Thinking Self-Cultivation (6)

Xuefeng

January 21, 2013

Topics for Reflection

1.Choosing Between Treasures Which is more valuable: soil or gold? Reality or ideals? A wife or a mistress? A husband or a lover? A son or a disciple? Earth or the universe? Hands and feet or the brain? If you had to choose only one from each pair, which would you choose?

2.The Paradox of Being Right I once said, "Everyone's actions are correct." I also said, "The moment you think you're right, you're already wrong." How do you interpret this seemingly contradictory statement?

3.The Existence of Absolute Truth Is there anything that is universally and absolutely correct?

4.Categories of Living Beings What defines a "living person"? What defines a "dead person"? What defines a "living dead"?

5.Ethics and Age in Healthcare Is the idea that individuals over 60 with terminal illnesses should forgo treatment ethical? Is such a view cruel or compassionate? Why?

6.Drivers of Social Progress Does societal progress rely more on new ideas or old traditions? On young people or the elderly? Who is more likely to embrace new concepts, and who tends to hold onto old traditions?

7.Life's Path and Priorities If you had two paths to choose from—one where you earn money first and then purify your mind, and the other where you purify your mind first and then earn money—which would you choose? Among faith, ideals, and reality, which do you consider most important? If given a choice between a scripture, a basket of money, and a piece of land, which would you select?

8.Sources of Mistreatment If someone insults, humiliates, bullies, or exploits you, whose fault is it? Is it the fault of the Greatest Creator? The fault of the law? The fault of societal moral values? The other person’s fault? Or is it your own fault?