The Peaceful and Conscious Buddhists?

srizals

I am out of words. Malaysia would lose its irreplaceable indigenous wildlife in no time. Where have all the men with guns trusted to guard our precious forest jewels gone to? Where are all the good men? Have we run out of them? Could we please implement the Hudud and cut off these daring thieves' hands? The hands that have shamelessly destroyed and threatened our prosperity and livelihood with irreversible damages for years now. Or at least, could we move our slow moving hands and catch them once in a while instead of demanding salary raise higher than the rest of the Malaysians not entrusted with the safety of its priceless wealth of the forest. Do your job and then ask for a salary hike. Maybe then I would be more sympathetic. Where has the warrior’s code of honour gone to? Work less, earn more?

http://english.aljazeera.net/video/asia-pacific/2011/05/201158135015227298.html

Maybe something from Buddha himself can awake these non-practising Buddhists from devouring everything in their path, especially those that do not belong to them.

"On life's journey Faith is nourishment, 

Virtuous deeds are a shelter,

Wisdom is the light by day and Right mindfulness is the protection by night.

If a man lives a pure life nothing can destroy him;

If he has conquered greed nothing can limit his freedom."

And if you think that he had claimed to be the awaited messiah, think again.

"One of his students asked Buddha, "Are you the messiah?"
"No", answered Buddha.

"Then are you a healer?"
"No", Buddha replied.

"Then are you a teacher?" the student persisted.
"No, I am not a teacher."

"Then what are you?" asked the student, exasperated.
"I am awake", Buddha replied."

Go to the Orang Asli, enlist them on our side. Give them the much needed job and honour by making it their livelihood as the sole protector of the forest, with guns and the law at their side. We are losing tens of millions anyway in the hands of the ever hungry poachers, looters and loggers of our fragile and ancient forest. The Orang Asli has played their part well and effectively when we were facing the communist menace. They would be easily tempted to the dark side if left unintended and ignored. Just like you and me. Don't we love the glamorous life of the rich and famous?

Look at the Africans. They have utilised their men with guns to the fullest, even in protecting their wildlife and forest from armed poachers and looters. Maybe we should be utilising ours in the time of peace and relaxation. Besides, jungle trekking is a good form of exercise anyway for our brave men with guns instead of letting them exercise by taking pictures with dead hornbill or other exotic wild beast. Where is the glory in that?

Rules and laws are made to be broken, amended, perfected or enforced. The choice, my good and wise friend, is ours. The future is in our hands. Let’s choose what is better for our future and let’s have the right attitude and the courage to do it, in the right and most correct way. Our fate and faith depend on it.

Updated on May 10, 2011.