The Buddha Says 28

Friends are pleasant in time of need;

happiness is pleasant when shared with them;

merit is pleasant at the hour of death;

but happiest is the destruction of all suffering.

Dhammapada 23:331

Reflections

* The best and most important friends are the Kalyanamitra or spiritual friends ... friends who are walking the Path to Peace, Bliss and Freedom.

* Such friends have high levels of compassion and wisdom ... they practice the Dhamma well and have good degrees of Dhamma realization.

* True spiritual friends are most supportive ... they come to serve and help in times of need when 'others run out.'

* Indeed, happiness shared is happiness doubled; and sorrow shared is sorow halved.

* At death, the only 'friends' that accompany us are our merits, our good Kammic actions ... all else has to be left behind. Realizing this, one is spurred to practice Dana ( Charity ), Sila ( Morality ) and Bhavana ( Mental Purification ).

* The greatest Happiness is the Bliss of Nibbana ... we need to strive on diligently and mindfully for the complete cessation of all Dukkha ( Suffering ) ... and The Way is The Noble Eightfold Path.

With Metta,

Bro. Oh Teik Bin