1.From primitive to modern times

　People who live in cities of developed countries where skyscrapers abound are living in a highly technological material world. However, humans went through a long period of time to reach this stage.

　According to studies by anthropologists, there were humans 2.5 million years ago. However, it was only 5,000 years ago when written form was invented that there were records of history. The times before this are known as prehistoric times and humans who lived in that era are known as prehistoric human beings. They were hunters and gatherers, wearing furs and drinking blood. They live in caves or on trees, their source of food came from wild beings and plants. Initially, they could only hunt birds and reptiles. After a million years, when they invented new methods and weapons, They started to hunt bigger animals such as wild ox, deer, bear and elephant. If they lived by the river or lake, they would feed on fishes and molluscs; in the mountains or on flatland where plants were available, they feed on fruits, nuts, seeds or roots of wild flora or hunt birds. In other words they feed on their surrounding environment. They live in groups of dozens of people and roamed about for food. Although they were nomads, they stayed together in groups.

　This nomadic existence went on for a long time. It was only 10,000 years ago that humans started an agriculture-based lifestyle and began to build villages. As they had a fixed place to stay and a regular supply of food, they then had time and energy to develop other skills. Therefore some became pottery artisans; others became traders. Small villages also gradually turned into big towns and gave birth to human civillisation.

　For 2.5 million years, humans led a primitive life for a long time without change. Later they moved into the agricultural era, living a routine life where they rose with the sun and rested as the sun set. This life style also carried on for nearly10.000 years without change.

　　Near the end of the 18th century, machines were invented to replace manual work. Due to the industrial revolution, the economic and social structures underwent tremendous changes. The shift from agriculture to industry and commerce brought dramatic changes to human lifestyle.

　　Humans move from the primitive era into the agricultural stage, followed by the industrial stage, the industrial revolution, the atomic era, the space age and into the current information technology era. For nearly 2.5 million years, there was no change to the primitive life of humans. Even in the agricultural age, there were not many changes. However, after the industrial revolution, the social structure and way of life changed enormously. Into the information technology age, human's thought, lifestyle and social structure are changing all the time. It is indeed a fast-changing environment that allows us to better understand the meaning behind Buddha's teaching of impermanence.

2.What have we receive from advances in science?

　This is the year 2000. Some say that the year 2000 is the beginning of the 21st century, others say that it is the last year of the 20th century. In other words it is the turning point into the 21st century. The 20th century is the age of rapid technological developments therefore we can say that the 20th century is the age of technology and what have humans received from advances in technology? We should reflect on and consider this question.

　Some developed countries used advanced technology to manufacture deadly weapons and used them to invade and occupy other countries. This is evident by the fact that there were two world wars within a span of 30 years during the mid-20th century.

During the 1st World War form 1914 to 1919, there were many casualties from the countries involved. The 2nd World War erupted in 1939 and only ended in 1945 when the United States dropped two atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing Japan to surrender unconditionally. The 2nd World War affected many countries and there were many casualties. Taiwan and Singapore were among the many countries traumatised by this war. The total number of dead soldiers and commoners came to nearly 100 million ; it was indeed a catastrophe.

Other than these two fatal world wars, there were also civil and territorial wars which resulted in huge casualties. Advanced technology leading to lethal weapons is the cause of these injuries and deaths. Through Japan's surrender after the two atomic bomb attacks, the United States was able to show its superiority in atomic weapons to the world proudly. However, many powerful nations later developed more advanced weapons and now many countries have nuclear weapons. These destructive weapons are more powerful, if the 3rd World War erupts and nuclear weapons are used, humans will head for self-destruction.

First IBM Computer

In 1946, the United States' army commissioned the world's first computer to calculate the trajectory of a cannon. This computer used 18,000 transistors, weighed 30 tonnes and needed a group of people to operate it. In 1981, IBM launched a computer with 64KB of memory. Now we have moved from desktop computer to notebook to hand-held computer. Although their sizes are diminishing, their capabilities are expanding.

