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30 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

After becoming a Buddhist, I started to understand that them, but it is probably unlikely to have them welcomed
life is not about achieving certain results; rather, it is with open arms. A clear example would be the post of
about maintaining a peaceful and joyful mind during the volunteer moderator or the volunteer host of an
both good times and bad.” event at the center. This post is always vacant, because
it is generally acknowledged to be the most difficult
Time flies by in the blink of an eye and year’s end job. Everyone would pick the easy jobs - jobs that work
arrives without us noticing. behind the scenes, jobs that don’t require thinking or
resourcefulness, jobs that won’t have interactions with
Our New Year’s resolutions were so positive and the public, jobs that won’t put one on the spot, etc. In
expansive, yet were we able to edge closer to tranquility other words, we choose to pick out a favorable and
and stillness by the year’s end? secure environment for ourselves.

At the end of the year, Malaysians are generally busy Favorable conditions can bring us ease of mind, but our
trying to vacation abroad. How many people would life can stagnate because of this.
seriously reflect on the past year and think about
whether they have closed in on their New Year’s There was once when I lacked confidence in the face
resolutions? Perhaps we shouldn’t speak of closing in – of an ordeal. But I also did not want other people to
more likely than not, we have forgotten what our New feel uneasy either, so I prayed with all my heart for
Year’s resolutions were. “A new year is going to arrive, everything to go safely, healthily, happily, smoothly,
so why not save ourselves the headache and just make and perfectly. After completing my practice that night,
new resolutions!” I transferred the merits as usual to wish for the ordeal
to disappear, and for everything to go superbly and
After making the resolution, we forget about it. This smoothly.
repeats because we think that we will always have
another chance to keep restarting. As I thought about this, I suddenly came to a realization.
Perhaps what the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas are
Life cannot be repeated like that. Therefore, although hearing from us is not the, “Let everything be peaceful,
the New Year’s resolution is important, our reflections healthy, happy, smooth, and perfect.” Instead, they could
at the end of the year are more important because it be hearing the hidden meaning behind our words, “I
acts as a guiding basis for the coming year’s resolutions. don’t want to grow, I don’t want to improve, I don’t want
This way, the resolutions will be well-grounded and our to upgrade, I don’t want to mature, I don’t want to make
actions, synchronized. breakthroughs, I don’t want to overcome myself, etc. So
whatever happens, don’t let me encounter adversity.”
Normally, people wish for peace, health, happiness,
success, perfection, and wish-fulfillment, forever. In This thought woke me up! Every step we take towards
other words, people want favorable conditions one after growth and learning is a result of adversities and
another. difficulties. If we only wish for good times and want to
skip over the bad, doesn’t it mean that we have refused
However, is it really a good thing to only experience the opportunity to grow?
favorable conditions?
As it is, I made these prayers every day – no wonder I
At the very least, people don’t dislike it, and won’t resist it. kept stumbling over bumps and just can’t seem to break
free from the bonds of vexation. It was because I did not
The adverse situations or difficulties encountered can have the courage to face adversity that I ended up going
vary widely. It is already commendable to not avoid back and forth, staying within my comfort zone.