Dhamma Talks - Life Is Learning :: Buddhapadipa Thai Temple

Written by Dhammacaro on 06/08/2006

It has been said of humans that ‘we are but actors upon a stage’. This has then been refuted by some who say that if that was the case, life would be easy because it would mean that all our lives would be being controlled by a director and playwright. In fact, real life is nothing like either of these scenarios; we are the owners of our own destiny and live life by ourselves, being both playwright and actor, as life really is under our own control and not the control of another power

Buddhism gives one definition of life that “Life is Learning” and this in turn means that learning is very important for life. The direct experiences we have in life, give us ample opportunity to learn, develop wisdom and thus live a happy life. This learning is traditionally separated into 6 aspects. Namely,

1. Self-study

6. Learning the reality of life.

When we can understand these things, we will have fewer problems and have more success in life.

1. Self-study – Have we ever asked ourselves “who we really are?” We may say, “Yes, we know our names and how old we are etc.”. We may think that that is all life is about. In fact it goes deeper than that. For instance if we really know ourselves, we can rule our lives in a good and beneficial way, and we can take real control our lives. It is said that if we know ourselves and our temperaments, such as if we are easily angry, we can teach ourselves to be calm. If we have a bad mouth, we can be aware of our speech. This will cause fewer problems to us in the future.
2. Learning about and from others – this means that we are not alone in this world. We have family and live in a society so we have to learn to know other people, especially people around us such as members of our family. If we know them and their temperaments well, whatever situation arises we will have some means by which we can solve it. Knowing such things helps us to then live together peacefully.
3. Learning about society and its change – to learn to know our society, in which we live, is worthwhile. When we know where we are and the way it changes, we can learn to cope with any situation that arises. All the information we hold in our hands as per our society can help us to live a happy life.
4. Learning about time and opportunity – life flows along with time and opportunity. If we know time and opportunity, our life will be smooth. Sometimes we have to learn to wait for an appropriate time, and sometimes we have to find the proper time to do our work. If it is not the proper time, we should wait for a while until the right time arises. Otherwise, the situation becomes like the expression, “haste makes waste.”
5. Learning virtues (Dhamma) – to live a virtuous life is the aim of Buddhist people. There are many dhammas of the Buddha which people can learn and practice in their lives. If they are parents, there is dhamma for parents to learn and practise. If they are students, there is dhamma for them to learn and practice. Lacking in virtue makes us unhappy.
6. Learning the reality of life – the reality of life is something we should know. In this world, there is polarity such as happy and painful, glad and sorrow, young and old etc. We have to learn to accept the truth of life. When we really understand the nature of life as being up and down, both happiness and sorrow, we learn to accept whatever life throws at us with equanimity – it is this acceptance that leads to calm and peace.

At last, if we learn something supportive to our life, we can use the knowledge to support our life. To accept the reality of life is very important. Life cannot be successful all the time, sometimes we are going to be disappointed, it is only natural. However this all depends on the causes; if we build up good causes, then we will succeed in life. When we build up bad causes, then life is going to be suffering. This shows that life needs such learning to accumulate the factors leading to success or happiness.

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