CHAPTER 3: The Purpose of Life for the Individual
The purpose of human life is an ideal which transcends the mundane
goals of human existence, for it is based upon the vision of God or
Ultimate Reality. The beatific vision, divine joy, and uniting with the
divine will or divine nature are some of the ways in which this purpose is
expressed. At the same time, since the human being is grounded in this
Ultimate, the purpose of life coheres with the essential nature of human
beings. The highest and best of human values--love, truth, beauty,
goodness, joy, and happiness--are aspirations grounded in the original
human nature. Therefore, the purpose of life may also be conceived as the
realization of what is most essentially human. That is, true human beings
manifest the Ultimate in themselves, through manifesting the perfections
of purity, wisdom, impartiality, integrity, and compassion in their own
lives. The fulfillment of humanity is also the sanctification of humanity.
The first section in this chapter describes the purpose of life as
the desire of all people for happiness and especially inner satisfaction.
The beatific vision, divine bliss, Nirvana, and the joys of heaven are
incomparably more desirable than the joy that comes with the satisfaction
of mundane desires. In the second section, we turn to the purpose of life
as determined from its divine source. Especially in monotheistic
religions where God is the Creator and humans are creatures, the purpose
for human life flows from the purpose for God's creating. We may speak of
the purpose to do God's will, to glorify and return joy to Him.
In the next three sections the purpose of life is considered from
the point of view of the intrinsic nature of the human person. The third
section gathers passages on the human being as the image of God or the
dwelling place of God. The fourth section discusses humanity's intrinsic
goodness: the innocence of a child and the inner compass that is the
conscience. The fifth section gathers passages on the original mind, the
true Self or Buddha Nature; its realization is the goal of the spiritual
life. This most essential Self is far from the ordinary egoistic meaning
of the self: free of conceptualizations, desires, or egoistic grasping, it
may also be characterized as without self or No-mind.
Finally, we turn to the purpose of life understood as the
realization of the divine perfections. The sixth section expresses the
ideal for human existence as a state of holiness, perfection, or
sanctification. The person who attains such a stage of maturity knows at
all times an abiding unity with the Absolute. He is unaffected by
self-centered desires and unmoved by praise or blame from others; his mind
is absolutely unified and clear. The final section describes the
perfection of human existence as revealed in the person who has deep love
and compassion for others. The saint is known for his overflowing love,
which has its source in the divine ground of his existence.
The purposes of human life encompass the human being not only as
an individual, but also as a social being and as a participant in the web
of all life. We find identity, meaning, and fulfillment in relationships
of family and community. Thus religions define correct social roles and
promote the ideals of social harmony, justice, and peace. Furthermore,
human beings have a purpose in relation to nature. We must protect and
enhance our environment while at the same time cultivating it and
harvesting its riches. Finally, human beings have an ultimate destiny,
sometimes expressed in terms of personal immortality and sometimes as a
final merging with the Absolute. These additional dimensions of human
life and its purposes will be treated in subsequent chapters.
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