When my teacher first taught me meditation, he asked me not to waste my time if I just learned meditation for health’s sake. He saw something special in me, maybe my karmic link to a spiritual past. He also asked whether I was prepared to accept Buddhism as it offered proper explanations to some of that unexplainable phenomenon I would be experiencing once I chose to be on the path. To me, Buddhism is more a life philosophy rather than a religion per se. Since then, I have been practicing Buddhism, though not a very devout one. Once Shampa Rinpoche of the Karma Kagyud School chanced upon me and advised me to immerse more in Dharma teachings, something which I have not tried very hard.
I practice some Hindu methods and have great admiration for the ancient culture, but I am not a Hindu at heart, just borrowing some of their methods, quite similar to my involvement in some Taoist Qigong methods. I am like a sponge that absorbs bits and pieces from all different schools. Over the period of time, I have suspected that different schools have tried to beckon me into their fold, in their most subtle ways, and I have chosen not to commit myself to any as yet.
Like what I have said earlier, I have found appeal in the Buddhist universal philosophical outlook – such as the practice of compassion for all beings. I have an obsessive passion to learn and to teach others. It is like as if I am running short of time in this life.
Anthony Leong
