Each moment is precious

 

Aaron Lee, from Facebook

This blog is devoted to American Buddhist, Aaron Lee, who died on the 21st October 2017 at the age of 34. Although he was known to many for his blog, ‘Angry Asian Buddhist’, I am mainly going to cite some of the things that he told the former editor of the Buddhist site ‘Lion’s Roar’, Sam Littlefair, shortly before his death. May they sustain, inspire and encourage you as they did me.

By the way, it may help you to understand the following better if you know that the Buddhist concept of a ‘refuge’ is an ultimate source of guidance and protection.

In his last year, Aaron shifted his focus from activism towards creating “refuges,” which he described as spaces where someone can feel safe, supported, and nurtured. In a blog post, he wrote, “In the hospital, I found my speech and actions could become refuges for my family and caregivers — providing them with a space where they could feel calm, positive and helpful.”

When I spoke to Aaron for a second time, in the summer, his prognosis had gotten worse. Doctors were saying that he had about two months left. He asked me, “If you had two months left to live, what would you do?” 

He took the time to hear my answer, and then we talked about it for almost a half an hour. That conversation inspired me to try to always live my life with the appreciation that each moment is precious. [My emphasis] Even in our conversations, it was obvious that Aaron was always trying to create the refuge that he described. 

Aaron concluded his blog post with the words, “As I fling my body through successively brutal cycles of chemotherapy, my real challenge remains for me to be the refuge I wish to see in this world. My life has already been extended by months, and yet the end still seems so precariously near. I’m reminded every day to be thankful to be alive. May I strive for every day to be a refuge for myself and for all beings.” [My emphasis]

Littlefair (2017)

Source

Littlefair, S. (2017). Aaron Lee, the “Angry Asian Buddhist,” has died, age 34. Accessed 18th January 2025. https://www.lionsroar.com/aaron-lee-the-angry-asian-buddhist-has-died-age-34/.

Key words

Aaron Lee, Buddhist, death, life, refuge,

Link

https://herethewaking.blogspot.com/2025/01/each-moment-is-precious.html

This blog is also dedicated to my friend, colleague and Zazen practitioner, Dr John Hockey, who died recently.
 

Location: Great Malvern, Malvern WR14, UK

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