Great Compassion

The lecture theatre was almost fully packed 1 hour before the scheduled start time of the seminar. Most of them were young people from all corners of the country. Vincent Janaka Tan was a famous speaker among the young Buddhists. As oppose to the other dhamma speakers who appeared too rhetoric, too serious to the younger crowd, Vincent Janaka put across his presentations through jokes, music and punch lines, which were widely accepted and liked by them. More importantly, his speeches were pragmatic and a break from the traditions, which the youngsters liked.

He adopted the name Janaka after his first pilgrimage trip to India and Nepal and visited the 4 most holy sites of Buddhist belief. Janaka was the family name of an ancient race of kings in Indian legend.

“It symbolises conqueror of own self and be the king to rule over our greed, anger and ignorance, instead of being a slave of them”. He explained when asked.

The seminar started on time when the modestly dressed Vincent Janaka arrived just 5 minutes before the scheduled time. After the usual chanting of prayer, he started his seminar with a short story.

“In an old temple, lived an old master, his disciples and a noisy donkey. Whenever they practised meditation, the old master would ask his disciples to tie a muffler over the donkey lest it disturb their concentration. After the master died, his disciples continued this practice of muffling the donkey. Years later, the donkey died. They bought a new one so that they have a donkey to muffle during every meditation session. They even recorded this as an important ritual that must be followed, as taught and practised by the wise old master.”

The crowd laughed and gave him a round of applause. 

“That’s what I want to present to you today. Break the rituals and traditions that inhibit our minds. Clear it, clean it through real Dhamma practices and throw out the donkey muffler.”

“All of you know about the panca-sila or 5 precepts. Simple stuff right? No Killing, No Stealing, No Sexual Misconduct, No Lying and No Intoxicant Abuse.”

“But, no, this is not all, we have to do more. We not only stop killing, we save lives, we don’t do things that endanger lives, we respect human rights, we respect animals right to live. Have COMPASSION for every being.”

“We not only don’t steal and rob; we live a simple and modest life to quest our internal desires.”

Another round of applause and the seminar went on with great success. The organiser was happy to have spent the money and time to invite Vincent Janaka to be the speaker. He was almost a star. Although the cost of inviting him was not cheap but it all worth-it with the gains the organiser would receive in return.

“So, forget what the old school had taught you in rituals and traditions. Go back to the fundamental. Be a fundamentalist as far as practising Buddhism is concerned. The final four messages I want to deliver to you all. Practise loving kindness, show compassion to all living beings, let go of your troubles and be happy for yourself and everyone around you. Thank you.”

After all the audience had left, Vincent Janaka went to meet his wife at Hilton Hotel which the organiser had booked for him. 

“This will be a tiring trip. There are a few more places I have to speak at and we won’t be home until next Monday.” Vincent told his wife, Cherry, about his itinerary during dinner.

Cherry sighed and took a big sip of the martini.

“I guess I have to shop around while waiting for you.” She said.

4 days later, they arrived back home late at night and were greeted by the security guard posted at the front entrance of the gated community compound. He smiled warmly to the guard from his car when he opened the gate for him. All the guards like him and Cherry for they were warm, friendly and generous on tips.

Cherry unlocked the anti break-in deadbolt lock on their door while Vincent Janaka was parking the car in the drive way. All the doors and windows of their house were refitted with sophisticated anti break-in locks. The locks were much secured that even if someone managed to get into the house, he can’t unlock from inside and get out easily. They spent most of the time away from home and it was a necessary investment.

“I will go and wake that lazy girl to make supper and do the laundry. She better didn’t make a mess while she was alone in the house for four days, or she will know what real hunger feels like.” Cherry said before she went to the maid’s room.

Ina sat on the mattress laid on the floor and waited for her mistress. She knew there would be more work for her after they were back. She preferred them away and she got to stay alone in the house, even though she couldn’t get out or make any telephone calls. 

 

Most of all, she wished she didn’t leave her village in Indonesia and came to Malaysia to work as a maid.