Expert: Justin Choo - 5/12/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have learned quite a bit about Buddhism over the last several years and feel I have a pretty good understanding of most of it, but there is something that has always puzzled me, and perhaps you can give a little insight on the matter.

From what I understand, basically all sentient beings are trapped in a repeating cycle of birth and death and suffering caused by our karma, our attachments, cravings, wrong views and clinging to this world, and the ultimate goal is to let go of all that, and be released from the cycle and basically be freed from ever having to be born again, or even existing as an individual being ever again, in other words to attain Nirvana and cease to be(as an entity). And there is no absolute, all powerful, all knowing creator "God" and no permanent self or soul.

But, in light of all this I cannot understand what the purpose of creation/life/existing(whatever you want to call it) even is. There is no creator God and no permanent self, and it seems that just existing is essentially a bad thing, since we're only here because of ignorance and bad karma. Basically, if you exist then you're not doing something right.

So, what is the purpose of it all? And HOW did it all begin in the first place? And why? Was there ever a time when sentient beings were NOT ignorant or delusional? Will there ever be in the future? Or will this sea of suffering exist forever?

Seems to me that the existence of sentient beings is simply a big terrible unfortunate accident, something that shouldn't have happened but did, and now we all have to find a way to escape from it.

Did the Buddha ever explain these things?

Thank You

ANSWER: Hi Tracey,

"But, in light of all this I cannot understand what the purpose of creation/life/existing(whatever you want to call it) even is. There is no creator God and no permanent self, and it seems that just existing is essentially a bad thing, since we're only here because of ignorance and bad karma. Basically, if you exist then you're not doing something right."

This is exactly what the Buddha was trying to convey.  You have got it right.


"So, what is the purpose of it all? And HOW did it all begin in the first place? And why? Was there ever a time when sentient beings were NOT ignorant or delusional? Will there ever be in the future? Or will this sea of suffering exist forever?"

In the first place, why must there be a purpose?  Humans think that they are very clever, and demand that everything must have a purpose and for that matter, a beginning and an end.  It is the human delusion to seek "perfect" answers for everything; failing which they would invent some fanciful answers to satisfy their foolish fantasies.  

"So, what is the purpose of it all?" There is simply NO purpose.

"And HOW did it all begin in the first place?"  Look at a circle or the letter "O", then ask yourself where does the circle begin.


"And why?"  Why not?

" Was there ever a time when sentient beings were NOT ignorant or delusional? Will there ever be in the future? Or will this sea of suffering exist forever?"
It was like that; it is like that; and it will continue to be like that.


"Seems to me that the existence of sentient beings is simply a big terrible unfortunate accident, something that shouldn't have happened but did, and now we all have to find a way to escape from it."
It was not an "accident." It is a phenomenon.  It is what it is!

"Did the Buddha ever explain these things?"
Contemplate on the 4 Noble Truths.  Spread across his teachings is his encouragement to us to SEE things as they really are.  When we realized that, then we SEE all the answers!  


Just a passing comment:
The essence of the Buddha's teachings is actually very simple. He reminded us that if we want to live in peace and contentment, we need to do just three things:
1. Reduce greed
2. Reduce hatred
3. Reduce ignorance of existence

Take care, my friend.

Justin Choo


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your time and your reply, it is appreciated.

I agree with a lot of what you said, these are not new concepts for me. You may very well be correct, I have thought about what you said before as well and part of me agrees, and it certainly is a possibility. However I feel it's incorrect, the idea that there is no purpose and everything just "happened because it happened". I don't think anyone can say that with authority, that's an opinion. I don't think it's that simple, when one makes a statement like that they are essentially saying that there is no consciousness or awareness other than that of individual beings, but I think our consciousness comes from a universal transcendent consciousness.

I'm aware of the five aggregates, but who is to say the aggregates aren't merely an explanation of how consciousness works? It doesn't necessarily mean that it was random phenomena or lacked any purpose.

You said that when we see things as they really are, then we see ALL the answers, but I don't think that's what the Buddha meant. We can know all the answers that are IMPORTANT, yes, but not literally ALL. Nobody on this earth understands everything or has ALL the answers. Perhaps the Buddha did, but I don't think there are thousands or millions of perfectly enlightened Buddhas living in this world.

Though I don't believe there is an absolute creator "God" or being, there is a universal, transcendent, incomprehensible, infinite consciousness that pervades all existence, and all sentient beings are a tiny part of it. The difference is that most sentient beings have a delusional dualistic way of thinking and believe they have an independent existence separate from everything else.

I don't believe that that infinite consciousness just "exists" and does nothing else. The idea that that consciousness would "do" things or be creative does not seem unlikely to me. We are like little sparks that shoot out from the source "fire". You seem to believe that it is an inanimate, unintelligent, unthinking thing, but I think it is just "thinking" on a level we can never comprehend as beings.

My intuition tells me that it deliberately "chose" or "willed" for there to be sentient beings to exist for a purpose we don't understand, perhaps to experience itself through us in an infinite combination of events and experiences. I don't know, but the cosmos is consciousness and awareness. Maybe it's all about the journey.

Again, obviously I am not talking about the kind of subjective, limited consciousness we have. But it's still consciousness and it has a "will" for want of a better term.

I have serious doubts that it's all just random phenomena with no purpose, not because I don't WANT to believe it, or because it upsets me, it doesn't. I'm past all that. I don't feel the need for a purpose, I'm at peace with whatever the truth is. It is what it is regardless what I believe or want. But intuitively it does not sound right to me and I feel it is incorrect. But I do think that we, as individuals, are not important in the big picture and I certainly believe ALL beings are impermanent.

I don't say these things or wish to know the answers because I believe I am "clever" or because I "need" or "want" things to be a certain way or because I am "foolish", that is presumptive and inaccurate, not everyone is like that. It is good to wonder and seek answers. I just want truth, wherever it leads me matters not, as long as it is the truth. I'm a truth seeker.

The only thing I'm aware of that the Buddha said regarding this is that we simply cannot describe or explain it with words, it is sublime.

I will be happy to read whatever you have to say, and I will give you the last word.

Thank you again for your insights and your time.

Answer
Hi Tracey,

Welcome back.  Very well expressed.  This is what a Budhist should do.  Question all things that one feels need to question, but in the process one is still able to live in peace with oneself without finding the perfect answers.  What you feel may be right, and I may be wrong.  The important attitude is to keep an open mind but with the wisdom to discern right from wrong in our daily living.

"I will be happy to read whatever you have to say, and I will give you the last word."
Please don't let me have the last word.  You are welcome to communicate further.

Take care.

Justin Choo