What constitutes a virtuous life for a flea? Or a wicked one?
The Buddha said that being incarnate as a human was the best possible birth, even better than living for 10,000 years of bliss as a deva (god), because human life provides the greatest opportunities to improve your karma.
However, he also said this (paraphrased): In the vast ocean there is an ancient turtle that only surfaces for air once every hundred years. Floating on the ocean is a single garland of flowers. Your chances of being reincarnated as a human are the same as the chances that the turtle will surface for air and stick his head through the garland of flowers.
In other words, having found yourself here, make the most of the opportunity. “Life is short; live as if your head is on fire.”
What constitutes a virtuous life for a flea? Or a wicked one?
The Buddha said that being incarnate as a human was the best possible birth, even better than living for 10,000 years of bliss as a deva (god), because human life provides the greatest opportunities to improve your karma.
However, he also said this (paraphrased): In the vast ocean there is an ancient turtle that only surfaces for air once every hundred years. Floating on the ocean is a single garland of flowers. Your chances of being reincarnated as a human are the same as the chances that the turtle will surface for air and stick his head through the garland of flowers.
In other words, having found yourself here, make the most of the opportunity. “Life is short; live as if your head is on fire.”