The Value, Meaning & Purpose of Life (Internal Edition)¶
Entry Overview¶
In the Lifechanyuan system, "value," "meaning," and "purpose" each point to something distinct and must not be conflated: the value of life lies in whether LIFE can extend to higher life spaces; its meaning is to create wealth and joy, to please the Greatest Creator, and to seek the Tao and become a Celestial Being; its purpose is to dissolve karma and transform, while living with joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss. The three form a complete coordinate system spanning from present behavior to cosmic destination, serving as the starting point and calibration instrument for cultivation and awakening. Human life is a brief journey in the long river of LIFE β fully using the value of this journey makes it possible to "transform decay into wonder, and death into eternity."
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Section I: Definition and Essence¶
(I) The Value of Human Life¶
The brief human lifetime determines the content of one's future LIFE. Our every word, every action, every thought bears on the great arc of our future. Every minute and second, every day and night, is faithfully recording our merit and transgressions. Where to go β this is entirely chosen and decided by ourselves.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· The Value of Human Life, Xuefeng)
Whether our LIFE can extend to the Thousand-Year World, the Ten-Thousand-Year World, and the Elysium World depends on how we spend our lifetime β¦ Human life holds such immense value that we must not squander it in muddle-headed confusion. Fully using the value of this period of life, we can transform decay into wonder, and death into eternity.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· The Value of Human Life, Xuefeng)
The value of human life is to seek the Tao, become a Celestial Being, and journey to the Kingdom of Heaven. The meaning of human life is to fully express one's original nature and please the Greatest Creator.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Mind Essays Β· The Value and Meaning of Human Life, Xuefeng)
Human life is nothing more than a brief journey that LIFE takes in the human world. But each person's destination is vastly different β some end at the Kingdom of Heaven, some at hell, some at the animal realm, some return to the human world. From this it is clear that the greatest value of human life lies in using every opportunity and condition to unite with the Tao, achieve the qualities of a Celestial Being, and journey to the Kingdom of Heaven to live.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Mind Essays Β· The Value and Meaning of Human Life, Xuefeng)
(II) The Meaning of Human Life¶
The meaning of human life lies in how to extend LIFE to higher life spaces β that is, to seek the Tao and become a Celestial Being. Not understanding this truth means a confused life, an impermanent life, a tragic life, a brief life, a life of affliction. Understanding this truth means a clear life, a permanent life, a joyful life, a lasting life, a life of happiness.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· The Meaning of Human Life, Xuefeng)
The brief period of human life is nothing but a process of transformation β it all depends on how we navigate it. The entire meaning of human life lies in seeking the Tao and becoming a Celestial Being. Human society is like a crucible for refining gold: the gold refined becomes Celestial Beings; the remaining dross is sorted back into its respective category.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· The Meaning of Human Life, Xuefeng)
The purpose of living is to live a life of joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss β¦ When a person achieves joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss in life, they naturally begin to consider where they go after death. Exploring the mysteries of LIFE and space-time becomes the main theme of their life. When the mysteries of LIFE and space-time are discovered, the depth and breadth of joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss deepen further β and one becomes a Celestial Being.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Inspirational Essays Β· Effort That Forgets Its Purpose Is Wasted Effort, Xuefeng)
(III) The Purpose of Human Life¶
The purpose of humanity is to serve the Greatest Creator β just as the purpose of plants and flowers is to serve humanity. And the purpose of human life is to dissolve karma and transform.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· The Purpose of Human Life, Xuefeng)
We must on one hand dissolve karma β eliminating the transgressions created in past lives β and on the other hand transform β meaning, create no new karma β¦ If we create no karma and gain perfect human nature, in the next life we can go to the Thousand-Year World. If we not only create no karma but also accumulate merit through service to others, in the next life we can enter the Ten-Thousand-Year World. If we create no karma, accumulate merit, and proclaim the Greatest Creator β we can enter the eternal life space: the Elysium World. This is the purpose of human life.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· The Purpose of Human Life, Xuefeng)
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Section II: Analysis and Boundaries β Human Life vs. LIFE¶
(I) Human Life and LIFE Are Two Concepts¶
Human life (δΊΊη) and LIFE (ηε½) are two concepts β interrelated but essentially different. Human life is a fragment of LIFE's journey in the human world; human life is brief, while LIFE is long. Human life is one passage displayed in the long river of LIFE; LIFE is a continuous story stretching from the source of the universe to infinite time and space.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Miscellaneous Essays Β· The Value and Meaning of Human Life and LIFE, Xuefeng)
Human life can end at any moment, but LIFE does not end when human life ends. LIFE's period of human life ends, but LIFE itself continues to exist in other forms. Therefore, the value and meaning of human life are distinct from the value and meaning of LIFE. If the value and meaning of human life are conflated with the value and meaning of LIFE, human life becomes prone to confusion.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Miscellaneous Essays Β· The Value and Meaning of Human Life and LIFE, Xuefeng)
(II) Four Precisely Paired Definitions¶
The value of human life is: serving LIFE, repaying debt, perfecting the LIFE structure, allowing LIFE to experience joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss, and extending LIFE toward higher spaces. The meaning of human life is: creating wealth and joy, and serving oneself, others, and society. The value of LIFE is: serving the Greatest Creator, serving nature, and maintaining the dynamic balance of cosmic LIFE. The meaning of LIFE is: the universe exists for LIFE; LIFE exists for the universe; without the universe there is no LIFE; without LIFE there is no universe.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Miscellaneous Essays Β· The Value and Meaning of Human Life and LIFE, Xuefeng)
(III) Concentrated Expression in the 800 Concepts¶
The purpose of living is to pursue a life of joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss β so all human activity should revolve around this purpose. If we ignore this purpose β whether we earn a PhD, get married and start a family, build a company, become an official, earn money, or even cultivate and practice β we have everything upside down.
