Impact of Equanimity on Disease
A matured meditator Ratilal Mehta passed away at the ripe old age of 86 on 26th August 1987 with full awareness. Just as he lived an ideal meditator’s life, so also he experienced an ideal death.
On hearing of a meditation Centre being developed in Igatpuri, Maharashtra, he was delighted and immediately had the Dhamma volition that there should be a Centre in southern India, in Hyderabad, for the convenience of the people there.
These feelings of Dhamma suffused his mind and could not be contained; he donated two and a half acres of family land for a Centre, which later grew by another 4 acres enabling further development. Dhamma Khetta Centre was officially opened on 4th September 1976, just before the opening of Dhammagiri in Igatpuri. The land which had been cultivated for food to alleviate physical hunger then began catering to the spiritual hunger of humanity, and will continue for generations to come.
He also introduced all his family members to the Dhamma. As a meditator purifies oneself on one’s Dhamma journey and releases old knots of mental impurities lying deep within, feelings of compassionate metta for all grow stronger. Ratibhai would occasionally come to Dhammagiri, Igatpuri to meditate, where he saw that those meditating under the pristine Pagoda’s tranquil space of individual meditation cells were benefitting tremendously. Sure enough a strong Dhamma determination took root – those coming to Dhamma Khetta should have this benefit as well. Soon a three storey Pagoda was built which later grew to 74 meditation cells with the help of donations from others also.
Watching people grow in Dhamma would fill this meditator with pure joy. He knew his money could not be put to better use than to help people who have been suffering for so long to be able to purify their minds by bringing them to the path of Vipassana. There could not be a better service to humanity.
This Dhamma well wisher suffered from dire cancer in his last years of life. The cancer spread its insidious tentacles first affecting his large intestines, then liver and lungs. For excretion the doctors attached a pouch to his stomach in which waste was collected. Ratilalbhai smiled through this unbearable condition. Whenever asked how the pain was, his one answer was, ‘It’s a result of some past negative kamma and I am watching it with equanimity.’ Blessed is such a meditator!
Truly a terrible kamma that would have resulted in serious misery in future lives was manifesting itself in this way, and by observing with equanimity he was eradicating it with relatively less suffering.
Lord Buddha had said that if a fistful of salt is added to a small bowl of water, the water will not be drinkable, but if the same amount of salt is added to a flowing river then it will have no impact on the water. This is the Dhamma strength of a true meditator that he repays his kammic debt with smiling forbearance when facing much suffering.
A few hours before passing away, he changed into fresh clothes, drank some milk and then expressed a desire to sit in meditation. The body had grown very weak, yet with the support of those attending on him and his own will power he sat and soon was immersed in Vipassana. He was deeply fond of Dhamma dohās which always helped him go deep in sādhanā. He asked for dohās to be played. For about one and a half hours he meditated, and with the dohās playing on cassette tape, both played out their final symphony together. After the mettā dohās, ‘bhavatu sabba maªgalaṃ’ was chanted three times. As soon as the chant ended the meditating sādhaka released his final breath moving onward to the devaloka.
Blessed is a true meditator! Blessed is Vipassana which is purifying!
(Translated from the Hindi book ‘Jāge Pāvana Preraṇā’)
-----
Respected Goenkaji and Mataji gave metta to the parami enriched Ratilal Mehta in his last days. This inspirational message sent to him at that time is offered here for the benefit of all. Dear Ratilal bhai,
Spend maximum time in Vipassana meditation with the awareness of impermanence. The awareness of anicca towards the body and mind will be very helpful in deepening the awareness of equanimity. As the equanimity deepens, the feelings of attachment towards the body and mind will weaken. The feeling of anicca, will further help to weaken craving and aversion. With this, the progress beyond the impermanence of mind and matter and towards that which is Permanent, Unchangeable, Ever Present and Absolute will speed up. Hence put your utmost effort in the awareness of anicca with Vipassana sadhana.
Intermittently, you may practice ¾nāpāna. This will strengthen you within. Occasionally you may also dwell on your past pāramīs (good qualities); such as, ‘In my past lives surely I have done some good kammas, that is why I received this beneficial human body, the vehicle for the journey towards the ultimate truth. After much wandering did I receive these teachings and the path of pure Dhamma applicable to all, that would lead me to the final goal of Nibbana.’ Such wholesome contemplation will indeed help strengthen one within.
‘Sabba Pāpassa Akaranaṃ’ – To stay away from all those acts that are unwholesome is pure Dhamma applicable to all.
‘Kusalassa Upasampadā’ – To constantly perform acts of good kamma is pure Dhamma applicable to all.
‘Sacitta Pariyodapanaṃ’ – To continue to purify the mind, to keep it free of defilements like desires, animosity and delusions is pure Dhamma applicable to all and equally beneficial to all.
‘Just as I, through the fruits of my past good kammas, received this beneficent Dhamma that is applicable to all and which leads one to the Absolute, so may my family members too taste this nectar of incomparable Dhamma. Not out of pride but with the wholesome intention of inspiring all beings towards pure Dhamma, I become a means for their well being. Remembering my paramis and keeping my mind joyous and ever directed towards Dhamma, I contemplate the pure intention with which I and my progeny gave dāna of the land for Dhamma Khetta. Serving this Dhamma land in many ways, we also built a Dhamma stupa on this land. Truly this was a profoundly meritorious act.’
According to the Lord Buddha, such a meritorious act bears immense fruits. ‘May this pāramī accumulate and lead me closer to Nibbana. May this act lead many, many people towards Nibbana.’
‘Not only have all those who have meditated or are meditating on this sanctified land received the seed of pure Dhamma, but also who knows for how many years or indeed how many centuries this Dhamma land, the pagoda built on this Dhamma land and the meditation cells built in the pagoda will continue to serve innumerable people blessed to come here and ripen in Dhamma. Following the tenets of sila, focusing on the natural point of focus of the breath, awakening wisdom through the awareness of anicca, becoming free of craving and aversion and getting established in equanimity, they will find the ultimate path to Nibbana. Truly it’s a hugely meritorious deed. With this wholesome parami, may many people grow in Dhamma and become happy and peaceful.’
Remembering one’s wholesome meritorious deeds is not for indulging in arrogant projections, but to fill one’s heart and mind with Dhammic joy and bliss, quieting and calming the mind, leading it naturally towards Vipassana meditation.
Finally the fundamental effort is towards Vipassana suffused with awareness of anicca. May the heart ever be filled with joy and equanimity. This will truly result in one’s well being. The present as well as the future then will remain filled with light and well being.
May the awareness of Dhamma continue to ripen! May wisdom continue to ripen! May the awareness of anicca continue to ripen! Be happy!
Comments
Post a Comment