Oh! This kind of leisure and endowment is supremely difficult to obtain. Having obtained this body which is easily lost, without falling under the influence of meaningless distractions, I will apply myself diligently to attain ultimate liberation—the joyous result.
Introduction: A Life Beyond Ordinary
In Buddhist teachings, a precious human life refers not just to being born as a human but to possessing the rare conditions that allow one to pursue the Dharma. These conditions—summarized as leisure and endowment—offer an unparalleled opportunity for inner transformation, to cultivate positive emotions, and help others in meaningful ways. With such a life, we can achieve great things, not only for our own benefit but for the welfare of all sentient beings.
Quote by Shantideva on Precious Human Life
“How wonderful it is to have been born with a human body, to have met with the precious teachings, and to have the opportunity to practice. Such a life is difficult to obtain, and it is easy to lose. If we do not make the most of it, it will slip away like a dream.”
In this quote, Shantideva, the 8th-century Indian Buddhist master and author of Bodhicaryāvatāra (A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life), reminds us of the rare and precious opportunity that human life offers. According to Buddhist teachings, being born as a human with the capacity to understand and practice the Dharma is incredibly rare—like a one-time chance in countless lifetimes. Shantideva emphasizes the urgency of making meaningful use of this life through spiritual development, compassion, and wisdom. If we neglect this opportunity, he warns, it may pass as swiftly and silently as a dream, leaving behind only regret.
This teaching is meant to inspire mindfulness, gratitude, and dedication to the path of enlightenment.
What Makes Human Life Precious?
Having a precious human life doesn’t merely mean being a human. Rather, it refers to being a human with the opportunity to study and practice the Dharma. It means we can learn to recognize and overcome our negative emotions, nurture altruistic values, and advance toward the path of liberation.
This opportunity is rare. The causes for such a life are difficult to create, and many intricate causes and conditions must converge to support it. Among these, the primary cause of human rebirth is moral ethics, especially the adherence to the five precepts: refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication.
Yet, we know from experience how easily nonvirtuous actions like anger, hatred, and jealousy arise. Our minds are filled with afflictive emotions. Negative thoughts and behaviors come effortlessly, and while they may seem natural, they only lead to more suffering. Despite our efforts, genuine altruism and virtue often feel like a struggle. We are so habituated to negativity that even our best intentions may feel forced or inauthentic. Without a strong foundation of moral ethics, the conditions for a precious human rebirth become extremely difficult to realize.
The Six Realms of Samsara: Why the Human Realm Matters Most
According to Buddhist cosmology, samsara—the cycle of birth and death—comprises six realms:
- Hell Realm
- Hungry Ghost Realm
- Animal Realm
- Human Realm
- Demi-God Realm
- God Realm
Among these, only the human realm offers a conducive environment for spiritual practice. The minds of beings in other realms are either obscured by intense suffering, overpowered by ignorance, or distracted by pleasure.
Consider the animal realm: How many more millions of insects exist compared to the number of humans? Most animals lack the intelligence to recognize suffering’s cause and practice the path. Likewise, beings in the hell or hungry ghost realms are constantly tormented by suffering and cannot engage in self-reflection or Dharma. Even the gods and demi-gods, caught in luxury or conflict, lack the motivation for spiritual growth.
In this context, human life becomes a rare and valuable condition, offering just the right balance between suffering and awareness to motivate meaningful practice.
The Buddha’s Metaphor on Rarity
To stress the rarity of a precious human life, the Buddha once said:
“Suppose the whole planet is an ocean. Floating on that ocean is a yoke with a single hole, endlessly blown in the four directions. Under the ocean swims a blind turtle who surfaces once every hundred years. The odds of the turtle’s head passing through that yoke’s hole are incredibly small—yet rarer still is being born as a human.”
This vivid metaphor highlights the extreme improbability of obtaining a human birth, especially one with all the conditions suitable for practicing the Dharma.
Just Being Human Is Not Enough
There are many human beings, yet only a small percentage truly possess the attributes of a precious human existence. Some are born into environments of war, famine, or conflict, which deprive them of the chance to accumulate virtuous deeds or learn the Dharma.
Others may have access to Dharma teachings but are so deeply immersed in worldly concerns that the thought of inner practice never arises. Still others may meet the teachings but lack the discipline or clarity to pursue them. Even among those who practice diligently, only a few attain realization.
