See everything through loving-kindness

Once Lord Buddha leading the disciples of monks went to a bamboo forest near Kosambi city state.

It was over 2,500 years ago that the Buddha while staying at Ghositayon monastery in Kosambi went to the forest in the east to teach the monks who instead of living in unity were quarrelling one another among themselves.

On the way, the Buddha met with monk Ashin Bhagu at Balakalonaka village, and taught him the benefits of living alone.

In the bamboo forest lived three monks — Ashin Anuruddha, Ashin Nandiya and Ashin Kimila — with Ashin Anuruddha as the leading monk.

Ashin Anuruddha first saw the Buddha coming. But rather than welcoming the Buddha alone, he called his fellow monks to welcome the Buddha together with him. Because he knew that three of them were living in unity so they should do everything in unity.

The Buddha asked them whether they had unity among themselves. The three monks replied, “We see no evil, but only lovimgs-kindness among ourselves. We are always in unity and have no disputes. We are indivisible.”

They also said, “We are always happy and take pride in ourselves to be able to live in harmony as true friends. What prevails among us is the loving-kindness and we always have consideration for one another. Although we are three in number we act like one. Majority wish always rules.”

In my view, they were really saints deserving reverence. I found the epic while reading the third and fourth volumes of Buddha’s life story. I admire the three monks so much that they were living in oneness.

Loving-kindness will make everything in this world beautiful. But greed, anger, and excessive pride make everything ugly.

Some even try to deny what they see with their own eyes. Despite the prevalence of peace, stability, progress and prosperity in the country, they will express their negative views. According to Lord Buddha, they are the people who do not observe the Dhamma. Such persons only uphold Adhamma. They will say what is right as “wrong”, and what is wrong as “right”.

But in this world, the forces of evil cannot win over the good people. As such the Dhamma will win over everything evil in the end.

Everyone should love and cherish his own native place and country. He should be of benefit to himself, to his native place and his country. From there, he should serve the interests of the world.

Everything looks beautiful in the embrace of loving-kindness. But everything turns ugly under the influence of greed, anger, antagonism and arrogance. The world will be a beautiful place if all are free from hatred and grudge, and entire mankind embrace loving-kindness.

Author :  Myinmu Maung Naing Moe