The Buddha’s teachings guide my life

“I feel blessed to have a kalyana mittas in Malaysia and always try to join Dhamma programmes with them.”

I started to learn Buddha-Dhamma when I was a teenager and from then, I realised that life is so fleeting. I thought, it would be such a shame to just waste this precious life! So, inspired by the Buddha’s teachings, my ‘saddha’ (faith) towards Dhamma has driven me to be a better person and lead a more meaningful life.

In the past years, even during the pandemic, I take every opportunity to pay my respects and learn from wise teachers, and associate with good spiritual friends. Together with them, we also undertake projects to support the Sangha, especially in Indonesia, and engage more people to learn Dhamma. There arises in me a lot of happiness when I see people benefit by being kinder, more compassionate and peaceful. I find that no matter how small our good deeds that we do, it may turn out to be source of happiness for others.

I often remind myself of this short phrase I learned in Thai verse: mi ko dee; mai mi kodai. This verse means – If there is, good; if there is not, it’s still okay. Living with this simple but meaningful phrase in mind gives me strength to further my practice in Dhamma and accept gracefully what comes in life.

A few years ago, a car hit my motorcycle when I was on holiday, and I dove head first into the sidewalk. Although I had multiple injuries all over my body and there was so much pain, I remember feeling so grateful towards the nurses and doctors who tended caringly to me. Recollecting the Buddha’s teachings that the mind doesn’t have to suffer when the body suffers, I believe my recovery was faster because I didn’t focus on the negative.

I am ever grateful for the opportunity to learn the Dhamma, from the disciples of the Buddha who had preserved it carefully over the centuries. I strive for His teachings to guide my every action, communication and thought because I find my life become more meaningful when I live in accordance to Dhamma.

– Bro. Willing Chen