Birth as a child in a family of spirituality, with a blend of Thai, Theravadian, and Taoism, I grew up to be a non-sectarian Buddhist. Today, I am indeed proud to further claim that the journey, the path that I am walking is the path that will lead me to liberation – one day!
As I explore the treasures the Buddha laid for us, I recollected that there are indeed a lot of inspirations for us to look upon and to re-live the religion which now is called Buddhism. Buddhism, would you call it as a religion? I would definitely not. From my journey, it seems to be a practice we adopt to lead our daily life and eventually, leads us to the final liberation.
Final liberation – at most times, I wouldn’t admit that I am already on the path but it is a thought which I will keep it behind my mind until the time has ripen for the ripening of the thought and of course, with the perfect conditions. And, something discouraging, it needs effort and time, which no human can cheat!
I tried to learn to run before I learnt to walk. At this period of time, I was chasing for my dreams and my spiritual development. At the same time, I was also fortunate that I had the luxury of time to fulfill whatever I wished to do.
My journey began when I was introduced to a non-sectarian society. At that time, the number of members was adequately enough and also operating in an enough-sized bungalow. I was only about 6 or 7.
That year, I could still remember that it was during the moon cake festival. It was crowded with people of all ages. I was in a pool of young children all about my age. It was a first night for me. A night which I will never forget probably in my entire life! The place I was in is Buddhist Gem Fellowship (BGF).
Never forget for my entire life? I told myself, ‘where have the teachings of the Buddha gone to?’ Where is change? Where is impermanence? Where is nothingness? Where is letting go? Where is liberation? Where will all these be when one begins to cling on to something? There are a lot of things which I wish to cling on to. I wished that it never changed and will remain the same.
However, things [phenomena(s)] will never remain the same. This is because, the truth of all things is that it changes and the truth about change is change. Amazingly beautiful! Igemz’s 1st album, Cradled in Buddha’s Arms melodically emphasized the truth about change and also the importance of change.
As you lay back listening to the beautiful song entitled truth of change, with your eyes closed, in a cool surrounding, insights of truth will flow through you suffusing the elements of the formation of a being, re-linking the five elements, the most basic composition of mankind, which will eventually subject to change.
One amazing thing I discovered about this song is that, each and every time I listen to it, I tend to get a new interpretation to it. This is similar to what our beloved late chief venerable; Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda always quotes “each and every week, I repeat what I preached. And, as listeners, each time you hear, you will have a new insight!”
Today, I believe it very much as I am experiencing it day by day, change takes place moment after moment, from time to time. It is falling and rising and every single object in this known existence.
When I arrived at my youth period, I was full of vibe and energy to drive and also to be driven. I was all out to wonder about in this wide wide world full of surprises and excitement. I then began to look for a refuge, or rather a formula for me to live through my entire life. I studied the text, the scriptures which were inherited by the monks from the Buddha himself.
What I felt is that, it is so relevant, so contemporary, a theory which is believed to surpasses mankind and science. Buddhism has brought meaning to my life since then. In fact, I never considered Buddhism to be a religion. As most people perceive religion as a rule of conduct for practice and cultivation.
As for me, I was born into it. A life which I will live! Because of this, I always refer Buddhism as a way of life, a way carved by you, paved by the Buddha himself and walk you must yourself!
After years of expedition in my journey of inspiration, I found a refuge which will never leave me nor will I leave it. This refuge which I found evolves around the four noble truths, mental cultivation, the 5 precepts, and the subject of kamma. With these four areas of literature, it develops a being to be whole, full, and complete.
This also paths the way for a being to leads it life skillfully and equipped with the necessary tools and equipments to go through the journey of life and encountering all obstacles along the path.
This refuge has brought a lot of meaning to my life and I am thankful that year after year there are more and more people embracing this refuge. This refuge has given birth to many virtuous beings and bud many inspiring leaders for tomorrows world, a challenge awaiting us, ahead of us, and totally unknown to us.
Because of this, we also requires spiritual friends which we regards as kalyana mitta, and this refuge which I found brought about the change and a formation of a fellowship of beings who walks the same path, embracing the same refuge.
Today, as we walk our journey, a journey of inspiration, we are susceptible to encounter with all kinds of hurdles and challenges. At the same time, we need the moral, spiritual and mental support from our close ones and more importantly our family. This refuge has also nurtured a family of spirituality which we are members of and we belong to it for as long as time can tell.
Therefore, take this opportunity, while we are still in perfect condition to embrace this refuge which was inherited to us through 2500 years of survival and up till today, still relevant.
For me, my refuge today is the Buddha Dhamma and the mechanism, the manifesto of it is INCOVAR….
Inspiring
Networking
Contemporary
Original
Vibrant
Action
expeRiential…..
Kickboxing