One of my family traditions important to me was a Buddhist ritual. At the sound of Buddhist gong at 4.30 a.m., which invites the people in the village to awaken, my parents got up, lit the candle on the altar with a brief silence and then started their personal routine of washing and cleaning and then lighting the fire to put the kettle on for tea. While waiting for the kettle to boil, they would meditate and spend time quietly for some period.
I was awakened and I noted their activities but then off to bed again to continue the sleep cozily until 6.00 a.m. After that, the day schedule began with my taking part in the small responsibilities of cleaning, mopping, swabbing, filling waters from the river nearby, running errands if required, and then off to school and play, to laugh and enjoy life. What a gift is a carefree life!! This is the way I was raised in the family until I stepped outside for further experiences of learning which opened my mind, heart and soul to appreciate more deeply my family relatives, culture, abilities, faith and education, experiences.
There are many events that build up the relationship and our inseparableness. These include the joy and excitement of participating in different Buddhist festivals, as well as the Buddhist faith practices and ceremonies such as Thingyan (Water festival), Thadingyut (Lights festival), and Ka Htain (offering of robes to monks). I also observed different Buddhist practices, and so Buddhist meditation and rituals are part of my cultural life.
We Catholic Christians also invited Buddhists to join in our Christian festivals and celebrations of Christmas, New Year, Rituals of Blessings of House, or Birthdays. These times provided striking opportunities to express our togetherness with the Buddhists community. By participating, contributing from what we have and who we are, we strengthen and deepen our bonds of relationship. We feel we are blessings to each other.
We have a profound respect for one another’s spiritual, moral, and socio-cultural treasures. The common values we hold are hospitality and compassion for all human beings, especially the poor and the marginalized particularly in our present chaotic political, economic and social situation. Together we are trying to collaborate in compassionate works for people who are displaced and homeless, hungry for food, clothing, and medical needs. We remember the words of Francis of Assisi:
“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
I feel blessed to find such enrichment in Buddhism. With my Buddhist companions, I believe we are “friends in search of God”. We hold the common values of seeking peace and harmony, love and trust despite our countless limitations.
I conclude with the words of the woman who founded our RNDM Congregation:
“The charity of God must reign over everything so that much good may result from it.” (Euphrasie Barbier) 06 October 1881-M.M.St. Gabriel, Christchurch
I am Noreen Mya Sie. I made my first profession as a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions in 1966. In our province here in Myanmar, I have been involved in teaching, leadership, formation, and at the Catholic Religious Conference of Myanmar (CRCM). I love it that I have been called to the world community of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, and with so many others am committed to bringing about the reign of God in today’s multi-cultural and globalised world.
At present, I am our Province Archivist, and every day I am enriched by learning more about our pioneer sisters, their different ministries and the hardships they endured. Their experiences encourage me to more forward freely and courageously. It is great that I can make this journey with so many others in this age of technological advances.
Thank you for sharing some of the ways you observed different Buddhist practices in your family, and how Buddhist meditation and rituals are part of your cultural life. As you say: “There are many events that build up the relationship and our inseparableness.”
It strikes me (yet again!) that *relationship* is what’s so important as we build together the “Beloved community” – across cultures and continents.