Walking on Noble Eightfold Path
I hope my simple
life story of learning from Triple Gem, however meager and ordinary it is, may instill some inspiration for you, to bravely walk upon the noble eightfold path, to know that you are not alone.
I was born in an extremely ordinary Buddhist family, except for having extraordinarily responsible and kind-hearted parents and grandmother, a cheerful brother and an amazingly tender sister (we call each other Panda, copyright reserved). Sorry to disappoint you, but there is no tearful soap operas to offer in my memorable childhood. I am most thankful to my mother who nurtured me with heavenly
love although I was not a perfect child and introduced me the greatest Teacher of the past, present and future - Lord Buddha. At the age of 7, the immense dignified statue of Lord Buddha captured in a small picture hung above our door, which is still vivid in my memory, acted as a guardian to remind my sister and I not to quarrel but to live in harmony. What a smart mom, so much expenses was saved from hiring a nanny! I remember watching Him with great admiration, forever serene in demeanor and I was warmly bathed in His light of compassion. This craze was even more reinforced when my mother borrowed the life story of Gautama Buddha in comics. As the morning sun illuminated my humble neighborhood until the golden evening light penetrated into my room, I would be there leafing through the same old book, page to page, uneager to touch my dinner, and always ended up in happy tears and heartfelt satisfaction, wholly captivated by his selflessness and wisdom.
Days passed by unnoticed (due to ignorance most probably), life surged by dully in the fast lane. Although caught in typical burdening responsibility of passing examinations and attending to academic needs (perhaps education nowadays is too exam-oriented), there was always a place for Buddha in my heart, to turn to when I was fed up with life’s constraints and loss of meaning. I sat down, turned to the first few pages. My goodness, simple and obviously undeniable facts of life - the true
happiness of looking within and the world is made up of the six sense bases, that’s all - paves me a meaning to live again, with happiness. The song of
freedom was finally free again, along with the dawn of happiness.
Sujata,
Never forget the Buddha nature within you,
as your journey gets tough,
Just remember that life is suffering,
and you’re secretly taking upon yourself,
The harm and suffering of others,
and no matter how arduous the path,
How long it takes, maybe eons,
never give up to achieve Buddhahood,
To save all sentient beings.
And this is what Buddha says to you…..
Meditating in the still of the night out of the battle, I would cry with joy, feeling closer to fountain of
peace sprung from triple gem. There was always a sanctuary for me though- Ipoh Buddhists Dhamma Association, every Friday night, you will see me there on time. Before the brain-testing examination, it was World Cup, I attended a Dhamma talk preached by Bhante Kumara,
telling my brother proudly that monks had different goals than the steel post, naughty me. On the last day of STPM, I vowed to savor my remaining months of spiritual journey, practicing disciplinedly without TV, songs and entertainment, just look within. What I found out, a simple truth, happiness could only be in the here and now, not when after certain responsibilities were fulfilled. As Ajahn Brahmavamso put it, happiness is mental energy, no happiness, no enlightenment.
Now, when things go wrong sometimes, I will always gain back the strength I need by reflecting on the virtue and compassion of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. I remember one day, I was lost in the maze of Commuter Stations after I missed my stop and I was already late for my bus, sitting there feeling rotten, aimless, grey…..I’ve literally waited for half an hour, until I decided that Ajahn Chah was sitting beside me with his usual fatherly smile telling me that life is uncertain and you can let go of the world without wishing to run anywhere but dwell in the present moment. Once again, triple gem saved the day! haha. Another occasion when I would always reflect upon with immeasurable happiness is how my dying aunt suffering from post-stage cancer, held my hand in one of hers and a picture of Kuan Yin with her usual radiance and great compassion in another, with tears of contentment and regretless bathed her tranquil face, that was all she needed to understand the meaning of life and death. How about us?
And so, here I am, telling this boring?? story to you. Hence if you’ve got your story to tell, please turn up in our activities, and we might consider your work. The
purpose of life is a life of purpose. I am just a naïve beginner taking my first step towards nibbana, it would be nice if you could walk with me, as I would walk with you.
Ajahn Chah
More reviews about the Walking on Noble Eightfold Path