Hetuvidya of the Bodhisattva

The Buddhist logic employed by Bodhisattvas is called "proposition, reason, and example" (宗因喻). "Proposition" (宗) refers to the central thesis or viewpoint; "reason" (因) is the theory or rationale to be expounded; and "example" (喻) denotes analogies, instances, or facts. To illustrate how proposition, reason, and example are applied, consider the following example.

Some claim that the mental faculty (意根) is one of the six sense faculties, and like the five physical sense faculties, it is a material root (有色根). After engaging in logical contemplation according to principle and Dharma, we present an argument to expound that the mental faculty is not a material root but an immaterial root (无色根). First, the topic of the argument, that is, the viewpoint, concept, and proposition, is: "The mental faculty is an immaterial root." Once the proposition is put forward, it must be comprehensively and thoroughly discussed and expounded, presenting arguments and reasoning. After the rationale is clearly explained, concrete examples are then provided, using facts to speak. In this way, the theoretical arguments are tightly linked to the proposition, and the examples are closely tied to the arguments and rationale. Interlocked like links in a chain, seamless and gap-free, this approach possesses the strongest persuasive power. Even if someone opposes it, they could not articulate any substantial points; opposition for the sake of opposition, or debate merely for the sake of debate, renders such opposition and debate invalid.

Of course, without rigorous logical thinking and insufficient wisdom, the arguments will be inadequate, lacking strong theoretical support, and the content discussed will fail to demonstrate the correctness of the proposition. If the thinking is not meticulous and the exposition is not comprehensive, gaps and loopholes will arise, resulting in weak persuasiveness insufficient to convince others. If the examples provided are far-fetched and cannot assist in demonstrating the correctness and reasonableness of the arguments, the persuasive power of the arguments will be greatly diminished, failing to convince others. The capacity for logical reasoning reflects the level of wisdom of a practitioner. The greater the wisdom, the more meticulous the thinking, the stronger the reasoning power, the greater the persuasiveness, and the stronger the ability to liberate sentient beings. When encountering problems, those who practice the Bodhisattva path should engage in deep, careful contemplation and observation, continuously enhancing their power of logical thinking and observation. Naturally, the prerequisite is to possess profound meditative concentration (禅定). When contemplation is needed, they will eliminate all distractions and engage in profound thought with complete dedication.