November 21

Ailments such as headaches, migraine, pressure, hypertension etc. are so common today. Quite often we tend to dismiss them particularly in the early stages as there seem to be enough medicines, clinics, hospitals and medical drugs to treat these ailments.

How many of us question why this ailment is so prevalent in society. Do we take time off to look into this problem? Must we depend only on medical drugs to contain it or control it? If the available drugs can eliminate it once and for all, then there is nothing to worry about. We are justified in dismissing it.

A discussion with a medical doctor or reading through a medical journal will tell us that it is not something to be dismissed. Medical knowledge tells us that if we do not examine the root cause and do something to eliminate or avoid it, such a condition can lead to serious consequences like paralysis, or give rise to other serious medical problems.

Just visiting a place of religious worship and going through some rites and rituals is not the solution. A casual study will tell us that no mumbo jumbo is going to solve the problem. Our dosage of medicine may be on the rise and the problem may be difficult to manage.

Our organs are interconnected and a failure in one organ might create a problem in another. So, it appears that to ignore the problem is not a wise thing to do. The time has come for an alternative source of help.

Let us examine our automatic reaction or response to a difficult situation, be it at home, in our neighbourhood, on the street, in our daily association, communication in our place of work or in our business deals and so on. Just reflect a little into our pattern of behaviour, how we retaliate, how readily we blow our tops, how we try to depose our “opponents”, how we oust our “subordinates”, superiors, colleagues, “other drivers” on the road and so on……..

To begin with, we have disturbed our mental peace presuming we have not done any physical harm to others, injured others, killed others, destroyed others’ property or damaged others’ vehicles, etc.

Now we can see what a word, an action or a gesture can do. It can land us into hospital, a medical operation theatre, a police lock up, a prison or even cause us to face the gallows. Is it worth it? Just read the newspapers to realize the point of what is being spoken here. Super stars, people of high position, film stars, children of royalties, children of senior politicians and so on had got into trouble for the most trivial things and most negligible things. Never say that it will never happen to us or to our own family. We can never say that until we are dead. (A wise Chinese saying).

The answer to the above question is “No”; certainly “No”. We must be realistic in our approach. We must accept the fact that we are not in an imaginary heaven as we move about in our daily activities. Certain situations can be very demanding, there may be unreasonable people, ill-tempered and angry people, emotionally unstable people, fastidious people, and so on. There are all sorts of people in a society. That is why the Buddha said ‘There is suffering .’

We can easily do this when it comes to an animal. Can we do it with a human as well? Why can’t we accept the Chinese Philosophers and extend the principle to humans as well? Let us live like the forest hermits without expecting respect, love and admiration from humans beings. Accept them when it is given with gratitude. It is possible to extend the principle to humans only if we can reduce our pride, arrogance, conceit and egocentricity in us . All these characteristics are in us; they are part of human nature but they will get us into too much sorrow, misery, pain and loss. Is it worth it? Certainly, no. As another proverb says,

“Varu mun kaap poam” (be prepared in advance) says the book of wisdom ‘Pancha Tantra’ from India. Probably Lord Baden Powel the founder of Boys Scouts may have found his inspiration from this book of wisdom. Even though I was a First Class Scout and represented Malaya at the first World Jamboree at Sutton Coalfields, England, I did not know the True meaning of ‘Be Prepared”.

This is why it is so important to have a thorough understanding of the Teachings of the wise Ones, the Buddha, the true yogis and the hermits- who set aside their time not to engage in social, political or racial affairs but rise above them and concentrate on the true problems of life and look for a solution and help guide people out of sorrow, keep people away from dangers and show them the way to peace, prosperity and harmony. This is the wisdom of the Buddha, it is dynamic and positive. It is certainly not pessimistic. People need guides with wisdom and compassion and not just hymns, rites, rituals and celebration although they play a part in society.

One must be thoroughly tested in life, experienced in the affairs of the world before the Teachings of the Lord Buddha can make any sense. Be grateful to the Teachings of the Lord Buddha and do justice to it for He gave it out of compassion to the world. The Lord Buddha truly understood life and realized the ultimate wisdom before He imparted His Wisdom to mankind.

As the great Yogi Chinmayananda says, “do not react” negatively to situations. Think carefully, reflect seriously, pause and ponder and then act if necessary. Act wisely and avoid unnecessary problems as stated earlier in the article to avoid hefty medical bills, maintain physical, mental, emotional health and spiritual health.

Yang Berhormat Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, the late Genting King, seems to have been a master in this field. There is a lot to be learned from this entrepreneur who rose from rags to riches on his own effort, kept out of trouble, donated generously to the poor, the needy, university and school education, gave employment to thousands, brought up his children, taught them to lead and got along well with all our leaders. He was a master of hard work, vision, determination and perseverance who made the impossible possible. He lived a simple life. May he be rewarded for all his sacrifice and care for the poor and needy. His employees have always supported Dharma and Metta Hermitage. This is a tribute to the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong.

Do not react spontaneously without a thought, driven by anger, pride and ego. Be aware of what has arisen in the mind and be in control of the mind. This is Buddhist mindfulness in action.

Some may dismiss this method as cowardly but this is what all great yogis, rishis, hermits and the Lord Buddha advocated. The Buddha not only preached this method but used and applied it in His 45 years of ministry and preached as He walked about barefooted and lived amongst the ordinary people. If this is not enough testimony, let me vouch here that I, as a humble forest hermit, have tested this method in all my years in this world, in this country and overseas. It has saved me, protected me, guarded me and guided me. In all humility I would not be here if not for the wisdom of the Sages and Lord Buddha. It is the wonder of the life, achievement and wisdom of the Lord Buddha that brought me to this forest hermitage twenty years ago. As such I have cause to recommend this to all seekers of Peace, Success and Happiness.