A memorable true story ... an account of an educational trip to a mental hospital in Tanjung Rambutan.

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Some years ago, a bus load of some teachers, parents, librarians
and guidance class students from our local Buddhist Association
made a one-day trip to the Hospital Bahagia in Tanjung
Rambutan and some tourist places in Ipoh.
We gathered at our association premises at 6.00 a.m. It was very
good to note that the students (Form 1 to Lower 6) were very
punctual. (You know, these days, punctuality is getting to be a rare
virtue …. more and more people seem to be getting into the habit of
arriving late for things …. meetings, wedding dinners, functions etc.)
The bus left at 6.30 a.m. and we stopped at Kampar for breakfast.
The students were quite well-disciplined … another happy point to
note. (You know, at the present time, we hear so much about the lack
of discipline in schools …. defiance, rowdiness, lack of manners,
loose morals, gang fights, restlessness and so on. It is my sincere
conviction that some proper moral and religious education for
students right from the age of 4 or 5 would go a long way to molding
character.)
After breakfast, we continued our journey and reached Tanjung
Rambutan at about 9.00 a.m. The Hospital ground is
tremendously big and we had to go by bus from one area to the
other. Two senior nursing Sisters were our guide. What impressed
me most was their dedication, kindness and compassion. One had
already served for almost twenty years …tending to and helping
so many who are mentally ill. (In a materialistic society today, it is
not easy to find volunteers and dedicated workers … it is a ‘rat race’,
‘dog eat dog’ and ‘No Money, No Talk’ world.)
At the Hospital Bahagia, we were briefed on many informative
things and taken to visit centers where some inmates are occupied
in useful work such as workshop sessions for men, handicraft
work for women and gardening/farming. Such work and tasks
have very good therapeutic value.
Hospital Bahagia

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We were also taken to some male and female wards. The patients
maintained the cleanliness pretty well under supervision by staff
members.
There were many educational things we learnt at the Hospital
Bahagia which were eye-openers to most of our group members:
 More than 90 % of the mental patients were Schizophrenic
cases. Some were more serious. The majority of mentally-ill
patients are not aggressive or violent. They suffer from spells
of depression and withdrawal especially if they skip their
medication.
 Schizophrenia is incurable and it afflicts about 1 % of the
human population. It is really a strange and bizarre mental
illness.
People have a lot of taboos and misconceptions about mental
illnesses. We don’t realize that we ordinary people, are all
afflicted with mental “diseases” in a way - the “diseases” of
negative mental states and emotions like greed, selfishness, lust,
anger, jealousy, ill-will, hatred cruelty, delusion, pride and
egoism. Such ‘diseases’ can be a threat to the safety and peace of
oneself and others. Just think of the increasing number of
criminals, aggressors and terrorists who are even more
dangerous than mentally-ill people.
In Hospital Bahagia, we learnt that many of the inmates’
families had already abandoned them. It’s really pitiful. Whom
could they turn to?
 The number of cases of mental illnesses is on the rise. There is
no doubt that STRESS is one precipitating factor. This is the
price we have to pay for so-called economic progress.
 technological advancement and what-nots. The Sisters told us
that mental illnesses (schizophrenia, depression, neuroticism,

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 anxiety, manic obsession etc.) can affect just about
anyone …people of different race, culture, sex and professions.
At the Hospital, there were secondary and tertiary students
who scored many A’s. The years ahead are not going to be easy
ones in terms of mental health … and sanity.
 It’s good to always remind ourselves that STRESS is related to
one of the following:
* We want to GET, ATTAIN, ACHIEVE, ACQUIRE, BE
ONE UP ON OTHERS.
* We want to satisfy our EGO or SELF.
* We are victims of “conditioning” …. our upbringing,
education, outside influences etc.
* We have no real understanding of the true nature of things,
that is we lack wisdom to live life with meaning and purpose.
* We have the wrong attitude and do not practice well our
religious teachings..
All in all, we spent about three hours at the Hospital.
After the visit to Hospital Bahagia, Tanjung Rambutan, we
traveled to Ipoh to a few places like the Ipoh public library,
some well-known limestone caves, a recreational park and the
Jaya Jusco Supermarket.
We arrived back in Teluk Intan at about 10.00 p.m. It was a good
trip for all of us.
When I reached my home my mother and brother told me
something that had me laughing till I nearly rolled on the floor.
According to them, when I was away for this “Tanjung
Rambutan” trip, two of my friends came to look for me at my
home. When my brother told them that I had gone to Tanjung
Rambutan, they were so shocked and said things like
“Oh, we are so sorry to hear about this.”

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“What happened to him?” “When did this happen?”
“Why did this unfortunate thing happen?”
“It must be due to his overworking at the Association.
Overstressed.”
“Perhaps it is due to his Kamma.”
All of us really had a good laugh!
( Reflecting, it is not sincere Dhammaduta work or other spiritual
work that leads to mental illnesses. I have not come across monks
and nuns who are practicing proper spiritual cultivation, developing
‘madness’. On the contrary such people on the true spiritual path
develop their minds to be so alert, mindful, composed and peaceful
even at an advanced age. It is people in the mundane materialistic
world, conquered by the ‘devils’ of greed, anger, ill-will, jealousy,
anger, hatred, delusion, ego and a strong sense of SELF who fall
victims to mental afflictions and problems of the mind. )
Reflections
* It is really a blessing to be healthy physically
and mentally. We should never take health for
granted and should always take good care.
* We should understand more about mental
illnesses and show compassion to those
unfortunate ones who are afflicted by such
conditions.
* We must strive to live a wise and righteous life
and free ourselves from as much stress as
possible. For his, we must train the mind to
develop proper mental attitudes and wisdom.
May
you be
well,
happy
And
Peaceful
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin