Has great potential but is easily lost.
Inspire me to remember this constantly
And to think day and night of taking its essence.
And, since they accomplish what is meaningful...,
If I do not take advantage of them now,
How will such a perfect opportunity come about again?
When the Lam Rim refers to "precious human life," it is talking about your life, here and now. From a Christian point of view, this life is your only shot at living fully, joyfully and meaningfully, and dying without regret; from a Buddhist point of view, it is the best shot you may get for a long time - there is no guarantee that you will take rebirth in human form at an appropriate time and place to make any spiritual progress.
Tibetan Buddhism defines a "rare and precious human life" as one that is particularly conducive to spiritual growth and enlightenment, due to the presence of eight freedoms ("leisure") and ten endowments ("opportunity")(1) . The tables below present the traditional Tibetan Buddhist interpretation of these conditions, along with an interpretation that seeks to make them relevant to our existence here and now.
| Description | Traditional Interpretation |
Existential Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hell Realms | Being free from the extreme suffering in hell realms. | Freedom from extreme, life-consuming suffering that prevents self-reflection. |
| Ghost Realms | Not being born as a hungry ghost, plagued by insatiable hunger and thirst. | Freedom from insatiable desires or addictions that hinder personal growth. |
| Animal Realms | Not being born as an animal, driven by basic instincts. | Freedom from a life governed solely by basic instincts or lacking in self-awareness. |
| Long-Lived God Realms |
Not being born in god realms where life is so pleasurable that one neglects spiritual practice. | Freedom from a life of excessive luxury that leads to complacency. |
| Barbarian Lands | Not being born in a place where the Dharma is not known or is persecuted. | Freedom to access spiritual teachings and engage in open discourse. |
| Incorrect Views | Not holding wrong views against the principles of karma and rebirth. | Freedom from ideologies that limit understanding, hindering personal growth. |
| Irregular Faculties | Being free from mental or physical impairments that make Dharma practice impossible. | Freedom from severe limitations preventing engagement with complex thought. |
| Godless Realms | Not being born in a realm where a Buddha has not appeared. | Living in a time or place with the opportunity to encounter spiritual teachings. |
| Description | Traditional Interpretation |
Existential Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Human Birth | Being born human, most conducive for practicing the Dharma. | State allowing for complex thought, moral understanding, and pursuit of meaning. |
| Born in a Central Land | Being born in a place where the Dharma is available. | Having access to diverse spiritual and philosophical teachings. |
| Complete Senses | Having all senses intact for learning and practicing Dharma. | Possessing necessary faculties for understanding and engaging with the world. |
| Free from Karmic Defilements | Not having committed severe negative actions obstructing Dharma practice. | Not burdened by past actions impeding the ability to grow and learn. |
| Faith in the Dharma | Genuine interest and belief in the teachings. | Open and curious mind, willing to engage with existential questions. |
| Living in an Era where a Buddha has come | Being born at a time when Buddha's teachings are available. | Existing in a time with access to profound spiritual teachings. |
| Hearing the Dharma | Opportunity to hear the teachings. | Access to education and information for exploring philosophical ideas. |
| Effort in Practice | Inclination to put effort into spiritual practice. | Drive and motivation for personal growth and meaningful life. |
| Compassionate Teachers | Access to wise and compassionate teachers. | Presence of mentors or guides providing wisdom and insight. |
| Support of Others | Having the support of a community on the spiritual path. | Being part of a community that supports and encourages quest for understanding. |
(1) The first place that I have been able to find these 8 Freedoms and 10 Endowments assembled together is in The Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa (1079–1153), although various sources have attributed the "eight unfavorable conditions" to the Letter to a Friend of Nagarjuna (c. 150-250 CE), and the "ten endowments" to the Shravaka Levels of Asanga (4th century CE).