Click-a-Sermon 4:  "New Year's resolution"

As we enter the New Year, it is our hope that this coming year will be peaceful and prosperous for the whole world. We also individually no doubt, will each wish that our personal life during the coming year will be trouble free and happy. For at the beginning of the New Year we each are full of hope and aspiration - yet, unfortunately, being merely optimistic will not solve the problems of life.

Buddhism first teaches that "human life is suffering." This does not mean that we should view life with pessimism, but rather we should be realistic. We all wish to control our lives, however, the truth of our existence as mortal human beings, is that we have very little power of control over our own lives. We might imagine that we can rule our destiny, but for the most part, such notions are wishful thinking and the products of illusion.

Perhaps we can achieve a great deal due to our personal endeavors, yet the very basic facts of our existence are beyond our control, despite all the vast technological accomplishments of the modern age. Can we as mortals overcome earthquakes, tidal waves, disease, or even the problems we face in dealing with each other?

For centuries Buddhism has been pointing out that the fundamental issues of human existence can by symbolized by the so-called "four sufferings of life", which are a universal reality regardless of race, nationality and cultural traditions. These four symbolic sufferings are "birth", "old age", "illness" and "death". They are sufferings over which we have no personal control.

No one wishes to suffer, yet life is full of suffering and dissatisfaction. We may wish that our life, as well as the lives of others, be peaceful and prosperous at the commencement of the New Year. Yet we all know deep within our hearts that human life is full of conflict and suffering everywhere.

Buddhism begins with this clear recognition of the reality of life, rather than allowing us to submerge ourselves into the comfort of illusions. Such is merely a beginning. We are all egocentric creatures, and our ego leads us along the rosy path of illusion - or wishful thinking. Only when we set aside such dreams and hopes of escape, can we face the true reality of living. It is only then that we can arrive at the gateway to true awakening. For without spiritual awakening, our life will forever remain confused and un-fulfilling.

As humans we have the choice, we can stumble on and delude ourselves with wishful thinking towards the future --- and we also have the chance here and now to make a New Year's resolution to discover what is real. How can we find true peace and contentment in life? That is our choice.

© Reno Buddhist Church