A cult master proposed that to toil lifelong, and yet gain nothing in the end, or to live without a purpose is ‘good’. He suggested that since purpose is created by human thinking, it ‘must’ be related to worldly desires. Thus, to blindly follow them with greed, hatred and delusion, which are life-wasting poisons and roots of suffering is foolish. He further exclaimed, ‘So looking back, perhaps the meaning of life is that it has no meaning at all.’ He even holds a ritual where the valuables of his new followers are cremated in a furnace, to express letting go of worldly attachments.
What is wrong with his pseudo-wisdom? Well, all efforts are for something, or they would not be actualised, thus already with purposes. Even waking up is for living, to think, speak and do, with goals in mind, big and small, one after another, day and night, and from life to life. It is an illusion that one is even able to live without any single purpose. Even wanting to live purposelessly is purposeful, thus self-defeating. If he saw meaningfulness in espousing meaninglessness, is this not meaningful to him, thus not meaningless? There we have it, the paradox of meaning(ful/less)ness.
Although purposes are given rise to with unenlightened thinking, even the unenlightened can think about seeking world-transcending enlightenment. Thus, although humans might be powered by worldly desires, they can be motivated with spiritual aspirations too. Indeed, to follow the three poisons of greed, hatred and delusion without question is unwise. To agree with his ‘wisdom’ without deeper reflection is thus delusional. Since we will have purpose(s) by default, the existential issue at hand is to choose (to act) wisely, from moment to moment, to create the most meaningful meaning possible.
He ambivalently taught that life might be meaningless, leaning towards absolute nihilism. Yet, his centre had partners in crime serving visitors, to con them with ‘truths’ for their monies and precious stuff, that were not really burnt, only siphoned away for worldly indulgence in secret. Turns out that worldly valuables were what he really valued; not his empty values. Costs for food and lodging were needed to keep up appearances, to attract more followers too. What he lived up to was self-serving moral nihilism running on delusional greed. So much for being purposeless.
Related Reviews:
‘The Pig, The Snake And The Pigeon’ Master Of Guilt
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2024/03/the-pig-the-snake-and-the-pigeon-master-of-guilt
The Three Poisons Of ‘The Pig, The Snake And The Pigeon’
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2024/04/good-vs-evil-among-the-pig-the-snake-and-the-pigeon
