找到生命的永恒，做自己生命的狮子王

Discovering the Eternal Essence of Life: Becoming the Sovereign of Your Own Existence — A Buddhist 

Perspective on The Lion King

As the sun rises over the vast African savanna, its crimson light heralds a new day. Upon Pride Rock, the wise baboon Rafiki lifts the young lion cub, Simba, proclaiming to all: the future king of the Pride Lands has arrived!

Under his father Mufasa’s meticulous guidance, Simba flourishes, his noble potential as a leader becoming apparent. As the sun rises over the horizon, Mufasa imparts a timeless truth to Simba: "A king’s reign, like the sun, must rise and set. One day, I will descend with the setting sun, and you shall ascend with the rising dawn to lead as the new king."

Such is the great perpetual cycle of life, and every individual exists within it. Simba yearns for his father’s eternal presence, but the path of growth is seldom smooth. Consumed by envy, Scar conspires with the hyenas to lure Simba into a treacherous gorge frequented by wildebeests. Although Mufasa saves Simba, he falls victim to Scar’s betrayal and perishes. Scar deceives Simba into believing he is to blame for his father’s death, leading the young lion into self-imposed exile.

With the lion king dead and Simba gone, the Pride Lands fall into chaos under Scar’s rule, as he and the hyenas plunge the kingdom into despair.

In the desert, Simba collapses and is rescued by Timon and Pumbaa, who live by the philosophy of carefree indulgence. They see life as a straight line—simply moving forward as far as possible. Overwhelmed by guilt and powerlessness, Simba chooses to escape his past, embracing a life without responsibilities or worries.

One day, however, his childhood friend Nala unexpectedly finds Simba and urges him to return to the Pride Lands to reclaim his throne, as the kingdom suffers under Scar’s tyranny.

Simba faces a choice: continue living in denial or confront his painful past and reclaim his rightful place as king. Rafiki, the wise baboon, leads Simba to hear his father’s voice once more.

As the compassionate face of the lion king appears in the sky, Simba hears his father’s voice: “You must take your place in the circle of life. Remember who you are—the one true king.”

“Who am I?” Simba finally understands. He is not only Simba but also a son, the king of the Pride Lands, the guardian of all creatures, and a vital link in the vast circle of life.

Returning to his homeland, Simba, with the support of family and friends, defeats Scar and drives out the hyenas. The truth about his father’s death is revealed.

As the sun rises again, darkness fades away. Simba becomes the new king, restoring vitality to the Pride Lands. Animals once again gather in harmony, living happy and peaceful lives.

I. Reflection: Safeguarding the Inner World of Your Mind and Body

While the story ends on a joyful note, its significance lies beyond the conclusion. Humanity, as the dominant species, mirrors the responsibility of the lion king. How should we govern this Earth? This film prompts profound introspection.

In Buddhism, the lion bears symbolic meaning. The Buddha’s teachings are likened to the lion’s roar, and the Bodhisattva Manjusri’s mount is the blue lion. Though the film’s themes are relatively accessible compared to the depths of Buddhist practice, they invite reflection on how humanity engages with the world – a pivotal aspect of spiritual cultivation.

On the one hand, we must recognize the emptiness of the five aggregates (skandhas). Yet, as humans, we inhabit the realm of sentient beings and must honour this existence. As the Great Master Taixu said, “The perfection of humanity leads to the perfection of Buddhahood.” Thus, the journey of learning Dharma and spiritual practice is inextricably tied to our human condition.

Each individual life is like a self-contained universe, with its own protagonist. We all wish to embody the noble qualities of the Lion King, but lurking in the shadows of our psyche are Scar and the hyenas. How do we ensure the sovereign within is a true Lion King, and not Scar?

The thoughts of virtue arise from us, as do the thoughts of malevolence. Who we choose to identify with and support shapes the ruler within. If you are the Lion King of your life, where will you stand? Can you distinguish, as the queen in the film does, between Mufasa’s virtues and Scar’s flaws? Will you hold steadfast to your principles, refusing to compromise your soul even in the face of adversity?

The greater challenge lies in recognising the moment of choice itself—a task worthy of deep contemplation. After Prince Siddhartha’s enlightenment, he did not return to claim his royal inheritance but journeyed forth to establish the Dharma, setting a standard for the world. Similarly, Confucius wandered to spread his teachings, and generations have praised him: “Had Heaven not given us Confucius, the ages would have remained in darkness.” Where, then, do we find the light of our minds? This question demands study and reflection.

