Voice of Master Jingzong’s - Q and A about the Purpose of Life
淨宗之聲 - 人生目的問答
Question 3: If we had to choose between being a good person or a practitioner, which one is more important? Is it better for us to devote our lives to becoming a good person or a practitioner?
Answer:
Being a good person or a practitioner are not in conflict ; but, which one is more important? Of course, a practitioner! This is because the goal is higher and greater, and the benefits are more splendid.
In order to be good people, we should practice the Five Precepts and the Ten Wholesome Deeds according to the Buddha’s teachings. Unfortunately, even if we do, we will still be subjected to reincarnation within the Six Realms, despite being seen as a good person.
Actually, one purpose of Buddhist cultivation is to leave the cycle of birth-and-death, which is the goal of Theravada Buddhism. However, becoming a Buddha is the ultimate goal of Mahayana Buddhism. So, these two kinds of Buddhist teachings cannot be compared.
An Amitabha-reciter who aspires to be reborn in the Land of Bliss is assured of rebirth through Amitabha-recitation. Once reborn, he is assured of becoming a Buddha. So, Shakyamuni Buddha praises Amitabha-reciters as Pundarikas (White Lotuses) among all people.
(to be continued tomorrow)
問(3)：做個好人與修行，那個更好？
請問人活著到底是做個好人比較好，還是修行更好？
淨宗之聲：
做個好人和做一個修行人，兩者不矛盾。哪個更好呢？當然修行更好。因為修行的目標更遠大，更高上，利益也更殊勝。
◇ 所謂做個好人，按照一般佛法的標準，要做到五戒十善。
雖然做到五戒十善被人們譽為好人，但仍然在三界裡面輪迴，還是一個輪迴的凡夫。
◇ 所謂修行，就是要出離生死輪迴，這是小乘的目標；乃至究竟成佛，這是大乘的目標。
所以，這兩者是不可同日而語、無法相比的。
念佛人願生西方極樂世界，念佛一定能往生淨土，到達淨土一定能成佛，所以釋迦牟尼佛才讚歎他是“人中芬陀利華”。
Namo Amituofo!
