Why Be Born If the Ending Is Death?

Xuefeng

When it comes to life’s journey, there is no real difference between humans and pigs.

When a pig is born, we know that 99% of them will ultimately meet the same fate—slaughter and death.

When a person is born, no matter how noble or humble their birth, their ultimate fate is also—death.

A fat pig has no reason to mock a skinny pig because both will share the same fate.

The wealthy and powerful have no reason to mock the poor because their ending is the same.

Since we know that life inevitably ends in death, why be born at all?

In reality, just like pigs, we do not get to decide whether we are born or not.

Look at all the living beings in nature—most follow the same life trajectory as pigs. If you carefully observe, even a tiny worm, from the moment it is born, wriggles about struggling to survive. Compare that to humans—once we grow up a little, we start a lifetime of busyness. When you contrast the two, you will see that the way both tirelessly move about is exactly the same. In other words, in terms of the essence of survival, humans are no different from worms.

Since death is the inevitable end for all beings, the value and meaning of life are found in the experiences and feelings we have in the time between birth and death.

Knowing that death awaits us, yet being forced to struggle, toil, and labor—that is the helpless tragedy of human existence.

But an interesting question arises: if life is just the period between birth and death, how can we live with joy, happiness, freedom, and fulfillment while avoiding as much suffering, pain, sorrow, and fear as possible?

An even more intriguing question emerges: if death is merely the end of the physical body while the spiritual essence continues to exist, then life’s journey is not merely the process between birth and death but rather just a brief interlude in the grand journey of existence（LIFE）.

From this perspective, humanity splits into two types: one type is no different from pigs and worms, while the other, though outwardly similar to pigs and worms, is fundamentally distinct in essence.

Thus, we can clearly recognize people: those who are born just to toil for survival, to amass wealth, material resources, and power are merely a variation of pigs and worms. But those who pursue joy, happiness, freedom, and fulfillment, and who strive to guide their souls toward a better existence after physical death—these people are not pigs or worms; they are seeds of celestial beings, Buddhas, and angels.

Those who solely desire to be at the top of human society are merely pigs seeking to become fat pigs.

The conclusion is this: do not let the illusion of death blind your spiritual vision, and do not let yourself live like a pig or a worm. Let your life be a journey toward joy, happiness, freedom, and fulfillment. Let your soul evolve toward a more beautiful realm.

Do not shrink back because the road ahead holds risks. Do not be saddened or terrified just because death is the final destination.

February 3, 2025