Nevertheless, faith-based cognition, thinking-based cognition, and logical cognition are humanity’s most remarkable qualities. It is also a prerequisite for human beings to pursue the truth. In everyday language, we call them theories, perspectives, viewpoints, and so on. In the context of Buddhism, they are called inferential valid cognition.
Why are humans the ruler of the Earth? It is because we have conscious thinking ability, and our ability to reason and infer is highly developed. My dog, Neo, cannot solve a math problem. If I ask him what the square root of 2 is, he will never answer. But he can run much faster than me. If we fought a tiger, we would definitely lose, but if we compete with tigers in a math test, even ten thousand tigers will have no chance to beat any single one of us. Therefore, human thinking ability and faith are truly remarkable.
Do dogs have faith? Their owners are their “faith.” In reality, this is not faith, but a neurological reflex. Only humans can have absolute trust in certain cognitive objects; this ability is unique to humans. Therefore, faith and logic are the most finest qualities, enabling us to enslave other species, even our own kind, on Earth. Has such a thing happened? It has!
In a short video, someone asked a professor, "Your current profession is a university professor, but what was it called in the Imperial Academy in the past?" He hesitated for a while and said, "Servant!" This shows that even people of the same kind can be enslaved.
Faith-based cognition, thinking-based cognition, and logical cognition are prerequisites for human beings to pursue the truth. Why are we able to learn Buddhism? It is because we meet these prerequisites. Though someone might not be able to study the Five Great Treatises, they still have an option of listening to my lectures. Listening is a much easier task. When I say the Amitabha Buddha is great, rebirth in the Pure Land is within reach, and recite Amituofo now, you are able to understand them easily. If I say the same thing to my dog Neo, he will not get it, paying no attention to me no matter how hard I try to talk to him. But if I just show him a piece of meat, he immediately runs after me.
Faith-based cognition, thinking-based cognition, and logical cognition are exclusive to humans. In relative truth, the outcomes of these cognitions are referred to by various terms such as theories, perspectives, religions, viewpoints. In Buddhism, they are mainly known as inferential valid cognition, representing the results of thinking and logical reasoning.
There are many logical axioms presented in the Five Great Treatises. Of course, the Five Great Treatises expound not only on logical reasoning but also on scriptural authority—the direct valid cognition of enlightened beings. However, for those of us who have not attained enlightenment, these insights remain out of reach. We cannot directly experience what enlightened beings describe, like entering the Meditative State of Dharma Nature. Their words paint a picture of the state's signs and experiences, but for us, it is all concepts and words. Naturally, our minds latch onto these ideas, forming our own interpretations.
Does everyone understand what I am saying? I’m putting in so much effort. Give me some feedback! No response? Okay, class dismissed (just kidding)! In reality, this topic is fascinating for those who are curious about it, but it might bore those who are not. Some people want to hear myths, but I do not tell such stories. Instead, I share some real-life examples of how people mistakenly take Buddhism as a means to fulfill personal desires. For instance, some people get a bit paranoid after practicing Buddhism. They say things like, “Wow, do you know? After I started practicing Buddhism, a ghost floated over from next door last night. I used some tricks to catch him and make him clean my toilet.” That sounds pretty shady, doesn’t it? Some people claim to have miraculous powers after learning Buddhism. They say things like, “I saw a person who was very sick. As soon as I laid my hands on him, he got cured.” They sounded as if they were more effective than an X-ray machine.
I never talk about these things, and frankly, I seriously disrespect those who only talk about Buddhist myths. True Buddhism, to me, is about scientific logic and achieving concrete results. It should be practical and applicable in our lives. Some people talk about experiences like having a date with Amitabha Buddha and Manjushri Bodhisattva inviting him for tea. These stories never provide any evidence or reasoning. They are simply tales. What practical benefit can they offer? None. In fact, they make you feel so moved that your eyes well up with tears, then it turns into blind admiration and offerings, next comes disappointment, and finally negativity.
I genuinely dislike these things; All it does is to disparage Buddhism. Therefore, we should talk about aspects that are practical, logical, and verifiable. However, understanding and implementing these principles demand effort; It is important to remember that mastering them is not a simple task. If everyone could readily grasp and apply them, would Buddhism be in its current weakened state? Despite being one of the three major religions, it is the smallest, the weakest, and has been wiped out many times by others (such as the Four Buddhist Persecutions of Three Wu and One Zong in China during the Northern Wei Dynasty). Buddhism advocates for truth, avoiding violence or coercion. Thus, it tends to be the victim of persecution easily when the karma of sentient beings becomes violent, and their perception becomes obscured and distorted. Nevertheless, we cannot promote it through deception or violence; a rational approach remains essential for dissemination.
Excerpted from:Cognition and Expression Part One
