NO MEDICINE BETTER THAN
DHAMMA
BY
DR. SWE SWE AUNG
VET, V / 370 (1976)
(Congenital Diabetic, Hypertensive Patient)
Translated by Ba Than (Mahavijja)
I was afflicted by
congenital diabetes and persistent hypertension all my life. I am an educated
woman with a profession in Veterinarian Science. Due to my illness I can no
longer earn my livelihood. I cannot cook my daily meals, nor take care of my
toilet.
But now I have taken refuge in ThaBarWa Centre under care of ThaBarWa Sayadaw
U Ottamasara. Due to his boundless metta, virtues of Dhamma
discourses and practical meditation, I no longer have to worry about my anxiety
for food, clothing and shelter. I have also gained knowledge and insight of
Dhamma teachings.
Formerly I was worried that
I will have to live a lonely existence in misery, infirmity, and want. How
wrong I was! During the two years of refuge in this peaceful sanctuary I come
to realize how lucky I am. My lodge, boarding, meals, clothes as well as
medicare are well taken care of and have no worry. I also come to observe many
old people who suffer worse conditions than I.
Previously I had a great
desire to enter and practice meditation in a Dhamma centre. But as I am an
invalid with disability, there was no centre willing to accept me in my
condition. My relatives had supported me financially but they cannot tolerate
long years of caring for a congenital invalid who is constantly facing death and
suffering.
It was my good fortune to
meet Sayadaw U Ottamasara and take refuge in the ThaBarWa Centre established by
Sayadaw. He has taken full responsibility for food, shelter, clothing and
health. He has also given me peace of mind to practice meditation and take
refuge in Dhamma. I also come to realize with gratitude his boundless
compassion, knowledge and wisdom.
I have also come to know
the virtues of community life among the old and the infirm like myself under
the same roof. I come to learn mutual help, the sense of sharing, sympathy,
consideration for others, sacrifice, patience, forgiveness, understanding, and
to live in harmony. I learn to resolve differences, conflicts and problems by
discussions and consensus. I feel that by practicing the virtues of Dhamma
meditation, I will cultivate a better understanding of life and enjoy peace of
mind.
Sayadaw’s regular
discourses on Dhamma sermons, and practical meditation has offered solutions on
natural law which is highly instructive. I am grateful for Sayadaw’s insight
and guidance. I have pondered on ways to repay Sayadaw’s virtues most suitably,
but cannot find how to do it. Finally I realized that the best way is by
faithfully following Sayadaw’s discourses and practice dutifully.
I cannot help but admire
Sayadaw U Ottamasara’s boundless
generosity and dedication for establishing and maintaining ThaBarWa Centre at
Thanlyin. He has given food, clothes and shelter for more than 2,000 yogis in the Centre free of charge. He also gives supreme guidance for the
propagation and perpetuation of sasana through Dhamma discourses
and practical meditation.
May the ThaBarWa Centre be
a source of inspiration to the old, the needy and the infirm people. May
Sayadaw be endowed with health, virtue, and wisdom to fulfill the mundane and
supramundane Dhamma to perpetuity.
