OM MANI PADME HUM
Upon waking up, the first thought should be how the day is to be spent. Waking up with a happy mind will help to brighten up one’s thoughts and their corresponding results. This means that there is much to be done for the day ahead and this will also cause one to say a prayer in gratefulness of being alive and having a bright new day ahead. The prayer should be sincere and heartfelt, with the aim that the tasks of the day will be undertaken joyfully. Then one should also pray for the wisdom and strength to curb and destroy all evil impulses. This is how each day should begin.
What about those who are in the various stages of suffering and those who are born with an unhappy mind? How are they to begin the day? Undoubtedly, it would be quite difficult for people who are stricken with illness, grief and loss to wake up cheerfully. With a mind filled with worries and pain, the thought of performing kindly deeds towards others is not likely to be entertained. But this is how a worldly being would react and it shows the importance of Dharma knowledge and practice. Although Dharma knowledge may be acquired at leisure, practice is often not so. A person is not tested until he has gone through difficult times and comes out unscathed and his conviction in the Dharma unshaken. The development of faith and devotion is never easily acquired. But this should not be taken that everyone will be tested in a severe manner, nor is it the Deity who tests his devotees. Those who have sufficient knowledge of the Buddhadharma will not hold such superstitious thoughts. It is therefore a necessity for those who are Buddhists to acquire as much knowledge as they can while they have the opportunity to do so. This is in preparation for the difficult times that may come suddenly.
Many a time, rich and powerful persons are known to have fallen from their exalted positions or strong and healthy people being afflicted by dreadful diseases, quite suddenly. Those who are ignorant would attribute that they have fallen from the grace of Gods or other superstitious reasons, while those who have knowledge will understand that their negative karma has arisen and that they should not be forlorn because when their sufferings are over, new opportunities may present themselves. This will help them to accept reality and to learn to deal with it with calmness. It will also help them to realise that there is no use in clinging to things that are worldly, for everything is impermanent and constantly subject to changes. Changes bring about activities. This means that everyone must be involved with a life of changes and activities which will shape their future. Instead of spending time indulging in gloomy thoughts, why not spend each day with right thoughts that will lead to actions which are the causes of happiness?
Existence on earth has a purpose and a goal. It is meant to accumulate a stock of merit with which to ensure a happy rebirth and to provide the rare opportunity for one to strive for liberation from suffering. In order to avoid suffering, one must know how it can be done. The Buddha’s teachings provide the answers. Through hearing and understanding it, one sees the need to practice detachment, to destroy the afflictions that give rise to the mental poisons of desire, hatred and ignorance and also the wish to leave cyclic existence. And having heard the teachings one is able to face illness, grief and loss calmly for he knows that all that have come to pass will soon take on a new and important meaning. There is much to learn from life and in life. Foolish ones will waste precious time and continue to gather more and more causes of pains which results in misery. That is why many are born unhappy!
Monday, 5th September 1988 (7th Moon 25th Day)