If the End Is Death, Why Live?

Xuefeng

February 03, 2025

When it comes to life’s journey, there is little difference between humans and pigs. When a pig is born, we already know that 99% of them will ultimately meet their end by slaughter. Likewise, no matter how noble or lowly a person’s birth may be, their final destination is the same—death. A fat pig has no reason to mock a thin pig, for their fate is identical. Similarly, the wealthy and powerful have no grounds to ridicule the poor, as their ultimate outcome is no different.

If we are aware from the start that death is the final destination, why are we born at all? In reality, just like pigs, humans have no say in whether they are born or not. Looking at all living beings in nature, we see that most follow a life trajectory similar to that of pigs. Take even the smallest insect—once it is born, it wriggles tirelessly, struggling to survive. And when we observe humans, as soon as they grow up, they begin a lifetime of ceaseless toil. Comparing the two, we find that the frantic busyness of insects and humans is nearly indistinguishable. In essence, when it comes to the struggle for survival, humans and insects are no different.

Since death is the final destination for all beings, the value and meaning of life lie in the experiences and sensations within the time between birth and death. Yet, even knowing that death awaits, we are still bound to struggle, labor, and strive—this is the helplessness and tragedy of human existence.

This raises an intriguing question: if life is merely the brief span between birth and death, how can we live happily, joyfully, freely, and blissfully while avoiding worry, pain, sorrow, and fear?

An even more profound question follows: if death is merely the end of the physical body while the soul continues to exist, then life is not just the period between birth and death but rather a short interlude in the grand journey of existence.

This realization divides humanity into two types: one consists of those who are essentially no different from pigs and insects, merely struggling to survive; the other appears outwardly the same but is fundamentally different—these are the people who seek happiness, joy, freedom, and bliss, and who strive to ensure that after their physical body perishes, their soul journeys to a better place.

Thus, those who live solely to accumulate wealth, material possessions, power, and status are nothing more than a variant of pigs and insects. In contrast, those who pursue happiness, joy, freedom, and bliss, and who dedicate their lives to ensuring that their soul transcends to a more beautiful space after death, are not pigs or insects—they are the seeds of celestial beings, Buddhas, and angels.

Those who are obsessed with becoming superior to others are merely pigs striving to become fatter pigs.

The conclusion is this: do not let the illusion of death blind your spiritual vision, nor allow yourself to live like a pig or an insect. Instead, direct your life toward happiness, joy, freedom, and bliss, and let your existence evolve toward a more beautiful space. Do not shrink back because of the risks along the way, and do not let the certainty of death fill you with sorrow or fear.