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Foreword: The Kaleidoscope of Life?
by Venerable Master Hsing Yun
The Many Matters of Life is my third front-page column written for The Merit Times 人間福報, following Between Ignorance and Enlightenment 《迷悟之間》 and Dharma Words from Venerable Master Hsing Yun 《星雲法語》. As the title suggests, “The Many Matters of Life” embraces all facets of the human world—exploring the highs and lows of human emotion, the complexities of morality, the dualities of good and evil, and offering insights into the changing conditions of family, society, the cosmos, and the profound mysteries of life itself.
With the new year, I am pleased to see these reflections compiled into a book. Tsai Meng-Hua, Executive Director of Gandha Samudra Cultural Enterprise, has taken on the task of collecting and editing the articles, and remarked that the series resembles a “kaleidoscope of life.” Each piece provides readers with a lens through which to understand life’s deeper meanings, to uncover its inner design, and to navigate the world through the lens of Buddhist wisdom—finding beauty and insight in the ever-changing colors of human experience.
People often say life is a complex and difficult subject, but in essence, it can be distilled into two main themes: birth and death. The value of life lies in love; the meaning of life lies in cherishing. Where there is love, there is life. Where there is love, there is vitality, continuity, and presence. Life does not begin at birth nor end at death. It is beginningless and endless, without boundaries inside or out. Life is dynamism, utility, and relationship. Through our vibrant actions and energy, we connect and interact with the world around us.
Modern society, too, is a living kaleidoscope. People come in all kinds: wise and foolish, rich and poor, tall and short, young and old, men and women. Faces, personalities, and behaviors are endlessly diverse. Life events range from trivial to profound, virtuous to wicked, personal to national. Society is filled with organizations, languages, schools, shops, and goods. When viewed closely, life appears dazzling and overwhelming, just like a kaleidoscope, filled with ever-shifting scenes.
However, because our wisdom is limited and our observation incomplete, we are often disoriented by this vibrant spectacle. Overwhelmed by complexity, we lose sight of what is essential. It is my hope that through this collection, The Many Matters of Life, readers will be able to reflect on the wide range of human affairs and, within them, find their truest self.
This series is filled with meaning and stories. It offers knowledge and insight, metaphor and explanation, analysis and reflection. By exploring life from many angles, it seeks to present new perspectives and cultivate right understanding. My purpose in writing these short articles has been to vividly portray the conditions of the human world and the reality of sentient beings. I hope that amid moments of light-hearted reading, readers may also be inspired to contemplate life’s deeper truths and uncover new ways to overcome life’s challenges.
I am deeply grateful to Chang Tso-Chin, advisor to the United Daily News; esteemed scholars Prof. Yan Chongnian, Prof. Chen Yi-An, Prof. Lin Shui-Fu, and Prof. Cheng Sher-Yan; acclaimed authors Yu Chian-Kuei, Lee Wei-Wen, Ou Yin-Chuan, Lin Liang, Hsieh Peng-Hsiong, and Huang Chun-Ming; as well as Principal Ou Zong-Zhi, all of whom graciously provided forewords for this series. I express my heartfelt thanks.
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