Contributed by the Buddhas’ Practice Incorporated, Australia
Mentor: Bennie Spirit
Editor: Yinyue(Ivy)
With gratitude to Google AI Gemini
With gratitude to NotebookLM
Draft Date: July 4, 2026
Location: BPI Meditation Center
**Question:** Regarding whether humans possess free will, are these arguments correct?
**Grok’s Answer:** They are not all “correct,” but rather “controversial and remain inconclusive.”
**Question:** Does Buddha-Dharma contain research on this topic?
**Grok’s Answer:** There is research on this. The Buddha spoke of it very clearly; it is merely a matter of whether or not one understands it.
**Summary**
**From the Perspective of the Ultimate Essence (Tathāgatagarbha):**
The ultimate “Self” (characterized by Permanence, Bliss, Self, and Purity—*Nitya, Sukha, Ātman, Nirvāṇa*) is absolutely free. There is no such thing as being obscured by ignorance, nor is it possible to transcend that which only points to the ultimate freedom of the *Nitya-Sukha-Ātman-Nirvāṇa*. Regarding the *Tathāgatagarbha* itself, it is inherently present during states of delusion, and it is inherently present during states of enlightenment. It has never lacked anything, nor has it ever had anything in excess. There is no need to wait for “delusion to cease” in order to return to the source. “Delusion” itself is but one appearance within the wondrous function of the *Tathāgatagarbha*; it has never truly been able to defile the True Mind.
**From the Perspective of Phenomena:**
At any given moment, your free will exists. Everything is determined by your own intent, everything is created by your own actions, and all karmic retribution is experienced by you alone. It is all your free will; there is no such thing as you not having free will.
All of it is human choice. Whether you choose good or evil, right or wrong, it is your choice. There is not a single aspect that is not your choice. Choosing to follow the path of Buddhahood to liberate living beings is your choice, and choosing to indulge in eating, drinking, and pleasure-seeking is also your choice. There is no point that is not chosen according to your own intent; thus, it is called “free choice.”
**What is “Intent” (意)?**
By observing the construction of the Chinese character “意” (Yi), one can understand
its meaning. “意” is that which your mind establishes with absolute clarity. It ensures you pursue that goal relentlessly; this is truly free. Therefore, you absolutely possess
free will.
Many believe that humans do not have free will, thinking that people are pushed forward by karmic force or afflictions (*kleśas*) and thus lack free will. In reality, it is still your choice! Whether it is karmic force pushing you or afflictions pushing you, whether or not you allow yourself to be pushed is your choice.
For example, cat feces—would you put it in your mouth? That is your choice. Cow dung soup or even putrid fish—if you can put them in your mouth, that is your choice. If a person has developed such a preference, it is their own choice. Those who have not developed such a preference would never eat it, even if threatened with death. To eat or not to eat—that is still your choice. When you are being driven by karmic force or afflictions, you can choose to follow or not to choose! Therefore, this choice is indeed your choice; you are choosing freely. Every single one of your words, actions, and behaviors is your choice.
**Being Conscious of Facing Choices at Every Moment**
When facing a choice, if you are aware of it, it is called “conscious” (*vijñāna*). If you are unaware, it is called “subconscious” or “unconscious” (habitual tendencies or *vāsanā*). Both are your choices.
**How to Make the Correct Choice**
When facing the rapidly manifesting phenomena of the world, if you wish to choose well before acting, you can train yourself. Commit yourself to “think three times before speaking or acting.”
What should you contemplate?
1. Look at the direction it is leading you.
2. Consider whether the outcome it brings is good or bad.
3. If it brings good, execute it; if it brings bad, “discipline” it. “What are you trying to do?” Grind it down, grind it into dust.
Reflecting three times is your choice; acting on impulse is also your choice. Therefore, at any time, you can choose. You are free. Nothing can destroy you, and nothing can bind you.
**Scriptural References**
The Buddha indeed spoke of these topics, though not in such a systematic way; they are scattered throughout various parts of the scriptures.
For instance, both the Buddha and living beings possess free will. A direct quote from the *Shurangama Sutra* states: “When the Tathagata presses a finger, the Ocean-Seal emits light. As soon as you raise a single thought, dust and toil (*kleśas*) arise first.” All of this is free will.
The Buddha relies on wisdom, while living beings rely on afflictions; it depends on what one relies upon to make a choice.
Therefore, the “seven investigations of the mind” (*qī chù zhēng xīn*) all went wrong because you were relying on “dust and toil” (*kleśas*). You believed that everything was exactly as you perceived it, which was entirely wrong. At that time, the Tathagata asked, “You see the Tathagata is so handsome, and your mind generates joy; where is your mind?” In the end, you could not clearly identify what your mind was or where it was, yet you spoke nonsense with a straight face. All of it was debunked by the Buddha, point by point.
Ending
See the webpage for details:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VM1eCmsxqcqY5L1sffqafWCq_CXtdG-j/view?usp=drive_link