Are Worldly Dharmas and the Suffering of Birth and Death Worth It?

A Buddhist practitioner should be adept at reproaching his own mind, should constantly reflect inwardly; upon discovering anything not in accord with the Dharma, he should reproach his own mind, guide the mind back to correctness, direct it onto the right path, and stay far away from the afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion, far away from ignorance.

One should constantly contemplate: what matters most—my progress on the Path, or my own irrational initial application and sustained examination (vitarka-vicāra), or the karmic actions of greed, hatred, and delusion within worldly dharmas? One should constantly contemplate: the so-called benefits I gain in worldly dharmas—are they lasting? Are they truly real? Are they imperishable? Can they really bring any benefit? A practitioner should frequently question himself; only after such self-questioning can he awaken, can he attain meditative concentration (samādhi), can wisdom arise, and can he be liberated from worldly dharmas.

Having engaged in worldly dharmas for countless kalpas, what has each of us actually gained from them over these countless kalpas? What has the craving and attachment of countless kalpas brought in exchange? Apart from the suffering of birth and death, what else is there? Those with wisdom should truly reflect and examine themselves constantly; only afterward can they see through the essential nature of birth and death, no longer crave and cling to the delusions and karma of birth and death, and only then will they have the strength to walk out of the wheel of the suffering of birth and death.