A Question A Buddhist Disciple Ought to Reflect on Often:
To be born human in this lifetime is already a rare blessing. Regardless of our physical condition, our dignity and clarity of mind can remain intact. If we allow suffering to break us, we fall from darkness into deeper darkness, caught in the endless cycle of samsara.
When life is without faith or a sense of belonging, when it is lived without spiritual practice or inner growth, it becomes nothing more than a journey from one form of suffering to another.
A Spokesperson for the Great Way
When we have faith, we are able to transform the suffering in our lives. My master once told us how harsh the conditions were in the monastic communities of the past—so austere that even rice husks were pressed for oil, and a single vat of pickled vegetables would last the entire year.
That elder generation lived through such hardship, and as a result, they were unwilling to waste anything. Even a napkin would be used again and again, refolded, reused. My master would never throw away a disposable cup. We would remind him, “Master, it’s disposable.” But he would immediately rebuke us: “Who said it’s disposable?” Only then would we realize it was we who gave it that name. So what if it’s used twice?
Because of him, I’ve stopped using disposable cups. My master cherished every blessing and every resource, because he had walked the long, difficult path of endurance.
That way of life was a choice they made. They chose simplicity and hardship, endured what others could not endure, walked where others could not tread. That is why they became the backbone of human civilization. They are the ones who, on behalf of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, passed on the essence of true culture to humanity.
Mencius once said:
"When Heaven is about to entrust a person with a great responsibility, it must first distress their mind and will, exhaust their muscles and bones, starve their body, deprive them of their possessions, and thwart their every endeavor—only then to stir their resolve, strengthen their nature, and enhance what they were once incapable of."
Such a life endures what others cannot. Only those who have passed through such trials are worthy to bear the truths of Heaven and Earth—to become spokespeople for the Great Way.
These cultivators are the true “spokesperson” of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Though they may appear ordinary, within them lies an unshakable strength. No matter how the world may change, their resolve remains constant and unwavering.
Treasure the Rare Encounter with the Dharma
When humanity loses the protection and guidance of traditional culture, both this life and the next are left without foundation. Our inner world becomes shrouded in darkness, without direction.
After learning Buddhism, we must earnestly reflect and sincerely repent. If the Dharma cannot save us in this very lifetime, how can we expect to be saved in any future one? I often urge myself with this question: If I were to die at this very moment, where would I go? This is not a theoretical concern—it is a deeply real and objective one. Our next rebirth is determined entirely by the quality of our life in this present one. Having encountered the Dharma in this lifetime and been given the opportunity to practice, we must cherish it with all our heart.
