You Were Born for a Reason: The Real Purpose of Life

224 pages. dj chipped, text ffepAs human beings, we have one thing in common: we search all our lives for las ting happiness. YOUR WERE BORN FOR A REASON tells us that happiness can indeed b e found. But it is not found in the place we ordinarily look, such as status, ac hievements, or family. This book, which has sold nearly half a million copies si nce its original publication in Japan, shows us how to navigate life's obstacles from a deep and abiding source of inner peace. The authors?a Buddhist teacher , a psychotherapist, a philosopher?bring their combined wisdom to bear on the age-old question: what is the purpose of life? They direct us toward answers con tained in often-overlooked Buddhist teachings?specifically, in the words of Sh inran, who is the founder of Jodo Shinshu, the largest of Japan's schools of Bud dhism. In clear and compelling language, YOU WERE BORN FOR A REASON shows why hu man life is not only meaningful, but infinitely precious. It considers the many ills that plague modern society?suicide, murder, angst, a constant sense of fu tility?and guides us to the enduring truths that can renew our hearts and fina lly provide real happiness. CONTENTS: The Eternal Questions. Shinran's Answer/ T he Root Cause of Suffering/ The Dark Mind: The Source of Suffering/ The Mind Shr ouded in Ignorance/ The Dark Future Casts a Shadow on the Present/ The Tragedy a t Rajagrha and the Vow of Amida/Shinran's Fulfillment of Life's Purpose/ Shinran 's Masterwork Begins and Ends with a Cry of Joy/ The Clash over Whether or Not L ife Has a Purpose/ The Key to the Mystery of Why We Live/ Turning a Blind Eye to Ourselves/ The Difficulty of Knowing Oneself/ Revelation of the True Self, etc.…