Written By Kyaw Thu,
9 October 2010
The Grim Reaper knows no laws
Ms. Than Myint Aung, secretary of Free Funeral Services Society (Yangon), and the staff members helped transport the bodies of Daw Ohn Yee (age 67) and her son U Khin Oo (age 48) from South Dagon township, Yangon for cremation at Kyi-Su cemetery at 9:30 am, 7th October 2010 on Thursday.
U Khin Oo was a chronic TB patient. Daw Ohn Yee had taken care of her son, but the past five days was stressful because U Khin Oo had fallen into a coma. U Khin Oo’s wife had been struggling to meet the bare necessities of her two children. Daw Ohn Yee probably did not accept that her son was unconscious, and tried to have a conversation. On 6th October 2010, she shook her son’s body and kindly uttered, “My son Maung Khin Oo …. My son Maung Khin Oo”. She had a mental and physical lapse around 6 PM and passed away. Her son passed away at 8 PM, as if he had decided to follow his mother’s fate. The double tragedy left the survivors (U Khin Oo’s wife and two daughters) helpless.
Though the mother and son entered the world at different times, they left the world on the same day. Is it a coincidence?
Marana (the Grim Reaper) knows no laws and no bounds. There are no set rules based on class, wealth, friendship, and age to determine when one’s life comes to an end.
People who are hungry and crazy for power, properties and riches should pay heed to the Grim Reaper. People who love and cherish their parents, teachers, spouses and children should note that they and their loved ones are not immune to the Grim Reaper. It is therefore very important to practice morality and unbounded love, to offer humane services to the society, and to take the Three Refuges (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha).
Sooner or later [even now] we will be sick
Sooner or later [even now], we will die
We will surely die, make your rare [and precious] life meaningful
Before you die, practice [insight] meditation and gain wisdom
(Dictum of Moe-Goke Sayadaw)