How long does life last
The Buddha had once asked the Bikshus:"
How long does life last?"
" A few days long." Bikshu
A answered.
" You have not perceived."
Having
said this, the Buddha asked again:" How long does life last?"
" As long as the time it takes for a meal to last." Bikshu
B answered.
" You too have not seen the Way."
The
Buddha continued with the question:" How long does life last?"
" While breathing in and breathing out." Bikshu C answered.
On
hearing this, the Buddha was pleased as he said:" Very well! You have seen
the Way, and you are the one who truly perceive the Buddha Dharma."
[ How long is a lifetime? It can be for several decades or as short as a few
hours of the day as in the case of the mites. In fact, it can be within the
inhalation and exhalation of a breath. How temporary and impermanent! People
always say:' We have to fight and compete even for one gulp of breath'. It
should not be the breath of vengeance or anger, but the breath of living the
moment. Cultivating for a little more virtue while we are still breathing for
the moment is what we should do in order not to waste this human existence of
ours.]