Why do Buddhists believe they are here?

Answer 1

This question can be examined in two ways:

• Do Buddhists believe that life has a purpose
• Do Buddhists believe in their own existence.

In response to the first interpretation, Buddhism does not see a "divine plan" for creation and people as is posited by Christians and other religions, To Buddhist there is no deity organizing the "plan" and thus there is no plan. The fact that they are here is sufficient reason for being here.

As to the second interpretation, Buddhism is based in some degree on the understanding of reality. This still actively discussed today and positions have been developed by the various schools. The problem is (as the saying goes) that reality is a persistent illusion.

For the outsider this discussion bogs down with terms like "the issue of dependent origination" and "perceived reality". Basically:

• A general consideration is the reality that we perceive, in which we are separate from everything else, is not the true case. This is because our perceptions and preconditions mislead us to believe in this separation.

• Other schools in Buddhism extend this further pointing out that the only input we have on reality is through our senses, and these are unreliable.

This means that the question comes to the point that Buddhists may think they are here, but the reality of the situation is that they may not be. This is however of no consequence until they become enlightened and enter Nirvana where the illusion of separate existence is finally abandoned.