Thought it’d take 6 to 7 hours for this hike, but it ended up being around 9 hours and 20 minutes. It was super dangerous. Definitely not doing it again.
Not only was it dangerous due to a large part of this hike being on just rocks at a very steep angle, but it was also super tiring for someone who hasn’t been exercising. I used to play badminton weekly and workout but haven’t done so consistently for a long time. I know that my muscles and cardio have gone to waste.
Video I very quickly made
Also, this climb featured a lot a lot of bugs. I’ve never experienced so many (that I can recall). For a long part of the climb we were surrounded by all kinds of bugs. In no circumstance should we ever kill them or even hurt them. However, I am guilty of allowing Jason to carefully remove two bugs (not mosquitos) that kept staying in one spot sucking my blood.
Risk
As a Buddhist, I will not put my life at risk. I have not yet attained liberation or accomplishment. I finally got to learn the true Buddha Dharma imparted by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III this lifetime. There are many important Buddhist responsibilities I must fulfill — I cannot afford to die. However, after reflection I felt like I didn’t do this well because I did the last part of the climb to the peak, the most dangerous part.
Anger Issue
When I’m in pain I get annoyed or angry to some extent. I start complaining. This is not the actions of a true Buddhist, true cultivator.
Suffering
This hike reminded me once again how poorly I handle suffering. I can’t even bear this kind of tiring suffering, let alone the lower three realms. The lower three realms (ANIMALS, HUNGRY SHADES/GHOSTS, HELL BEINGS) have much much more suffering. I will be headed there if I don’t attain accomplishment due to all the living beings I killed before learning Buddhism as well as due to all the bad things I’ve done and continue to do. I need to become a holy being this life to escape this suffering. Also, I should have bodhicitta and really wish all living beings not go through suffering.
There’s a Chinese saying “好了伤疤忘了痛.” It means something like “once the scar has healed, (one) forgets the pain” or “out of sight, out of mind.” I need to remember these experiences. I thought to myself what is there I can’t do to get rid of this suffering? Then I thought about me and my forbearance problems. I hope I can have real forbearance.
