Modern human beings are getting harder and harder to break themselves away from this world of pain and suffering.
Remember those days when off work really means no more work? Technologies has provided us with so much efficiency yet at the same time becomes our most powerful attachment to this world. Now even after work, people still check their work emails, instant messages from customers, colleagues and boss. Whilst at the same time, answering friends and families on Facebook, busy with Twitter, Instagram....some people even die while live streaming. It is getting harder and harder for mankind to release themselves from this world, as there seems to be more and more fake "obligations" on a day to day basis. The smartphone has turned into a reliance that is no less addicting than drugs. People simply couldn't live (they think) without their phone for a day. I think that was why Buddha expected Buddhism will continue to perish. For there will be fewer and fewer people that have the time to stop their mind for one moment, let alone have the luxury to meditate.