A BEATIFIC SMILE lights up the face of the Sri Lankan monk who travels the world round, not just speaking of peace, but Being peace; embodying it fully. His focus now is helping survivors of the tsunami that engulfed parts of his homeland.

For the past year, he has been journeying and speaking ceaselessly, raising consciousness and funds. "Once we have made people aware of the work we have done, then they will be motivated to trust us and support both us and the people in need of help." He views this as a particularly crucial time, since people's memories fade when events like this are no longer spread across the front page or the lead story on television news. "Hundreds of thousands of people are still in need. We need to keep up our energy until there is some kind of solution. In Sri Lanka, where I am working, hundreds of families are living in really bad conditions. They get very little help and some get no help at all."

With awareness and more media coverage, his hope is that people will not forget. The heart of compassion, he finds, is about seeing beyond our own daily dramas and recognizing that there are people who are in survival mode.

What fuels his passion for his peace work, is that he puts himself "in the position of those who are sick and those who are suffering. When I think I could be one of them, I identify with these people. I must do everything possible to eliminate their suffering."

In order to keep going, he finds "it is very important to be centered as much as I can." He finds that doing the work that he does "can be stressful; many people can't go on and on. After a few weeks, they fall apart, inside or physically. I think it's important for anybody who is interested in helping others or relieving the suffering of others, to find themselves a peaceful and centered state of mind. If you are not prepared, if you don't get your own day's rest effectively, it is going to eventually get you. I have seen people falling apart; I have seen people get hurt, because they have not prepared themselves. If you are in pain yourself, and you are going in the midst of pain and suffering of people, you are going to fall apart. It will be difficult to stay in a place of compassion. The challenge is to free yourself from negative emotions."

He encourages people to "learn how to direct the mind away from distraction and come to a place of peace. That way compassion can flow through you and heal you. It is important to go for a walk in nature and have a nurturing , quiet time for yourself. It is also important to eat right and pay attention to your health. If you are physically in good condition, it is easier to work on the emotional aspect of yourself. Use visualization and meditation to free the mind from all these distracting, disturbing emotions, so that you can come to a place of center within you, that place of compassion."

Much of what Bhante shared is available in his well-loved book called Lessons Of The Lotus.

"People can learn a few things from the book, but also people have to learn from experience. When I go with my friends, it is often a challenge to calm them down and help them focus. One friend that I went to Africa with got very emotional and she wanted to paint the hospital.

"I calmed her down and helped her see what was practical and how she could do it. It is very easy for people to lose control and think they can go and change the world. In daily life, it is important to learn how to direct your own self. When you get disturbed by others' pain, you lose compassion and you suffer. When you are suffering or when you are in pain, there's no compassion. When you feel compassion, it's comforting. Compassion does not cause you pain or unhappiness. The challenge is, when there is suffering around you, how do you maintain that state and stop yourself from getting caught in negative reaction?"

Bhante began his journey as a young monk of 14 working in hospitals and old age homes. His interest was in helping others, even at the age when most young teens are focused on personal pursuits. Clearly, he took his spiritually calling seriously.

He arrived in the United States in 1984, and after three or four years, he became more active in humanitarian projects, "because I was meeting more people who were willing to and capable of supporting my projects. Many people want to help but don't know how or don't have money. I'm very fortunate to have all the necessary components and be surrounded by all the essential blessings and the will and motivation, enthusiasm, commitment and at the same time, the skill and ability to get things done right and get things done promptly. That is why I think I should be doing that more."

Living a sense of destiny, Bhante feels that "this is a mission in my life. I am the bridge between the rich and the poor and between the fortunate and unfortunate, educated and uneducated, spiritual and un-spiritual. I have the ability to connect these people. Many people don't have the gift of experiencing these extremes. I am directly connected to both ends."

One of the most powerful components of the work that Bhante and his organization do is that "every dollar goes for the benefit of the people. We don't have administrative costs and we don't have employees here. Whether it's my organization or an other organization, we can all make our lives better when we express compassion through action. I encourage everyone to think of those who are less fortunate, less prosperous, sick or unhappy. At the same time, remember and appreciate the blessings that we have and be motivated to share our blessings with those who are less fortunate, with those who are in need. This will make the world a better place for all of us.

"You don't have to go to Africa or Sri Lanka. It could be a neighbor or friend. I hope and wish that everyone find it to be a very powerful and effective tool that will bring all people together."

According to his website, "The Triple Gem Society is a non-profit, Buddhist, humanitarian organization that uses a spiritual message to promote world peace. Bhante Wimala, Triple Gem's Spiritual Director, travels the world sharing his guidance and wisdom with people of all faiths. Bhante has devoted his life to helping others, and through the Triple Gem Society he is involved in many humanitarian projects throughout the world such as providing medical care, supplies, and equipment; basic shelter; schools; scholarships; and many other basic necessities that so many of us take for granted. Triple Gem Society is also currently involved with a myriad of projects regarding our tsunami relief efforts. These projects are in dire need of funding and have the opportunity to provide families who have lost everything, a new life and a new beginning."

© 2006, Edie Weinstein-Moser

If you wish to donate to the cause presented in this article, please make checks payable to:
   Triple Gem Society
   P.O. Box 713, Princeton, NJ 08542 USA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Edie Weinstein-Moser is a writer, speaker, interfaith minister, social worker, clown and reiki master. She has learned to live fully in each moment. She can be reached via her website.