Why is it that "I/the self, Buddha, and sentient beings are one"?

Author: Hsu,Tao Qing; Tao Qing Hsu

Regardless of whether they have intangible souls or consciousness, they can still communicate and interact with each other without any obstacles.

Sentient beings include those in the heavenly realm, animal realm, and ghost realm. A deeper and broader understanding is that all sentient beings possess a soul and consciousness; the difference lies only in whether they have a physical form. If they have no physical form, their individual souls and consciousnesses remain independent and distinct. If they have physical form, besides their independent souls and consciousnesses, their genes and chromosomes are also different, thus presenting differences in appearance and form. For example, humans, cats, and dogs. Why is it that "I/the self, Buddha, and sentient beings are one"? Because, with a deeper understanding of Buddhism, regardless of whether they have a physical soul or consciousness, they can still communicate and interact with each other without any obstacles. That is, it is an exchange of spiritual and mental consciousness. This is beyond our ordinary understanding and experience. I have briefly mentioned this above. If we do not respect each other's life and psychological boundaries, and if we do not maintain an appropriate distance in each other's lives and minds, it will cause serious interference and damage to each other's lives and mental well-being.

From a legal and rights perspective, respecting each other's personal and psychological boundaries is respecting the individual's right to autonomy and freedom.

From a legal and rights perspective, respecting each other's personal and psychological boundaries, and giving each other appropriate space in life and mind, is respecting the individual's right to autonomy and freedom. In the real physical world, this is protected by legal norms such as territorial sovereignty, homeland sovereignty, and individual sovereignty. For example, imagine if some invisible spirit or consciousness tried to "chat" with us for three to five days, or even every day—wouldn't we find it annoying? Of course we would. Similarly, if a country's warplanes or coast guard ships circled and interfered with our territory for three to five days, or even every day, wouldn't we find it annoying? Of course we would. These intangible spirits and consciousnesses that disrespect themselves and others will ultimately suffer the consequences. And karmic retribution usually comes particularly quickly.

Therefore, we understand that most people in the world lack the Buddhist concept of emptiness and the equality of self and all sentient beings. In their minds, they may be misled by manipulators into believing that "ethnic unity/national unity" is a righteous act, a correct path. Consequently, they may echo the manipulators, using the righteous slogans and actions of "ethnic unity/national unity" to attack and harm others. If we possess this understanding and are wise, we will know how to counter this selfish and harmful tactic.