　Advances in the development of computer and the internet may have brought a lot of convenience to us, especially beneficial where economic development is concerned, computer-related crimes and victims of internet-based friendship are also on the rise. Computers can also accurately pinpoint missile targets now; they have become the main accomplice behind these lethal weapons.

　Due to developments in material civilisation, about one billion people in developed countries now enjoy a high standard of living. They have so many material enjoyments and waste so much energy every day that the world's resources are fast depleting, thus seriously threatening the existence of our future generation. On the other hand, more than two billion people still live in unhygienic conditions. They cannot obtain suitable medical treatment, thus living a poor and unhealthy life.

Technological competition will become more intense. Poor and undeveloped countries will lose out as they do not have economic means or talents to develop technology. This will further widen their gap with the rich developed countries. Young people from poor and undeveloped countries in Southeast Asia doing labour work overseas to support their families back home is an example of this gap. Therefore advances in technology do not benefit these countries. On the other hand, the speedy industrial developments in developed countries only destroy our natural habitat faster; for example, fumes from cars, poisonous gas from burning chemicals, and CFC released from

3.The effects of genetics on human society

　There is a movie entitled A handful of Husbands (literal translation). In the movie, a businessman finds himself so busy that he cannot handle a lot of things and causes unhappiness to his wife, children and customers. He therefore seeks the help of a scientist to do three clones of himself; one to keep his wife company, one to play with his children, and one to serve his clients while he himself relaxes by fishing and taking holidays. Initially, all four do the work of one person and co-operate will, his wife, children and clients are very pleased. However, after sometime the clones start to have their own minds and refuse to coordinate, thereby creating a lot of problems, making more troubles for the businessman! Currently, there are no human clones yet; therefore, this is only a science fiction movie. However, according to scientists, there can be successful human cloning within the next ten years.

At 5 pm on 5 July 1996, a sheep clone was born. She was named Dolly and her creator was Dr. Lan Wilman. Dolly was not the result of a sexual reproduction but came from the gene in the mammar gland cell of a 6-year-old sheep. Dr. Wilman removed the gene in the embryo of another sheep and fused this gene into the embryo. He then used electrolysis to cause the gene to divide and successfully created Dolly. She was exactly the same as the 6-year-old sheep, only 6 years younger than the latter.

　Since the birth of Dolly, there have been a series of births of other animal clones. In July 1998, Japan produced the first cow clone and markets in Japan are now supplying superior clone beef. In January this year, a group of American scientists produced the first primate clone-the Ganges Monkey (literal translation). The biotechnology company which created Dolly produced five pig clones on 5 March this year. According to the Central News report from Bangkok on 11 March, the veterinary faculty in the Chulalongkorn University announced that Thailand had become the first Southeast Asian country to clone cows from the cells in the cow's ears. Japanese scientists plan to clone the world's first cat in June this year. Professor Cheng Denggui of National Taiwan University's Department of Veterinary Medicine is currently on the way to creating a cow clone. These are the result of advances in genetics, is this a pro or a con for our future generation? We should be concerned about this question.

　The human body is a fascinating makeup. According to research done by scientists, genes of different cells differ from one another. There are between 80,000 to 120,000 genes in human cells. Within 15 to 16 years, America invested US$3 billion into research to map out the human genetic pattern. If proven to be successful, scientists will have a DNA structure map to further explore the human biology and uncover the mystery of human beings.

Advances in genetics can be used to treat communicable diseases, change the human constitution and do human cloning. Is this a disaster or blessing? Scientists, life science moralists and theologists hold different views on this question. However, they are positive about using foetal genetic treatment. If this treatment proves successful, defective genes which carry hereditary diseases can be removed, thereby exterminating all hereditary diseases. Doctors can then treat the causes rather than the symptoms, thereby less pain and a healthier, longer life for humans. If this technology can benefit humans, it will indeed be a meritorious deed! Nevertheless, some scientists feel that defective genes may be useful to us unknowingly. Scientists now know that the gene which causes sickle cell anaemia can prevent malaria; the gene which causes bladder fibrosis can prevent cholera. Therefore, removing defective genes may actually cause the onset of other diseases.

