Examining Whether You Belong to the Masses
Xuefeng
April 27, 2011
The Buddha taught us to "save all sentient beings." So, who among humans (without discussing other forms of life) qualifies as part of this collective group?
Answer:
Those who do not know where they came from or where they are going.
Those who do not understand the cycle of life and the principles of reincarnation.
Those who are unaware of the existence of the nonmaterial world.
Those who cannot clearly identify their parents, children, or other important people in their lives.
Those who are spiritually and mentally impoverished.
Those who harbor greed, anger, ignorance, resentment, hatred, jealousy, strife, or doubt.
Those who lack gratitude and act selfishly.
Those who do not have a place for the Ancestral Buddha, that is, the Greatest Creator, in their hearts. If you possess any of these eight characteristics, you belong to the masses.
Being part of the masses means living in a state of confusion and ambiguity, lacking clear understanding and direction in life.
Is there anything wrong with belonging to the masses?
Not necessarily. Living without clarity has its own merits. You can laugh when it’s time to laugh, cry when it’s time to cry, rush through life in a flurry, endure suffering or enjoy comfort. In the end, when your time comes, you might simply think, “All’s well.” Living simply and practically, like one among a herd, without understanding life’s purpose—indifferent to past lives or future ones—can indeed be pleasant enough.
However, the one downside of belonging to the masses is the absence of a true future. If you doubt this, ask yourself: “Where is my future?”
“Future,” as the word implies, is the path ahead, not only in terms of tomorrow, next year, and the rest of your earthly life, but also the road that lies beyond. Where does your path lead?
To truly understand your future, you must “awaken.” Awakening means perceiving life’s phenomena through your senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and intuition—and grasping their true nature. Once you do, you have awakened. In that awakening, you are no longer among the masses.
The challenge is that awakening on your own is difficult. It requires understanding a vast system of knowledge, including the origins of things, time, space, LIFE, consciousness, human existence, emotions, love, and desires. Life is too short, and most of it is spent simply managing the basics—food, clothing, shelter, and the cycle of life and death—which leaves little time or energy for awakening.
So, what can be done?
It’s simple! Listen to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Buddha Shakyamuni, the sage Laozi, and the prophet Muhammad. As long as you can integrate the teachings of the gods, the Buddhas, the celestial beings, and the saints, you will certainly awaken.
If you lack the time and energy to fully understand these profound teachings, there’s an even simpler way: enter Lifechanyuan and follow the path laid out by its guide (though this may sound self-serving).
Whether the guide of Lifechanyuan is genuine is something you can discover through your own experience. If you find it sour, bitter, or astringent, it shows the guide is a fraud; feel free to kick him away. But if you find it spicy, sweet, or fragrant, it suggests the guide is enlightened; then follow closely and don’t let go.
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