BLG Gathering-cum-Animal Liberation at JB

Last Saturday (21 Sep), more than 60 enthusiastic bilingual students from 11 Lamrim classes (and some even included their family members) ventured to Johor as early as 6 a.m. Among us, were members of the special care team who provided assiduous support for Brother KangLi and Sister Evelyn. What would have motivated us to spring out of bed and gather so early on an otherwise lazy Saturday morning? That’s none other than the opportunity to perform virtuous deeds and accumulate merits with our VFFs (Virtuous Friends Forever), of course! We were on our way to Johor Bahru, for a land purification ritual and animal liberation at the site of the proposed monastery. 

a.jpg
b.jpg

We breezed through both customs, primarily because the entire bus ride was brimming with jokes and laughter, and arrived at the site shortly after 8.30 a.m. As we walked towards the tentaged site, we were warmly greeted by the cheery notes of the welcome song and guitar, and broad smiles of our Malaysian brothers and sisters. Sister Kuan gave us a brief introduction of the place and shared her experience in overcoming the arduous challenges to search for a suitable location that fulfils most of the 20 conditions lain by Abbot Jing Yuan, even recounting her experience of being chased by 3 dogs and had to climb up a tree! The dedication, tenacity, effort, time and perseverance demonstrated from this entire process that took more than 3 years, greatly touched everyone’s heart and won a huge round of applause. 15G023E reflected that her sharing on how she pulled through each obstacle she encountered by supplicating to the Buddha/our Gurus also displayed the practising of the six perfections taught in Lamrim, and that reinforced our faith in the Teaching.

Following the sharing, we had a hearty breakfast that was specially prepared for us. The Malaysian brothers and sisters had woken up at 3 a.m. to prepare stir-fried noodles, Cordyceps porridge, yam cake and several local kueh to feed our rumbling stomachs. Knowing that we have woken up early and desperately require some caffeine boosters, they also thoughtfully prepared kopi-o, brown rice coffee with and without sugar. There was milo for the kids too! Such amazing hospitality!

After breakfast, we began the ritual for animal liberation. Following the offering of flowers, light, water and incense by monitor representatives, everyone chanted the mantras and sutras earnestly. Thereafter, senior folks released a cage of birds and set them free – With this liberation, may these sentient beings no longer suffer in the miserable realm. May they be reborn as humans with leisure and opportunity to meet their teachers, learn Buddha’s complete teachings, be liberated from cyclic existence and attain eternal happiness! May we also be freed from our afflictions and eliminate all sufferings. May we also develop great compassion in this process to walk the Mahayana path together!

Next, while visualizing the magnificent monastery standing tall on the alleviated land, we walked round the plot of land, sprinkling blessed water as we walked along the path. Despite the haze and the sweltering hot weather, the joyful glee everyone involuntarily wore exhibited the pure joy in our hearts. May the monastery (TWO HUNDRED times larger than the Singapore monastery!) be constructed smoothly without obstacles!

r.jpg

Subsequently, we adjourned to the Kota Tinggi classroom for Vast Offering and listened with keen anticipation on the plans for the monastery. Teacher Zhen Ru shared in a discourse that it is a meritorious and propitious opportunity to be able to witness and participate directly in the act of building a monastery, where the sangha community will live, learn, practise and achieve great attainment; as well as a tranquil and felicitous learning space where lay-practitioners can attend pujas, discourses and lessons. As Monitor Hazel aptly shared, “Mega rejoice to all who put in so much effort to bring to reality a beautiful dream to house a bigger Sangha community in South East Asia.” My heart bursts with joy at the thought of how remarkable it will be and how fortunate we are to be actively involved in it! 

After wolfing down the sumptuous lunch prepared by our hosts, the care team and Lecturer Tiong Boon (who readily agreed to be the impromptu translator) were presented with appreciation gifts. Monitor Siew Chin’s remark summed the exact sentiment we felt towards our monitors who organised this trip – thank you for making all the special arrangements for our more challenged classmates and the children, and the seniors to ensure that the trip is all inclusive. Planting virtuous seeds, accumulating merits and fostering stronger ties with our Malaysian brothers and sisters – what an amazing and memorable trip!

z7.jpg

Reflection of:

Poh Jee & Rosalind

Tan Helen