Lunyu[1]

The BUDDHA FA[2] is most profound; it is the most intricate and extraordinary science of all theories in the world. In order to explore this domain, people must fundamentally change their conventional human notions. Failing that, the truth of the universe will forever remain a mystery to humankind, and everyday people will forever crawl within the boundaries set by their own ignorance.

So what exactly is this BUDDHA FA, then? A religion? A philosophy? It is understood as such only by "modernized scholars of Buddhism." They merely study it on a theoretical level, regarding it as something that falls within the domain of philosophy for critical studies and so-called research. In actuality, the BUDDHA FA is not limited to the little portion in the sutras, which is only the BUDDHA FA at an elementary level. From particles and molecules to the universe, from the even smaller to the even greater, the BUDDHA FA offers insight into all mysteries, encompassing everything and omitting nothing. It is the nature of the universe, Zhen-Shan-Ren,[3] expressed in different ways at different levels. It is also what the Dao School calls the Dao,[4] and what the Buddha School calls the Fa.

No matter how advanced the science of today's humankind may be, it can only account for part of the universe's mysteries. Once we mention specific phenomena of the BUDDHA FA, there are people who will say: "We're now in the electronic age, and science is so advanced. Spaceships have flown to other planets, but you're still talking about those old superstitions." To be frank, no matter how advanced computers may be, they are no match for the human brain, which remains an enigma to this day. Regardless of how far spaceships may travel, they still cannot fly beyond this physical dimension in which our human race exists. What can be understood with today's human knowledge is still extremely shallow and limited—it is nowhere near a genuine understanding of the true nature of the universe. Some people do not even dare to face up to, approach, or acknowledge the facts of phenomena that objectively exist, all because these people are too conservative and are unwilling to change their conventional notions when thinking. Only the BUDDHA FA can completely unveil the mysteries of the universe, space-time, and the human body. It can truly distinguish the kind from the wicked, the good from the bad, and it can dispel all misconceptions while providing the correct understanding.

The guiding principles of today's human science confine its development and research to this physical world, as a subject will not be studied until it is acknowledged—it follows this path. As for phenomena that are intangible and invisible, but objectively existing and reflected into our physical world as real manifestations, they are avoided and treated as inexplicable phenomena. Stubborn people have, on unsubstantiated grounds, entrenched themselves in their argument that these are just "natural" phenomena. People with ulterior motives have acted against their own consciences by labeling all of these phenomena as superstitions. People with unprobing minds have shied away from these matters with the excuse that science is not sufficiently advanced to deal with them. Humankind will make a leap forward if it can take a fresh look at itself and the universe, changing its rigid mindset. The BUDDHA FA can provide people with insight into immeasurable and boundless worlds. Throughout the ages, only the BUDDHA FA has been able to completely explain human beings, the various dimensions of material existence, life, and the entire universe.

Li Hongzhi

June 2, 1992