Arriving in This World: What Is Our Purpose?

Every person who arrives in this life carries a mission. In this dharma talk, Venerable Thich Chan Quang helps us examine ourselves so that we do not live in vain, but instead contribute to making the world more beautiful. Amidst the bustling flow of life, have you ever stopped to ask yourself, "What is my purpose for being here?" Some come to sow joy, while others bring sorrow. Yet most of us, ordinary people, live passively, swept away by the whirlwind of existence. Today, on the occasion of Vesak, let us look within with Venerable Thich Chan Quang to discover the true meaning of human life.

Three Types of People Who Arrive in This World

Venerable Thich Chan Quang begins his dharma talk with an interesting classification: there are three types of people who come into this world. The first type are those who are virtuous, arriving to bring goodness to life. The second type are those who are harmful, coming to spread suffering. The third type, which includes most of us, are those who lack the strength to influence others and merely react to external forces.

"Are we allowed to remain as the third type forever? No. Because it is too passive, too negative, and dependent on luck. If we happen to meet good people, we become good; if we encounter bad people, we become bad."

Consider how much of our lives is truly determined by our own choices. Are we easily swayed by friends, influenced by public opinion, or pushed around by circumstances? If so, we are like dry leaves drifting in a stream, unaware of where we will end up.

Not Here to Destroy Ourselves

So, what should we do? First, recognize that we have not come to this life to destroy ourselves through trivial pleasures and the temptations of sensual desires. The teacher reminds us that all indulgence leads to three consequences: addiction, selfishness, and cruelty.

"Whenever something makes us feel pleasure, addiction, or enjoyment, it always gives rise to three psychological states: first, addiction; second, selfishness; and third, cruelty."

Look back at your own pleasures. Do they often cause you to neglect your duties, become indifferent to loved ones, or even flare up in anger when obstructed? A person addicted to games may ignore their parents, while someone addicted to alcohol might harm their spouse and children. This is the silent destruction that we often fail to notice.

Coming to Create Positive Influence

However, simply avoiding evil is not enough. The higher purpose of arriving in this world is to create positive influence. The teacher teaches that one does not need to be a great historical figure to make the world better. Each of us can contribute, starting with those around us.

"Some great figures influence millions upon millions of people. We are not such figures, yet we too can positively influence many people."

If you are a father or mother, be a shining example for your children. If you are a friend, be a spiritual support for them. Every kind word and loving action can ripple out like waves on a lake, creating unexpected positive changes.

Reflecting on Ourselves Through Cause and Effect (Karmic Law)

To achieve this, we must first understand where we came from and where we are going. The teacher suggests that through our appearance, personality, and current circumstances, we can glimpse our karma and conditions (dependent origination). Those with beautiful features often lived virtuously in past lives, praising and respecting the Buddha. Those who live abundantly have done so because of their generosity and help toward others.

"If you want to know the causes from previous lives, look at the effects in this life. By observing the results we experience now, we can trace back to the causes we planted before."

When looking at yourself, what noble qualities do you possess? What hidden flaws remain? These are the lessons we must refine in this lifetime to evolve further.

Three Questions for One Human Life

The teacher poses three profound questions: Where did I come from? What am I here to do? Where am I going? If we answer the second question, we will naturally answer the third. According to the teacher, the answer to the second question is this: We are here to avoid destroying ourselves and to refrain from causing suffering to others.

"We will not live in such a way. We will arrive in this world to master our own lives, to build our existence into something beautiful, and to extend that positive influence to others."

This is not just advice; it is a call to action. Every day, every hour, let us be mindful of our presence. Are we making this life better? Are we spreading love, or inadvertently sowing suffering?

Let us begin today, starting with the smallest actions: smile at a stranger, yield in traffic, or help someone in difficulty. Each good deed is like a lotus blooming on the path of life, making this world more beautiful. And when we close our eyes for the last time, we can smile, knowing we did not waste this precious human life.