Editor's Note - This is an excerpt from the May 2005 issue of the Buddhist Wheel

"..in the midst of worldly desires and attachments one comes and goes alone, is born alone and dies alone. Each receives his karmic consequences and nobody else can take his place."
  (From Larger Sutra)

The preciousness of life is taught in this quotation. Knowing from the bottom of your heart and mind that one is born alone and dies alone makes us conscious of how precious life is. That knowledge encourages us to show courtesy and compassion for others, something which I experienced in a profound way most recently.

In March, I received a cut on my forehead and a slight concussion by bumping into a post and falling. Since this was the first time that I had experienced a wound on my head, I was very bewildered. In pain, I tasted loneliness that I cannot express in words. Such a situation makes me nervous. Each time the throbbing pain came, I felt uneasy.

But each time I felt this loneliness, I thought of the doctor who treated my wound, and the member who rushed me to the Emergency Room and kept in touch to give me confidence. And of another friend who reassured me that the wound will heal, cheering my heart and mind. As I realized that I was receiving this level of care from various people, I felt happier and surer of myself.

They showed me courtesy and compassion, which warmed my heart and helped me get over my loneliness and fear. I began to think that tender and sweet hearts create tender, grateful hearts. For each of us there may be times of unspeakable loneliness or unbearable sadness and pain. While one must live with the reality of Karma and no one else can take our place, by sharing with others, we are able to live supportively and are better able to accept hardship.

We can share each other's joys, laugh together, and cry together. Because we come from different backgrounds, each of us has different stories to share. Listening to each other and sharing our own experiences helps us to practice true compassion for one another. One regains confidence and walks forward with strength by listening to the other person's story or by telling our own story of hardship, sorrow, and joy. When I think of those who carried me through the hard times, I realize that I treasure thoughtful family members and friends as truly caring human beings.

Furthermore, until we can understand how we are supported or how much we benefit from thoughtful people and kind hearts, we cannot begin to understand what it means to be alone.

Shakyamuni Buddha preached that any person can shine in this world with a pure heart. Living in the Nembutsu in sincerity we too will understand the truth of life.

In my moment of pain and feeling alone, with other people's support, I came to feel the wisdom and compassion of Amida Buddha. Although each of us is different, and we often feel alone in our journey, we live because we are interdependent. We overcome loneliness and pain, feelings of sadness and hopelessness because of interdependence. May we all be happy for all forms of life! When we keep our eyes fixed on each other’s lives, we will discover the meaning of interdependence of life. Namo Amida Butsu.

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