Buddhism
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org,
please feel free to visit the school website)
Gautama Buddha shared with the world a very unique vision of the nature of reality. One of the understandings he received during his enlightenment was that everything is interconnected. Nothing can be separated and called independent. Therefore, there is no separate self. What we are according to the Buddha is a flow of mind and energy that is constantly in relation to the entire cosmos. Since change is inevitable and the nature of reality is impermanent, the Buddha advised his disciples to cultivate non-attachment and openness. If we try to cling to an idea of a stable, independent self, we are bound to suffer because in reality this "self" is not stable, but constantly flowing.
With this framework in mind, Buddhists have developed a way of life that does not try to cultivate a strong sense of ego, but rather tries to cultivate a sense of oneness and inter-being with all things. Ego-less living leads to a life purpose that takes all aspects of life into consideration.
According to Bill Devall in Dharma Gaia (1990), three of the main purposes of life in Buddhism are right livelihood, nirvana (awakening), and ahimsa (non-harming). All three of these life purposes are intertwined because each one includes the other; however, let us look more deeply into each one. Right livelihood is the art of choosing a vocation that supports the basic needs of the body/mind while at the same time supporting all other forms of life to flourish as well. Thich Nhat Hanh, a prominent Buddhist teacher and peace activist, speaks on vocation in Dharma Gaia (1990) in these terms, "Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation which helps realize your ideal of compassion." (163) As we can see, this type of life purpose in terms of vocation takes into consideration the entire planet.
As a being unfolds into the awareness of interbeing, a gradual enlightenment takes place that eventually leads to nirvana or awakening. It is said by Buddhists that this state is fully realized when one no longer identifies with the ego, or the idea of a separate self. This leads to a state of peace that transcends suffering. It is often the main goal of life in Buddhism. Out of this state flowers all virtuous qualities, which are then directed towards all beings to help them overcome suffering. Once again, the life purpose of most forms of Buddhism is not for personal gain only. Rather, one strives for nirvana for the benefit of all life. This ideal is exemplified most beautifully in the bodhisattva vow, which emphasizes becoming awake in order to assist beings for eternity.
Awakening into interbeing also opens the awareness that all life is equal and that everything has Buddha-nature. If everything is equal, then nothing should be given precedence over something else. Therefore, a major life purpose for Buddhists is to cultivate ahimsa, or non-harming, in all actions and thoughts. By practicing non-harming, a Buddhist is affirming their realization that all life is sacred and worthy of respect. Inclusive in this practice is a vegetarian diet. The Buddha is quoted numerous times forbidding the eating and killing of animals. This practice goes directly against the awareness of interbeing and compassion. However, non-harming is also extended to the earth as a whole. According to Buddhist understanding a main purpose of human life is to cause the least amount of suffering, while at the same time radiating compassion and acceptance to all things.