Precious Human Life

Buddhist nun Gen Drolkar gives a talk on this Precious Human Life. This talk contains guided meditations and talk.

Buddhist Perspective on Human Life
In Buddhism, the concept of “precious human life” (Tibetan: འབྱོར་ལོགས་, Wylie: 'byor lo) refers to the rare and unique opportunity to practice the Dharma and attain liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth. This understanding is rooted in Buddhist cosmology and the teachings of the Buddha.

Defining Characteristics

To appreciate the preciousness of human life, we must first understand its defining characteristics. According to Buddhist teachings, a precious human life is one that:

Has all five senses functioning properly
Is free from pressing health concerns
Has sufficient leisure time to explore and practice the Dharma
Lives in an environment that does not suppress religious practice
Has access to a genuine Sangha (community of practitioners) and a Buddha’s teachings
Has a genuine lineage of transmission unbroken to the present generation
Why Human Life is Precious

From a Buddhist perspective, human life is precious because it offers a unique balance of leisure and suffering, intelligence, and the space and time to explore the Dharma. This allows us to cultivate wisdom, ethics, and mindfulness, which are essential for achieving liberation.

In contrast, lower realm beings (such as hell beings and animals) are too preoccupied with intense suffering or pleasurable states to have the opportunity to practice the Dharma. Higher realm beings (such as demigods and gods) are too distracted by their pleasant experiences to have the curiosity and motivation to seek liberation.

The Rarity of Precious Human Life

The Buddha’s teachings emphasize the rarity of a precious human life. It is estimated that only a few individuals in a billion are born with all the necessary conditions for a precious human life. This rarity underscores the importance of making the most of this opportunity and using it to cultivate wisdom, ethics, and spiritual practice.

Conclusion

Understanding the preciousness of human life from a Buddhist perspective encourages us to appreciate the unique circumstances that have brought us to this point. It reminds us to make the most of this opportunity, cultivate positive actions, and seek refuge in the Dharma. By doing so, we can take advantage of the rare and precious human life we have been given and work towards achieving liberation from suffering.