Kalyāṇa-mittatā

在家靠父母，出外靠朋友。 This phrase shows how friendship is such an important elements of life. Can we do without friends then? My personal life journey tells me its impossible. Or maybe at large, friendship colours our daily life. Maybe how about spiritual friendship? In this current materialistic society and time, does it even exist?

Been to some events by KMSPKS and how they stress on spiritual friendship, shed some light into possibility of achieving it. Below will be what Buddha commented of spiritual friendship :)

'Don't say that, Ananda. Don't say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life. When a monk has admirable people as friends, companions, & comrades, he can be expected to develop & pursue the noble eightfold path." - Buddha

'With regard to external factors, I don't envision any other single factor like admirable friendship as doing so much for a monk in training, who has not attained the heart's goal but remains intent on the unsurpassed safety from bondage. A monk who is a friend with admirable people abandons what is unskillful and develops what is skillful." - Buddha

'And what is meant by admirable friendship? There is the case where a lay person, in whatever town or village he may dwell, spends time with householders or householders' sons, young or old, who are advanced in virtue. He talks with them, engages them in discussions. He emulates consummate conviction in those who are consummate in conviction, consummate virtue in those who are consummate in virtue, consummate generosity in those who are consummate in generosity, and consummate discernment in those who are consummate in discernment. This is called admirable friendship.' - Buddha

Kalyāṇa-mittatā (Pali; Skt.: -mitratā) is a Buddhist concept of "spiritual friendship" within Buddhist community life, applicable to both monastic and householder relationships. One involved in such a relationship is known as a "good friend," "virtuous friend," "noble friend" or "admirable friend" (kalyāṇa-mitta, -mitra).

Since early Buddhist history, these relationships have involved spiritual teacher-student dyads as well as communal peer groups. In general, such is a supportive relationship based on shared Buddhist ethical values and the pursuit of enlightenment.

- wikipedia :)

In short, spiritual friendship are some one that points out your blind spot and holds your hand to better yourself. Too bad to those friendships that only shares happiness over gossips, benefits and agrees to what you have done wrong. Its about embracing you for who you are but not closing one or both eyes on what you have done unwholesomely :) That applies to spiritual friends or non spiritual friends......isn't it so?