Throughout human history, great civilizations have always left behind remarkable scriptures. India had the Vedas, China had the Analects and the Tao Te Ching, and Korea had the Cheonbu-gyeong and the Samil Sin-go. A monumental beacon that has illuminated the spiritual world of East Asia for thousands of years is the Buddhist scriptures. Buddhism is not merely a religion; it is a vast spiritual civilization that explores human suffering and happiness, life and death, desire and freedom, ignorance and enlightenment. Therefore, even today, as AI begins to mimic human intelligence, Buddhist scriptures remain a living repository of wisdom.
Today, humanity lives in the most prosperous era in history. With a smartphone in hand, one can search for information from around the world, AI can draft documents faster than humans, and science and technology are advancing at an unprecedented pace. Paradoxically, however, human minds are becoming increasingly anxious. Depression and anxiety disorders are on the rise, loneliness has become a hallmark of modern life, and many feel empty despite an abundance of material wealth. While information has increased, wisdom has diminished; connections have multiplied, but relationships have become superficial. At this juncture, Buddhist scriptures pose profound questions to modern individuals: What is the purpose of human life? Where does true freedom lie? Does happiness come from outside, or does it originate within?
Among Buddhist scriptures, the Heart Sutra is undoubtedly the most widely read. This brief text, consisting of just over 260 characters, encapsulates the essence of Mahayana Buddhism. The core of the Heart Sutra is condensed in the phrase "form is emptiness, emptiness is form." At first glance, it may seem like a complex philosophy, but it conveys a very practical teaching. Humans tend to perceive what is visible as reality. They believe that wealth is theirs, power is eternal, and youth will last forever. However, the Heart Sutra teaches that nothing in this world is eternal. Flowers wither, seasons change, and people age and depart. All existence is in constant flux. Thus, the more one clings, the greater the suffering, and the more one lets go, the more freedom begins.
The final part of the Heart Sutra is even more famous: "Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha." Many Koreans have heard this phrase, which is not just a simple incantation. It means, "Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go to the other shore. Let’s go to the world of enlightenment." It is a grand declaration of the human spirit to transition from ignorance to wisdom, from desire to freedom, and from suffering to liberation. I believe this phrase is one of the most essential messages for modern individuals living in the age of AI. While we are crossing the river of technology, we are failing to cross the river of the heart.
The Diamond Sutra offers another dimension of wisdom. Named for its ability to shatter human ignorance with diamond-like clarity, the core of the Diamond Sutra is encapsulated in the phrase "one should give rise to a mind that does not dwell anywhere." Most people remain stuck in the past. Some cling to former glories, while others are trapped by past failures. Still, others lose the present in anxiety about the future. However, the Diamond Sutra advises against dwelling. Live as the river flows. Observe thoughts as clouds drift by. Do not try to grasp them; let them go. Then, the mind will become free.
Another notable phrase from the Diamond Sutra states, "All conditioned phenomena are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow, like dew or lightning; one should view them like this." This passage teaches humility. There is no reason to be arrogant in success or despair in failure. The present wealth is not eternal, nor is the current suffering. Change is the essence of the universe. The Diamond Sutra teaches freedom that remains unshaken amid change.
The Lotus Sutra embodies the grandest ideals among Buddhist scriptures. It asserts that every human possesses Buddha-nature. Kings can become Buddhas, farmers can become Buddhas, children can become Buddhas, and the elderly can become Buddhas. The essence of the Lotus Sutra is a declaration of human dignity. No one is a discarded being, and everyone has the potential for enlightenment. In today’s AI era, there is a strong tendency to evaluate human value based on productivity and efficiency. However, the Lotus Sutra asserts that human value lies not in ability but in existence itself. Every being is precious, and every being harbors the potential for enlightenment.
If the Heart Sutra teaches letting go of attachment, the Diamond Sutra advises against dwelling, and the Lotus Sutra speaks of human dignity, then the great cultural heritage that synthesizes all these teachings and passes them down to future generations is the Tripitaka.
The Tripitaka, stored at Haeinsa Temple in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, is not merely a collection of Buddhist scriptures. It embodies the spirit of the Goryeo people and the pride of Korean civilization. During the national crisis of the Mongol invasions, Goryeo sought to protect the country through the teachings of the Buddha. From 1236 to 1251, they created the Tripitaka over 16 years. Specifically, it consists of 81,258 wooden blocks inscribed with Buddhist scriptures and treatises, making it the largest woodblock print in the world. The total character count exceeds 52 million. In modern terms, it can be likened to a vast knowledge repository created by humanity in the medieval era.
Even more astonishing is its accuracy. Scholars worldwide have marveled at the fact that few errors have been found in the Tripitaka. The artisans and monks of Goryeo compared various scriptures from China, Khitan, and the Song Dynasty to create the most accurate text. It was not merely copying; it was a scholarly endeavor of the highest caliber. Consequently, the Tripitaka is regarded as one of the most complete Buddhist canons today.
The woodblock production technology is also remarkable. High-quality timber from the southern coast was soaked in seawater, boiled in saltwater, and dried for years to prevent warping. Each character was meticulously carved. This is why, even 800 years later, most of the woodblocks remain intact. The Jangyeong Panjeon at Haeinsa Temple is also a marvel of science. Its natural ventilation structure regulates humidity and maintains temperature, impressing even modern architects. UNESCO designated the Tripitaka and the Jangyeong Panjeon as World Documentary Heritage and World Cultural Heritage for these reasons.
Every time I view the Tripitaka, I am struck by one thought. Today, humanity is constructing massive data centers for AI. Countless servers store data, train algorithms, and accumulate knowledge. However, the Goryeo people created the largest knowledge repository for humanity 800 years ago. The difference is that while today’s data centers are warehouses of information, the Tripitaka is a warehouse of wisdom.
Information can make humans smarter, but wisdom can set them free. AI can process information but cannot attain enlightenment. AI can calculate but cannot practice compassion. AI can analyze but cannot achieve liberation. Thus, as technology advances, spirituality becomes increasingly important.
The Heart Sutra teaches us to let go of attachment. The Diamond Sutra advises us not to dwell anywhere. The Lotus Sutra asserts that there is a Buddha within every being. And the Tripitaka preserves all this wisdom, passing it down to us over 800 years.
Ultimately, what the Buddhist scriptures convey is singular: humans are not beings born to possess but beings who live to attain enlightenment. Even in the age of AI, the last territory of humanity is the heart, and one of the oldest mirrors reflecting that heart is the Buddhist scriptures. The Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, and the Tripitaka are not stories from 2,000 years ago; rather, they may be messages for the future that resonate even more urgently with modern individuals living in the age of artificial intelligence.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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