June 16, 2020
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wrote on her Facebook page yesterday that the first COVID wave has been successfully overcome; the second wave would be more difficult. She said no matter what, “we should hope for the best and prepare for the worst”. This was what she wrote:
There is a saying, “make cotton yarn while the moon shines”. The English would say “make hay while the sun shines”. This is just to remind us that we should do what needs to be done at the opportune time.
Since this is the rainy season, this is the best time to capture rainwater and store water. This is to make preparations to prevent water shortages during the hot summer. Something like, “savings for the future”.
All countries have to try to confront and solve whatever happens by thinking about what could happen in the future. It is the perennial duty of a government to make sure that they have enough food stockpiles and financial resources to overcome an emergency like COVID which is difficult to predict in advance.
I wish to say that a “reservoir of future spiritual resources” is more important, if not equally important, than saving physical resources. These may be regarded as a boundless supply of spiritual heritages for use by future generations. Historical processes defined by the triumph of goals and intentions will endure as such heritages. We can save such heritages only with the participation of the people.
We have successfully overcome the first COVID wave. We estimate that the second wave will be more difficult. No matter what, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
The Venerable Shwetaung Gone Sayadaw has given us this advice which should be taken to heart and forever fixed in our minds: there are four types of “viriya” (determined effort); the first is to make a decision to start an initiative; the second is to start implementing according to the decision; the third is to keep on implementing although difficulties are encountered; the fourth is to keep on implementing with unflagging zeal even if the endeavour seems to be failing.
We are now at the stage when we are transitioning from the second stage to the third stage of “viriya”. Let us all try to leave good viriya heritages for future generations.
(Translated by Kyaw Myaing)
