What is a life worth living?

“ A life spent on money and fame,

Is likened to a man whose hair is on fire,

Life past by quickly.

Still licking the honey on his hand,

Doesn’t see this short-lived happiness.

Having lived a life full of insatiable greed,

Passed away full of regret.

Achieved nothing upon death.

A life spent on helping others,

Is likened to a lamp that lights other lamps.

Life past by quickly.

Helps oneself and others.

Upon death, one is remembered by many.

Fame comes naturally.

A life well-lived.”

- Jerome 18/12/17

Commentary by Jerome:

Today, I received news that a colleague of mine past away. He past away at an age of 66. Just last week he announced his retirement. He just started renovating his house last week to prepare for his retirement years. Being easy going and jovial, he always put others before himself. During his wake, many people came to express their condolences. Some remembered him as a friendly uncle, others remembered him as a helpful colleague.

 I thought, what then do I want to be remembered as? Do I live for life pleasures, money, fame? I thought for a while and shortly came to a conclusion. A life best lived is one that is spent on helping others. When people are grateful to you, people appreciates you and remember you forever. The happiness derived is indescribable. It is a motivation that pushes your life ahead and at the same time generates satisfaction and fulfillment. Conversely, a life spent on materialism is a life wasted.

 For me, teaching the Dhamma (teaching of the Buddha) is my highest goal. Why? Helping people by donating material goods and money and supplies only helped them at most one life or that moment of their life. It is not lasting! If one give good advice, counsel and help people out of their troubles and mental suffering, it is lasting. It translates to material aid too as it helps them in terms of health and financial aspects too.

This is the reason why I am writing this post and other posts in future too.

Author:
Jerome is a Buddhist practitioner that has learnt from Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan traditions and is still learning! He first learnt meditation and Dharma from Theravadan monks and practitioners in the lineage of the Arahant Venerable Amatha Gavesi Maha Thero from Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. Then, he completed a Diploma in Buddhism from the Buddhist and Pali College in 2016. He also learnt from Zen Master Wu Jue Miao Tian (85th Zen Patriach) from the LingJi lineage in Taiwan in 2014 - 2015.  Subsequently, he learnt from Garchen Rinpoche from the Drigar Thubten Dargye Ling tradition (Tibetan) and attended annual Om Mani Padme Hum and Om Ami Dewa Hrih retreats from 2015 till date. Currently, he is a disciple of Master Jin Bodhi (Mahayana) from Bodhi Meditation in Singapore and is an active volunteer there. Master Jin Bodhi is his main Dharma teacher. Jerome feels that Buddhism is not a religion but is a practical way to reduce our life's problems. The essence of Buddhism is not in the books or sutras but in the way we apply it into our lives. Having understood some aspects of Buddha's teaching, he wants to give back to the society and hopes to share his insights with everyone who has the affinity with him.