Since
we were young, we have all faced many kinds of competition in
life, starting with studying, working and living in the current
economic situation and society. Nowadays, people are forced
to be selfish and fight for their own benefits. It is the cause
of worry, confusion and stress which increases day by day and
affects our body and mind. This will finally end with sickness.
Some
people have a successful life: good education, good career and
good family. A lot of good things and opportunities lie ahead.
But when weakness and sickness comes, bad fortune follows. If
they suffer from serious illness and take a long time to recover,
they cannot continue working or even doing their usual activities.
They will be the burden of the family or relatives to take care
of them. It seems like life has terminated.
“Health
is better than Wealth.” This is the phrase that people
usually say. For me, I realise the truth of this since I have
already experienced serious illness many times in my life.
In the
past, I was an energetic woman who tried very hard to be the
owner of the complete life. I did my best for everything and
was finally rewarded by a successful education and working position.
I used all of my strength and my brain for working without realising
that I was, little by little, invaded by stress. My strength
and my resistance to disease decreased.
Our
body is like an engine. If we use it without observation and
maintenance, the engine will have some problems or even break
down. There may be a sign warning us but we do not pay attention
to it until it has no strength to remind us again. As a result,
the engine breaks down. Sometimes, it can be repaired but sometimes
it cannot. It is the same with a human body that suffers with
serious illness or incurable disease. After death, the body
will be brought to the cemetery, disappears and fades out of
memory like dust in the wind. So, we should always lead our
life with consciousness.
About
the year 1996, my life was in crisis. I was very sick of influenza
and sore throat. These symptoms continued for almost one year
and were quite difficult to cure with general medicine. Finally,
I suffered from serious infection of the lungs and small intestine.
I could eat very little and had respiration problems. I needed
to have surgery at that time and stayed in hospital after that
for a long time. I had to resign from my organisation. I lost
my job and all the good opportunities I would have had in the
future. I had received a study fund from the organisation to
continue my study abroad and had just graduated. I planned to
use my knowledge to help the organisation but it’s a pity
that everything failed.
There
is no certainty in life. Sickness and death is very near us.
Sometimes, we can feel it but to pay attention to it or not
is another matter.
I was
quite fortunate because religion has played an important role
in my life since I was young. I received this goodness from
my mother who had true faith in Buddhism. I usually accompanied
her to the monastery, made offerings to monks and participated
in the Buddhist ceremonies.
So, when I suffered from serious illness, I could concentrate
on the goodness of the Triple Gem and try to understand the
truth of life and Dhamma. Sometimes, I could not help crying
and feeling upset about my faith. Death would end everything
including “sorrow” but I was still alive. I had
no strength to stand up, be healthy and begin my work again.
Then, how could I live without any hope?
During
my bad time, I also had a good opportunity to study Buddhism
and use it as a candle light of my life.
Buddhism
is the spiritual centre of mankind. It is the light to brighten
the way in the dark shade of suffering that happens to the body
and the mind. I have ever heard these words “The Buddha
blessed me” but it was unexpected that “The Lord
Buddha sent “Luangpoh” to bless me”.
I spent
my days after surgery at my parents’ house near Wat Phra
Ramkao Kanjanabhisek (a monastery constructed for the celebration
of King Rama 9’s Golden Jubilee)
Early one morning, I met Luangpoh Sudhiro walking past my house
for Bindabadra (alms round) for the first time. My mother and
I made offerings to him that day and almost every day after
that. I have never seen a monk like Luangpoh Sudhiro before.
He looked very bright, calm and elegant, having the mildness
of the true forest monk. He stayed at Wat Phra Ramkao Kanjanabhisek
during Buddhist Lent and did a lot of work there.
Until
today, there is not even a moment that I do not worship Luangpoh.
My impressive feeling and my faith for him have increased day
by day. He is full of gentleness and loving-kindness. He is
very kind and sincere to me. The power of his goodness, loving-kindness,
samadhi and kasina help me to get better and better. Even though
my health is not as good as it used to be, I was given, in return,
the happy and peaceful mind. I cannot work very hard as I did
in the past because I have to be careful not to make myself
too stressed and too tired. I have a very good opportunity to
visit Wat Pa Kanjanabhisek at Phu Wieng District, Khon Kaen
Province where Luangpoh Sudhiro is the abbot and I find life
there very peaceful. There are many projects and interesting
activities initiated by Luangpoh Sudhiro with the objectives
of giving good opportunity, good view and right view to the
children which will make them good citizens of the country in
the future.
Besides
many activities that bring benefit to the children and people
in the surrounding communities, Luangpoh Sudhiro also does diplomatic
work as Phra Dhammadud to spread and preserve Buddhism in foreign
countries such as New Zealand and England. He is also the representative
of Thai monks joining the UNAIDS Conference which is organised
every year in different countries to find ways for the prevention
of HIV/AIDS infection and to support people who suffer from
HIV/AIDS. For the spiritual aspect, religion is used as the
spiritual centre and symbol of faith for everyone to live happily
and peacefully together in harmony.
No one
can escape from illness including Luangpoh Sudhiro who also
has had some health problems. Many times I saw his weariness
due to his very hard working and not enough rest. Many times
that Luangpoh fell sick. He had problems with his liver and
used to be sick of liver cancer. But he has passed the crisis
of his life and tried very hard to fight against all the difficulties
in life with his brave heart, goodness and powerful samadhi
and kasina. He usually says that he will continue his work for
mankind as long as he still has strength to do it.
Luangpoh
Sudhiro is a typical monk who is full of goodness and loving-kindness
and always creates spiritual benefit for everyone. He is a good
example of the forest monk living in serenity and peace without
attaching to any positions.
“He is the monk who came to bless me and bless other people
who are filled with sorrow.”
I promise
myself that as long as Luangpoh still devotes himself for everyone
and for mankind, I will never stop my intention to help him
as much as a woman like me can do. Although I do not have much
time to accompany him to many places due to my health and my
own responsibility to take care of my parents who are getting
older now, I will try my best to support him and always be faithful
to him.
Every
time I have a chance to make a prayer, I pray for the Lord Buddha
and all sacred things in the universe to bless Luangpoh Sudhiro
with good health, longevity, happiness and peace.
“
May Luangpoh be the light and hope of every soul.”
