Jai Bhim Network

In summer 2008 I got an opportunity with my family to participate at the camp in Uszó. For me, it was not only a summer rest, a distraction, and not only the practice of Buddha Dhamma, but the beginning of a new life.

Yes indeed, a new life.

Everyone knows that I suffered from alcoholism. I did not recognise that I was ill. I did not accept the prospect of recovery. Whole armies of doctors tryed to convince me but, even though I had hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, I did not pay attention to them. The doctors predicted that I had two more months to live. I admitted myself into an alcohol detoxication and rehabilitation center. However, I went there intoxicated so they did not accept me because it was an entry condition to maintain ten days of abstinence. I was not able. Instead, I preferred to continue to drink.

At that very moment I got an invitation to the retreat in Úszó. My teacher, Vicze Szabolcs, had come with a car to take me, but, again, I was drunk. I lied and told him that I was sick. I was not able to even stand up. I told him later the real reason for my sickness and apologized for lying to him. I felt ashamed because he wanted to help me, but I was not able togo at that occasion. Fortunatelly, I received another invitation and this time I was not able to refuse participation at the retreat. The retreat center was 4 km far from the next village. This place is very appropriate for a retreat and meditation. There was no tap water, we drank from a spring. There was no elecricity, we made light using candles and buliding a fire. It was simple and beautiful, but for me the people who were there provided me with a way to return to the right path. Among them were Orsós János, who shared with me his opinions with others and myself around the fire. I will never forget his words, as these words opened my eyes:

“Zoli, it is never too late. You can not afford to drink, as you have three children who you have to bring up. Don’t play the role of an old man, it is not all the same. You do have to step further. You have a reponsability to your children. When I got acquaintanted with you, you were different.”

These were his remonstrances. Nobody ever hit my head with such words. Therefore, I reflected upon them intensively. No doctors, no friends, no kinsfolk managed before him.
The 21st of September will be the third anniversary since I have had even a drop of alcohol. After I graduated from a course in social nursing, I spent three months working in an elderly people’s home in Görcsöny. It is a pity that due to the world crisis 10 people have been sent away from there, I was one of them. Nevertheless, I maintain very good relations with the bosses and staff at the home.

At this moment I work in Baksa, my village, in a club for elderly peopl. I am grateful to the Jaibhim Network and to its leaders for achieving all this.

Orsós Pápai Zoltán