What is the meaning of life? HELP?

Question

This is my topic for POD (Philosophy of Discipline), and i am supposed to write an essay (APPROX.1500 words) about this topic.

Pls give me some points especially in western philosophies, for example, how do the western sages such as Socrates, Plato, think about the meaning of life? How should we lead a meaningful life? Pls give me a website link if you have one...

Pls provide me with some arguments about eastern philosophies such as Buddhism, Hinduism, etc, if you have some. I desperately need your help..

Thanks a lot!! i would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Meaning of Life is to get to know you- as yourself; along the way, we should try to eliminate our negative accumulated karma.



From time immemorial, we have traveled the paths of Samsara. Some times we live as Heavenly Beings, and we are not so good and not so bad- we are the Asura- (Demi-Gods), but most times as another Humans.



Even more times, we have fall from grace, we wonder among the three lower paths as the Animals, the Hungry Ghosts, and the Hell Beings.



May be a few times, we were so good that we made it to low levels sainthood, and became Bodhisattva or Sravaka, but some how we did not quite make it to Enlightenment, and became a Buddha, so we start over again.



Thinking of all the negative karma, that we have accumulated when we became a Ruler of a Nation, we wanted more land and more wealth, that we started a war, thousand upon thousand of people died because of us! One good example our President Bush, how many people died, because of his decision?



Think of the times, because of our previous life merit, we became wealthy persons, but because our selfishness, and stinginess, we will fall from grace and into Hungry Ghost realm? Like many of the wealthy people, example, Paris Hilton?



Think how many times we were ruthless killers, and what better place to learn from our mistakes is to go to Hells. May be the experiences will left several footprints in our subconscious mind to remind us to be good next time around?



Finally, we accumulate enough merits and wisdom, and we have clear all of our negative accumulated karma, and achieve the ultimate goodness, and all obscurations, illusions, afflictions are clear from our mind, then we will achieve Enlightenment, and become Buddhas.



Of course it is easy said than done; but if we don't try, then what other purposes are there?

Answer 2

The first few pages in the Zhuan Falun Lecture on the web answers your question with respect to the Buddhist view. By the way, both the Taoist and the Buddhist belief is religious but many people mistook them as philosophy.



Throughout the 5,000 years of Chinese history, the Chinese people believe in heaven and the divine. Taoism and Buddhism has shaped the Chinese belief, moral characters and tradition value in the last 2,500 years. The Chinese Communist regime has destroyed much of the religions and traditional culture since its violence rule 50 years ago.



Falun Gong is a unique Buddhist School, teaching an ancient practice for the body, mind, and spirit based upon the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Falun Gong consists of five sets of powerful exercises.



Falun Gong, Tibetans, other Buddhists, and Christians have been persecuted in China. The most offensive human right violation is the organ harvesting from the Falun Gong practitioners in China.



Can you kindly sign a petition to stop persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, please ?

http://cipfg.org/en/news/petition.html

Answer 3

Isn't the purpose of the assignment for you to look at, study and discern the differences yourself rather than going to a forum to get other ppl's ideas? People with opinions can get it wrong and therefore you will get it wrong if you include their thoughts in your paper. Do the research yourself, make your own conclusions and write the paper from your own perspective including your own personal opinion. It's the only way to get a good grade.

Answer 4

42

Answer 5

The meaning of life centers around why we were created. God created each one of us as individuals with a specific purpose. He gave each of us a measure of faith and at least one talent. We can expand our talent or work on finding out what it is if we don't know. But God has a very good plan and purpose for each one if they will trust him for the answers and guidance and the wisdom they need. God is good and he loves us. He would like us to be strong and to help others. We are fulfilled when we are able to help others if effective ways.



No man is an island. Our purpose should be to be a blessing and a help to other people. He will reward us for these things. God is faithful and he will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we ask him (I John 1:9). We need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus in order to qualify for the ministry he has for us. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and he will supply all your needs.

Answer 6

How to See and Know God

In this talk Srila Prabhupada sharply distinguishes between human beings and animals: "One's spiritual life begins when one asks, What am I? Why have I come here? Why am I put into so many miserable conditions? Is there any remedy? Human life is meant for answering these questions....[But] if one is simply directed by the urges of the senses, one is no better than the ducks and dogs." (October 1968, Seattle)



We are worshiping Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original person. And this song we were just singing--govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami **--is reaching Him. He's hearing it. You cannot say He's not hearing it. Especially in this scientific age, when radio messages are broadcast thousands and thousands of miles so you can hear them, it is easy to understand how Govinda, Krsna, can hear your sincere prayer.