Understanding the rarity of this opportunity can serve as a powerful inspiration, opening the door to the infinite qualities of the enlightened mind.
The Two Foundations: Leisure and Endowment
The qualities of a precious human life are defined in terms of eight leisures and ten endowments in Buddhism.
Eight Leisures:
These refer to freedoms from certain obstacles that would otherwise prevent Dharma practice, such as:
- Being free from rebirth in the three lower realms (hell, hungry ghost, animal)
- Not being born in a barbaric land or where no Dharma exists
- Not having severe physical or mental impairment
- Not being enslaved by wrong views
- Not being too preoccupied by survival to contemplate Dharma
Ten Endowments:
Five are personal conditions:
- Being born as a human
- In a Dharma region
- With complete faculties
- Without committing extreme misdeeds
- With faith in the Dharma
Five are external conditions:
- The appearance of a Buddha
- His teachings still being present
- The presence of the Sangha
- Existence of Dharma practitioners
- Benefactors supporting practice
Together, these leisures and endowments create the ideal conditions for practicing Dharma and freeing ourselves not only from daily suffering but from samsara itself.
The Fragility of This Life
Despite its potential, precious human life is extremely fragile. Our bodies are susceptible to illness, pain, aging, and death. A moment of distraction, a wrong decision, or a fatal accident can take this opportunity away.
We must not take this chance for granted. Every day spent without practicing the Dharma is a day wasted. Modern distractions—social media, entertainment, worldly ambitions—only delay our spiritual progress.
As the Lord of Death does not wait for us or listen to excuses, we must bring the Dharma into our hearts, apply it to our thoughts and actions, and cultivate its transformative qualities through sincere effort.
Choosing the Path of Wisdom and Compassion
It is up to us to decide:
Will we use our precious human life for fleeting pleasures, or for the ultimate goal of enlightenment?
We have the chance to uproot samsara entirely, to embody wisdom and compassion, and to realize the infinite qualities of the Buddha. We should reflect again and again on how fortunate we are to have been born with this opportunity and to have encountered the glorious teachings of the Dharma.
Rejoice in this life! Our past actions created this opportunity—but our future depends on what we do now. Whether we descend into suffering or ascend to the heights of liberation is entirely in our own hands.
“Once we become aware of the great potential of a precious human life, there is no time to waste on samsaric pleasures.”
Conclusion: Now Is the Time
This human life is short, uncertain, and fragile. The teachings remind us not to squander this rare gift. Now is the time to act, to practice, and to awaken. Let this awareness of the preciousness of your human life fuel your daily practice, deepen your compassion, and guide your every choice.
With courage and diligence, the door to ultimate liberation lies wide open before you.
FAQs
Why is a human life considered precious in Buddhism?
In Buddhism, a human life is considered precious because it offers the unique opportunity to practice the Dharma, cultivate wisdom and compassion, and work toward enlightenment. Unlike beings in other realms, humans have the balance of pleasure and suffering that allows them to recognize the nature of samsara and develop renunciation. The rarity of such a life, supported by ethical conduct and virtuous karma, makes it immensely valuable.
What are the eight leisures and ten endowments in a precious human life?
The eight leisures refer to freedoms from the major obstacles that prevent Dharma practice, such as not being born in hell realms, among animals, or in places where the Dharma is unknown. The ten endowments include five personal conditions (such as being born a human, having all senses, and having interest in Dharma) and five external conditions (such as the presence of Buddha’s teachings and spiritual teachers). These factors make a human life conducive for spiritual progress.
How can I make the most of my precious human life?
To make the most of your precious human life, engage in meaningful spiritual practices such as studying the Dharma, meditating regularly, observing moral ethics (like the five precepts), and cultivating positive emotions like loving-kindness and compassion. Reflecting on the impermanence of life and the rarity of human rebirth can inspire diligence and help reduce time spent on meaningless distractions.
Why is it difficult to obtain a precious human rebirth again?
A precious human rebirth is difficult to obtain due to the complexity of causes and conditions required. These include strong ethical conduct, accumulation of merit, and pure intentions in past lives. Since negative actions like anger, jealousy, and attachment are more common, most beings are reborn in lower realms. Without deliberate effort to live virtuously, the chances of regaining such a rare and favorable rebirth are very slim—likened by the Buddha to a blind turtle surfacing through a floating yoke once in a hundred years.
FOLLOW US ON
