21 July
THE wishes of human beings vary countlessly. Some want the length of the cycle of rebirth short as possible as it could. Some want that of it long as mighty as it could. In a song sung by (Daw) Mar Mar Aye, some lyrics reveal it saying, “ ...no matter how long the length of Sansara (the cycle of rebirth) when stretching out, I’ll take a peaceful rest in my sweetheart’s bosom...”
It was the Queen Phwar Saw, a woman in our history, was the one who would stand first among such those people. That is why her prayer proved it quite well. “In the period before I attain Nirvana, I want the possessions that are far above the others’ if I become a human being. If I become a Deva, I want to be a Deva that is much nobler than a Deva especially in looks and textures, in longer lifespan, in sweeter voice and in smarter figure. In addition, I want to be a Deva that is admired by all human beings and all Devas. I want to possess the physicial materials such as gold, silver, ruby, pearl, coral etc. as well as the living things such as elephants, horses and slaves. I also want to be the great one who is profusely famous with countless companions. I do not want to know about the poverty but my life would be filled with the news of the glorious donation, belief and wisdom. After all, I want to attain the State of Arahat and feel the wealth of Nirvana.”
The prayers of the Queen frankly revealed her original attitude. She was a very greedy and craving one. She said she wanted the Peace of Nir-vana only in the end after feeling her desirous wishes. It was her strong will that made the length of the cycle of rebirth long. The reason she wanted the length of the cycle of rebirth to be long was clear for which she wanted to feel the wealth of human and Deva at her heart’s content.
After doing their merit, the main aim of the prayers of many people is to escape from the poverty of the cycle of rebirth. Their prayers target to attain Nirvana in the shortest moment. They understand the poverty of the cycle of rebirth very well and no longer want to suffer from it even for the current life. As a real Buddhist, the one who should realize the essence of Dharma will never want to live long because the period between the point of fertilization and that of death is composed of trouble i.e. The Truth of Sufferings.
However, the people who want to cease the length of the cycle of rebirth are doing their deeds, words and thoughts that will make the length of the cycle of rebirth long. They are very self-indulgent with unconscious mind and doing what they wish, which will lead the length of the cycle of rebirth to be long. Therefore, in a poem, a poet said...
Ms. MoonFinal Year Honours (English)Dagon University
