Each human life, together with its environment, is an expression of the fundamental life-force of the entire cosmos. It follows that any change in the inner life condition of a single human being can, at the deepest level of life itself, exert an influence on other human lives. And since nature and the cosmos are living entities, the waves emanating from one human life can shake the foundations of other living beings, and even affect inanimate forms of life.
Human revolution cannot be pinned down to one specific thing. It is any action that leads to positive change or improvement in the inner realm of a person's life. It is an ongoing process. The important question to ask yourself is whether you are on a path of continuous personal growth.
There are all sorts of revolutions: political, economic, scientific, artistic. Each has its own significance and, often, necessity. But no matter what one changes, the world will never get any better as long as people themselves--the guiding force and impetus behind all endeavors--remain selfish and lacking in compassion. In that respect, human revolution is the most fundamental of all revolutions, and at the same time, the most necessary revolution for humankind.
A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind.
Iron, when heated and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Likewise, Buddhism teaches that our true strength and potential cannot be forged without hardships.
The times when we experience the most intense suffering, unbearable agony and seemingly insurmountable deadlock are actually brilliant opportunities for doing our human revolution.
Nothing can match the strength of those whose lives have been shaped and forged through challenging and overcoming hardships. Such people fear nothing. The purpose of our Buddhist practice is to develop such strength and fortitude. To cultivate such an invincible core is in itself a victory.
