Voice of Master Jingzong - Q and A about the Purpose of Life
淨宗之聲 - 人生目的問答
Q8: Often, even with the accumulation of a great deal of knowledge, we still don't have a better life. Why?
Answer to Q8:
Yes, this is a question that troubles many contemporary Chinese and other people in the world. They think it is unreasonable. One should have a life filled with blessings if he is very knowledgeable! Actually, it more often depends upon what knowledge you have and what was its source.
If its source was a person who doesn't know how to live well, has no enlightenment, and suffers a great deal in his own life, you should not expect to have a life filled with blessings, if you choose to follow his teachings about how to live one’s life . Isn’t that so?
Take a look. There are many who share their knowledge, both online and in books; but, how many of them have gained enlightenment in their lives? Have they eliminated all of their afflictions? Is their compassion perfect and complete?
Some famous authors, poets, artists, philosophers, etc. have created a great body of work ; but, in the end they may commit suicide or accumulate many karmic offenses. They are still just ordinary beings, trapped by their habitual behaviors and afflictions. If you trust in their teachings, you will probably not have blessings in your life.
So, as you see, just because a person is knowledgeable it doesn’t mean he has more blessings. Blessings are more of a feeling in our hearts. If you learn Buddhist teachings, you know the Buddha was a fully enlightened being, with perfect and complete compassion and wisdom. It is his great compassion and wisdom that shows us the direction and path in life.
(to be continued tomorrow)
問(8):為什麼我們讀了很多書,學到了很多知識,卻依舊過不好這一生呢?
淨宗之聲:
是的。這個問題或許代表了當代中國人的主要困惑,甚至也是世界人民的困惑。沒有理由認為讀了很多書、學了很多知識就可以一生幸福。這要看你讀的是什麼書,而且寫書的是什麼人。
如果寫書的人自己都是一個不會生活的人,都是沒有覺悟人生的人,都是一個痛苦、煩惱的人,那麼你讀他的書,你想一想,你會過幸福圓滿的人生嗎?
我們來看一看,每年書店有那麼多的書,這些寫書的人覺悟了嗎?斷煩惱了嗎?慈悲圓滿了嗎?有些大名鼎鼎的作家、詩人、藝術家、哲學家,書一寫一大摞,但是最後呢?有的人走向自殺,有的人整天造罪造業,本身還是煩惱習氣徹底的凡夫,你讀他的書,當然不可能獲得人生的幸福。
所以,不是說知識學得多人生就幸福。因為人生的幸福是用心來感受,不是以我們的知識。如果學習佛法,佛陀是慈悲、智慧都圓滿的覺悟者,是那樣的大徹大悟、究竟圓滿了達人生;是那樣的大慈大悲,給我們指明了人生的方向和人生的道路。
Namo Amituofo!
