Cyclone Nargis Reflection

I would like to share my feelings about the recent Cyclone Nargis that happened in Burma.

I used to think that meditation was the most important in my life, so I spent most of my time teaching in meditation retreats. Sometimes in Brahma Vihari Meditation Centre in Burma, I also derive happiness from preparing food for the meditators. In my mind, they are like my children and I am very happy to take care of them.

After the Cyclone Nargis happened, I went back to Burma. Many people were suffering and I offered some food to them. At that time, I felt pain and sorrow arise in my heart. At the time of offering, the feeling of compassion also arose clearly in my heart.

At that time, I reflected: The whole year I had been busy with meditation, but now I realized that I also need to care for others, to be empathetic with their suffering. Meditation is important but helping others is also important. Giving rise to compassion for others is also following in the footsteps of the Buddha. When we help others in suffering, it is also like the Boddhisatta way of practice. There are still so many people who are suffering in many places; I feel that I really need to help them in whatever way I can.

In human society, we need to develop real compassion towards each other. This is the building block of society.

When people lose their families and houses, they start to experience suffering – a lot of pain and sorrow in their hearts. I realised that when people are in great suffering mentally or physically, it is also very difficult for them to meditate.

The Buddha taught that we will face separation from our families and properties one day. So we need to practice letting go of our attachments. We need to contemplate about impermanence for our future so that when suffering arises, we can face up to that suffering. Also we should try to let go of everything, thinking that "everything does not belong to me". They will go away naturally by themselves.

So we need to contemplate this way…

May all of you be well and happy.

Sayalay Dipankara
30 May 2008