Similarly, just as you can see a television picture transmitted from thousands and thousands of miles away, you can always see Govinda in your heart if you prepare yourself properly. This is stated in the Brahma-samhita [5.38]: premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti [Bs. 5.38]. There is a television within your heart; it is not that you have to purchase the television set--it is there in your heart. And God is also there. You can see Him, you can hear Him, you can talk with Him, provided you repair the machine. And this repairing process is Krsna consciousness.

Now, to repair a television an expert technician is required. Similarly, you require the help of someone expert in the science of Krsna consciousness. Then the machine in your heart will work and you will be able to see Krsna. This is the perfection of yoga.

In the scriptures we hear how one can come to this perfection: sadhu-sastra-guru-vakya, cittete kariya aikya. Spiritual realization can be perfected by following three parallel lines: sadhu (saintly persons who are realized souls), sastra (authoritative Vedic scriptures), and guru (the spiritual master). In the railway yard you see two parallel tracks, and if they're in order the railway carriages go very smoothly to their destination. In Krsna consciousness there are three parallel lines: association with saintly persons (sadhus), faith in the scriptures (sastra), and acceptance of a bona fide spiritual master (guru). If you place your vehicle on these three parallel lines, it will go directly to Krsna, without any disturbance.

Now, here in the Bhagavad-gita, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is explaining Himself. But suppose you say, "How can I believe that Krsna said these words? Somebody may have written them in the name of Krsna." No. Because the Bhagavad-gita is accepted by saintly persons, we should also accept it. Beginning from Vyasadeva and Narada, down to many acaryas [spiritual exemplars] like Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Visnu Svami, and Lord Caitanya, all have accepted the Bhagavad-gita: "Yes, it is spoken by God, Krsna." So this is the proof that the Bhagavad-gita is authentic. Saintly persons, sadhus, have accepted the Bhagavad-gita as scripture; therefore it is scripture. That is the test.

This is a common-sense affair. If lawyers accept some book as a law book, then we should understand that it is an authoritative law book. You cannot say, "Why should I accept this law book?" The evidence is that the lawyers have accepted it. Similarly, if the medical practitioners accept a book as authoritative, then we should know that it is an authoritative medical book. In the same way, since saintly persons accept the Bhagavad-gita as scripture, you cannot deny that it is scripture. So these are the two lines of sadhu and sastra, saintly persons and scripture.

And who is a guru, a spiritual master? He who follows and explains the scripture. The sadhu confirms the scripture, and the spiritual master follows and explains the scripture. So sadhu, sastra, and guru are always in agreement. What is spoken in the scripture is accepted by saintly persons, and what is spoken in the scripture is followed and explained by the spiritual master, and he explains only that. The via media is the scripture, just as in the law court the via media is the law book. So the saintly persons, the scriptures, and the spiritual master: when you follow these three parallel lines your life is successful.

Now, in the beginning of the Seventh Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita Krsna speaks about yoga. In the first six chapters He explains the constitutional position of the living entity. Until that is understood, your activities in yoga, in relation to Krsna, cannot actually begin. Suppose you are working in an office. If your post is not settled up--if you don't know what duties you have to execute--you cannot do anything very nicely. The typist, the clerk, the errand boy--they are executing their work very nicely because they understand their duties. Therefore, to practice yoga one first has t

Answer 7

to use every second wisely, enjoy life, be happy, help others..........

Their is no hell/heaven. It is you who can turn your life into either Hell or Heaven by your own actions.

So be careful & do what your heart(Brain) tells you to do

believe only in what you hear and see

make a change----------but start from your own self, first help yourself.

& just don't waste it doing something that you will regret for,

time doesn't reverse or go back, Life is too costly to play games with



( This is what people of Sikh Religion Believe, .......frankly i don't have much knowledge either)





[hope that makes any sense]

Answer 8

confident i think of that existence for repeat offenders is sweet.I recommend reason maximum of those murders might have been prevented if the killers could have stayed in penitentiary. i will relate to the victims families. My chum grew to become into killed in 1997 and that they have got not have been given any leads.An i be responsive to now and returned the jury shall we them off yet come on if the guy or female killed better than as quickly as you be responsive to hes going to do it returned.

