20 March 2024
The Sudden
Coldness and Sudden Realization in the Sudden Rain
In the summer
time, when the hot weather of about 36 degrees and very dry weather for one
week, suddenly the rain came this evening. I thought it never came, as the
broadcast said it would rain in other places.
First, the wind
blew, then a thunderstorm and the heavy rain came. Before the rain came, one
worker came to cover a few machines. But still, there are many tools that are
not covered yet.
We two sayagyis
here are the management here, so we are worried that equipment and tools will
be spoiled with water, and the cement bag will be wet too. These things are vital for the construction of
the dining hall. The workers have returned to their dwelling place. So, we
rushed to cover things. So, since I was the active one and knew the things and
places, I was wet with the rain while looking for cover, wood, and other stuff
to cover things.
While I was
busy with this duty, the four children who were staying here opened the side
door of the Dhamma hall. When they saw me drenched by rain, dripping with
water, they laughed and cheered at the sight of rain. “We do not need to water
the plants! So nice; we want to take a shower under the rain.” They
chitchatted, laughed, and said this and that.
Oh! I was quite
cold with the rain. Seeing them, I realized they are so lucky because they are
still young. They do not need to worry about the accommodations, food, etc.
They got their parents to protect them from harm, and they got us sayagyis to
protect them from difficulties while staying here in our Buddhist centre. While we, as
the CEO/CFO and chief nuns of this place, have to worry about this and that.
In the Buddha's
teaching, children are said to be young, ignorant, or foolish. Their knowledge
is not well developed yet; they are covered in ignorance and delusion. Because
they are young, they cannot see the problems caused by rain. They enjoy the
happiness and coolness caused by rain.
The commentary
said: When one reaches the age of 40 to 50, this is said to be the age of
strength. The body is strong, and the mind is strong too. 51 to 60 is the age
of wisdom. I am between the age of strength and going to the age of wisdom! I
see the problems caused by rain, and I understand their ignorance of these
children. I also have the foresight that it might rain; this knowledge came
because I read the weather forecast in advance.
Nowadays, it is
even easy to teach the local kids English and Computer. Because I have acquired
proficiency in Burmese, so I can explain in English and Burmese to them. And
also, the youths being younger and eager to learn, it is a joy to teach them.
And I am more proficiency in teaching skills. This is also growth of knowledge
in me.
Finally, the
rain has stopped. The heat has reduced. Now that the roof still has dripping
rainwater, it is quiet. Even the dogs have hidden themselves, trying to find a
comfortable place to stay. And the children are chanting now!
From the heat
to the cold, from a busy day today to quiet time now, from one day to another.
From the young me as young as the children - they are about 10 to 14 year old - to the
old me at this age of 50, the impermanence is very obvious now in me! The signs
of aging can be seen in the body skin, in the backpain, and the shift of teeth
due to the eruption of wisdom teeth, and of course in the aging sign shown in
the face! The children and youth have bright eyes, young faces and tender skins. So they look
cute and adorable.
Impermanence,
suffering, and non-self are the three characteristics of all phenomena
(samaññalakkhana). We all cannot escape from these, so the best way is practising
non-self. There is no I, no mine.
Hopefully, it
is the matter (body) getting old but the mind (nāma) getting wise with time.
Happy golden anniversary to this unity of mind and body. Hope I can live another 50 years doing good,
performing Dhamma missionary work, contemplating the five aggregates, and writing more Dhamma book and Dhamma articles
like this!
