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Expert: - 5/19/2009


Question
At 50yrs old I am young at Buddhism. Only a couple of years. I have stuck to the basics and really haven't followed a certain tradition. But I am learning more & changing more about myself everyday. And the way I see things & do things everyday.

Question: Where in Buddhism do you draw the line when you are trying to help someone who just DO NOT want to help themself? Or to make the changes needed to help themself?
I felt in my heart I needed to back away because I could not keep helping them anymore. They are digging themself deeper in their own problems. Looking for my wife & I to do everything. Don't they need to take some responsibilty too?
It's not that I don't have compassion for them but enough is enough. Am I being to hard on them?

Thank You


Answer
Hi Ed,

Thank you for asking me.

The line is there when you have had enough.  

Enough is enough; you are not being hard on them.

Some people are beyond redemption.  It is the very nature of this world.

Take care.

Justin Choo.

[I like to invite you to visit my blog:]
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/

[And these sites by Rev. Dhammika:]
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/
http://www.buddhismatoz.com/

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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