What is Life? Teachings from Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha

The Daily Grind and the Forgotten Self

What is life? This is a question that touches the very core of our existence. In our daily lives, we are often preoccupied with the basic necessities: firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea. These are the mundane requirements of our existence, and the daily activities of walking, standing, sitting, and lying down are all performed in the name of living. We are constantly caught up in the cycle of food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment. These requirements influence every aspect of our lives, yet in the process, we often forget the true meaning of life itself. We neglect our spiritual essence, and as we pass through this life, we find that we cannot take any of these worldly things with us. We are left only with our own spirit, once again drifting aimlessly with the currents of reincarnation.

What, then, is the nature of life? Is living merely for the sake of survival the same as having a true life? While our daily activities may satisfy the needs of our physical bodies, they should not constitute the entirety of our existence. We must ask ourselves: does our life still hold any genuine value? Are we living for the sake of survival, or are we living for the sake of our true self? We must discern whether we are merely existing in the world or truly awakening to the reality of our being.

The Paramount Importance of Spiritual Practice

Spiritual practice is the key to finding ourselves again. However, many people in this world view practice as something unusual or separate from daily life. Most individuals are solely focused on working hard to earn money, rushing through each day in a state of constant anxiety. The opportunity to engage in spiritual practice is something that many have never even considered, and the vast majority believe it is an impossible endeavour. Yet, everyone overlooks the most critical truth: spiritual practice is far more important than the mere act of surviving.

People in this world dedicate their entire lives to the pursuit of survival. Some become deeply addicted to their social status or become obsessed with the values imposed upon them by society. In doing so, they completely forget the true meaning of life, which is to rediscover one's true self and to manifest the genuine spiritual nature of the body and soul. We are not merely the worldly identities we project; we are not just this illusory and unreal physical shell.

Transcending the Illusory Roles of the World

Only that which is established upon the Truth is real. If we focus only on the space within society, we will find that nothing can be taken with us when we depart. These roles are merely a game created by the world to keep us occupied. When we lose our life and this physical body is gone, everything in the world becomes irrelevant. If we do not need to struggle for survival when life ends, then was our life merely a temporary reality, or was it a reality that never truly existed at all?

There is nothing inherently wrong with working to survive in this world. However, if we abandon the Truth for the sake of survival, we fall into the delusions of the cycle of reincarnation. Everything we do in such a state will not lead to true results. If we exhaust our lives in pursuit of worldly goals and reach the end with nothing to show for it, then the life of one who has fully enjoyed worldly glory and wealth is no different from the life of one who has lived in poverty and hardship. Both are merely lives, and while the experiences may differ, both are ultimately unreal lives that lead to no meaningful result.

Awakening to Your Original Nature

Life should possess value; it should not be spent in vanity for the sake of illusions. True achievement is not found in the world, but in seeing one's true self within life and returning to one's original nature. This does not mean that we should cease to live our daily lives. We still need to function in the world, but we can infuse our lives with a sense of meaning. This is the sense of reality in life, and it means that we are no longer at the mercy of fate. Fate exists because we still have desires. When there is seeking in the heart, one remains a worldly person, and naturally, there will be the interference of fate and the occurrence of impermanence. But if there is no fate, many things can naturally be avoided and need not happen.

Many people lose themselves in the pursuit of survival, especially by losing the duty of spiritual practice to find their true selves. This is the most important duty of this life, and it is a great pity to lose the meaning of life for the sake of mere survival. Life is only a breath; if we see the Truth clearly, everyone will want to find their true self rather than remaining a worldly person.

The Path to Liberation

Finding your true self is the most authentic meaning of life. To become one of those who have realised their true nature among all things in the world is something that should be cherished. In the human world, we have the greatest capacity for awakening. Having been reincarnated for so long, do not let your life be cut short for the sake of survival. Everything in the world is not worth your effort to manage; the things you insist upon and are attached to will only become a burden, and none of them can be taken with you in the realm of Truth. Now that you have encountered the magnificent Dharma, you should wake up and see the Truth. Do not remain in ignorance; understand the true path and find yourself in this life. Only then will you not have wasted your time coming here and encountering the magnificent opportunity of the Dharma.

Life is a way to maintain our existence, and all methods should be in accordance with our Causal Conditions in the world, but this must not become an obstacle to our practice. Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha hopes that everyone can know their heart and realise their true nature, and not remain in suffering without knowing how to leave it behind. Life is only about worldly matters; you must know how to transcend them, for that is the great matter of liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and transcending the world. The Buddha is compassionate, and the Dharma is magnificent. Namo Amituofo.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.