Spiritual Friends

August 20, 2008 in One year in Laos by Weet Neu | No comments

Read a rather inspiring book by Bhante Walpoly Piyananda, The Bodhi Tree Grows in L.A. One of the stories really strikes a chord and this blog is dedicated to my friends.

According to the Maggasamyutta of the Samyutta Nikaya, ‘… Having a spiritual friend and companion enables you to develop and cultivate the Eightfold Path.’

Also, the Buddha mentioned that, ‘Having a good friend, having good companions, and being inclined toward good is the whole of spiritual life.’

This is so as a ’spiritual friend will influence and guide you along the Noble Eightfold Path, which leads to the end of suffering.’

And in the Sigalovada Sutta, the Buddha talks about the four types of people who are true and loyal friends. The first of these is a friend who is helpful, protecting you and your property, providing a safe refuge in troubling times, or offering the means to help conduct your business.

Another type of friend is one who is the same in prosperity and adversity, sharing and keeping secrets with you, not abandoning you during times of trouble, and even putting themselves at risk for you.

The third type of friend is one who gives good counsel, keeping you from doing wrong, encouraging you to do good, sharing profound thoughts with you, guiding you along a spiritual path.

Finally, the last type of friend is one who understands and sympathizes, sharing your sorrows, rejoicing in your successes, restraining others who speak ill of you, and praising others who speak well of you.

In my life, I am very fortunate and blessed to have many good and close friends. They have been spiritual friends to me at some points in my life, as I hope I have been one in theirs

And on the 20th August 2008, it is dedicated to Tan Chung, a dear friend who will embark on his new journey to study his MBA in Beijing today. May all be well and smooth sailing.