With metta, H S Tan

In many social and psychological studies, researchers discovered that altruistic people live happier lives, and live longer, too.  Why should they not?  The Buddha also taught us: “Idha modati pecca modati, katapuñño ubhayattha modati.  So modati so pamodati disvā kamma visuddham attano.”  Both here and hereafter, the doer of good rejoices exceedingly, perceiving the purity of his actions.

Wherever we are, there are still many people who continue to serve altruistically.  I recently came to know that a friend of mine in Penang has taken in another two abandoned children under her care, adding to the four she already cares for.  She cooks for them, clothes them, schools them, and more importantly, provide them with unconditional love and care just as only a mother would.  Never mind if three of her charges belong to a different race.  Never mind if she is doing it all by herself.  Never mind if she does not have time left for her hobbies anymore.  She does it willingly and happily anyway.

Another friend in Johor continues to provide free tuition and counselling for rural school children 40 kilometres from his home.  He has quit his full-time job and took up part-time employment to spend more time helping the kids.  Never mind he was losing a handsome pay from his previous job.  Never mind that his ‘friends’ are laughing at him.  Despite getting by with much less now,  almost half of his income still goes to buying books for the kids he so love and care for.

A financial analyst friend (not the gloomy type) who works in KL continues to travel once a fortnight to Kedah to give Dhamma classes.  He has been doing this since 2005.  He finishes work on Friday, gets on the night bus to Alor Star, arrives early next morning, finishes his session, and comes back to KL by bus that very evening!

I asked the three of them (and a few more friends) to write in this journal about their motivation to serve and their experiences.  All of them declined however, which I believe, is partly due to their busy serving the community, and more importantly, their desire to remain quite anonymous.  With the sweat of their brows, they earn a living not just for themselves, but also provide selflessly for the welfare of others.  This to me, is selfless service.  Often times, I reflect on this uplifting poem by Emily Dickinson on the purpose of my own existence:

If I can ease one life the aching,
or cool one pain,
or help one fainting robin
onto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

May all of us not live in vain. Sukhi hontu.

Warmest greetings and best wishes from Nalanda Institute