To some, wealth is the least important

‘If you want to know how rich you are, find out how many things you have that money cannot buy.’ – Anonymous

Sibling disputes over family wealth is not something uncommon. We have heard or read about court battles involving such disputes only too often, and they are not very pleasant tales.

While different siblings may have varying ideas of what constitutes a fair distribution of family wealth, it is also not incorrect to state that greed is usually the primary cause, although not the sole cause, of such disputes over inheritance.

This is something not uncommon too. When the subject of money is broached among friends, many would quickly walk away or avoid participating in the discussion probably for fear that they would be obligated to part with some dough in the process.

Indeed, the love of money can be a powerful motivator, and for some, it becomes an overriding obsession. The phrase “the love of money is the root of all evil,” derived from biblical teachings, suggests that an excessive attachment to wealth can lead to moral compromise, strained relationships, and a skewed perspective on life’s true purpose.

Hence, the odd times that we read of wealthy people giving up their millions and billions in exchange for a life of simplicity and humility is truly heart-warming.

These are rare stories of a special breed which will surely be unforgettable tales to be related over and over again with much joy, pride and renewed amazement.

One such story is that of Ven Ajahn Siripanyo, the only son of billionaire Tan Sri Ananda Krishnan who passed away on Nov 28. Ven Ajahn has made headlines by renouncing his claim to a US$5.1 billion inheritance at the age of 18 to dedicate his life to Buddhist monasticism.

The young man’s story is actually not new but to many, Ven Ajahn Siripanyo is not a familiar name and it was only with his father’s passing that his remarkable story surfaced again.

Honest, I wouldn’t be able to remember nor spell his name correctly if he was not the subject of my column this week.

As Krishnan passed away last Thursday at the age of 86, the future of his fortune has become a topic of interest, especially since Ven Ajahn follows the Theravada Buddhist tradition. According to Nation Thailand, this tradition prohibits monks from accumulating personal wealth, as it hinders the pursuit of nirvana.

Ven Ajahn has connections to the Thai royal family from his mother’s side, and speaks eight languages. His choice to lead a monastic life was supported by his father’s own devout beliefs.

There are some interesting questions surrounding the family inheritance with Ananda’s passing. Although Ven Ajahn has renounced his father’s wealth, we also wonder whether Krishnan had bequeathed a portion for the monks and monasteries or for his son’s charitable work?
Or did Ven Ajahn’s two sisters voluntarily donate their brother’s share of their father’s wealth towards charities of Ven Ajahn’s choice? I’m quite sure they have done so.

Hello, we are talking about the wealth of Krishnan who was ranked as Malaysia’s sixth-richest person, with an estimated net worth of US$5.1 billion, according to Forbes. That’s a lot of money which should see through many generations of the Krishnan family.

What I’m almost certain is that there will be no sibling dispute over family inheritance in the Krishnan family – thanks largely to a billionaire heir who is not interested in material wealth at all.

And talking about extremely rich people who place little importance in money, the story of Chow Yun-Fat must also be told.

Chow, a renowned actor famous for his roles in Hong Kong cinema and Hollywood, has embraced a life of simplicity and pledged to donate his vast fortune to charity. His choices are rooted in a combination of personal values, cultural influences and his life experiences.

Chow has expressed a deep appreciation for simplicity and contentment, aligning with principles of minimalism and the idea that happiness is not tied to material possessions.

His values resonate with traditional Chinese philosophies like Confucianism and Buddhism, which emphasise modesty, humility and the transient nature of wealth and material success.

Finally, a recent story about Mike Tyson and love will surely lend a fitting close to this piece.

Tyson, a name once synonymous with glory and downfall, has left behind a touching story of love and gratitude. After his recent fight with Jake Paul, which earned him US$20 million, he gave the entire amount to his wife – the woman who stood by him during his darkest days.

Tyson was a legend, but he experienced bleak times when he went bankrupt, lost his way, and was abandoned by previous relationships. However, his wife, whom he calls “”my world,”” remained steadfastly by his side, even when his fame and fortune were gone.

When asked about this decision, Tyson shared: “I’m so happy to have her in my life. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Money means nothing to me because she is my world. Her love is worth more than $20 million.”

Tyson’s story is a testament to true love and a reminder that the value of love far surpasses all material things. In a world where money and fame are often placed above all, genuine love still exists and transcends it all.

Thank you, Ven Ajahn Siripanyo, Chow Yun-Fat and Mike Tyson, for being such an inspiration and leading us towards the most ideal and correct perspective of life’s true purpose

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DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.