An act of kindness
“May we treat others with loving-kindness, to make the world a better place.”
By Goh Siqi • 3 minute read
The cold, heartless breeze caressed across his face as he walked through the streets. The peculiar unwanted smell from his body imbued the surroundings, causing passers-by to look at him with disdain.
Hungry and penniless, the beggar begged for food but was treated with an aura of hostility. With all hopes vanished, he settled in a corner of the street, preparing to welcome an inevitable death.
The cold hard ground seemingly turned into quicksand, engulfing him bit by bit, draining his energy bit by bit. Just as his eyelid drooped to a complete closure, the beggar felt a sudden warmth near the palm of his hand. With arduous effort, he opened his eyes. A lady stood in front of him.
“This is for you,” she said, and left hurriedly, leaving behind a piping hot bun in his palm. Her shadow gradually faded away as the sound of her footsteps softened.
The immense joy that the beggar felt that day could be imagined by no one. Tears trickled down his stiff face as he stuffed the bun into his mouth. Although the bun was not enough to satisfy his hunger, the simple act of kindness is inextricably entrenched in the beggar’s heart and he remains thankful to the lady for lending him a helping hand.
We should never undermine the true powers of compassion. In today's day and age where competition and antagonism seem strife, an act of compassion and loving-kindness is requisite to foster social fabric; to connect citizens' minds and hearts; to make our society lively and harmonious.
Happiness comes from internal and external factors. We may feel happy internally due to self-love, inner peace, or even an act of giving. Likewise, the external environment does give us psychological sentiments. The environment we are in contributes to our happiness. As such, happiness cannot be attained in isolation - it is inextricably intertwined with us and the people we are with.
For one and the other to be happy, The Buddha has come out with four wholesome attitudes - also known as the Four Immeasurables. This includes loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity.
Loving-kindness
Loving-Kindness is defined as a genuine, sincere wish for all sentient beings to enjoy happiness. It can eliminate hatred and dislike. Loving-kindness is tantamount to the feeling a mother has for her child. She wishes her child to be happy with good health, friends, and environment.
Compassion
Compassion is a form of care for others, a wish for all sentient beings to eradicate suffering. With compassion, you would not want to harm others, both physically and mentally. It counters cruelty.
Appreciative joy
Appreciative joy is an attitude of celebrating and triumphing over other’s success. It eliminates jealousy and makes people less egocentric. Despite others having greater affluence and better condition, one who appreciative joy will rejoice in others’ success and happiness without feeling inferior.
Equanimity
Equanimity is to regard all sentient beings as equals, no matter what their present relationship entails. Equanimity counters clinging- it prevents us from being overly dependent on someone emotionally. If we cling onto someone strongly and our love for them gets tied up, it will not only exhaust ourselves but also the one whom we care for.
“Things may not be what they seem, for a facade is a possibility. Under the pretentious smiles of his, are scars left behind from the atrocity. May we treat others with loving-kindness, to make the world a better place.”
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