(Source: New Era Human 800 Concepts, 4th Edition Β· Article 28)
Time and energy are the diamonds of human life. Diamonds belong in a crown; time and energy should be used for the endeavors and places that most embody life's value.
(Source: New Era Human 800 Concepts, 4th Edition Β· Article 44)
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Section III: The Life Values System¶
(I) Values Determine Life's Direction¶
Where to go? What to do? When facing the dual choices and multiple decisions of human life, what ultimately decides is one's life values. Different values lead to different choices; different choices lead to different directions; different directions lead to different destinations and outcomes.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· Further Discourse on Life Values, Xuefeng)
A life without direction is blind; a life without values is confused. The afflictions and misfortunes of human life stem mainly from the absence of direction and values.
(Source: New Era Human 800 Concepts, 4th Edition Β· Article 49)
(II) The Value Ranking of Chanyuan Celestials¶
For Chanyuan Celestials, the Greatest Creator holds first place β revering the Greatest Creator, walking the Tao of the Greatest Creator, serving the Greatest Creator, and entrusting one's LIFE to the Greatest Creator's arrangement: this is our core value β¦ Second, Chanyuan Celestials treasure LIFE deeply β¦ Third, the environment is the third most important factor in Chanyuan Celestials' life values β¦ Fourth, Chanyuan Celestials value beauty β¦ Fifth, Chanyuan Celestials regard work β creative labor β as the primary source of joy and happiness β¦ Sixth, Chanyuan Celestials regard freedom as one of their primary life values β¦ Seventh, valuing the collective is one of Chanyuan Celestials' primary values β¦ Eighth, creating wealth is another primary value for Chanyuan Celestials.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Chanyuan Essays Β· A Brief Discussion of Chanyuan Celestials' Life Values, Xuefeng)
(III) Eight Investment Directions¶
Human life is an investment. Different investment directions ultimately lead to vastly different life outcomes. Invest in sesame seeds and you get sesame seeds; invest in watermelons and you get watermelons. With the same 24 hours in a day, the value obtained in a single day is entirely different depending on the direction of investment.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Mind Essays Β· The Value and Meaning of Human Life, Xuefeng)
Calculating carefully, we can easily see that investing in the eighth direction yields greater value than the previous seven. (The eighth direction: live life with joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss β fully harvesting life without regret β while simultaneously accumulating merit through formless giving, understanding one's own coordinates in the universe, and knowing where one's destination lies.)
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Mind Essays Β· The Value and Meaning of Human Life, Xuefeng)
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Section IV: The Two Purposes of Human Life¶
(I) Purpose One: Joy, Happiness, Freedom, and Bliss¶
Live for joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss β not for "doctrines," "truth," states, political parties, organizations, religions, or families.
(Source: New Era Human 800 Concepts, 4th Edition Β· Article 35)
Revolving around the purpose of joy, happiness, freedom, and bliss, life becomes simple, fulfilling, enjoyable, light, and natural. Outside of playing and enjoying life, there is nothing of great importance to do.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Inspirational Essays Β· Effort That Forgets Its Purpose Is Wasted Effort, Xuefeng)
(II) Purpose Two: Extending LIFE Toward Higher Spaces¶
The highest realm of human life: to read widely, embrace the world, heal deep afflictions, reverse dangerous currents, benefit the people, and build the earth into a paradise where the nations live in harmony. The highest realm of LIFE: to cultivate and practice, and ferry all sentient beings to liberation; to become a Celestial Being and a Buddha, and achieve the supreme perfect awakening.
(Source: New Era Human 800 Concepts, 4th Edition Β· Article 29)
The most urgent task in life is how to develop and evolve the nonmaterial structure of the spirituality-bearing LIFE toward higher life spaces β how to elevate character and perfect spirituality.
(Source: New Era Human 800 Concepts, 4th Edition Β· Article 60)
(III) The Relationship between the Two Purposes¶
There is nothing of great importance in human life, nothing so tremendous that it cannot be overcome β only LIFE is the great matter most worth cherishing and protecting. Human life is finite; LIFE is boundless. Everything in human life should be written around LIFE as its central theme.
