The Emperor's Three Questions

A number of Dhamma friends in a bus and a few cars went to attend a Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Brahm in Ipoh on 14 January 2007. The talk was brilliant. The audience was overwhelmed by Ajahn Brahm's compassion and wisdom ( and his sense of wit and humor!). Many 'Life Messages' were conveyed in the Talk. Among the beautiful ones was the story of the Emperor's Three Questions:"An emperor once sought the answers to THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF LIFE that would bring happiness and success to a person. After a long search, the emperor finally found the answers to his 3 Questions".
Here are the Answers to the Questions:

1. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME?
ANSWER : NOW
( Reflection by me: Indeed, the present moment is the reality. 'The past is dead and gone, nothing but history, a memory. The future is yet to come, a mystery, an uncertainty. What matters is NOW. That is why the PRESENT is a GIFT.'Make the Resolution and Walk The Dhamma Way NOW ... we can't wait 'cause it might be too late.

2. WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON?
ANSWER : THE PERSON YOU ARE WITH NOW.
( My Reflection: This is an application of mindfulness practice. Give the person you are with now your full attention and compassion ( be it another person or you yourself ). This attention or mindfulness will have so many positive benefits: the mind strengthens, efficiency improves, less mistakes are made, goodwill is generated with the other person, your metta ( Loving-Kindness)spreads and you reap the 11 benefits of Metta Bhavana etc etc )

3. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO?
ANSWER : TO CARE
( My Reflection: Indeed! 'To care (for oneself and others) is the "reaching out/dana/service" aspect of Dhamma practice. It evokes our Bodhicitta element ... compassion actualizes and we grow in the Dhamma. )

The more one practices the answers to the Emperor's Three Questions the more one will grow in the Dhamma. Happiness, Success, Joy, Love, Peace and Freedom will come your way ... in this life and in future lives.

Take care.

With Metta,

Bro. Oh Teik Bin