The Purpose of Life

March 16th, 2008 · 2 Comments

What is the purpose of life? All religions attempt to answer this question. Buddhism is no different. The only difference is the answer that Buddhism offers

“One thing I teach: suffering & the end of suffering. It is just I’ll and the ceasing of Ill that I proclaim.”
–The Buddha

The primary goal of most humans is to find a way to happiness. For the Buddhist faith the answer to the question, “What is the purpose of life?” is “To end suffering.” The Buddha teaches us is that human suffering is the result of attachment. We have been in a cycle of repeatedly seeking those objects of desire that are shallow and offer no lasting or permanent happiness. We cling to ideas, objects, material forms, and mental images. When these things are lost or unobtainable we suffer. Sorrow always follows a loss. And loss is inevitable.

There are things in life that bring us joy. So often the Buddhist doctrine of loss and attachment seems fatalistic and pessimistic. Buddhism does not teach that there is no happiness. The Buddha did not deny that there are happenings or things in life that will bring joy. What he did point out is that everything is impermanent; and none of the things, possessions, mental images or ideas that we cling to is able to bring a lasting joy. His teaching of suffering and the alleviation of suffering were his focus. He based his teaching not only on identifying the problem, but also on presenting the solution.

Once we have recognized that all things are impermanent, we have begun the journey to end suffering. Freeing oneself from the attachments we have garnered throughout our lifetime is not an easy task. But it is the lessening ourselves of the attachments that provides the freedoms from our sufferings.

Ending the cycle of suffering means the eventual end of Samsara. Buddhism teaches that Samsara is the endless birth, life, suffering and death cycle we are trapped in due to the greed, grasping and endless attachments with which we fill our lives. The Four Noble Truths are the blueprints for understanding the Buddha’s position and description of Samsara and the causes of and solutions to the problems of attachment and suffering.

After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha delivered his first Dharma Talk. In this Dharma Talk he taught the “Four Noble Truths,” from which formed the foundations of belief for Buddhism:

The Four Noble Truths:

1. In all life there is Suffering.
2. Suffering is caused by desire and attachment.
3. Suffering can be stopped.
4. The way to end suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

According to the fourth Noble Truth, we can permanently escape the suffering caused by attachment in following the Noble Eightfold Path. The word “right” in these following instructions can be understood by using “Good and Appropriate.” Right Intention may be viewed as Good and Appropriate Intention. The word “Right” is the traditional translation from the Buddhist teachings.

To reinforce the reason for the modifier “Right” it must be understood that it is not enough to have the intention to do something. Intention, like speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration, can also be bad or detrimental. “Right” refers to the goodness and appropriateness of the individual elements of the Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path:

1. Right knowledge
2. Right intention
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration

We need to be like a scientist peering through a microscope. We are there to observe. It is when we place a judgment on the experience that experience is changed. By attaching a want or need to change the experience of living we give in to the patterns of suffering. Waiting for something to happen is not being mindful to the present. It is easy to become attached to an idea, person, and possession or desired outcome. Attachment, of course, is the core of suffering. Your mindfulness is the key.

I acknowledge that it may be very natural for us to categorize and label or define all of our experiences as they happen. However, our goal is to allow the experience the freedom to exist and then allow it to pass without an attachment or comment. It can be as natural as the rising and falling of the breath. It is a skill that can be learned.

Yesterday is the parent of today. In the same way that today is the parent of tomorrow. The goal is to be present to today.

Allowing ourselves the freedom to let go of our possessive natures and rid ourselves of the need to label, change, or modify the events of our lives, we break the cycle of suffering. We can be happy and joyful. It is our positive natures that allow us to experience this. Let go and live a freer life. Let go of greed and envy and replace it with compassion. We are the architects of our future.

I Wish You Peace,

Bhante Kassapa

Bhante n. Kassapa Bhikkhu
bhante_kassapa@yahoo.com
Buu Mon Temple
Port Arthur, Texas, 77640
409.982.9319