Drawing by Hiroyuki Shimizushinran Shornin (1173-1263), the founder of Shin Buddhism（the True Pure Land School) Born in Kyoto,Japan.
Martin Heidegger, who is said to be the largest philosopher in the 20st century, was deeply moved by the teachings of Shinran Shonin.
you were born for a reason -the real purpose of life-
Today in countries around the world, people enjoy wealth and comfort unheard of in centuries past. Medical and scientific advances mean that we live longer and have greater ability to change and control our environment to suit our needs. But have these advances brought greater happiness ? Modern society is plagued with ills such as violence in its many forms, including tyranny, terrorism, murder, and suicide. Real answers to these problems continue to elude us.
Our advances many have made us richer, but they have not done anything to ensure our happiness or provide us with a sense of abiding meaningfulness. In fact, modern life often seems only to bring more acute feelings of isolation, loneliness, and emptiness.
Why is it that, although blessed with physical health and an abundant lifestyle, we cannot find heart’s ease ?
This question was addressed more than twenty-five hundred years ago in India by Siddhartha Gautama(Sakyamuni), the founder of Buddhism. Born a prince, he excelled from boyhood in literary and military arts; he wedded the loveliest young woman in the Kingdom; he lacked for nothing. Yet his heart was not cheered in the least. He passed the days despondently,knowing that even though good health, treasure, status, honor, family, and talent were his, he would one day lose them all: no earthly happiness could prevail over old age, sickness, and death. Realizing the nature of human existence, Siddhartha was unable to experience true ease or satisfaction.
Finally, when he was twenty-nine years old, he crept out the palace one night in search of true happiness. For six years he lived the life of a mountain ascetic, until his eyes were opened to the truth that all people can obtain absolute happiness, and he achieved Buddhahood.
The lesson taught by Salyamuni Buddha are timelessly true. We all are vulnerable to the devastation of sudden illness striking oneself or a love one. And although we may immerse ourselves in work or a hobby, the day will come when old age prevents us from enjoying such activities, When we die, moreover, we must part from those we love. What is there in life that will never betray us, that we can devote ourselves to without regret? Throughout his life, Sakyamuni continued to teach that the purpose of life is none other than to gain unassailable, eternal happiness. In Japan, the essence of this message was preached by Shinran(1173-1263), founder of Shin Buddhism (the True Pure Land School).
Shinran laid out the purpose of life and urged its attainment with incomparable clarity: The universal purpose of life is to destroy the root of suffering and gain joy in being alive, so that you rejoice at having been born human and live on in eternal happiness. No matter how hard your life may be, keep on until you accomplish this purpose. The nine decades of his life were focused single-mindedly on this message.
Yet mankind today remains lots in the dark, ignorant of life’s purpose and unsure whether life has nay meaning.
War, murder, suicide, violence, abuse―could it be that all such tragedies arise out of the darkness of mind that cannot make sense of life, or find any reason to go on living? Simply lowering the legal age of criminal responsibility is not a solution, since it will not reform the heart of these young offenders who have no awareness of their wrongdoing. These terrible blights on society will resist all countermeasures unless the dignity and purpose of life are made clear. Until that happens, any action is as futile and transitory as drawing pictures on the water.
Is there a purpose in life?
What is the meaning of life?
These age-old questions cry out for clear answers. Shinran stated the purpose of life more plainly than ever before, and urged its attainment. He is indeed the light of the world that breaks through the dark delusions of the human race.
Is there a purpose in life? In this book we will address this question head-on through the prism of Shinran’s word. We begin in Part One by examining the human condition, along with the comments of leading writers, thinkers, and newsmakers from East and West. In Part Two we turn to quotations from Shinran’s teachings that demonstrate the unchanging, timeless purpose of life, with paraphrase and commentary as aids in understanding.
Across the centuries, the words of Shinran have helped untold millons in Japan to hear the message of life’s purpose. It is our great hope and dream that book may convey his words to millions more around the world, so that they too many enter into true and lasting happiness.
Translated and adapted by Juliet Winters Carpenter
“you were born for a reason is a solemn and profound book”
Edward Seidensticker
English edtion
" YOU WERE BORN FOR A REASON The Real Purpose of Life"
（Ichimannendo Publish, Inc.）
MY Gallery
https://www.facebook.com/artJapanesque/
http://www.lifespurpose.info/
I have been studying Buddhist philosophy here (I lives in Japan.)
http://www.shinrankai.or.jp/s/movie/index.htm
Precious interview: About book published several years ago
Alfred Bloom,Professor Emeritus of the University of Hawaii,
(leading expert in Shinran research)
http://www.youtube.com/embed/_Mbl8Z4gpUg?rel=0
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