Is Worldly Dharma and Samsaric Suffering Worth It?

A Buddhist practitioner should be adept at admonishing their own mind. They should constantly introspect and examine their inner thoughts. Upon discovering any thoughts or actions that are not in accordance with the Dharma, they should admonish their mind, correct and guide it towards the right path, distancing themselves from the afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion, and freeing themselves from ignorance.

They should constantly contemplate: is their spiritual path most important, or are their irrational perceptions and views more important, or are the actions driven by greed, hatred, and delusion in worldly matters more important? They should constantly contemplate: are the so-called benefits they pursue in worldly matters truly lasting, truly existent, truly imperishable, and do they genuinely bring any real benefit? A practitioner should frequently question themselves. Only after such self-questioning can they awaken, develop steadfastness, give rise to wisdom, and liberate themselves from worldly matters.

Having engaged in worldly matters for innumerable kalpas, what has each person truly gained from it? What has been exchanged for countless kalpas of craving? Apart from the suffering of birth and death, what remains? Those with wisdom should truly reflect often. Only then can they see through the essence of birth and death, cease clinging to the delusions and karmic actions of the cycle of life and death, and gain the strength to step out of the wheel of suffering caused by birth and death.