The Cause, Reason, and Example in the Secular World

Proposition, reason, and analogy are the methods of teaching the Dharma in the Consciousness-Only school, representing the wisdom realm of bodhisattvas on the grounds in expounding and reasoning. That is, they first present a viewpoint or concept, offering a general and overarching narrative. Then, to demonstrate the correctness and reasonableness of the viewpoint, they recount specific examples, present evidence, cite cases, and provide factual grounds as supplementary support for their own argument, so as to convince others, rather than merely discussing principles without citing facts. After clarifying the issue through the integration of principle and fact, they employ analogies to express and illustrate it vividly, making it easier for people to understand and accept their views, positions, and ideas, thereby winning wholehearted conviction. Teaching the Dharma in this way leaves no room for criticism, as both principle and fact are fully present, the logic is clear, and the thinking is meticulous and rigorous, leaving no loopholes. The effectiveness of such teaching is excellent, enhancing the public’s logical reasoning ability, as well as their capacity for digestion and absorption, leading to rapid growth in wisdom.

Although the threshold for proposition, reason, and analogy is high, it is entirely applicable in the secular world, and traces of it can be found. Many people with strong critical thinking skills, clear and agile minds, and honesty will consciously or unconsciously employ this method. For example, some people say, "I have recently 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 proposing a general thesis. However, this alone is not convincing. Those with meticulous thinking, or those who are honest and truthful, will then provide supplementary details about the specifics of their AI usage, offering explanations and additional clarifications. The more specific the details, the more persuasive they become, and the more they prove that it is a fact, not something fabricated to attract attention or deceive others. In such a case, the other party has no choice but to believe, and the persona of an honest and wise person is established. If one wishes to make it even more convincing, analogies can be used, offering a comparison to make the listener understand clearly and feel fully confident, thus bringing the matter to a perfect conclusion.

However, some people do not act this way. When they speak, they only state the proposition and discuss the principle, without providing reasons or facts, and they certainly do not use analogies or comparisons, leaving others completely confused and unclear about the matter. For instance, some people describe themselves by saying, "I have been making rapid progress in my practice recently." After saying this, there is no further explanation. Others wait to hear what specific progress has been made, but the speaker says nothing more, only offering a qualitative description of themselves, stating only the conclusion without mentioning the process or factual basis, and lacking quantitative data for support. This leads to doubt: "Is what you say true or false?" Why do such people only provide qualitative descriptions without quantitative analysis? In most cases, it is because they lack quantitative data to support their claims, meaning there is no factual basis. They often engage in groundless self-praise and self-glorification, with a relatively severe sense of arrogance. For if there were facts and achievements, who would not be willing to show them to prove their own capability? If they cannot prove it, it means they are capable in words but not in deeds, and their words and actions are inconsistent. Thus, it is evident that the narrative method of proposition, reason, and analogy is one that presents facts and reasons with solid evidence, is convincing, and represents a wise way of expression. Ordinary people generally do not possess this ability.