Living in Harmony when Things Fall Apart
Yeah, "Living harmony when things fall apart" was the theme for the World Buddhist Conference 2010. Ven. Thich Nhath Hanh was the keynote speaker during the conference. However, due to his health condition, he only appeared on first day of the conference. Yet few hours of his appearance had made a great opening and gave food for thought for me and maybe the other audience as well.
He taught us about orange tree in which our speech, action, and thought are the condition that can determine the orange fruit. If there is enough sunlight, water, fertilizer.. the orange tree will grow well and have a lot of great oranges. The same goes for us, our karma fruit depends on our speech, action, and thought. If you do more goodness, mindful with your speech, action, and thought .. the nice karma fruit will be enjoyed. However, if you do more evil things with your speech, action, and thought.. the bad/ not nice karma fruit will be the result of it.
One of his story that I love and keep in my heart is about our hands "left and right hand". Have you ever thought why we have left and right hand? They are there, indeed, for helping each other. Imagine when you have nail and hammer, both hands are working together to help you to hold the nail and hammer at the same time. Then ask yourself, why do we can't be like our hands? Helping each other instead of jealous and quarrel with others. Amazing isn't it? We can learn something from our body! It's a great insight for me hehe ;)
Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh also told us that a Sangha life is possible everywhere, when you plant and grow the seed of brotherhood and sisterhood inside the community. For this, my opinion is try it! :). Since we can't change others, why don't we change ourselves first by planting and growing the seed of brother- and sisterhood to our family members, friends, neighbours, and colleagues?
One of his story that I love and keep in my heart is about our hands "left and right hand". Have you ever thought why we have left and right hand? They are there, indeed, for helping each other. Imagine when you have nail and hammer, both hands are working together to help you to hold the nail and hammer at the same time. Then ask yourself, why do we can't be like our hands? Helping each other instead of jealous and quarrel with others. Amazing isn't it? We can learn something from our body! It's a great insight for me hehe ;)
Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh also told us that a Sangha life is possible everywhere, when you plant and grow the seed of brotherhood and sisterhood inside the community. For this, my opinion is try it! :). Since we can't change others, why don't we change ourselves first by planting and growing the seed of brother- and sisterhood to our family members, friends, neighbours, and colleagues?
