—The Pāramitā Perfection of Vīrya: Energy, Diligence, Vigor, and Sustained Effort—

Visiting kupuna elders and temple sangha friends in the hospital, hospice, and home at the end of life is stressful yet profoundly meaningful. End-of-life can stretch out over weeks, months, and years but sometimes, end-of-life comes swiftly, suddenly, or unexpectedly. 

In February 2025, my end-of-life visitations with Aunty A, kupuna elder and emeritus Sangha member, reached its natural conclusion, with her passing and going forth to Birth into the Pure Land. NamoAmidaButsu!  

A free spirit, never married, she lived in her own home, and was happily enjoying an active retired life, traveling overseas, beloved aunty to her nieces and nephews, and grand-aunty to their children. 

Eventually, Aunty slowed down, became “forgetful,” and the family worried she could no longer take care of herself living alone. You can imagine Aunty was not happy about this but after a fall and trip to the ER, recovery and rehabilitation at Hale Makua, she moved to Roselani Place.

I started visiting her after weekly Buddhist services at Roselani Place. Aunty was always happy to see me, smiling and saying, “thank you for coming!” Aunty always complimented the flower arrangements for the altar. And she always lamented, “I’m so lazy, all I do is lie in bed all day! I’ve got to keep doing my exercises, and discharge myself so I can go home!”

When she caught COVID-19 for the third time, I visited her in an isolation ward in the ER of the hospital, putting on N-95 mask, visor, gown, booties, and gloves. Aunty had a fever and cough and was disoriented, so I broke protocol, took off my visor and mask, flashed a Hollywood smile, and said, “Hi, Aunty!” in hopes of a response. She opened her eyes, and as always, she smiled and thanked me for coming, then insisting, “I’ll get better and discharge myself so I can go home!” Aunty fell asleep, I put my hands together, bowed my head, and said, NamoAmidaButsu!

Exiting, I thanked the nurse for taking care of Aunty. The nurse laughed, “Aunty’s always saying she gonna get better, self-discharge, and go home! She’s da kine tough aunty! We love her!”

Aunty recovers from COVID, but develops pneumonia, so once again I visit her at the hospital, then Hale Makua, and finally Roselani Place. During these visits, Aunty shares, “You know, I was in the YBA and we raised money to build the first Hale Makua! And now Iʻm living here! Isn’t that amazing? I never thought I’d be this old but now I’m so grateful for all these nice people taking care of me!”

Aunty bounces back yet again. One day, I tell her I won’t be visiting for two Fridays in a row due to trips to Honolulu. Aunty smiles, “Well, I won’t be here when you get back! Iʻll self-discharge and go home, so youʻll have to visit me there. I’ll make you some of my famous Portuguese bean soup!” We chat happily about the secret to her famous Portuguese bean soup, and how sheʻd be going home soon.

In Honolulu, I receive word Aunty fell, and later, that she had passed at age 96 and went forth to Birth into the Pure Land. NamoAmidaButsu!

Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the Six Pāramitā Perfections, which include generosity (Dāna), virtue (Śīla), patience (Kṣānti), energy (Vīrya), self-reflection (Dhyāna), and wisdom (Prajñā). I am forever grateful to Aunty for teaching me the pāramitā perfection of Vīrya—energy, diligence, vigor, and sustained effort—simply by being who she was, a free spirit who was profoundly aware of and truly grateful for the care she received from others, and by surviving COVID three times, insisting she’ll do her exercises, get better, and go home! 

As we observe the Spring Equinox (higan), when day and night are perfectly in balance, let us take inspiration from the Vīryā—energy, sustained effort, and vigor—shown to us by Aunty A, and rededicate ourselves to truly living in gratitude for Kindness and Understanding Beyond Words in each moment of every day of an unrepeatable life. NamoAmidaButsu!

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