Introduction
The True Meaning of Life
Who am I? Does the world before us encompass all existence? Where should a human life lead? The True Meaning of Life presents a modern interpretation of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra. It explores how people may move beyond mistaken identification with the bodily self and worldly experience to rediscover the meaning of true life.
The book follows a progression from discerning the illusory world and transcending the self to understanding sacred meaning and sharing the teaching for others’ liberation. Its questions and answers distinguish sensory knowledge, mental discrimination and spiritual awakening. Readers are invited to examine habitual ways of understanding the world and seek life’s reality through faith in the Holy Lord and steady meditation. Its attention to language encourages interpretation within the whole teaching, beyond isolated words.
The true meaning of life must ultimately become visible in conduct. The book leads profound questions towards self-discipline, generosity, persistent truth-seeking, mutual awakening and selfless service. Understanding becomes character and responsibility. For those seeking more than outward gains and losses, it offers a path of study that leads from reflection to personal cultivation and care for others.
For readers willing to examine the world, life and the self in depth, attend to the scripture’s whole context and turn understanding towards self-cultivation and service.
Scriptures
Scriptures in this volume
The Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra
Four fascicles unfold the discernment of illusion, transcendence of the self, understanding of sacred meaning and the sharing of the teaching.
Read this volume’s excerptQuestions
Questions to bring to your reading
Are the Laṅkāvatāra and Śūraṅgama Sūtras the same scripture?
No. Volume 3, The True Meaning of Life, presents the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra. Volume 2, Clear-Sighted Faith, presents the Great Buddha-Crown Śūraṅgama Sūtra. Check both the book title and the scripture when choosing.
How can I approach its more difficult discussions?
First identify the question being answered, then consider the interpretation alongside its textual context. Continue through the surrounding chapters when a concept is difficult. The volume’s guidance connects understanding with persistent inquiry, self-discipline, generosity and service to others.
From the books · Free excerpts
Read a passage and discover the approach
Part I · Chapter 1, verse 5 · The passage describes the inspiration of Mahāmati Bodhisattva.
His inspiration can transform human thought and elevate spiritual understanding. It enables people to discern the necessary laws behind endlessly varied contingent phenomena, and to perceive the shared essence within the infinite diversity of outward appearances.
Excerpt source · The True Meaning of Life · Part I · Chapter 1, verse 5
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