Comments on: The Gift of Human Birth

By: Peter Albrecht

Peter Albrecht — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:19:32 +0000

Perhaps the gift is that we have greater opportunities for making choices than other species. The fact that, individually and collectively, we so often make choices that lead to unhealthy results doesn’t detract from the fact that the opportunity and ability to choose is a great gift.

By: Tara

Tara — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:52:54 +0000

My two cents’ worth? We may believe this human rebirth is precious, but that includes, in the “lamrim”descriptions, the ability to study Dharma, which often comes on late in life, after the youthful drug experiments that somewhere, somehow, cause death – killing. By the time Westerners figure out there is a Dharma and begin to practice, they have done a great deal of harm. Even in Tibet, damage is done when fields are plowed and animals are deprived of “mother’s milk” so we can eat milk and cheese.

But the world has gone through upheavals before. She sloughs off the “cancer” – us. The people that are run by greed and disrespect. Circular as my thought may be, the Dharma teaches us to live better, more gently. Check the def. of “perfect human rebirth” in say, “Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand.” It changes one’s outlook.

By: Barrie

Barrie — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:53:01 +0000

This is a beautiful web site, when I have slow time at work it is nice to read. I like your non-defense of Buddhism.

By: Cliff

Cliff — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:15:03 +0000

Well if you are considering the idea of how precious a human birth is, chances are you are a human. THIS LIFE is it, and it includes all species too.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:53:18 +0000

Whether or not in a grand cosmic scheme humans are somehow entitled or not to their preciousness is a great debate.

The point of the teaching however, is its support in motivating our lazy asses into action. Precious human birth goes hand in hand with impermanence. How much time is left in this preciously short human life cycle? And what will be done with it?

Shakyamuni taught that misery, while habitual, can be healed. If we deny a sense of our own precious qualities, those very human qualities of fragility, love, kindness, death and so on, then why should we give a damn about our misery being alleviated?

Being precious in our engagement with each other and the world seems quite right. Sounds a lot like grace. That is our nature fundamentally and the first principle should well be recognizing how we are precious, not why.

In my experience there has been no more precious a gift than regaining life when it seemed lost to dying.

Precious human birth, sample the alternative, not all human birth is precious, hold a starving orphan baby in Ghana. Be grateful.

By: lewrich

lewrich — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:08:35 +0000

Here’s a thought: just because the Buddha taught it doesn’t mean it’s right–or right forever.

By: Michael Dolan

Michael Dolan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:50:08 +0000

Another thought provoking post, I will be reading it several times over the next week. For me, all I need to do is spend time with my grandchildren and my grown son and daughter to see what a wonderful thing the gift of human birth is.
Our planet is always changing. We, humans, may not have been good stewards during our time here but the earth will correct our mistakes over time. We are just ‘renters’ here, we may own property, build buildings, plant crops and trees, etc. Things we leave behind maybe give to others but we can’t take it with us. All we can take is our experiences and what we have learned.
Best to all

By: Howie

Howie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:46:18 +0000

“Human birth is a rare and precious gift”. I would agree with this statement for the most part, but my bulldog meditates with me and she has a wonderful life! I think with the way the world is if I had a choice I would come back as a loved house dog!!! I could still meditate and have my belly rubbed….lol…

Metta,
Howie

By: Koda

Koda — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:53:15 +0000

Lewis, this is quite a rich topic. How can a species that destroys its environment claim to be “the best birth for attaining awakening”? In the 20th century the earth’s human population tripled and the rate of extinctions grew geometrically What reason is there to believe we won’t crowd ourselves and many other species off the planet? There is no wisdom in our collective behavior and little reason to be hopeful about the future. Human birth is not a gift, it’s a burden to the rest of life.

By: Rico Provasoli

Rico Provasoli — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:05:48 +0000

Last night a friend asked what was the point of spending hour after hour, week after week, years of sitting quietly in front of a blank wall.
“Imagine you are at an exquisite symphony performance, the most delicate solo violin is taking you to a deep place of joy, when a man behind you starts a cell phone conversation. You can no longer enjoy the music. Meditation practice is politely training the loudmouth in the back seat to quiet down and pay attention to the lovely music.”
And it would never have been possible to train the mind with out the dedicated ancestors who have preserved and protected the Dharma.
Human birth is a rare gift, but the good fortune to have the Dharma alive and well and having the inclination and desire to be available to practice is the rarest gift of all.

Gassho to all and to all a joyous life.