　As for reconstructing the human gene, Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Church (literal translation) says, "If we think that a hyperactive child is difficult to handle and thereby removing the gene concerned, how many artists, musicians, space explorers and inventors will we lose? We may only have the gene of accountants left if we remove that gene." Genetic reconstruction can change human characteristics such as height, shape of the face, ratio between the waist and bottom or skills. Scientists say that parents may choose the desired genes for their children so that they can be more beautiful, cleverer and outstanding children. The age of germline engineering will come. Parents can then choose a particular beauty type for their children, however, when they grow up, they may find that this type does not fit into their ideals. They may blame their parents for giving them a gene for football potential and not one for basketball.

　Scientists want to use genetics to change the human body, for example, to get id of bad genes like alcoholism, idleness, violence, stupidity and put in good ones such as a mild temperament, intelligence, law-abiding, hardworking and ability, etc. The idealism of eugenics may have shaken off the brutal methods of the Nazi, but will the use of technology to change human beings cause unfairness and discrimination? This is because it is very expensive to use this technology. Therefore the rich can use it to improve their next generation while the poor will not be able to afford it. This will result in a superior race and remain exclusive to the rich. At the same time, the reconstructed human will be more outstanding, cleverer and capable compared to the original human who will be discriminated by the former.

　Biologists are now deep into unravelling the genetic code. Dr. Shen Zhekun, Director of Molecular Biology Institute in Taiwan's Academia Sinica Predicts that scientists will be able to map out the order of the 3 billion genetic codes in 3 years' time. By then, we will be able to know the functions and defects in our genes. The human genetic map is like an identity card which can predict the onset of diseases or behavioral mode. Dr. Shen also predicts that human clones may appear within the next ten years and he believes that some people are secretly doing this experiment.

　Dr. Shen says that asexual reproduction from the same body is a safer way to prevent rejection in the human clone. This means to use a woman's cells to cultivate an embryo and transplant it into the uterus of the same woman to create a human clone. If this cloning method is successful. It will destroy the order of sexual reproduction. Women can then give birth asexually and this diminishes the role of man. This will in turn change the traditional marriage and family relationships. In response to this point, Professor Liu Yuxiu from the Department of Foreign Language and Literature in National Taiwan University thinks that women place emphasis on having a close relationship, so giving birth is not only to ensure the continuity of the family line, but also to bear the fruit of their love with the opposite sex. Children are therefore not deemed as their replicas. Dr. Shen also feels that asexual reproduction may be deficient in the choice of good genes and this is detrimental to the evolution of man.

　According to legends, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420 AD), King Yaoxing asked Kumarajiva to leave behind his intelligence and offered beautiful women to him. If human cloning was available then, we would only need to obtain Kumarajiva's gene for intelligence to replicate another Kumarajiva. If future cloning techniques prove to be successful, the Tibetan living Buddhas only need to extract their genes before dying and replicate themselves, thus saving the trouble of rebirth and searching for the reincarnation.

4.Progress in science proves the greatness of the Dharma

　Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, is Buddhism obsolete in this technological ear? Will the more than 2,000 year-old thoughts of Sakyamuni be eliminated? As Buddhists, we should be concerned about this question but we do not need to worry. The more that science progresses, the more it proves the greatness of the Dharma. Therefore, not only will Buddhism stay relevant, it will be at the forefront of the times. Let me cite a few examples:

1. According to the Vinaya in Daily Use, monks and nuns have to chant the mantra before drinking, "There are 84,000 living organisms in this bowl of water that the Buddha sees, if I do not chant, it is just like I am eating them alive." The organisms mentioned here are what we now call germs. Humans only knew the existence of germs

2. The Sutra of the Heart of Prajna Paramita says that "there is no difference between the phenomena and emptiness; they are one and the same" and "the true voidness transcendentally exists; the transcendental existence is truly void." Their are the unchanging principles behind form and appearance but difficult to understand before the invention of computers. I shall use the computer to explain them clearly. The data which appear on the computer screen is the phenomenon but it is only an image, which is emptiness; the images does not leave the screen and vice versa. This means that they are one and the same. Since they are one and the same, there is no difference between them. The hardware of the computer stores a lot of data which cannot be seen physically, this is "the true voidness transcendentally exists; the transcendental existence is truly void."

