Contemplation on fear and gratitude for conditions
Decided to take a walk from the shopping mall back to my accommodation yesterday. Didn't expected it to take hours but I guess it was worth it. Without any maps or network, I can only depend on my spatial memory of the area when the cab took me to the mall earlier. I was aware of fear which arose due to unfamiliarity of the area, language; and my timid nature didn't help in alleviating the fear. We fear what we don't know and I decided to challenge myself.
What brought me comfort initially was the familiar signs of food outlets on the streets like Starbucks and MacDonald I guess it reduces the unfamiliarity of the place a little. The statues of Buddha that I saw along the road also help to alleviate my fear.
As I walked on through abandoned sites dominated by wild vegetation. I saw a sign that captured my attention; it read 'Vihara Buddha Dharma Buddhayana Temple'. Right in front of me is a deserted deviation from the main road and there is a Buddhist temple along the small road. I told myself conditions must be right for me and walked into the small road.
Surrounded by construction sites and a river or canal flowing in front, the Mahayana Buddhist temple had an aura of serenity. My fears were alleviated and I went in to do my postrations and offerings.
I was filled with elation at the opportunity to do Dana and offerings in a foreign land. Then this thought dawned on me, did I have the same elation when I did Dana and offerings back at home?
The scarcity of this opportunity is what made it so perceptually precious and joy inspiring. then this thought came to my mind, to have know the Dharma itself is rare, the chance to do offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattva are rare, to have experience the Dharma is rare, I am a lucky bear and yet I don't always readily realise that in everyday life in Singapore.
As I sat in my room in contemplation, this thought came to me, I have taken for granted what is indeed rare, an aggregation of the right conditions to know the Buddha, encounter the Dharma and understanding of the Dharma through learning from the Sangha. This mentality serves as an impediment to the practice and the remedy is gratitude.
May I be grateful and rejoice in the good conditions that brought me to the Triple Gems and experience the Dharma in my life.
May we all be well and happy.
With Metta
Simple Bear 03.02.2014.
Decided to take a walk from the shopping mall back to my accommodation yesterday. Didn't expected it to take hours but I guess it was worth it. Without any maps or network, I can only depend on my spatial memory of the area when the cab took me to the mall earlier. I was aware of fear which arose due to unfamiliarity of the area, language; and my timid nature didn't help in alleviating the fear. We fear what we don't know and I decided to challenge myself.
What brought me comfort initially was the familiar signs of food outlets on the streets like Starbucks and MacDonald I guess it reduces the unfamiliarity of the place a little. The statues of Buddha that I saw along the road also help to alleviate my fear.
As I walked on through abandoned sites dominated by wild vegetation. I saw a sign that captured my attention; it read 'Vihara Buddha Dharma Buddhayana Temple'. Right in front of me is a deserted deviation from the main road and there is a Buddhist temple along the small road. I told myself conditions must be right for me and walked into the small road.
Surrounded by construction sites and a river or canal flowing in front, the Mahayana Buddhist temple had an aura of serenity. My fears were alleviated and I went in to do my postrations and offerings.
I was filled with elation at the opportunity to do Dana and offerings in a foreign land. Then this thought dawned on me, did I have the same elation when I did Dana and offerings back at home?
The scarcity of this opportunity is what made it so perceptually precious and joy inspiring. then this thought came to my mind, to have know the Dharma itself is rare, the chance to do offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattva are rare, to have experience the Dharma is rare, I am a lucky bear and yet I don't always readily realise that in everyday life in Singapore.
As I sat in my room in contemplation, this thought came to me, I have taken for granted what is indeed rare, an aggregation of the right conditions to know the Buddha, encounter the Dharma and understanding of the Dharma through learning from the Sangha. This mentality serves as an impediment to the practice and the remedy is gratitude.
May I be grateful and rejoice in the good conditions that brought me to the Triple Gems and experience the Dharma in my life.
May we all be well and happy.
With Metta
Simple Bear 03.02.2014.
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