This doesn't sound realistic. Most of these people are already too far gone to listen to ways in which they can change their lives. It's too late. Even if they believed in future lifetimes. I'm sure they are thinking about today and tomorrow, not about years down the road. And they don't want to know about their root problems. They want food, clothing, shelter, drugs, medicine. These people need immediate help. Are you saying we should become street comer evangelists and preach Buddhadharma to passers-by?

SHIH-FU:

No, you should not evangelize. That is not the Buddhist way. It will only bring more problems ─ for you, for others, for Buddhism in general. The best way is to practice Buddhadharma. If you live it, then you don't have to preach. It will flow from you naturally. If you are of a mind to give, the giving will come naturally. Those who have affinity with you will benefit. This is helping of the highest order. You don't have to evangelize. If you live the Buddhadharma, people will come to you.

STUDENT:

What about the other side of the coin? Suppose you work in a dog-eat-dog business. How do you deal with competition with other businesses? It is your job to outdo the competition. Isn't this causing your competitors to suffer? But if you helped your competitors it would mean losing your own job or business. How should one act in these circumstances?

SHIH-FU:

Honest competition is not necessarily evil. It depends on your attitude. In what way are you competitive? The correct attitude is to strive forward and, at the same time, wish your competition to strive forward as well. It's like a swim meet. I do my swimming and you do yours. We don't try to knock each other dead and then go ahead. We encourage a true competitive spirit. This is healthy. It encourages one to perform at higher levels.