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.
