Voice of Master Jingzong - Q and A about the Purpose of Life
淨宗之聲 - 人生目的問答
Questions about the meaning, aims, and pursuits of those who are reborn in the Pure Land and become Buddhas.
Answer (continuation to Q11 - 2/5):
In its original state life is filled with delight, peace, and joy. Suffering arises due to our karma and ignorance. That is why we should strive to depart from suffering and pursue true happiness with every single thought. However, because we are not enlightened and are unable to see the original face of life, we depart from our original homeland (Buddha Nature). This leaves us confused and unable to see what our true problems are. We are like people who arrive in a city without knowing their way around.
Thus, we strive to escape from suffering and pursue happiness in this world; but, we all commit karmic offenses. Sadly, when we die, we exit from one world of suffering and
reincarnate in another. It is human instinct and the natural function of our Buddha Nature to try to escape from suffering and pursue happiness. Unfortunately, we are ordinary ignorant beings whose understanding and activities are incorrect. Seeing our predicament the Buddhas take pity on us.
The reason we lose our way is that we have lost touch with our Buddha Nature (our original state of being) - the homeland of permanence, happiness, and purity. So, it is of course, the meaning of life to return to that original state.
(to be continued tomorrow)
生命的本來就是歡樂、安樂和喜樂,是跟苦不相應的;苦是染污法、顛倒墮落法。所以,我們心心念念要離苦得樂,但是我們不能覺悟生命的本來面貌,我們離開了生命——佛性的本來家鄉,所以不知道問題出在哪裡。就像一個人到了一座城市,東西南北搞不清楚,我們人生都是這樣。所以,一方面在那裡追求離苦得樂,另一方面從苦入苦,造下更多的罪業。
但是,追求離苦得樂是對的,這是人的本能追求,也是佛性裡面自然的功能。但是我們的方向錯了,認識錯了,所以佛才憐憫我們。
人之所以失去價值、失去目標、失去意義,就是跟佛性,跟我們本來的真我,跟常樂我淨的本性家鄉偏離了,遠離了,疏遠了,人分裂、疏離了自己。所以,他當然要回歸本心、回歸本元,這就是人生的意義。
Namo Amituofo!
