betrayed, or losing trust? When interacting with people, quarrels or something unpleasant seem to happen inevitably. How to accept, forgive and pray for the enemies or those who had hurt us?
Rinpoche has always been very busy in dharma-practicing, giving teachings and lectures, and making movies. Would you feel tired or exhausted? How to settle your mind in the busy life?
What do “lineage” and “tradition” mean? There are many monastics (renouncers) or laypersons claiming that they are bearing certain lineages. How should we tell who are the true kalyanamitra (virtuous spiritual friends) whom we can rely on?
What is the purpose of practicing meditation? Is there anything we should pay special attention to (when practicing meditation)? When there are various experiences visions, hearings…etc.), how to tell which one(s) is real?
3. 藏傳佛教的特色是什麼?什麼是雙身法?什麼樣的人適合學習藏傳佛教?What are the special characteristics of Tibetan Buddhism? What is the practice of “union”? What kinds of people are suitable for practicing Tibetan Buddhism?
How do I know if I am on the right track of realization, or just being superstitious? What is the difference between being reborn in the Buddha’s field (pure land), and believing in Jesus and getting eternal life/going to the heaven after the death?