3. The Surangama-sutra says that "a hair tip can contain the world". This is the principle of the co-existence of the big and the small. The chip in the computer is now getting smaller but it can contain more and more data. This is the principle of the co-existence of the big in the small.

4. The ten philosophic ideas in the Avatamsake-sutra state that:
I.One and many are the same but they do not interfere with one another." For example, there are a thousand lighted candles in a room, their rays intersect but do not cause interference to one another.
II."Small things can be contained together and yet stay distinct." For example, putting atoms into a bottle and yet they do not get mixed up and can be seen clearly from outside.

5. ".These non-interference principles are difficult to understand. However, looking at the internet, there are many people surfing on it and all are using one network simultaneously. It is all contained in one but there is no confusion. This is a good example of "one and many are the same but they do not interfere with one another" and "small things can be contained together
and yet stay distinct."

6. In this advanced technological age, not only the birth, stay, change and death of the inner self are constantly changing, so is the external environment. Even the principle of the never changed sexual reproduction may be challenged by the progress in genetics. This show that there are no permanent laws in this world and proves that the Buddha's teaching of "all things are impermanent" is an unchanging truth.

7. The use of genetics to clone animals has overturned the myth that God created the world, but cannot transcend the Buddhist teachings that everything arises and disappears from conditions, and has no separate and independent nature. There are seven ways to give birth in the Vibhasa
(philosophies or doctrines taught in the Dharma); therefore, cloning is just another method to produce sentient beings. Cloning also proves that each cell is an individual life form and the human body is made up of countless life forms, no one form is dominant. This proves that the Buddha is correct to say that no permanent ego exists.

　From the above examples, we can see that the Dharma is truth which "remains unchanged through the times and correct when seen from any direction". Not only is this truth unchallenged by the times, it can be the leader of the times. Directing humans into the bright and happy realm.

5.Using the Dharma to direct technology and to realize earthly pure land

　Advanced technology does not bring happiness to humans. It causes mental tension, anxiety and unhappiness. It cannot fulfil humans' requests and cannot solve spiritual problems. In their disappointment towards science, many people turn to religion to find a base for their faith and solve
their problems in life. Therefore, the 21st century is the ear of religion and only Buddhism can play an important role in this new ear. We must use the Dharma to lead the new generation to understand technology and use it to benefit mankind, and not suffer from the disasters caused by technology.
Buddhist followers must gain more insight and spread the Dharma further.

　Although the Dharma is boundless, its fundamentals rest on the Four Noble Truths from which all the other teachings are derived. The Four Noble Truths are suffering, causes of suffering, extinction of suffering and the way to such extinction.

　The truth of suffering states that the real world is a miserable one where humans have to undergo all kinds of disaster and pain. From the primitive to the advanced technological age, experience tells us that suffering and problems are endless, no mater how much technology progresses, it can never solve the problem of suffering completely. Just as Aniruddha says: "The world is a suffering one and cannot be changed to a blissful one." Since this fact cannot be changed, it is called the truth of suffering.

　The truth of the causes of suffering means that suffering is caused by mistakes and sins due to ignorance, and not because of punishment from gods. We must be responsible for the consequences of our actions, from here we can see that Buddhism is a human-based rather than a God based religion. Buddhism states that humans control their happiness and suffering while other religions preach that gods control humans' fate. This is where Buddhism surpasses other religions. This second truth explains one aspect of the principle of cause and effect.

　The truth of the extinction of suffering means to eliminate the suffering in this world and attain nirvana. It is possible to obtain happiness in this world, provided we can get rid of our doubts, do no evil deeds and cultivate the pure way. We can then transcend the three realms of existence, eliminate
the six ways of rebirth forever and attain the enlightened state of nirvana which is the objective of all Buddhists.

