R619 70th birthday gratitude by Piya Tan

Weekly Inspirations ©Piya Tan, 2019

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birthday gratitude

[Previously published as fb190822 piya]

Septuagenarian

I don’t think I would have reached this far, to be a septuagenarian, if not for you. In some

way, it may be a small gesture but with lasting significance, but many of you have been kind

to me far more than any friend, or even relative, have been.

Both my parents lived to about this age I am now. They spent vital years of their lives making

sure I was well fed, schooled and knew my relatives. My greatest gratitude to them is that

they seemed to know I would be most happy with Buddhism.

They told me I would remember them best if I know Buddhism. How right they are! Like my

brother who was taught to love Christ by our aunt and uncle, I was taught to love the Buddha

by my parents.

Brother

Yet, my own brother, whenever we chatted (especially when I was a monk), we chatted as

brothers. Interestingly, when we were together, he refused to even discuss religion, except

speak of how a brother should not be a stumbling-block to another brother.

One of his most brotherly deeds, I recall, was when one day he handed over to me a huge file

of papers from COEMAS (Conference of Evangelism in Malaysia and Singapore). He was

clearly unhappy that his fellow religionists were trying to deprive those of other religions in

Malaysia and Singapore from practising their own faiths.

These were valuable papers on the “plans” that the evangelists had for Buddhists. I ran a few

national level residential courses in Malaysia and Singapore to discuss these papers, and to

remind our local Buddhists not to be complacent, nor to rely on foreign help in our own local

Buddhist issues. From the way many local Buddhist workers are today still using the lessons

and methods I have taught then, especially the suttas, we can say that these courses have

been very effective.

Self-reliance

Sadly, the most difficult obstacle (as warned by the Buddha) is not an external one, but an

internal one. A powerful foreign Buddhist mission was not happy to see local Buddhists,

especially the local young, going on their own seeking the suttas. They used our good works

and put their names on it. Many of our own local leaders worked for them, too.

However, a few local Buddhists have stood up to witness how we local Buddhists love the

Buddha Dhamma for what it is, not as a racial or class priestcraft. I live and die happy to

know that there are local Buddhists who know that our true Dharma-workers are our own

humble and diligent lay Buddhists and a few good monastics who stand up for the Dhamma

in our own homes. For this I am deeply grateful.

birthday gratitude by Piya Tan

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Sister

My sister, who is an octogenarian now, greatly contributed to my early love for reading and

learning. She showed me unconditional sisterly love in my adolescent passage. She has been

supportive of my Buddhist life, and even try her best to be a good Buddhist herself, reading

the suttas and meditating. Her lovingkindness is gratefully remembered.

A few of you are closer than friends, like a second family. You have diligently and generously

supported our work and my family in our lay Dhamma ministry. Supported by these gifts and

invitations to ask, we are able to fully focus on our sutta work, which we love and are best at.

For nearly 20 years, we have almost daily been working on this, producing more than 70

Sutta Discovery volumes to date. We should all be grateful to you for this Dhamma gift.

Ratna

My wife Ratna Lim has been and is supportive of our work, and a loving partner in this

challenging task. In no small way, the Lims, my wife’s large extended family, has been

supportive of this “banana” (yellow outside, white inside), not well conversant with our

dialects.

Yet they have been very warmly communicative. They have shown how even a large diverse

network of relatives can be true friends. “Lim” means “forest” in Chinese: they are a rich

forest of trees with cool shades and rich fruits, fresh air, and vibrant space, nurtured by love

and understanding. For this, I am joyfully grateful as Piya Tan Lim.

Education

Various circumstances have prevented us (Ratna and I) from achieving the highest academic

qualifications. However, a UC Berkeley professor thought that our work then (1980s) were on

the level of a PhD scholar and I was invited there as a Visiting Scholar.

In significant ways, the Sutta Discovery (SD) work went beyond what any academic

programme can reward us with. We do not seek to be entitled but work for the love and life

of Dhamma. In short, we are grateful at the progress and significance of the Dharmafarer

work as it was, as it is, as it will be. We well know now the future will not forget but put

these sutta translations and their liberating secrets to work their wonder in time.

Birthday wish

One of my favourite reflections is that on death. My years are quickly slipping away. Every

moment is precious now to do the good and wholesome. With just a couple of decades left

at best, if all goes, well, imagine with me that my wake has begun. Please don’t wait till my

funeral to tell me what you need to say. Indeed, eulogies are best given to the living, not a

dead body. Then, I will know you are happy, too.

My birthday wish is that you start your own local Sutta Study Group in your own homes in

Dhamma fellowship with friends or join one; and enjoy meals together in Dhamma

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(commensality). This is how we express our love and gratitude to the one teacher that we

all have, the Buddha. This way, he will continue to guide us, making our lives meaningful and

purposeful against all odds—and let the Dhamma work its wonders.

R619 Inspiration 380