How to distinguish what is the correct Buddhist Dharma?

　

    It has been more than 2,000 years since the Buddha entered Nirvana. In the period of the end of the Buddhist Dharma that we are in, Buddhist Dharma has begun to appear the situation of "impure" after circulating for a long time. Many incorrect theories and concepts are mixed in the Buddhist Dharma that we come into contact with, even the meanings of Buddhist sutras are distorted by wrong interpretation, so we need to correctly distinguish "what is the correct Buddhist Dharma", so as not to be influenced by wrong theories and practice methods, and hinder the path to become a Buddha.

　

    Fortunately, the Buddha once preached the "Three Dharmas for proving" and the "Four ways to be dependent" that is able to distinguish the Buddhist Dharma when he was alive. If Buddhist disciples in later generations encounter an unresolved Buddhist Dharma dispute, they can use these two methods to determine what is the correct Buddhist Dharma. In the age of the end of the Buddhist Dharma that we live in, there are too many wrong and specious theories and practice methods circulating in the world. “How to avoid being misled by wrong ideas or practicing incorrect practice methods that cause us to waste life and energy” has become an Important subject that every Buddhist should learn.

　

    What are the "Three Dharmas for proving"? The Three Dharmas for proving are used to verify whether a certain Dharma (theory or method) is included in the three features of Buddhist Dharma —— all actions are impermanent, all Dharmas (all things) are non-self, and in Nirvana all are extinguished. As long as a certain Dharma (theory or method) conforms to any of these three features, it can be called the correct Buddhist Dharma:

　

‧All actions are impermanent: It belongs to Theravada Buddhism. As long as a certain Dharma (theory or method) explains "the impermanence of all things in the world" or "the practice method based on impermanence", it can be said to be Buddhist Dharma.

　

‧All Dharmas (all things) are non-self: It belongs to Mahayana Buddhism. In order to realize "all Dharmas (all things) are non-self", one must understand "mind only" (everything is the manifestation of the mind), and to understand "mind only", one must practice the "Middle Way", and to practice the "Middle Way", one must have an understanding of the two theories of "Hidden Buddhahood" and "Emptiness", so as long as a certain Dharma (theory or method) includes the theories and practice methods of Mind Only, the Middle Way, Hidden Buddhahood and Emptiness, it can be called Buddhist Dharma, because their ultimate goal is "all Dharmas(all things) are non-self".

　

‧In Nirvana all are extinguished: As long as a certain Dharma (theory or method) contains the theory and practice method of "how to achieve Nirvana", it is the Buddhist Dharma. The most famous is the "Rule of Twelve Causes" (Ignorance, Action, Consciousness, name and form, six sense organs, Contact, Feeling, Like, Grasping, Existence, birth, old age and death), so the theories and methods to "cut off Ignorance" and "cut off Like and greed" are both belong to Buddhist Dharma.

　

    Secondly, when we practice Buddhism, we often encounter various different interpretations of the same concept, and sometimes we are in a situation where we cannot decide which is right and which is wrong. At this time, we can use the "Four ways to be dependent" to help us make judgments. "Four ways to be dependent" is a principle of judgment, which can reduce the chance of misjudgment.

　

‧Following the Buddhist Dharma rather than following a real person: If there is a master that everyone respects and the Buddhist Dharma he explains is different from the Buddhist Dharma described in the sutras, then no matter how famous he is or how advanced his practicing level is, we should not practice according to his explanations, and we should practice according to the Buddhist Dharmas stated in the sutras.

　

‧Depending on wisdom rather than depending on consciousness: Do not believe in the conclusions obtained from the six senses, but practice according to the prajna wisdom taught in the Buddhist Dharma. In other words, don’t depend on the experiences of our sense organs that we see, hear, and feel; it is right that we should follow the theories and methods that can obtain wisdom as stated in the Buddhist Dharma.

　

‧According to the meaning but not the words: Sometimes the literal interpretation of the Buddhist sutras is different from the enlightenment of meaning, because sometimes it is explained in words to expediently facilitate the understanding of all living beings (practitioner), but some meanings are beyond words and language. Therefore, when we choose Buddhist Dharma, we should not only look at the literal words, but according to the meaning behind the words.

　

‧According to the ultimate meaning but not the un-ultimate meaning: Buddhist sutras are divided into "the sutras of ultimate meanings" and "the sutras of un-ultimate meanings", "the ultimate meaning" refers to the most complete and perfect meaning, and "the un-ultimate meaning" only explains a part of it, but not the most complete and perfect meaning. If we encounter two different Buddhist teachings, one belongs to ultimate meanings and the other belongs to un-ultimate meanings, we should choose the most complete and perfect meaning that belongs to the state of the Buddha, not the un-ultimate meaning that only states a part of it.

　

    Having confidence in the "Three Dharmas for proving" and "Four ways to be dependent" can help us correctly identify the Buddhist Dharma, thereby reducing the chance of misunderstanding the Buddhist Dharma due to wrong judgments.