Answer 9

When hungry, eat; when thirsty, drink. When in necessity, do something about it; when nothing to do, think. When nothing to think about, sleep; when you don't feel sleepy, do something beneficial -- help someone in need. If you still search for meaning, ask yourself: How do I read this question if you do not know how to read?

Answer 10

Live in harmony with the world and you'll have accomplished your mission. Check out Taoism...

Answer 11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life



While wikipedia is hardly the ideal source for such things it may at least give you some ideas to get started.

.

Answer 12

Crush your enemies

See them driven before you

Hear the lamentations of the wimmins.

Answer 13

You should have listened in class, because all you'll get here are individuals' opinions, not the words of the philosophers

Answer 14

Happiness does not come from within. If we could accomplish that on our own we wouldnt have so many problems in the world. We need God. We need to experience Him to know what makes things tick.

Answer 15

life is what one makes of it for the better. god put us on earth to test what we can do as human beings to make the world better and treat each other the way god wanted us to.

Answer 16

it is 42.

Answer 17

off all the sites - you research here....



http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm



how you got this far is amazing.

Answer 18

God created us for His glory. One has the most meaningful life when they are united to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.



The sin of our first parents (Adam and Eve) brought about the fallen state of mankind. Humans are sinful because of their iniquity, sins bring curses and both iniquity and curses pass down the generations if they are not cleansed by the blood of Christ. Children are born with defects and suffer unfortunate circumstances because of curses due to their ancestors’ unrepented sins. Hereditary illness is an example of a curse. In the future, God will make a new Heaven and earth, and there will be no more suffering, sickness, sin, evil, old age or death. God’s people (those who accept His Son Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord) will joyfully and peacefully live in this new and perfect earth, with the Lord Jesus Christ as their King forever. See chapter 21 of the Book of Revelation.



Almighty God was, is and will always be triune (one God in three persons, not three gods). God is comprised of the Father, the Son (Lord Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Triune Godhead has a different role. There is only one God (Isaiah 43:10-11; 44:6,8; 45:21-22; 46:9; John 17:3; 1 John 5:20-21). The Father is God (1 Peter 1:2; Philippians 2:11), the Lord Jesus Christ is God (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1; 20:28; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:7-8; 2 Peter 1:1; Titus 2:13) and the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; Acts 28:25-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:17).



Without God, man’s spirit is unilluminated. This illumination happens at the time one’s spirit is united to the Holy Spirit (which happens only after one has accepted Christ as their Saviour). The Light went out of the spirit after the fall of man. Man had lost communion with God. Christ, the second person of the Triune Godhead made the sacrifice for our sins so the Light could be lit in the spirits of all. There is no redemption or unity to God apart from receiving Christ as one’s Saviour and Lord. The infilling of the Holy Spirit was possible only after Christ’s sacrifice. Before the death of Christ, the Holy Spirit only fell on persons who worshiped and served the true God (Judges 15:14; Ezekiel 11:5). Hebrews 9:6-8 (KJV) tells us that unity to God “the way into the Holiest of all” was also possible only after Christ’s sacrifice which brought an end to the Old Covenant. Christ made the sacrifice for our sins as the spotless lamb (1 Peter 1:9) and took the place of the Jewish high priest and became our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 6:20). The Book of Hebrews explains how the Old Covenant was replaced by the New Covenant.



The blood of Christ was shed so our sins could be paid for and we could have direct unity to God. The Holy Spirit leads us to remain focused on God so we can grow spiritually. God the Father lives within believers (John 14:23), God the Holy Spirit lives within believers (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and God the Son also lives within believers (2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 2:20). Because Christ lives in us, we are a new being, having our old self with its evil practices stripped off, and we are being renewed and remoulded after the image of God, in order to bring us to a full knowledge of Himself (Colossians 3:9-10). Because He lives in us, we have His peace (John 16:33), we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), we have His strength to do all things (Philippians 4:13) and we are a chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation and God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God (Peter 2:9). As Christians, the Lord Jesus Christ is always interceding for us (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25), He is preparing a place for us in heaven (John 14:1–3) and He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11).



