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"Culture and letters change according to the political climates; prosperity and decline transpire according to the times." (A verse from the fifth century Chinese treatise The Literary Mind and Carving of Dragons) Different races and civilizations, due to their different environments and surroundings, have developed different ways of life and created different forms of culture. Even within similar nationalities, under different historical climates and different living backgrounds, they had created cultural achievements and developed different civilization structures. Civilization is the rational creation of mankind. To deliberate over civilization using the concept of dharma nature as defined in Buddhism, the great function which civilization serves stems from dharma nature itself. To discuss eternal life from the view of the everlasting primordial dharma nature of the universe, dharma nature is the innate basis of mankind's eternal life. Whereas civilization is the outward manifestation of mankind's eternal life. The relationship between this vibrant cultural life-form (civilization) and humanities is fully revealed within the teachings of Jin-Gang-Dhyana. The tradition of Jin-Gang-Dhyana incorporates flawlessly integrated philosophical thoughts, exacting systems of Buddhist scriptures, immaculate ceremonies and codes of conduct, and strict organizational structures. Although it has faded from public view for over a thousand years, its continual transmission has never been interrupted. This demonstrates the unique vitality of civilization created by the human spirits. Not only has Jin-Gang-Dhyana inherited the entire and complete volume of Chinese esoteric Buddhist teachings and practice methods, but under the specific space-time requirements of China, it has also absorbed the best of various Chinese esoteric teachings. In its long history of self-development, Jin-Gang-Dhyana has tempered itself into the crystallization of the best of human civilization. |
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