On 17/4/08, I was watching the American Idol Results Show.
There are 7 participants left and Ryan Seacrest had earlier divided 6 of them into 2 groups of 3 each.
The last contestant to be called out was David Archuleta.
Ryan told the young David that he was 'safe', and asked him to walk and join the side that he thinks it's safe.
At that, to the amusement and amazement of everyone, the young David sat down cross-legged on the stage and refused to budge, even though Ryan tempt and hint to him to go to the left.
Young David simply refuse to move.
In the end, Ryan had to ask David Cook, Jason Castro and Carly Smithson to join him instead.
That was most wise of the 17 year old.
Not only did he not discriminate between his fellow contestants,
He also stop.
Kept still.
In the process, he frees himself.
And that, to me,
is Wisdom.
"Happiness follows sorrow, just as sorrow follows happiness;
When one no longer discriminates between happiness and sorrow, one realises Freedom."
"The Bhikkhu who, while still young, devotes himself to the Buddha's Teaching, illumines this world,
Like the moon freed from a cloud."
- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 382
"He who is perfect in virtue and insight,
Is established in the Dhamma,
Has realised the Truths,
And fulfills his own duties,
Is loved by all men."
- The Buddha
"Though young he may be,
But if he's high in moral attainments,
He is very strong and powerful."
- The Buddha
"Behold Ananda, if the practice of Dhamma is still being done in a way that is appropriate to Dhamma, the world will not be void of Arahants."
- The Buddha
