Thesis, Reason, and Example in the Worldly Realm

The triad of thesis (宗), reason (因), and example (喻) is the method of expounding the Dharma used in the Yogācāra teachings; it is the wisdom realm of bodhisattvas on the bhūmis when they teach and reason. That is, one puts forward a viewpoint or idea with an overall summary narrative, and then, in order to demonstrate the correctness and soundness of that viewpoint or idea, one recounts concrete instances—presenting evidence, giving examples, and stating factual grounds—as supplementary argumentation for one's own viewpoint, so as to convince people, rather than merely stating principles without stating facts. After combining principle and fact to make the matter clear, one then uses analogies to express and present it vividly, making it easier for people to understand and accept one's viewpoint, position, and ideas, so that they are fully convinced. Teaching in this way leaves people with nothing to fault: principles and facts are complete, the logic is clear, the thinking is meticulous and rigorous, and it is unassailable. The effect of such teaching is excellent; it can elevate the public's capacity for logical thinking and their ability to digest and absorb, and wisdom increases rapidly.

Although the threshold for the triad of thesis, reason, and example is very high, it is entirely applicable in the secular world as well, and there are traces of it to be found. Many people with strong reasoning abilities, clear and quick thinking, and honesty will consciously or unconsciously employ this method. For example, some people say, "Recently I have become very interested in AI and have learned the correct way to use it." This is a statement about one's own situation, equivalent to putting forward a thesis or general outline. But this alone is not yet convincing. A person who thinks meticulously, or who is honest and speaks truthfully, will supplement it by elaborating on the specific details of how they have used AI, offering explanation and supplementary description. The more specific it is, the more persuasive it becomes, and the more it proves that it is fact and not something fabricated to attract attention and deceive. In that case, the other party has no choice but to believe it, and the persona of an honest and wise person is established. If one wants people to be even more convinced, one should then use some analogies—give an example—so that the listener understands clearly and is filled with confidence, and thus one brings things to a perfect conclusion.

But some people are not like this: they speak only the thesis and the principle, without stating the reason or the facts, and still less do they use analogies or give examples, leaving people utterly baffled and unable to make sense of it. For instance, some people describe themselves by saying: "My cultivation has been progressing really quickly lately." After saying this, there is nothing more. Others wait to hear what specific signs of progress there are, but the person says nothing more, giving only a qualitative description of themselves—stating only the conclusion, without the process or factual grounds, without supporting quantitative data. This makes people wonder: is what you say true or false? Why do such people give only qualitative descriptions without quantitative analysis and explanation? In most cases it is because they lack supporting quantitative data—that is, they lack factual grounds—and they often like to boast and praise themselves groundlessly; their pride is rather serious. For if there were facts and achievements, who would not want to display them to prove how capable they are? If they cannot prove it, then they are all talk and no action, with words and deeds inconsistent. It is evident that the narrative style of thesis, reason, and example—presenting facts and reasoning with grounds and evidence—is convincing; it is an expression of wisdom, and ordinary people do not possess this ability.