Once upon a time, there was a young man named Tharindu who lived in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. He was a devout Buddhist who followed the teachings of the Buddha and practiced meditation regularly. He had a girlfriend named Nethmi, who was also a Buddhist and shared his interests and values. They had been dating for two years and were very happy together.
One day, Tharindu received a phone call from Nethmi, who told him that she wanted to break up with him. She said that she had met someone else, who was more compatible with her and made her feel more alive. She said that she was sorry, but she had to follow her heart. She thanked Tharindu for everything and hung up.
Tharindu was shocked and heartbroken by this sudden news. He felt betrayed, angry, and sad. He wondered what he had done wrong, and why Nethmi had left him for another man. He felt like his whole world had collapsed, and he didn’t know how to cope with his loss.
He tried to call Nethmi back, but she didn’t answer. He sent her messages, but she didn’t reply. He went to her house, but she wasn’t there. He asked her friends, but they didn’t know where she was. He felt like he had lost all contact with her, and he didn’t know if he would ever see her again.
He became depressed and isolated himself from his family and friends. He stopped going to work and school. He stopped meditating and praying. He stopped caring about anything. He spent his days in his room, crying and thinking about Nethmi. He blamed himself for the breakup, and wondered what he could have done differently. He wished that he could turn back time and make things right.
He started to have negative thoughts about himself, Nethmi, and life in general. He thought that he was worthless, that Nethmi was cruel, and that life was unfair. He thought that he would never find happiness or love again. He thought that he had no purpose or meaning in life. He thought that he would be better off dead.
He decided to end his life by taking an overdose of pills. He wrote a suicide note, saying goodbye to his family and friends, and apologizing for his actions. He swallowed the pills and lay down on his bed, waiting for death to come.
But death did not come.
Instead, he heard a knock on his door. It was his neighbor, Mr. Perera, who was an elderly man and a respected Buddhist monk. Mr. Perera had noticed that Tharindu had not been seen for a long time, and he was worried about him. He decided to check on him and see if he was alright.
He entered Tharindu’s room and saw him lying on his bed, pale and unconscious. He saw the empty pill bottle and the suicide note on the table. He realized what Tharindu had done, and he quickly called an ambulance.
He also called Tharindu’s parents, who rushed to the hospital where Tharindu was taken. They were shocked and saddened by their son’s attempt to kill himself. They blamed themselves for not noticing his depression and not helping him sooner.
They prayed for Tharindu’s recovery, and they thanked Mr. Perera for saving his life.
Tharindu survived the overdose, but he was still in a critical condition. He was put on a ventilator and given medication to stabilize his vital signs.
He remained unconscious for several days, during which his parents stayed by his side, hoping that he would wake up.
Meanwhile, Mr. Perera visited Tharindu every day at the hospital. He brought flowers, fruits, books, and CDs of Buddhist chants to cheer him up.
He also talked to him softly, even though he knew that Tharindu could not hear him.
He told him stories from the Buddha’s life, such as how the Buddha overcame suffering by following the Noble Eightfold Path¹, how the Buddha taught compassion by saving a wounded swan², how the Buddha showed wisdom by solving a dispute over a water source³, and how the Buddha inspired generosity by giving away his possessions⁴.
He also gave him practical tips on how to heal from a breakup, such as:
- Accepting the reality of the situation and letting go of attachment.
- Forgiving oneself and one’s ex-partner for any mistakes or hurtful words.
- Focusing on one’s own well-being and happiness instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
- Seeking support from family, friends, or professionals who can offer comfort and guidance.
- Engaging in positive activities that bring joy and fulfillment, such as hobbies, sports, volunteering, or learning new skills.
- Practicing meditation and mindfulness to calm the mind and cultivate inner peace.
- Developing gratitude and appreciation for the blessings and opportunities in life.
- Cultivating loving-kindness and compassion for oneself and others, especially those who are suffering.
- Finding meaning and purpose in life by following one’s passions and values.
- Opening oneself to new possibilities and experiences, such as meeting new people, traveling to new places, or exploring new interests.
He told him that these tips were based on the Buddha’s teachings, and that they could help him overcome his pain and find happiness again.
He told him that he was not alone, and that he cared for him.
He told him that he loved him.
One day, Tharindu opened his eyes.
He saw Mr. Perera sitting next to his bed, smiling at him.
He felt a warm and gentle sensation in his chest.
He felt a faint but growing spark of hope in his heart.
He felt a faint but growing sense of gratitude in his mind.
He felt a faint but growing desire to live in his soul.
He smiled back at Mr. Perera.
He whispered: “Thank you.”
Mr. Perera hugged him.
He whispered: “You’re welcome.”
The End.
