The True Meaning of a Good Life

The Illusion of Worldly Comfort

Many people ask: what constitutes a good life? In the eyes of the world, it is defined by the absence of worry regarding basic needs—food, clothing, housing, and transportation. People believe that a life where they can act according to their whims and have their personal desires met is a fortunate one.

However, we must realise that these worldly conditions are merely the fruits of past causes. Whether one experiences fortune or misfortune, these are determined by the laws of karma. Such a life is governed by the cycle of rebirth and the influence of karmic creditors; it is not a life of true freedom, but one bound by the invisible chains of past actions.

The True Definition of a Good Life

What, then, is a truly good life? A life of genuine goodness is one no longer bound by the cycle of rebirth or the demands of karmic creditors. It is a life where one has attained the spiritual strength to live with autonomy and ease, dedicated to helping and saving others from suffering.

When you commit to the path of saving others, you must first ensure you possess the capacity for self-salvation. If you attempt to rescue others without a solid foundation in your own practice, you may easily become overwhelmed by the very burdens you seek to alleviate.

The Path of Protection and Deliverance

If you suffer harm while helping others, you must be able to save yourself. This is achieved through your own diligent practice or by receiving the compassionate support of a Buddha or Bodhisattva and a true spiritual friend. To recover and continue your practice is a great blessing.

If a practitioner passes away while in the service of others, their fate depends on their cultivation: those who have lived a life of goodness will be able to chant Namo Amituofo and be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Those whose lives are still dictated by their karma will continue to drift within the six realms of rebirth.

The Ultimate Choice

At this moment, during the Dharma assembly, all those present—including the fourfold assembly and the attached spirits—are faced with a profound choice. You may choose to chant Namo Amituofo and enter the golden light, allowing you to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss; or, you may choose to remain attached to your grievances, continuing to seek revenge and remaining trapped within the six realms of rebirth.

My dear children, which path do you wish to choose for your future?