What are the phenomena in the age of Dharma degeneration? The phenomenon is everyone is not in a hurry to be liberated. During the Buddha’s time when the sublime teaching existed, once [a disciple] understood the concept, [he] immediately applied that concept to observe and reflect on the self, and then applied accordingly toward personal liberation, which is followed by helping others to be liberated. Seeking for liberation — to seek for individual liberation alone is Hinayana, the lesser vehicle; and to further advance to help others is Mahayana. Therefore, by then, there is no argument at all: everyone is of different nature and applies this accordingly to study and practice — with respect to those trying to catch up, when you are done learning, you turn around and help them, thus forming a very harmonious atmosphere. During this degenerate time, once with some understanding, instead of applying it, the feeling is, “well, mine is this way, how come yours is like that.” Then, everyone starts to argue. And then, if he is better than me, no doubt [I] am not convinced; whereas if he is worse than me, of course [he] will be looked down upon, and I won’t accept it even when he is better than me! Hence, this is the age of strife.