Born Alone, Die Alone
We were born alone and we will die alone.
There is no need to worry about others if we can’t even save ourselves. If we can’t save ourselves, and don’t have a firm grip on our own refuge, then maybe we are not good enough to save others. We, ourselves, may be vulnerable to Mara.
Now that we have found Buddhism, now that we have found the most important and beneficial knowledge, what are we still waiting for? Why are we not reaping the benefits? Are we going to wait until we are too old?
We don’t know when our final moment may arrive. If we die unexpectedly, do we want to find ourselves in a hell realm? Doesn’t it bother you to think that your time in this life may be for naught? Don’t you feel sorry for the wasted time, and the wasted life?
The purpose of our life is to pursue ‘Perfections’* (parami). Preserve and protect our merit. Only merit will carry us through in the end. Transcendental merit (merit gained from meditation) is very important. How much do you expect of life when you have accumulated so little transcendental merit?
If we are born into this world and allow our life to be wasted, why bother to be born at all? Chattering, fooling around, frivolous pursuits, what do we gain from such activities? Are we winning or losing in our quest for Perfections?
You must protect your merit. If you don’t protect it, pay no attention to it, or don’t reflect on it regularly, your merit will become weak and stop flowing. But if you constantly reflect on it, your merit will keep flowing.
Ask yourself what you want for your future. Do you wish to become lost amidst the deceptions of pleasurable sight, sound, smell, taste and touch?
Reflect upon this carefully. A wrong path, once chosen, is hard to deviate from.
Khun Yai Chand Khonnokyoong
from the book : "Khun Yai's Teachings-Wisdom from an Enlightened Mind”
9 February 2518 B.E.
*Perfections (parami) : ‘Perfected Virtues’; transcendental virtues. In Buddhism, Perfections are transcendental virtues cultivated as a way of purification, purifying karma and helping the aspirant to live an unobstructed life, while reaching the goal of enlightenment.