SISTER – A GOOD FRIEND

"There are days when I miss my hometown so much. I wish that one day we could meet again. Meet our countrymen and our loved ones. We happily hug each other with tears in our eyes..." (Old Country - My Tam)

Thinking back on the happy and sad emotions in life, her sister is the person she is very grateful to, because since she entered life, her sister has hugged and protected her. When tragedy struck her family, she had to drop out of school and followed sister to the market to make a living. At that time, she had just finished middle school and did not know anything, but suddenly she had to quit school to help sell vegetables at the market. Late at night, they put out their goods, after selling, they clean up and then display their goods again from morning until dusk, day after day from 2:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. before returning home. In addition, her sister went to the market to get groceries three times a day. As a result, the fifteen-year-old girl alone had to face so many difficulties and challenges such as the sun, the wind, the rain, the dew, the expensive prices, and the slander,... However, she was not afraid because she had her sister! Just thinking about her sister makes her heart feel warm.

 

Her sister works hard to take care of her children, her family, and especially her mother. Since the day his father left to follow his heart, his sister became the main breadwinner of the family, taking care of everything from material to spiritual matters. In fact, her sister loves and cares for her very much, trying to take care of her as best she can. Those extreme days were also made easier thanks to her sister by her side.

 

Her sister is a vegetarian and is a very "upright" person in the true sense of the word. She has never owed anyone even a few thousand dong. She said, "If you are poor, you will be clean, if you are torn, you will be fragrant." When selling, she always weighs enough or extra for everyone. In particular, she really likes to make offerings, so every time she sells things to pagodas, she reduces the amount and makes more offerings. It was her sister who raised and nurtured those beautiful qualities for her.

 

Then when the storm passed, her sister got married. But it does not mean that the love her sister has for her is less; on the contrary, it is even fuller. When she said she wanted to go to the pagoda to make merit, her sister supported her financially and spiritually. In the family, her sister was the only one who agreed and supported that decision. But it is okay, just having her sister is enough for her!

Since Dad left, her sister has been like her friend and mother. She tells her sister all the trivial and important things, and up to now her practice, her sister is also a good friend who is always close by to support her. She remembered from the time she was with her sister until now - when she returned to the pagoda to practice, every time there were bad words or actions, her sister never scolded her but was always gentle and persistent until she realized and corrected her mistakes. One time she cried, saying "Why are you so good?", She just smiled gently. She loves her sister so much! “Is her sister the reincarnation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara?” - she wondered while chanting the "Universal Door chapter" sutra.

 

Her sister does not stop there, because her sister always accompanies her whenever and wherever, whether directly or indirectly, as long as she wants. Since her sister went to the pagoda for meritorious service, she has made offerings more often from rice, vegetables, tubers, fruits,... and then grown mushrooms. Moreover, her sister also saved them by making offerings to the pagoda to organize a Buddhist retreat. During the Covid pandemic, her sister continuously donated truckload after truckload of offerings. Her sister said, "I'm making offerings for my younger sister." Hearing this, she loves her sister so much! She just wishes that her sister would be more imbued with Buddhism so that her blessings and merit would be greater because she is a good person and also a Buddhist. As time passed, the two sisters saw each other less, but their love and affection did not lessen. Now, her sister helps cook for the Monastery, does charity work, helps the elderly, and the sick and so on. Her sister practices very diligently even though her circumstances are more difficult than before. She is still the same, always a strong shoulder, always a warm hug, always the best friend with advice, "No matter what, you must keep your mind peaceful and steady."

 

 When she sees her sister, she sees the Buddha. Because of the good qualities her sister has, she is the embodiment of Buddha. Now, on the path she has chosen, although there are many challenges, she has Sister - a good friend who has helped her steps become stronger and move forward. Her sister is amazing!

 

  “Missing sister is like missing home,

Vegetables, eggplants, and tofu have the color of monks.

Through many hardships and difficulties,

Love is collected and scattered everywhere.

Time has passed forever in this place,

A warm embrace that radiates fragrance in all seasons”

  (Poem by Chuc An)

 

Tam An

Translated into English by Khanh Phung