The last truth is the way to such extinction or the way to eliminate suffering and attain nirvana. The Buddha cultivated the middle path between suffering and happiness and gained enlightenment; he therefore requested his disciples to cultivate this middle path. When the Buddha first turned the Kharma-wheel (to preach the truth) and opened up the eightfold noble path, he also described in details the 37 conditions leading to Buddhahood, four all-embracing virtues, six things that ferry one beyond the sea of mortality to nirvana (i.e. the 6 paramitas) etc. According to the Buddha's way of cultivation, one can eliminate worries and evil, transcend life and death and attain nirvana. Therefore, the way to such extinction is one aspect of the principle of cause and effect in transcending the world.

　The Four Noble Truths opened up by the Buddha show the phenomenon and cause of suffering in the world and teach the way to eliminate it so that sentient beings can gain enlightenment. This can be compared to a doctor diagnosing the symptoms and causes of a disease, then ordering the patient to restore health. Therefore, Buddhism uses scientific ways to teach cultivation so that humans can reach the transcendental stage beyond science. This is where Buddhism surpasses all other superstitious beliefs or God-based religions.

　The eightfold noble path by the Buddha is the correct path that humans take to reach the happy realm of the sages. The eightfold noble path refers to: right views; right thought and purpose; right speech; right deed or conduct; right livelihood; right zeal or energy; right mindfulness and right meditation, absorption or abstraction. Among them, right views mean having a right understanding of the Four Noble Truths and realising that retribution, whether good or bad, follows one into rebirth, etc.

　Buddhists must have the right faith before they can have right views. In this age where evil is stronger than morality, having right faith and views are crucial. This is because in this diversified society where there is freedom of thoughts and beliefs and where cults abound, it is easy to fall prey to evil without right faith and views. As Buddhists, we should base our beliefs on the three characteristics of existence, the teaching of cause and effect, etc., so that we do not fall into evil views.

　All of us have to undergo the endless eight sufferings: birth, aging, sickness, death, separation from whom we love, meeting with whom we dislike, unattained desires and the five skandhas (components of an intelligent being). Although we now have advanced technology, a high level of material enjoyment and better health due to genetics we cannot prevent aging and death. This is the impermanent life; if we can understand this, we can understand the principle of emptiness and attain peace of mind. Otherwise, we will develop mental suffering. In life, we have to face suffering, aging and death; if one has this understanding, one has right views. If we hope that technology can bring us happiness, or prevent aging and death, we are having evil views.

　One who has right views will definitely have the right belief that good deeds beget good retribution while evil deeds bear evil fruits. The retribution while evil deeds bear evil fruits. The 2nd noble truth says that ignorance and deed are the causes behind suffering. Deeds from ignorance cause the suffering of birth and death. Cause and effect is a law of nature which affects all. While science may be progressing and genetics can alter humans in the future, they too cannot run away from this truth. In the future, parents can buy superior genes to have beautiful and clever children. But instead of the desired results, they may have ugly and stupid children due to the wrong genes or rejection in the womb. There are all cause and effect!

Damages Caused by Atomic Bombs, The atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki exploded
at 11:02 A.M. on August 9. Using plutonium with an explosive power of 20 kilotons of TNT-equivalent, it left an estimated 70,000 dead by the end of 1945, although both population and the deaths are uncertain.

　Humans are the ones who develop and make use of technology. Those who develop and make use of technology should have the notion of cause and effect as well as a compassionate heart, only then can they use technology correctly to benefit mankind. Otherwise they will only use it to destroy the world. The inventor of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenhimer said the following in a speech after two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Hagasaki: "Physicists have tasted evil now. This feeling cannot be removed by fanciful, humorous or exaggerated words, it will remain for life." (literal translation) Scientists should reflect on his words indeed.

