Common Humanity

In Buddhism we are encouraged to dwell on those truths which ennoble the mind. One of them is our common humanity. We learn to reflect on the things which bring us together rather than those things separate us. Of course, the differences between each of us – even born in the same country or in the same city or come from the same social background – are already considerable. But if we concentrate on those things that set us apart, then they will come to seem more and more real, and we will despair of finding true peace and harmony in our lives together in this world.

The Lord Buddha encouraged us to consider that every one of us on this planet are companions; companions in birth, companions in old age, companions in sickness, companions in death. Every single one of us sitting here today will, without doubt, sooner or later, have to face the reality of death. Every one of us has already experienced the reality of sickness to some extent or another. And unless any of us is unfortunate enough to meet a premature death we will all have to experience the infirmities of old age.When we give serious consideration to our companionship in birth, old age, sickness, and death with all other beings in the world, it gives us a fresh perspective – and I think a wise one – on that which separates us.