(Source: New Era Human 800 Concepts, 4th Edition Β· Article 52)
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Section V: The Special Nature of Life's Meaning β Lower LIFE Cannot Self-Know¶
(I) Lower LIFE's Meaning Is Defined by Higher LIFE¶
The meaning of a lower-level LIFE is defined by a higher-level LIFE β it cannot be defined by itself. Do pigs, dogs, and cattle know what they are alive for? They absolutely do not. The meaning of pigs, dogs, and cattle exists only in the understanding of humans β they themselves do not know, because the human LIFE level is one level above theirs. Can humans themselves know the meaning of human life? Certainly not β only a LIFE one level above the human knows what human existence truly means.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· The Meaning of Human Life, Hundun Yuanchu)
Whether human life has meaning β don't ask humans; humans do not know what their own existence means.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· Does Human Life Have Meaning?, Xuefeng)
(II) The Pigsty Parable¶
There are ten pigs in a pigsty. An old pig says: "Pig-life has no meaningβ¦" The pig farmer watching the pigs discuss the meaning of pig-life finds it laughable. He thinks: "You have no idea what you are alive for. Your meaning is to be fattened up and slaughtered by me." A Buddha hearing the farmer's thoughts finds it laughable too. The Buddha thinks: "Raising pigs is your responsibility; slaughtering pigs and eating their meat consumes your merit, and from this point you must start from zero."
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· Does Human Life Have Meaning?, Xuefeng)
(III) The Prerequisite for Understanding Life's Meaning¶
For a pig to know the meaning of its existence, it must possess the thinking of the pig farmer. For a human to know the meaning of being alive, they must possess the thinking of the LIFE-keeper. Any person who truly understands the meaning of being alive is already a Celestial Being. Seeking the Tao and becoming a Celestial Being β this is the meaning of being alive.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Miscellaneous Essays Β· The Meaning of Being Alive, Hundun Grass)
To understand the meaning of being alive, one must first open spiritual sensing β open the Dharma-Eye and the Buddha-Eye. Without this, one is trying to see things in a dark room: nothing is visible.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Miscellaneous Essays Β· The Meaning of Being Alive, Hundun Grass)
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Section VI: The Path to Realizing Life's Value¶
(I) Follow the Natural Tao¶
The fundamental value of human existence is to please the Greatest Creator; the path to realizing that value is to follow the natural Tao. Every thing that follows the natural Tao realizes the value of its existence.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Mind Essays Β· How to Realize the Value of Human Life, Xuefeng)
Following the natural Tao is the most effective path to realizing life's value. Such people will receive the grace and favor of the Greatest Creator and will be rewarded by journeying to the Kingdom of Heaven, their true home.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Mind Essays Β· How to Realize the Value of Human Life, Xuefeng)
(II) Never Forget the Fundamental Purpose¶
Forgetting the purpose of being alive, all speech and action becomes aimless thrashing β wasted effort. Is going to school the purpose of life? Is earning money the purpose? Is becoming an official the purpose? Is defending this or that the purpose?
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Inspirational Essays Β· Effort That Forgets Its Purpose Is Wasted Effort, Xuefeng)
(III) The Ultimate Life View¶
In a half-awakened state, my life view was: life is a dream β the four elements are all empty β fully experience β leave no regret. My life view now is: life is a journey β LIFE is boundless β create blessings for all beings β reach heaven directly.
(Source: Xuefeng Corpus Β· Inspirational Essays Β· Effort That Forgets Its Purpose Is Wasted Effort, Xuefeng)
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Section VII: LIFE Perspective β The Cosmic Coordinates of Human Life¶
(I) Energy Conservation and the Indestructibility of LIFE¶
Energy conservation and the indestructibility of LIFE are laws of the universe. According to these laws, the total number of species on Earth is fixed and constant β¦
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· The Meaning of Human Life, Xuefeng)
(II) All Things Have Spirituality β Quality of Spirituality Determines Destination¶
That all things have spirituality is also a law. From the perspective of spirituality, all things are equal β¦ The difference lies in the quality of spirituality each thing possesses β¦ According to the quality of spirituality each person possesses, one may become a Buddha, a Celestial Being, a human, a crane, a turtle, a dog β¦
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· Human Life Essays Β· The Meaning of Human Life, Xuefeng)
(III) The Cosmic LIFE Hierarchy Chain¶
From a narrow perspective: microorganisms and bacteria exist to serve insects and plants; insects and plants exist to serve animals; animals exist to serve humanity; humanity exists to serve the Celestials of the Celestial realm; Celestials exist to serve the gods; gods exist to serve the Greatest Creator; the Greatest Creator exists to serve all LIFE. In a single sentence: the meaning of LIFE is to serve the Greatest Creator, and the meaning of the Greatest Creator is to serve all cosmic LIFE.
(Source: Lifechanyuan Corpus Β· LIFE Essays Β· The Meaning of LIFE, Xuefeng)
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