Page 46 - Martial Science June 2017

Teachings

ofthe

Budha

The Two Distinctive

Characteristics of

Buddhism -Part 2

[Recorded by Yin Hai] (Translated by Tan
Beng Tiong, edited by Ke Rong, proofread
by Shi Neng Rong. (5-10-96)

The Cultivation of Faith and Wisdom

The cultivation of faith involves several stages. Al-
though the depth of practice involved in each stage
is different, the common purpose of all the various
stages is ultimately the unification of faith and wis-
dom. These stages include:

1. Faith without prejudice — This is faith based on
understanding devoid of any prejudice. Such an
open faith is important because if one has a prej-
udiced mind it will make it difficult to understand
others’ views, or to accept the Truth. For a simple
example, suppose A and B did not get along well. If
B makes some mistakes and A then gives B some
honest advice, not only will B reject A’s advice but
he will further misconstrue it as malicious slander
against him. Conversely, if A and B do not have any
prejudice against each other, or if their relationship
is very close, B will be willing to follow any of A’s ad-
vice even if A uses strong language in expressing it
to him. Therefore, one can only learn and have faith
in the Truth if one first frees oneself from prejudice.
This is the way to develop and to purify confidence
and faith. (This is consistent with the first of the

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