Exploring the Purpose of Human Existence

What did Mother Teresa believe each individual was created for?

a. To achieve great success and wealth
b. To love and show compassion towards others
c. To travel the world and explore different cultures
d. To become famous and well-known

Answer:

b. To love and show compassion towards others

According to Mother Teresa, each individual person had been created to love and show compassion to others. This belief echoes the sentiments found in various religious and philosophical teachings throughout history, emphasizing altruism, selflessness, and the moral imperative to care for others. For instance, the essence of Jainism from the 6th century BCE, the tenets of Christianity from the 1st century CE, and the principles of Buddhism all emphasize different facets of how humanity can improve and find fulfillment through serving others and practicing love.

Influential figures like Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa herself suggested that a meaningful life involves extending one's concerns beyond personal interests to embrace the welfare of all human beings. In this view, individuals find true purpose and begin to truly live when they contribute to the broader well-being of humanity, an idea that resonates with the broader concerns of humanity as highlighted by several spiritual and philosophical traditions.