The Thesis, Reason, and Example in the Mundane World

The "thesis-hetu-example" (pratijñā-hetu-dṛṣṭānta) is the method of expounding the Dharma in the Yogācāra teachings; it is the wisdom realm of bodhisattvas on the bhūmis when they teach and explain the principles. That is, one first puts forward a viewpoint and an idea with an overall, summarizing narrative; then, in order to demonstrate the correctness and reasonableness of that viewpoint and idea, one narrates specific 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 speaking of principles without 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 criticize: the 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 enhance people's logical thinking ability and their capacity to digest and absorb, and their wisdom improves rapidly.

Although the threshold of the thesis-hetu-example method is very high, it is also fully applicable in the secular world, 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 their use of AI, by way of explanation and supplementary description. The more specific it is, the more persuasive it is, and the better it proves that it is fact, 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, drawing comparisons so that the listener understands clearly and is filled with confidence—thus bringing things to a perfect conclusion.

But some people are not like this. They speak only of the thesis and the principle, without stating the hetu or the facts, let alone using analogies and comparisons, leaving people completely baffled and unable to grasp what is going on. For example, some people describe themselves by saying: "Recently my cultivation has progressed very quickly." After saying this, there is nothing more. Others wait to hear what specific signs of progress there are, but they say nothing more, giving only a qualitative description of themselves, stating only the conclusion without the process or factual grounds, with no quantitative data to support it. 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 there is no quantitative data to support them—that is, no factual basis. They often like to boast and praise themselves groundlessly, and 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 thus evident that the thesis-hetu-example style of narration is a well-grounded, reasoned, and convincing way of presenting facts and explaining principles—an expression of wisdom that ordinary people do not possess.