Buddhism, the Meaning of Life, and the 3 Marks of Existence
To grasp at sensations to relieve boredom is like grasping at straws to save your life. But that is the situation we are faced with, having come so far from the formerly primitive state that we languished so long in, somewhere between low flying angels and high-flying monkeys. Now we are successful and have nothing much to show for it, while capitalists jack the rents up to line their pockets with profits and the rest of us struggle to make ends meet, all while AI threatens our jobs and politicians too often take sides with the mob.
The concept of balance is sorely lacking in most of our lives, but that is certainly implied if not explicitly stated in the Buddhist Middle Path. To avoid extremes is to seek balance. But, if that means to forego some treats that might provide some temporary rush of excitement to the pleasure centers of the brain, then most people will pass on that option, even if that means to forego some savings that might come in very handy during lean times or retirement years.
And that’s what the Buddha himself recommended, saving 25% of income for a rainy day (Sigalovada Sutta, DN31), back when incomes were much simpler than today, and even recommending 50% reinvestment to create and guarantee future income, allowing only 25% for daily expenses. Did someone say something about the present moment? Of course he did. That is meditation. He also had some good suggestions on how to live a good life. Don’t lie, Don’t kill, Don’t cheat, Don’t steal, etc. Sounds a lot like the Christian Ten Commandments, doesn’t it?
The Second Five of the Ten Commandments, yes, are almost identical to the Five Precepts of Buddhism, except for the one that says Don’t Drink, ouch. The First Five are almost identical to Islam. I suppose the difference between Precept and Commandment is much of the difference between Buddhism and Christianity, too. Buddhism has few sacred names or days, while carved statues and parents are optional. Sabbe sankhara anicca, Sabbe sankhara dukkha, sabbe dhamma anatta. All conditioned things are impermanent and imperfect. All phenomena are without souls. Those are the Three Marks of Existence.
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