The truth about Jesus Christ can be found only in the word of God which is the Holy Bible. Three days after the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, He resurrected from the dead (Luke 24:1-8; Acts 10:40; 1 Corinthians 15:4) and 40 days later, He ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:3; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-11).



1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”



Jesus Christ is Lord over all:



Philippians 2:9-11

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.



False doctrines claim that there are several paths to God. The word of God tells us that THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GOD AND THIS IS THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AS ONE’S LORD AND SAVIOUR.



John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.



John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him



Shortly after physical death, humans pass into either Heaven or Hell. Before Christ’s sacrifice, access into Heaven was not possible for human souls. The souls of those who loved and served the true God were kept in the paradise part of a spiritual place within the earth called Sheol, and the other part of Sheol was a prison of torment where the souls of those who rejected God ended up (Luke 16:19-31). There was a spiritual gulf fixed between these two parts so no soul from one side could cross over to the next (Luke 16:26). Access into Heaven was made possible for humans by Christ’s sacrifice and right after He died on the cross He went into the paradise part of Sheol, told the good souls (who were there for thousands of years) what He did and took them up to Heaven (Matthew 12:40; Ephesians 4:8–10; 1 Peter 3:18–20). The paradise part of Sheol no longer exists but the prison part of Sheol still does. This part of torment is called Hades or Hell. Those who reject God by not receiving Christ or any one of the Triune Godhead (Jeremiah 15:6; Matthew 12:311; Chronicles 28:9; 1 John 2:23) end up there and then go into the Lake of Fire after the Millennium (Revelation 20:15). Earthly fire, Godly fire (the type Jesus baptizes with) and the tormenting fire of the Lake of Fire are three different types of fire. There is also demonic fire which demons can produce.



Reincarnation is a false teaching (Hebrews 9:27). The Lord Jesus said that the human being’s afterlife state whether torment or paradise, will be eternal (Matthew 25:46). In the original text, the Greek word for eternal, aiōnion is used. He didn’t say that we would be born again and again until we got it right and received liberation. He would not have made that huge sacrifice for us if we could have had unity to God another way, and if there was another way, He would have taught that. The Lord said he could have employed legions of angels to prevent His crucifixion (Matthew 26:53), but because of His great and perfect love for humanity, He chose to endure a very painful death so we could be redeemed and united to God.



Salvation, redemption, reception of the Holy Spirit and adoption as God’s own children happen the instant a human being has faith in Christ as their Saviour and Lord and not at some future time in the believer’s life.



People who have not accepted Christ can become better individuals, but only to a certain extent. The Holy Spirit calls out to everyone but only those who have let the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Triune Godhead) into them by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour are the ones who are transformed and experience abundant and constant spiritual growth.



Iniquities (tendencies that cause one to sin) pass down the generation line (Numbers 14:18). After one accepts Lord Jesus as their Saviour, God forgives their sins as they truly repent and removes their iniquities (evil tendencies) in the transformation process which makes one more and more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:12-14). After genuinely accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, ALL sinners (alcoholics, liars, drug addicts, fornicators etc.) will be saved and transformed. Each believer is cleansed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and receives the infilling of the Holy Spirit who renews them.



REDEMPTION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH



Because mankind is incapable of meeting God’s standard of perfection necessary to abide in God’s presence (Romans 3:19-20,23), God sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the total debt for the believer’s sins and mercifully credits to his account Christ’s righteousness (Romans 3:21-28,5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Jesus’ gracious act of atonement was complete and covers all sin (Colossians 2:13-14; 1 John 1:9). Salvation is not based on good deeds but according to the mercy of God (Titus 3:4-5). Believers are justified by faith; it is a gift by God’s grace (Romans 4:3-8; Ephesians 2:8-9). A true, living faith will result in a desire to live a holy, loving life of good works (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-26), but failure to be absolutely successful at righteous living does not negate the believer’s justified status.



If you sincerely say this prayer, your sins will be washed away, you will be redeemed to God, be saved from eternal torment and inherit the Kingdom of God:



"Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. I repent of my sins. Please forgive me and save me by your shed blood. Come into my heart. I want to receive you as my own personal Lord and Savior. Amen"



https://victoryinjesuschrist.wordpress.com/