Difference between revisions of "The Meaning of Life"
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| + | From the {{Wiki|biological}} {{Wiki|perspective}} the {{Wiki|purpose}} of [[life]] is to acquire the necessities for continued [[existence]], to reproduce and to survive. But what about the {{Wiki|purpose}} of [[life]] from the [[religious]] point of [[view]]? | ||
| − | + | If [[life]] has a single and specific {{Wiki|purpose}}, as certain [[religions]] and [[philosophies]] claim, then one would expect everybody, sooner or later, to naturally discover and then strive to achieve it. In actual fact, we see that the various [[religions]] posit quite different and sometimes [[contradictory]] purposes of [[life]]. We also notice that many [[people]] manage to get through [[life]] all right without ever asking or [[thinking]] about whether or not [[life]] has a meaning. This suggests very strongly that beyond the {{Wiki|biological}}, [[life]] does not have a {{Wiki|purpose}} or meaning. | |
| − | + | From the [[Buddhist]] point of [[view]], this is a good thing - it means that we have the freedom and the possibility to give our [[life]] the meaning that we want. If we decide to make the [[accumulation]] of [[wealth]] or power the {{Wiki|purpose}} of our [[life]], then it will become so. If we decide to make the pursuit of [[pleasure]], [[dedication]] to our family or the contemplation of the [[divine]] the {{Wiki|purpose}} of our [[life]], then it will become so. Whenever one of his [[disciples]] [[attained]] [[enlightenment]] and became an [[arahat]], the [[Buddha]] would always say that he or she had ‘done what has had to be done’ (S.III,68). From this we can deduce that for the [[Buddha]], the meaning, the {{Wiki|purpose}} and the fulfilment of [[life]] is to attain the [[joy]] and freedom of [[enlightenment]]. | |
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| − | From the [[Buddhist]] point of [[view]], this is a good thing - it means that we have the freedom and the possibility to give our [[life]] the meaning that we want. If we decide to make the [[accumulation]] of [[wealth]] or power the purpose of our [[life]], then it will become so. If we decide to make the pursuit of [[pleasure]], [[dedication]] to our family or the contemplation of the [[divine]] the purpose of our [[life]], then it will become so. Whenever one of his [[disciples]] [[attained]] [[enlightenment]] and became an [[arahat]], the [[Buddha]] would always say that he or she had ‘done what has had to be done’ (S.III,68). From this we can deduce that for the [[Buddha]], the meaning, the purpose and the | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=The_Meaning_of_Life www.dhammawiki.com] | [http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=The_Meaning_of_Life www.dhammawiki.com] | ||
| + | [[Category:Life]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:37, 9 February 2016
From the biological perspective the purpose of life is to acquire the necessities for continued existence, to reproduce and to survive. But what about the purpose of life from the religious point of view?
If life has a single and specific purpose, as certain religions and philosophies claim, then one would expect everybody, sooner or later, to naturally discover and then strive to achieve it. In actual fact, we see that the various religions posit quite different and sometimes contradictory purposes of life. We also notice that many people manage to get through life all right without ever asking or thinking about whether or not life has a meaning. This suggests very strongly that beyond the biological, life does not have a purpose or meaning.
From the Buddhist point of view, this is a good thing - it means that we have the freedom and the possibility to give our life the meaning that we want. If we decide to make the accumulation of wealth or power the purpose of our life, then it will become so. If we decide to make the pursuit of pleasure, dedication to our family or the contemplation of the divine the purpose of our life, then it will become so. Whenever one of his disciples attained enlightenment and became an arahat, the Buddha would always say that he or she had ‘done what has had to be done’ (S.III,68). From this we can deduce that for the Buddha, the meaning, the purpose and the fulfilment of life is to attain the joy and freedom of enlightenment.
References
- http://www.BuddhismA2Z.com/ Buddhism A to Z. Ven. Dhammika, 2007.
- http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/
