ACI 4, Proof of Future Lives, is an introduction to the important Buddhist tool of logic. You will use the art of logic throughout your study of Buddhism. Especially in the lower schools and when dealing with the most fundamental core ideas of Buddhism—like the correct views of emptiness, karma, and past and future lives—logic is essential. Each of us needs a big toolkit full of as many tools as possible so we can help everyone we encounter grasp the teachings that will help them end their suffering. Logic is a big, powerful tool.  The great Gyaltsab Je said of his teacher Je Tsongkapa, "The kindest thing my lama ever did for me was to teach me logic."

Proof of Future Lives will give you valuable information, like the definition of existence, what is a valid perception, how definitions work, how to understand and construct a syllogism, different kinds of valid perception and what to use them on, why memory is weaker than perception, why a creator being cannot exist, and why it's incorrect to think that the mind dies when the body dies.  It will help you to understand the concept of chi jedrak, meaning qualities and characteristics. This is the Buddhist version of set theory. Geshe Michael has said that if you have an excellent grasp of chi jedrak, you will be very close to seeing emptiness directly.

Studying logic will help you understand the difference between changing things and unchanging things. It will point out why regular people like us should not judge others. The Buddha tells us, "I or someone like myself can judge a person, but no normal person should judge another, for he or she will fall." Find out why, exactly, you will "fall" if you judge another person, according to logic! Join us for ACI 4.  It's free and open to all.