Are You a Buddha?

For the second time this week, I was at St. Joseph’s Institution International, invited to give an hour’s presentation to introduce Buddhism to Form 7 school kids. During the Q&A session, I got what’s probably the strangest ‘Dharma’ question ever. A girl raised her hand and asked rather seriously – ‘Are you a Buddha?’ I grinned and said, ‘No, not yet… I’m a Buddhist. A Buddhist is someone who works towards becoming a Buddha.’ Her question made me wonder… Did I not introduce the Buddha clearly enough? Hmmm… I did emphasize that Buddhas have perfect compassion and wisdom. I’m sure I don’t appear even close. I guess she didn’t pay enough attention earlier? On hindsight, I could have given a more affirming answer – ‘We are all already Buddhas within. We just need to tune in to our Buddha-nature to discover this. Practice makes perfect!’

SJII is a Catholic Brothers’ School (CBS). The visit reminded me of my more or less annual visits to St. Patrick’s School to give a similar presentation on Buddhism. The contact in the school is a Dharma friend who works there as a teacher. Here’s the amazing ‘coincidence’. SPS is where I first learnt Buddhism formally, under a subject called Religious Knowledge (now scrapped) during Secondary 3 and 4 days.  The religion studied could be chosen. There were two teachers for Buddhism. One was a Christian, who did not teach very enthusiastically, while he could not really criticise Buddhism while teaching. It might have been a tough job for him, teaching what he didn’t really believe in. The other teacher was Buddhist, who enthusiastically drew cartoons to illustrate the Dharma stories he would tell.

During the very first lesson, he told the huge class (of all Secondary 3 students who signed up for Buddhism) something to this effect – ‘I know many of you chose Buddhism because it’s easy to pass, but let me tell you this – Buddhism is real!’ He next shared an experience of how he once went to a hospital to check his brain for some unnatural growth that was affecting him. The doctors could not find it. He went to a room, meditated, and felt refreshing ‘water’ (sacred compassionate nectar of Guanyin Bodhisattva?) flow down his head, and had a vision of where the growth was. He pointed it out to the doctors, and there it indeed was! He attributed this to a miracle of Dharma practice. This testimony made me sit up more during his classes!

How amazing the unpredictability of karmic affinity can be! I had also studied in St. Stephen’s (primary) School, which is yet another CBS school. Together with Secondary schooling, that makes 10 solid years of Catholic cultured education, with Catholic boys as my best friends…. but I never felt compelled to turn to Catholicism for answers. Here I am, a Buddhist, who was ‘trained’ in Buddhism systematically in a Catholic environment, who now returns once a while to share on Buddhism. From my Dharma friend teacher, I learnt that the ex-Dharma teacher (who still works there) had contracted cancer recently. I got his email address, and sent him information on Kampung Senang, which is a Buddhism-inspired charity that runs a cancer support group (as one of their projects). I finally got to thank him for his inspiration too, that must have in some way urged me to do the Dharma work I do now.

I think I should also thank the open-minded CBS schools’ management board’s members, who allowed Buddhism to be taught to students like me years ago, who now allow Buddhists like me to share Buddhism with their students. I heard from a Brother in St. Pats that the CBS schools are following the advice of the previous Pope – to make a point to understand other religions. The same Brother did remark to the class I presented to, that God might be able to take many forms, which is why there is a need to respect and learn about other religions. It was a surprising perspective I did not expect (as many Christians are firm that their faith is the only way to God and salvation), though the Buddha did say clearly that he is beyond all gods, and that there is no almighty one.

Incidentally, the previous Pope wrote a bestseller called ‘Crossing the Threshold of Hope’, which had an entire chapter dedicated to describing Buddhism… with many unfortunately grave errors. There was at least one Buddhist monk who wrote a book to refute its misrepresentations. I remember being quite peeved when I read ‘Threshold’. But when I went SJII today, there is gratitude to the late Pope instead. Although he did portray Buddhism wrongly (with no ill intentions I would imagine), he encouraged Buddhists like me (be it directly or indirectly) to share it with Catholics accurately. Sadhu! I do wonder though, on what the Catholic students might discuss about on Buddhism… after I leave. I hope I left them more ‘enlightened’ than confused!