PureInsight | November 24, 2008
[PureInsight.org] Since I began to cultivate, my favorite book has been Zhuan Falun. Before that, my favorite reading was Li Sao by Qu Yuan, written during the Warring States Period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC).
In this long poem, Qu Yuan wrote, “In the morning I left Cangwu, and by dusk already arrived at Xianpu. After a long day’s travel, I would like to take a rest, but I cannot since it will become dark soon. I hope time becomes slower and does not pass by so quickly. Although the road is endless and faraway, I still want to pursue the truth in the world.”
These words have transcended history and touched the hearts of people for thousands of years. When I read them, a deep part of me that had been asleep for a long time was suddenly awakened. I enlightened that one’s life, just like the world, is full of changes. One should not just stay dormant in daily life, but should instead actively seek the truth of the universe.
These words also demonstrate Qu Yuan’s tireless perseverance in searching for the truth. At that time, seeing that the emperor was unable to listen to good advice and only accepted the slanderous opinions of others, Qu Yuan was concerned about the future of the nation. That is why he wrote Li Sao.
As an everyday person without cultivation, one will live within the cycle of birth, aging, illness and death. When I was a student, I used to ask others: “What is the purpose of life? What is the truth of the universe?” Upon hearing this, many people laughed at me: “This question is meaningless since nobody can answer it.” Some people even said that the purpose of life is to seek pleasure and make more money through hard work. Some even think that the more money a person has, the happier he or she will be. At that time, although I knew one would suffer without money, I was not convinced one could have a happy life simply because of having money. Where exactly was life from, and where did it lead to?
This question puzzled me for a long time until the day I read Zhuan Falun: “One should return to one’s original, true self; this is the real purpose of being human” (Zhuan Falun, Lecture One). Master Li thus explained the question that has puzzled many people for a long time.
There are still people who are looking for the goal and meaning of life. I would like to tell you that if you read Zhuan Falun, you will find the universal truth that leads everyone to the future!
October 17, 2008
Translated from: http://www.zhengjian.org/zj/articles/2008/10/17/55422.html
