Expert: Alex Wilding - 4/11/2010

Question
Hi Alex, i just have a few questions if you could answer them for me. I hope you do live in Australia because I am finding the contrasts and similarities between Buddhism in Australia and around the world.

1. What is the meaning and purpose of life for a Buddhists?
2. What is the value of human being?
3. What is the value of identity and destiny?

Thank you so much, Yen.

Answer
Hi Yen,
Yes, I have been living in Australia for 4 or 5 years now, but I don't know that your question will find an easy answer. The problem is that there are far bigger differences between one kind of Buddhism and another than there are between Australian and non-Australian expressions. Some kinds descended through, for instance, Sri Lanka or Thailand, some very different kinds through China and/or Japan, some very different kinds again through Tibet and the Himalayas. To review these types and their particular Australian expressions would be an effort of at least book-scale.
I can therefore only my own personal responses to how I see your questions, as Buddhist as I can:
1. What is the meaning and purpose of life for a Buddhists?
We can give our lives purpose if we choose - there is no "purpose" imposed from outside, any more than there is a "purpose" to Monday morning outside what we want to do today. To find the way to be as happy as we can, and to help others to be as happy as possible in the difficult circumstances of being human; ultimately, perhaps, to find a way to stop suffering altogether - these seem like good purposes.
2. What is the value of human being?
What we make of it. It gives us the opportunity to understand and to pursue the purposes mentioned above. Or at least, it *can* give us that opportunity if we have freedom, motivation, educational opportunities and so on.
3. What is the value of identity and destiny?
What is "identity"? Who says we have a "destiny"? It is what we make - good or bad - of whatever opportunites we have.
I hope that helps a little.