What good are they for?

When I was in China, I went to visit the mausoleum of the ancient Nanyue king, Zhao Mo (趙眜). In his grave were his belongings alongside the entourage of his doctors, concubines, lawyers who were buried alive to support him in his afterlife. There was a particular Red Jade Burial Suit he wore that was reverently kept in a glass frame with tight security around it. While I walked out, I saw small roadside shops selling red jackets for winter. That night I thought that I have more reverence towards these roadside jackets than the jade suit inside the mausoleum. The Jade suit, so adorned, is of no use because it can’t be worn by anyone in the winter. Whereas these humble jackets provide warmth to many people.

Inside our minds, we do have many beautiful notions pertaining to religion, love, life and the world and others may even praise them. We love these notions so much that we place them inside the museum of our heart and revere them. But if they don’t come to our rescue in our daily life, help us navigate this world with tenderness and joy and alleviate our suffering and that of others — what good are they for?

#Reflection