..续本文上一页always recited and found so inspiring); and a tape of the final Dhamma talk — the farewell night — that Khun Pow had listened to at Wat Pa Bahn Tahd. There were also tapes of Dhamma chants and verses that Khun Pow particularly liked: such as The First Sermon of the Lord Buddha, the Turning of the Dhamma Wheel, with its explanation about the Four Noble Truths. And the Discourse on the Highest Blessing.
By the time that Khun Vai had arranged the tapes, Khun Pow”s condition was obviously deteriorating. The oxygen tubes that she had resolutely refused and pushed away, wanting to be left unencumbered in her final moments, had now been reinserted by the nurses. This showed for certain that she had to be unconscious. Khun Vai started a cycle of tapes and within a few moments Khun Pow”s hands were lifted together in anyjali, the traditional gesture of respect and veneration. The hands fell back... and were then raised again, palms together, over the heart. Khun Vai was delighted with this sign that the Dhamma was penetrating, even though Khun Pow was in a coma. He therefore arranged for the tapes to be continually interchanged using two machines. The Turning of the Dhamma Wheel sounded, with words about the heart of one who practices, how knowledge and light arise, and how by going beyond all attachment there is the Undying Dhamma.
Khun Pow appeared calm but her breathing became irregular. Khun Vai sat close by and quietly meditated; and as her breathing faltered he asked everyone in the room to stay still and not to cry, and for nobody else to come in. As they meditated, the sound of the breathing gradually diminished. And was still.
Khun Vai collected all the above to be a ”case study” about an ordinary person taking up the practice of Dhamma. (And it should not be too difficult for westerners to relate to someone like Khun Pow.) Khun Vai himself is something of a ”case study” too. He was Khun Pow”s business colleague throughout, successfully overcame a major cancer operation and, more to the point, is a devout Christian.
It”s said that Khun Vai would accompany Khun Pow to the Buddhist monastery and everyone who didn”t know would think he was a Buddhist too. It was much the same when Khun Pow (occasionally) went with Khun Vai to church. Religion for him is not just Christianity, for he sees much value in Dhamma and fully supported his wife in her practice. With his wife”s death he was keenly aware that both faiths are concerned with suffering — death and separation from the person one loves — and how to deal with that truth.
Khun Vai has been a leading member of the YMCA — he”s now President Emeritus of the YMCA in Bangkok — and has addressed various international meetings, often concerning his understanding of religion. He has spoken about how he sees a similarity between Christianity and Buddhism. On the basic level, he compares the Buddhist generosity and moral precepts, with the Christian Commandments and love. Or "Love in action for all faiths and beliefs." Then he says, "Whereas for spiritual higher attainment, we have to leave to each person depending on his or her belief to pursue."
It is now fifteen years since Khun Pow”s death, yet the Dhamma Teachings she received and practiced are still available to those who want to develop their own ”case study”.
《To the Last Breath - Epilogue》全文阅读结束。