Like a Buddha

Geok attended a farewell event for a colleague who was relocating to his home country. As usual glasses were raised to thank everyone and to acknowledge the friendship forged over the years.

When it came to Geok, this ex-colleague remarked, in Chinese - "I must learn from you - always radiant, always smiling under even the most trying circumstances - like a Buddha." Of course this colleague is unaware that we are Buddhists.

It brought to mind another encounter I had some years ago when I was attending a course with 15 others - a course-mate whom I did not know until then - commented over lunch - "You look very comfortable - almost unfazed by things happening around you". When probed, he said - "there is a certain calm about you."

Well, it could be that I was on course (much like many friends say they are more relaxed when they are off work - even during in-camp training). Or indeed that I was more relaxed since I had a good team of staff who kept my office humming even when I was not around.

When others comment about our physical appearance - there are various ways to interpret - either we had spent much money on dolling ourselves, or put on a latest pair of glasses or apparel.

But these comments were about our 'inner' temperament. It set me thinking - many people indeed spare no expense to look good - and had to then make the effort to be 'seen' - or in pub lingo - to pose. How do we radiate calm ?

Many people have different methods - exercise, music, yoga and of course faith. There are approaches that let us develop 'inner peace' - but only temporarily. But then there are those that guarantee us radiance that emanates from our inner core. I believe for us - it is our practice of chanting Nam-myo-ho-renge-kyo.

Geok reminded me that we have been practicing Buddhism for 27 years ! Of course, in accord with the teaching of Ten Worlds - our life conditions fluctuate every moment - we have found ourselves totally consumed by moments which would be hardly 'calm' by most accounts. But even in those moments, people still comment that we are very much 'in control'.

Life is full of uncertainties - its almost a cliche to say it - we need only to read the papers and talk to our friends - but what is important is the resilience to deal with these changes - I am not saying we should be pretentious and put up a false front - we need to be able to feel the emotion - the full depth and breadth of it - and once done - bounce back !

I came across two Chinese phrases - 处变不惊 － 'be unsurprised by change'; 以不变应万变 － ’remain calm in the face of change' - I guess that is what we should all endeavor to attain.


Always,