Part 4 — Love, Trust, Patience, and the Strength to Remain Calm
(Originally written in 2007 under the pseudonym “Sanooaung”) Edited by Chat GPT
n Myanmar culture, there is a traditional distinction between two forms of love.
One is often called “1500 love,” referring to passionate romantic love between lovers or husband and wife.
The other is “528 love,” a calmer and more universal affection shared between parents and children, brothers and sisters, relatives, friends, and humanity in general.
In a long and successful marriage, many couples gradually develop both forms of love. Passionate attachment matures into deep friendship, loyalty, companionship, and mutual care.
Beyond these, Myanmar culture and Buddhist traditions also emphasize Metta or Myitta — loving-kindness toward all living beings.
This form of compassionate love extends not only to family and friends, but also to strangers, the weak, animals, and even enemies.
Although other cultures may possess similar ideas, Myanmar society uniquely recognizes loving-kindness as a distinct moral and spiritual value.
Love Drives Out Fear
All forms of genuine love reduce fear.
Loving-kindness creates trust, emotional security, contentment, and peace of mind.
Fear, suspicion, and hostility often grow where trust is absent.
That is why truthfulness is not merely desirable — it is essential.
Without honesty, no lasting trust can exist.
If communities deceive one another, suspicion naturally develops. Fear then encourages defensive behavior, unnecessary hostility, and preparations for possible conflict.
But when people prove themselves truthful, reliable, and sincere, confidence gradually grows on both sides.
Truth strengthens not only the trust of others toward us, but also our own self-confidence.
As mutual confidence grows, unnecessary barriers begin to disappear, and friendship becomes possible.
I strongly believe that if genuine friendship and goodwill are built sincerely, our Burmese Buddhist friends would also protect us and stand with us during difficult times.
Fear, Suspicion, and Conflict
History shows that fear and insecurity can easily create mutual suspicion between communities.
When one side fears losing influence, security, identity, or safety, they may begin to suspect the intentions of others.
That suspicion can trigger defensive preparations, which the opposite side may misinterpret as aggression.
Then both sides become trapped in fear.
Sometimes wars and violent conflicts begin not because people truly desire destruction, but because each side fears being attacked first.
This dangerous cycle of suspicion, tension, and retaliation must be broken before violence erupts.
Therefore, we should openly demonstrate to our Burmese Buddhist friends and to all communities that we seek peace, friendship, trust, and cooperation.
Peace Is Better Than Victory
There is a famous saying in sports:
“The best defense is attack.”
But in society and human relations, there is an even better defense:
peace, mutual trust, friendship, and understanding.
War is never truly desirable.
In reality, no one genuinely wins in war. Even the “victorious” side suffers losses — lives destroyed, families broken, economies weakened, and hatred deepened.
Victory itself is often an illusion.
Both sides lose because both sides suffer.
For that reason, we should avoid unnecessary violence, quarrels, hatred, and provocation whenever possible.
The Wisdom of Remaining Calm
Many conflicts worsen because people react emotionally and immediately.
Sometimes silence and patience are wiser than instant retaliation.
God gave us two ears and only one mouth. Perhaps this reminds us that listening carefully is often more important than speaking impulsively.
When anger arises, it is better to pause, reflect, and allow time for emotions to cool.
Both sides should be given space to:
- reconsider,
- reassess,
- rethink,
- and calm down before responding.
Immediate emotional rebuttals frequently create unnecessary damage.
Even when we are technically correct, some disputes are too trivial to justify prolonged conflict.
Calmness, patience, and self-control often achieve better long-term results than emotional confrontation.
Never Allow Yourself to Be Easily Provoked
We should never allow ourselves to become victims of provocation.
Once provoked, we lose emotional control. Anger clouds judgment and weakens our ability to respond wisely.
When angry:
- we may say things we later regret,
- lose the respect of neutral observers,
- expose our weaknesses,
- and allow opponents to manipulate us emotionally.
Some people intentionally provoke others precisely to destabilize them and gain advantage.
Therefore, wisdom requires emotional discipline.
A strong mind is not one that shouts loudly or reacts instantly.
A strong mind remains balanced, patient, thoughtful, and composed even under pressure.
That kind of self-control is not weakness.
It is strength.