　To use right views in our daily lives is to be able to determine correctly what we should d0, plan carefully and carry out seriously so that we can obtain success. We should have right views on the future of our country and the international situation, otherwise we will bring disaster to our country. We should also have correct views on the maintenance of our families and our children's education, only then can we have happy families.

　With right views, we will have right thought and purpose. This is also known as the right way to determine things; it is the right meaning and decision before action and words. We can only make the right decision with the right thought. As technology can both benefit and harm humans, and is very powerful, those who make use of it must understand the cause and effect of good and evil and consider the well-being of mankind. Otherwise, the abuse of technology will only result in a catastrophe. If we were to explode all the nuclear weapons in this world now, our earth will be reduced to ashes. Fortunately, leaders of nuclear states fully understand the horrors of a nuclear war and act with self-restraint, thus preventing a catastrophe. In this technological era, we must have high intelligence, develop humanism, enhance morality and change violence into harmony, only then can we prevent a nuclear holocaust.

　Right speech is the words which come form right views thought and purpose. It is divorced from harmful language such as lies, evil words, double-side language, flattery statements, etc. Advances in the media allow news from television and papers to influence people's opinions and thoughts. Evil saying from lies cause people to fall into evil views and they are unable to understand the language of birth and death; this is an extreme cause of telling lies. When the media give the wrong news and mislead the society, causing people to have wrong views about happenings in their country and society, thus resulting in harm, we can call this a moderate case of telling lies!

　In an open society, we can easily obtain all kinds of information from the newspapers, television, the internet, etc. However, we must be objective and intelligent in analyzing the data so that we will not be misled by wrong information. Those who are working in the media must have moral cultivation and a sense of social responsibility so as not to abuse the media, resulting in serious karma of words and suffering retribution of having one's tongue pulled by demons in hell.

　The manifestation of right views, thought and purpose is right deed or conduct. With this, people can defer from killing, stealing, licentious behavior and thus develop a compassionate heart and love all beings. Nuclear weapons may be the deadliest thing around now, but with advanced technology, using computer to harm people may be worse. Therefore, we should promote less killing so that we can get away from disaster.

　We can only have proper means to obtain benefits to maintain our living with right speech and deed or conduct, this is known as right livelihood. In general, a regular life is one aspect of right livelihood.

　With right views, thought and purpose, we will then work toward what is proper and good. "Destroy forever what is already evil, do not develop it if it is not present; develop good if it is not present, make it grow if it is already there." This is right zeal or energy.

　The 7th element in the eightfold noble path is right mindfulness. It is the right things that the heart remembers. For Buddhists, right mindfulness is not forgetting the Four Noble Truths or the reality.

　The last is right meditation, absorption or abstraction. This means that there are no false thoughts such as greed, anger, delusion in the heart and it is as peaceful and clear as still waters without any other thoughts at all.

　Now is the era of advanced technology and endless material desires; we have to experience the impermanence of life and the non-existence of ego so that we do not become slaves to advanced technology and materialism. We should make good use of advanced technological products to enhance our quality of living. This is the way to be a human being in the modern times.

　Humans are getting closer due to advanced technology. In this global village, our interests are interlinked. Therefore, we must have unconditioned mutual compassion towards all sentient beings, only then can we establish an earthly pure land.

　
Conclusion

Many people cannot do without walkmans, mobile phones and notebooks now; youths learn to commit crimes from electronic games, television programs or the internet and use violence in school and society, harming others and themselves; parents hope to use genetics to choose their next generation. These are phenomena of the modern human quest for advanced technology. In contrast, traditional human values have disappeared, so what have we received from advanced technology?

　In modern families, parents and children may be living under one roof, but they stay in their own rooms watching their favorite television programs or listening to their favorite music. Kinship is eroding and there is less and less family warmth.

　I suggest that all of you switch off your mobile phones and watch less television programs after work, only then can you really spend time with your family. If you have the time, participate in religious activities or meaningful social community events to broaden and enrich your life, thereby
enhancing the value of your existence and avoid wasting your precious life.

By Venerable Master Chin Xin, A lecture given in Singapore on March 28, 2000