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26 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

frustrated. It was my lowest point clear understanding of the Dharma, Nirvāṇa. So, we correct our views by
in life, and I even thought about so we need to train the mind, but applying the methods we learnt in
giving up the monk’s robe. I talked not forcing and exerting the mind our daily lives and continue to refine
to Sayadaw about my intention of too much. Ajahn Chah gave a very them, until you reach the destination.
leaving the monastery to find the good metaphor: suppose you bring
next teacher, but Sayadaw adviced an expensive pen to the monastery Can you introduce to our readers
me to stay and continue with my today, and when you feel for it in your favorite book?
practice. Instead, I left feeling very your front pocket and find that it’s “Old Path White Clouds” by Thich
disheartened and depressed. The not there, you panic because you Nhat Hanh is an excellent book. It
methods that Sayadaw taught was don’t see the truth. You get upset tells the life stories and teachings
great, but I did not think I was a and cannot stop worrying about the of the Buddha in a very humanized
suitable fit. I wandered around lost pen, whether you are standing, way. It has been a while since I last
learning from teacher to teacher. walking or sitting down. However, read a book. These days, I spend
you realized that when you went more time reading sūtras.
In 2006, I met and studied under to bathe, you took the pen out and
Sayadaw U Tejaniya, where his left it in your back pocket. As soon What are your future plans? Are
teaching style encouraged self- as you remembered this, all the you going to stay in Malaysia or
discovery rather than telling us negative emotions melt away, even returning to Plum Village?
what to do. One day, I sat down on without seeing your pen.
a recliner chair after some very It depends. I am currently residing in
intense meditation practice. I felt As you have taught in many Bukit Besar, Kulim, and I also share
very relaxed, and I could clearly hear different countries, can you tell us what I have learnt in Ireland and
the natural orchestra of birds singing about your experience of teaching United States once a year. Let’s see.
and insects chirping. I experienced Western and Asian audience?
the taste of tranquillity that evening, What are your thoughts on the
and it was an awakening moment. The mindset of a Westerner is future of Malaysian Buddhism?
I realized I always had a tense body very different to that of an Asian.
and a desiring mind during my Western students are realistic, In October this year, I was very
meditation practice, and it was the they want to be able to see and honored to meet Ven. Jing Hai (淨
strong desire of wanting to achieve experience what is being taught. I 海長老), who was the author of
something that had impeded my remember being heavily criticized the book “History of Theravada
progress. You only discover the truth when I was trying to teach about Buddhism”, at Jade Buddha Temple
when your mind is tranquil and calm. reincarnation at Plum Village. On in Texas, and he said that Buddhism
the other hand, Asian students are in Southeast Asia would have a
How can the practice of learning based on faith, focusing difficult time, although there was
mindfulness help us in the more on doing good deeds, still a glimpse of hope. He asked
cultivation of wisdom and accumulating merits, listening to if I would like to stay in Malaysia
compassion? supernatural stories. and I said yes. I do not have any
comment on the future of Malaysian
The Buddha was very pragmatic The Buddha taught the Dharma Buddhism, but I will contribute as
and flexible in his teaching style, as for the destruction of suffering and much as possible within my ability.
he was able to adapt to his students’ attainment of Nirvāṇa, and our EH
nature whenever he taught. suffering is fundamentally due to
What the Buddha taught can be wrong views. The students might be
discovered and experienced in the different, but we are pointing them
here and now. This is done through towards the same destination of