Buddhist philosophy: there is no agent ......

Dear Leechard,


I am a student of the Master of Buddhist Studies in HKU. I am grateful
that you discussed with me over the phone for my concern on the above issue
yesterday.

You believe there is a director or co-ordinator who co-ordinates and
regulates things around, so that harmony can be achieved. I seem to echo
with your thinking. However, from my understanding from Buddhist
philosophy, there is no agent such a thing in the world. Every phenomenon
is due to appropriate conditions for existing. It is due to good conditions
which nurtures us then we have good performance. This is the same as
applying to the orchestra.

I am a bit puzzling. This question is important for me to have correct
understanding of an organic unit, such as a body, a family , a society, a
country, etc. How does it achieve harmony ? How it becomes chaotic ?
Waiting for your further elaboration on your view.
I can read Chinese that you can reply with Chinese.
Thank you for your kind response.

Catherne Chow.


李察回應：
Dear Ms Chow,

Thanks for your concern.

佛家思想，李察並無研究。但問題是，佛家哲學和佛教，為甚麼如此不同？
佛家哲學否定宇宙有創造者，以為一切無非是生滅和因果。這是跟莊子完全不同的想法，
亦跟基督教不同。
但問題是，為何佛教之中，又有如此多的神佛。有時佛道合流，更是民間常見。
猜想，是因為人心需要投射。當很多人的心，共同投射於一種對象，例如觀音或玉皇大帝，
那就形成了一種你所說的co-ordinator了。
但問題仍然存在。莊子所說的「造物者」，未必就是「投射」出來的。是自然本有的。

至於宇宙萬物的和諧，能否在沒有創造者，沒有中心維繫的情況下出現？
這是值得一再思索的。

謝謝你的問題。若能再詳細一點，為我們解釋一下，因果和轉生、甚至輪迴等原理，相
信必定得益不少。

謝謝

李察謹上