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We may feel that we are always unlucky or lack good fortune and that things often go against us. Śāntideva takes a much wider perspective and reminds us that our current situation actually contains a tremendous opportunity. He does this to impress upon us how important the need for conscientiousness is. | We may feel that we are always unlucky or lack good fortune and that things often go against us. Śāntideva takes a much wider perspective and reminds us that our current situation actually contains a tremendous opportunity. He does this to impress upon us how important the need for conscientiousness is. | ||
Verse 16 of chapter 4, for example, speaks to us of how rare and fortunate we are to be born in the human realm and particularly to have the freedoms and advantages [LINK to main terms] of a precious human rebirth [LINK to main terms] | Verse 16 of chapter 4, for example, speaks to us of how rare and fortunate we are to be born in the human realm and particularly to have the freedoms and advantages [LINK to main terms] of a precious human rebirth [LINK to main terms]. | ||
{{PullBcaVerses|4.16}} | {{PullBcaVerses|4.16}} | ||
Śāntideva encourages us to see the rare opportunity we have right now. We are in reasonable health and have enough sustenance and some amount of freedom to practice. But this life is fleeting and a human rebirth hard to obtain again. It is like something of great value briefly lent to us that could be taken back at any moment. As such, Śāntideva argues, we should seize this moment instead of being despondent about temporary obstacles and difficulties. We should uplift our minds and strive in virtue, sustained by the thought of how much fortune we actually already have. | Śāntideva encourages us to see the rare opportunity we have right now. We are in reasonable health and have enough sustenance and some amount of freedom to practice. But this life is fleeting and a human rebirth hard to obtain again. It is like something of great value briefly lent to us that could be taken back at any moment. As such, Śāntideva argues, we should seize this moment instead of being despondent about temporary obstacles and difficulties. We should uplift our minds and strive in virtue, sustained by the thought of how much fortune we actually already have. | ||
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