Voice of Master Jingzong - Q and A about the Purpose of Life
淨宗之聲 - 人生目的問答
Q10: For what reason do people live? Just to aspire to be reborn in the Land of Bliss? What is the meaning of life for an ordinary person?
Answer: (continuation of the answer to Q10 - 3/6)
Thus, a person who wishes to pursue blessings and happiness, and reach a state of absolute safety and perfection, must break through all kinds of limitations, whether they are physical or mental.
However, accomplishing this is not easy. Throughout human history various kinds of religions have emerged. Certain religions say, “God is infinite. If you rely on God, you will have blessings and happiness.”
Buddhism talks about cultivation. If a person realizes the state of no-birth and no-death, he becomes a Buddha who dwells in a state of infinite and ultimate bliss. However, what if you die too soon, how can you achieve such happiness?
Our lives are limited, in both length and quality. Moreover, though you may be happy, your wife or your children may not be. This may make you unhappy and filled with regrets. Try to love all people as you love your family. Having loving hearts can be a source of happiness for us. Unfortunately, if we cannot make other people happy, and help them to attain perfect and complete blessings, this may lead to regrets.
So, in order to reach the aim of real and ultimate blessings and happiness, we have to practice self-benefiting by benefiting others, and guide others to do the same. Then we will more quickly reach the state of infinity.
(to be continued tomorrow)
所以,一個人追求幸福和快樂,要達到絶對的安全、圓滿,必須突破一切有限的障礙,不管是物質上還是精神上。
但是這談何容易呢?在此情況下,就誕生了種種宗教。有的人就靠宗教來達到這個,說:“神是無限的,你靠神了,你就有福了。”
佛教講修行,證悟無生法忍、不生不滅,成佛了,當然就無限了。說“很快樂”,如果馬上就要死,你能快樂嗎?你的壽命有限,不能長久。即使你快樂了,你老婆不能快樂,你心裡也有遺憾;孩子不能快樂,你也遺憾啊。
所謂“老吾老以及人之老”,我們有愛心,即使自己達到了,如果不能讓別人同樣獲得圓滿幸福和快樂,仍然遺憾,仍然不圓滿。
所以,要達到真正究竟圓滿的幸福和快樂,就這個目標,如果按正確的方向去引導,必然要達到無限,要自利利他。
Namo Amituofo!