In the film, Mufasa walks with Simba, gradually instilling in him a worldview and values.

It is similar to how a soybean grows into a sprout—it requires careful observation, protection, timely watering, and a deliberately created environment for growth. Our spiritual practice is the same. Reflecting on the moments with my master, from the very first time our eyes met, my master had already begun the step-by-step process of guiding me. Even after all these years, though my master has passed away, we have not grown distant. Instead, I recall and cherish those memories, much like how Simba senses the enduring presence of his father in the film.

It is a blessing to be able to watch such a film, as it represents hope for humanity. We must cherish this environment, cultivate correct perspectives, and diligently guard the world of our body and mind.

II. Discovering the Eternal in Life

In The Lion King, Rafiki the baboon holds a unique position in the Pride Lands. The white markings on his face signify his connection to spirituality and faith. He is akin to a religious figure in human society, possessing profound insights into life and the universe. Although he is not as physically powerful as the lions on an individual level, he plays an enlightening and pivotal role in shaping the destiny of the lion family.

When Simba asks Rafiki, “Have you seen my father before?” Rafiki responds, “Yes." He then adds, "And I still know Mufasa." This line struck me in a particularly profound way when I saw it today.

I am reminded of the role of monks. In learning and sharing the Dharma, we do not merely introduce the Buddha of three millennia ago; we reveal the Buddha present in this very moment. Beyond the Pure Land and the teachings of Amitabha Buddha lies the Buddha within our own hearts.

Thus, the role of monastics in real life is akin to Rafiki in The Lion King. When you are lost or despairing, the monastic appears—not only knowing the "Mufasa" of the past but also being with "Mufasa" in the present. Moreover, they can guide you to encounter "Mufasa" here and now.

In the film, Rafiki leads Simba to a riverside. Amidst the dark clouds and lightning, the outline of Mufasa faintly appears in the sky. The flashes of lightning resemble Mufasa’s thoughts in motion, and the flickering light mirrors the gaze of his eyes. Simba can even hear his father’s deep, resonant voice. At this moment, one of Mufasa’s words becomes particularly significant.

Simba says to his father, "In the past…" implying that it was in the past when his father guided him and taught him these principles. However, his father adds, "That is forever!" This statement is deeply significant. It is only today that I have come to realise its profound meaning and feel compelled to share it with everyone.

In 1991, I met my master for the first time. By 2005, he had passed from this world, entering Parinirvana. My years with him were like Simba’s time with his father, Mufasa. Even now, I increasingly feel his presence, guiding my thoughts and actions in myriad ways. Yet, as a sentient being, I often perceive these moments as part of the past and I had followed him before. But Mufasa’s words reveal a deeper truth: “It is not the past—it is forever.”

What does this “forever” mean? From our limited perspective, the master-disciple relationship may seem bound by time. But from the perspective of the Buddha or my master, such connections transcend temporal boundaries. To the Buddha, even a fleeting encounter—be it a single day or a mere glance—forms an eternal bond.

Whether we follow the Buddha for ten years, one year, one week, or even just for a single day, or simply glance at the Buddha once, from the Buddha’s perspective, it is all eternal. This is why the old Lion King’s words align so perfectly with the Lotus Sutra, which proclaims: “Should any distracted mind enter a stupa and recite ‘Namo Buddha,’ they have already embarked on the path to Buddhahood.” That is why the Lotus Sutra is regarded as “a guide to the Buddhahood”.

When we read the scriptures, we only understand as much as our current level of comprehension allows. However, this does not mean that our understanding will remain the same tomorrow. A person who reads a scripture a hundred or a thousand times may have a hundred or a thousand different realisations. This is the perfection of the Buddha’s teachings—the scriptures themselves embody infinite light and infinite life, transcending time and space. As our level of understanding evolves, we can uncover deeper meanings from the scriptures each time we revisit them.

The scriptures are like a flowing spring—they are alive and embody the wisdom of the Buddha. The level of insight we gain from them depends on the depth of our own understanding. 

Each reading of the sutras reveals new insights, reflecting our evolving understanding. The Dharma’s timeless brilliance shines like an inexhaustible fountain, ever alive and responsive. The scriptures are our eternal refuge, always guiding us to higher truths.