The Bodhisattva's Hetuvidyā

The Buddhist logic (hetuvidyā) used by bodhisattvas is called the thesis, reason, and example (宗因喻). The thesis is the main point or proposition, the reason is the theory to be expounded, and the example is the analogy, instance, or fact. How are thesis, reason, and example to be applied? Let us illustrate with an example.

Someone says that the manas is one of the six faculties and, like the five material faculties, is a material faculty. After we have engaged in logical thinking that accords with the Dharma and reason, we demonstrate and expound that the manas is not a material faculty but a non-material faculty. The topic of the demonstration—that is, the viewpoint, concept, and proposition—is first: the manas is a non-material faculty. Once the proposition is put forward, it must be expounded comprehensively and completely, with reasons and arguments presented. After the ideas have been clearly expounded, concrete examples are then adduced, letting the facts speak. In this way, the theoretical arguments closely adhere to the proposition, and the examples closely adhere to the demonstration and the ideas, each link interlocking with the next, tightly sealed without any gaps. This carries the strongest persuasive power; even if someone objects, they cannot produce any valid grounds—one, two, or three. Opposition for the sake of opposition, or debate for the sake of debate, becomes ineffective.

Of course, if one lacks rigorous logical thinking and one's power of wisdom is insufficient, the arguments will be inadequate, there will be no strong theoretical support, and the content expounded cannot demonstrate the correctness of the proposition. If the thinking is not rigorous and the exposition not comprehensive, there will be gaps and loopholes, lacking persuasive power and insufficient to convince others. If the examples cited are far-fetched and cannot help demonstrate the correctness and soundness of the arguments, the persuasive power of the arguments will also be greatly diminished, and one cannot win people over. The power of logical reasoning reflects the level of wisdom of a practitioner. The stronger the wisdom, the more meticulous the thinking, the more powerful the reasoning, the more persuasive it is, and the greater the capacity to deliver sentient beings. Those who practice the bodhisattva path, when encountering problems, should engage in deep and detailed contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) and continually improve their own power of logical thinking and observation. Of course, the prerequisite is very deep meditative concentration (samādhi); when thinking is needed, one will cast aside all interference and devote oneself wholeheartedly to deep contemplation.