TLDR: We can’t choose the form into which we are born. However, we can choose the actions to live by, which makes a significant difference in life.

Ne Zha 2 is a fantastic movie that reminds me of the power of transformation through pain and suffering. Whether born “good” or “bad,” we have the seed of Buddha Nature within us. Of course, we cannot understate the extent to which our social environment, especially the people we associate with, and our inner cultivation, which includes our daily actions, can influence and help shape us into our final Boss form. 

Buddhism Reborn, Yet Remains the Same:

In the movie, Ao Bing and Ne Zha’s physical forms are sculpted from lotus paste. Ne Zha is unhappy with his awkward physical appearance, compared to Ao Bing’s princely and refined look. Besides Ne Zha, others have personal opinions about how Ne Zha should look. Yet, after all the changes, the “final” chosen form remains Ne Zha’s original appearance. 

Similarly, we have seen the evolution of Buddhism since 2,500+ years ago, with three main traditions of Buddhism, 1) Theravāda, 2) Mahayana, and 3) Vajrayana, being practised today. Yet, the core teachings of the Buddha are common across the traditions. Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron highlights the commonalities between the Theravāda, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions despite the outward differences in how these three traditions are practiced. 

There are the 3 Refuges – Taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. The 4 Noble Truths: 1) There is suffering; 2) Craving is the cause for suffering; 3) There is the end of suffering; and 4) There is the Noble Eightfold Path to end suffering. The 5 Precepts that all lay Buddhists aspire to uphold represent some common teachings that underpin all three traditions. 

After hearing from many wise teachers, Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike, I found that the essence of Buddha’s teachings can be seen everywhere, for Wisdom is Wisdom. 

Like the simile of the Handful of Leaves in the Siṁsapa Sutta, where the Buddha shared only the handful of leaves he held, which represents the essential wisdom we need in our life, I find that despite the abundance of teachings available, it ultimately boils down to the few key insights that the Buddha shared.  

I was first introduced to mindfulness practices via psychology while studying in the United States of America. I like reading the work of Jack Kornfield (The Wise Heart) and Tara Brach (Radical Acceptance), both Buddhist meditation teachers and clinical psychologists. From their sharing, I was inspired to dig deeper into the heart of the Buddha’s teachings and attend silent meditation retreats in the West. 

Later, when I returned to Singapore, I spent five years, starting with a Diploma in Buddhism, then a Bachelor’s in Buddhist Studies, and finally pursuing a Master’s in Buddhist Studies at the Buddhist and Pali College of Singapore.  

As we learn from the many books, podcasts, and teachers, some of us feel naturally inclined to dig deeper and compare what we hear against the Buddha’s words. One should strive to go back to the Suttas, wherever possible, to evaluate and verify the teachings so we do not deviate too far from the Truth. SuttaCentral, led by Bhante Sujato, would be a reliable source of sutta. 

The 4 Brahmavihārās:

Ne Zha and Ao Bing seem complete opposites in their emotional expression. Ne Zha is prone to flying into fits of anger, while Ao Bing is a portrait of peace and calm. Yin and Yang, the Sun and the Moon, Night and Day, and so on, often need opposites to balance things out.  

When I first saw the Buddha image, I imagined an unemotional or stoic Buddha. Yet, when I learned more about the Buddha, I realised that the Buddha taught the 4 Brahmavihārās, which suggests that the Buddha is suffused with more feelings than the Buddha’s image portrays.  

If you have been in the Buddhist circle long enough, you will come across terms like Ehipassiko – Come and See; the story of Zen Master Hakuin and his phrase “Is that so?” or Ajahn Brahm’s story of “Good? Bad? Who Knows?”  All these are the Buddhist variations of “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover.”  Unfortunately, I had succumbed to the first impressions of the stoic Buddha, but all is well in Buddhism, for we can always learn and become better starting today. 

As most of our life challenges arise from our interpersonal relationships, it is ever more important to better understand these four highest emotions, or in Pāli, the Brahmavihārās, and how they can help us improve our emotion regulation. 

These four emotions correspond to Near Enemies and Far Enemies related to each. Ajahn Passanno shared that the Near and Far enemies are obstructions to the correct development of the Brahmavihārās. For example, Anger is the Far Enemy of Mettā, it is the complete opposite of the emotion the Buddha encourages us to cultivate. On the other hand, the Near Enemy relates to the emotions that masquerade as the perfect Buddhist emotions but are still tainted with greed, hatred, or ignorance. 

When we see the loving-kindness practised and exemplified by the monks and nuns, we may wonder if that’s even possible for a layperson like me to generate and exude the 4 Brahmavihārās. 

Fortunately, I came across the wise teacher Sylvia Boorstein, and through her talks and writings, such as Living in the Divine Abodes, I find myself feeling so much joy for her stories of awakening, and embodying the 4 Brahmavihārās in her life.  Me too, I think to myself, it is possible to generate, experience and live my life with moments of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. 

As a thirsty traveller who has discovered an oasis and tasted water in the dry desert, I have had a taste of the highest emotions, and I hope you will experience them too. 

Zeb’s Dhamma Journey: 

Ne Zha was inspired by his friend Ao Bing’s sacrifice to save his townsfolk. Hence, he was willing to repay the friend’s favour and attain immortality to save Ao Bing. However, later on, due to some personal tragedy, Ne Zha was inspired to transform for his own sake and that of others.  For change to be sustainable, we must do it out of our interest. Nonetheless, it is essential to acknowledge the presence of Master Tai Yi and Ao Bing, who help to spur Ne Zha on his long and tedious journey. 

Buddha’s Four Sights — Ageing, Illness, Death, and a Holy Man

In the beginning, Siddhattha Gotama was leading a princely life; however, the four sights of aging, illness, death, and a holy man lit up the young prince’s eyes to see the world, for they show pervasive suffering of all forms, encouraging Prince Siddhattha to seek enlightenment. 

It’s essential to be inspired, not only to get started but also to continue on the Dhamma path. Whether you stumbled upon Buddhism via reading an article on Handful of Leaves (HOL) or through a community like DAYWA Singapore, it is vital to keep going on the path. One does not have to journey alone; one should have fellow companions on the path. 

I am inspired to continue my practice through involvement at Buddhist Fellowship and communities like DAYWA Singapore and Rainbodhi Singapore. Furthermore, sharing the Dhamma via my articles in HOL and getting feedback that my articles have inspired others has provided a positive feedback loop to continue my practice. 

Similarly, I hope you find your community to keep the path to Enlightenment lit and have kalyāṇamitta to support your journey, for as the Buddha shared, spiritual friends are the whole of the spiritual path.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we must always return to our fundamentals while striving for change and innovation. Let’s be patient in a fast-moving world, for we are dealing with fellow humans with diverse emotions, just like Inside Out 2. Finally, we can find meaning in our suffering, just like Buddha found the Noble Eightfold Path and inspired us to be better humans in this lifetime and beyond.  

Sukhi hontu – May you be well and happy. 

Wise Steps:

• Get inspired by Buddhist hymns and songs such as Ehipassiko – Come and See. Brother Daniel Yeo has created many songs for young children, which you can check out on his Spotify.  
• Take a stroll down memory lane and read the teachings of the Buddha in their closest to original form by reading the suttas in SuttaCentral. 
• Join a local Buddhist community like DAYWA Singapore or Rainbodhi SG to practice with like-minded friends. In addition to local SG communities, I have even travelled to Malaysia to join activities organized by Nalanda Buddhist Society, Kinrara Metta Buddhist Society (KMBS), and Centre for Research and Dhamma Leadership Enhancement (d’CRADLE).