What is human life? While there are many different answers and explanations, I am assuming that there are three definitions, as follows: The first is the life of human beings; the second is the life of human living; the third is the life of the cycle of the birth-and-death of human beings. If we have life, then we shall have living; if we have living, then we shall have the cycle of birth-and-death. Therefore, the three -- life, living and birth-and-death -- are one substance. Life is the continuation of human beings. Living is existing in the activity of life. Therefore, since we wish human life to continue, we must then seek something to support living, which is the condition of living in the present: clothing, food, shelter and various activities. The Ancient Master said, "Food and sex are the two fundamental elements of human nature." Sex is the nature of living as male and female to mate in order to seed generation after generation of descendants. There are two kinds of food: The first is material and constitutes eating and drinking to nourish the body to preserve and continue life; the second is intellectual and spiritual -- that is, seeking knowledge and learning about culture. This is a very important condition of human living. Ordinary people only seek living but do not pay much attention to their lives. If one has more and higher knowledge, he may, besides merely seeking living, also seek the intellectual and spiritual contents of life; but he may not pay much attention to the cycle of birth-and-death and may even fear talking about it.

Chinese philosophy holds life to be extremely important. Taoism directs us to seek longevity and cultivate ourselves for long life. Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) said, "Maintain your life!" Western philosophy also considers living to be important but seeks mainly material enjoyment. All the wonderful innovations of the great material civilizations are directed at improving life for all, and even the great wars were fought for the betterment of our lives. Indian philosophy, however, considered birth and death to be important and, therefore, sought the way to solve the problems of the cycle of birth-and-death. This point of view is also clearly detailed in the Svetasvatara Upanishad. The Buddhist philosophy as reflected in both the Mahayana and the Hinayana schools, considers transcending everything worldly and materialistic and attaining holiness like that described in the Dharmas of the Three Vehicles, which are important because they describe the ending of the cycle of birth-and-death and how to arrive at that stage.