Fully Utilizing Life as a Human

Do you ever realize how fragile your current position in life is?
We never know when it ends and where it goes.

Just before that happens, I would like to share with you some of the most important lessons I got during my stay in Singapore, yes - you guessed right - it was during the blessing ceremony led by His Holiness of Bhutan which was held at Ngee Ann Auditorium.

His Holiness of Bhutan was giving us the Amitayus Buddha empowerment. You may have known, Amitayus Buddha is more known as the Long-life Buddha. People might think those taking part in the empowerment must have their life spans extended! What a miracle!

But.. Wait till you hear my entire story. As translated by His Eminence Trizin Tsering Rimpoche (because His Holiness was speaking Dzongkha at the time), Amitayus Buddha does not prolong one's life span because each sentient being has its own karma or life force which is what determines the overall journey of existence. However, Buddha does enable the perfect utilization of one's life span.

If you know how to read, not 'literacy' in traditional sense though, you will see that there is quite a difference in the words I have been using. Utilization nearly means the same as exhaustion but the former denotes the optimalization in which one's life could serve to attain.

Put simply, let's illustrate our life span with an incense stick. Sooner or later, the incense will burn either completely or midway, but the whole process could take place in different scenarios. Wind might blow hard, exhausting the incense more quickly than expected; water could spill, putting out the incense; someone not in the mood might come snuffing it manually for no reason.

Similarly, say the length of our life span is 80 years, but that does not mean we will live up to 80 years - we could die midway for many reasons, just like what could happen to the incense.

Even if we work so hard toward noblest goal, without care, we still likely burn out young, agree?

Spiritual foundation is essential to fortify not only our true identity but also our very existence. With an enormous level of devotion, one may smoothly receive the blessings and care of Amitayus Buddha in leading this fragile human life. Despite its notion being called as 'empowerment,' in the absence of thoughtful and conscious efforts, one can never be benefited through the process.

Therefore the crucial element still lies in the receiver. Similar to learning, no matter how outstanding a teacher is, if one does not intently take the words of the teacher seriously, one not only does not receive benefits from the teaching, but also worse, misinterpretation could result and one ends up in dire consequences.

We were very fortunate to have received the Amitayus Buddha empowerment from His Holiness of Bhutan. Indeed it remains the most precious moment in our being as it amounts to having received blessings and empowerment from the kindest Amitayus Buddha himself. If one could open his/her heart, one can never resist the flowing tears on one's cheeks. Yes, indeed it is the same as having met the most precious and most beloved Buddha himself.

I will stop describing what happens to me and let you taste what it felt to me:

Even after what I have done Mother..
You still open the door
and let me be home

Often as I play too excitedly
I forget about going home
but as I run out of toys
and realize I have been lonely
at the outdoors
you are always there
indoors waiting for me
loyally waiting to accept my return

How can I repay your kindness, Mother?

Buddha is just like our Mother

All that you want is
my becoming A Buddha myself
to be free from suffering
sheltering other children in need
this is what you ever wish of me

If we consciously be mindful of Buddha, when time is done, we will definitely return home safely.
Yes, be mindful, anytime, anywhere.
Easier said than done, but the effort will bring your entire life time to full utilization.

A convenient way for you to do is to remember Guru, and in my experience, by remembering Him, any obstacles we face can be handled accordingly. I wish all beings could similarly be benefited through this treasured karmic link with endless Buddhas.