The miracle of the wood

Most crimes committed today indicate that the perpetrators have no sense of impermanence. A man who robs a bank thinks that he could live happily thereafter. Similarly, one who kills a man or woman to possess their wealth has the false notion that he will enjoy the comforts of life. What is happening today is a grim reminder that crime does not pay and criminals get what they deserve.

Most bank robbers are rounded up in a matter of days or weeks. Killers face the same fate as they cannot escape the long arm of the law. Sometimes, their houses are set on fire by irate neighbours, disintegrating their families. Ill-gotten wealth does not bring happiness as those who commit economic crimes will never live in peace.

Those who are contemplating to commit a crime should go into the woods and observe the process of life and death. When trees grow old, they shed their leaves. Their branches fall and begin to decay on the ground. Even the very trunk of the tree, which was once the envy of other trees, begins to feel the pangs of death. Insects and fungi begin to attack the fallen tree and its roots.

Wealth

It is the same with human life. When we become rich and powerful, we begin to think that nothing untoward would happen to us. What is more, we begin to amass wealth. When we are powerful and wealthy, people crowd round us for various favours. Then some of us lose our heads and think we have become immortalised.

Some of us do not take our children to funerals. In fact, children should be shown how people grow and die. They should experience and understand the meaning of life and death. They should be shown the trees in the woods beyond basking in the sunshine. Let them see the leaves waving in the breeze and wild flowers blossoming in the distant bushes. Let them also experience life unfolding in its myriad ways and coming to an end.

Rennyo: Nothing is more fragile and fleeting in this world than the life of a person.

As adults, we turn to Buddhist psychology that suggests the pattern of our life. From our childhood, we learn how to flee from diseases, decay and death. In fact, birth, sickness, old age and death all lead to Dukkha which is an inevitable part of life. But we try to forget the ugly aspect of life and cling on to things that give us temporary pleasures. Being educated men and women, we create mental structures and defences to avoid thinking of Dukkha.

Mysterious

The miracle of the wood is that life continues and flows in a mysterious way. New trees replace old ones. Young animals replace the old ones who die. Although trees and animals seem to have realised this truth, humans have much difficulty in letting go. We do not want to give up our precious possessions. In fact, we want to add some more to them. Our cravings appear to be unlimited.

Experiencing the death of a close relative or friend is a strong reminder of the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death. This may give rise to a spiritual or psychological enlightenment. Whatever that may be, the knowledge of death will remind us that life is something unpredictable. We are not in control of our life. As Christians believe, our destinies are guided by God’s immanent will.

In fact, we have waged a war against impermanence. In the past, we had permanent secretaries in ministries. However, we soon realised that even secretaries are impermanent! In our private life, we create an illusion of permanence and try to be in control of everything that matters to us. According to Buddhist psychology, we can banish this illusion by letting go of our self-investment in worldly possessions. If we can do it, we will see the radiance of life and the miracle of the wood.

Middle way

In the affluent West, people hide their real feelings or allow them to rule their life. However, the Buddhist approach is a middle way. Buddhist psychology suggests that we should allow our feelings to flow freely, but we should not get swept away by them. By holding on to illusions of immortality, we waste much of our energy.

A letter written by a Japanese spiritual teacher Rennyo said, “...nothing is more fragile and fleeting in this world than the life of a person. Thus, we have not heard of a human life lasting for a thousand years. Life swiftly passes and who among people can maintain his form for even a hundred years?”