Gratitude Festive
As we have been having online Lamrim lessons for the past three months, the lesson took on a different form on 10th May. It was transformed into an online Gratitude Festive Celebration packed with a medley of sharing of learnings, singing of insightful praises to recitation of Lamrim text pertaining to cultivating of spirit of enlightenment. This was all in celebration of Vesak Day, Mother’s Day and our graduation ceremony for our first round of Lamrim learning which was long overdue due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We also managed to invite Venerable Xavior (who was with our class before his ordination) to grace the event and gave us discourse on motivation and inspiration.
- Motivation by Venerable Xavior -
Venerable Xavior shared that it is critical to set this aspiration of cultivating Spirit of Enlightenment to benefit all sentient beings as a fundamental motivation as we continue into our future studies. This is because, even generating just a single thought of it, is the greatest virtue ever which can let us overcome the effects of past non-virtuous actions. Ultimately, this will lead to all goodness ripening upon ourselves. This is the result of cause and effect and hence, we will be the one to benefit truly.
He also shared that we have in fact been living in cyclic existence for a long long time. [Note: Referring to mind-stream continuum]. If we were able to write the digit one followed by zeros from the time we know how to write, in every moment until we pass on, we would still unable to finish writing the figure of just how long we had been in existence. As such, we must make use of this human life of leisure and opportunity to practise and seek for ultimate liberation. We are grateful for your encouragement and motivation, Venerable Xavior.
Before the gratitude sharings, we rejoiced in the learning and activities we did since December 2015. We presented our e-certificates of the 1st round Lamrim learning as our humble tribute to Buddha & Gurus for all their wonderful teachings.
- Gratitude Sharings -
I have joined this class not too long ago. After I attended the lessons, my desire to learn more about the other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas also picked up. So, I have been reading up in English, more about the stories of other Buddhas and Bodhisattva. I am looking forward to learning more about their vows and the path to attain Buddhahood. Recently, I also started to read about the Lotus Sutra in English as it helps me to understand Abbot Jing Yuan’s discourse better.
– Bervyn
My gratitude to the country was heightened in great part due to COVID -19, in particular how our government manages the outbreak. It was heartening to also see that people from different races and cultures came together to help those in need during this time. This became more pronounced with the management of the foreign workers dormitories. As a country, we respond with equality of treatment. The community groups just come together to donate food to them. I am grateful that I can still work smoothly and carry out dharma learning in this country. I feel that somehow or other, the merits accumulated from followers of various religious groups as well as the Triple Gems have enabled people with the same aspirations of compassion and kindness to live together in this country.
- Francis
I was born with jaundice and had to undergo blood transfusion early on in life. Growing up in a family of five children, it was tough for my parents with stretched finances. My mum held several jobs then in order to bring food to the table. I always remember that my parents’ motto was, “As long as the kids are able and willing to be educated, we will support them.” I am very thankful for my parents’ unconditional love, perseverance and strength. Though I sometimes still disagree with them, I now try to manage this through my dharma learnings. It was through my mum that I learnt about the Buddha dharma. So on this occasion, I wish to express my gratefulness to them for their care and supplicate that they keep in good health in years to come. Happy Mother’s day to all the mums out there as well.
– Boon Ying
I always asked my mum why I had to be born. Especially at the early phase of my life, I always felt I was at the bad end of the receiving stick. I was not supported emotionally and lived in a negative environment. Somehow, due to the workings of karma, I also manage to meet many virtuous friends in this latter part of my life, including meeting the Lamrim five years ago. Now, I am in a better state of mind to accept the circumstances of my past and myself. I am also grateful to Monitor Guilian for her guidance in the last few years of my dharma learning.
- Thiam Hong
After watching a video of Venerable Ru Jun’s guidance on the learning of English insightful praise “You are by my side” which offered in Taiwan MRD in 2017, I learnt that MRD was initiated by Teacher in 2005, one year after the passing of Shifu. Instead of mourning in sadness, Teacher thought it would be more beneficial for all the disciples to tap on this day to recollect the kindness and good qualities of Shifu. Since then, MRD is a day of positive practice, cultivation and merit accumulation for all Lamrim students. Venerable also mentioned that whilst looking at the torch lights being waved, most of the Sangha members commented that it was a magnificent view. However, Venerable shared that Teacher’s comment then was that the lights, metaphorically like the realization of emptiness were too weak as we all have not realized it yet. Teacher has made a vow then, that she would lead us to realize this insight.
These two pointed sharing by Venerable really helped me to learn more about the excellent quality of Teacher in terms of their vows of truly benefitting others. It served as examples of how an excellent Teacher always actively examine each situation and condition, turning them into the basis for cultivating the spirit of enlightenment at all times skillfully. It is a quality to learn and emulate from.
- PS
- Voice Offering and Lamrim Recitation -
After the sincere sharing from a few classmates, we had a Mandala Offering and followed by the class voice offering of insightful praise entitled Supreme Dew That Defeats Death灭死胜甘露. We are blessed to receive the supreme Medicine of Dharma – Lamrim teaching and Insightful Praises from Shifu and Teacher. We are taught how to OMAK, share our wealth and learning, show loving kindness to our family members, friends, classmates and the needy etc., and also to do virtuous deeds to dedicate to those who are suffering, especially in this pandemic. Due to Gurus’ eternal bodhicitta, we are grateful that we are able to learn the perfect teachings and to improve ourselves life and life till the attainment of Buddhahood.
We also recited a few selected segments from Lamrim volume 2 - “Cultivating a wish to repay your mother’s kindness”. It was not just as a tribute to all mothers but also a reminder to ourselves that all sentient beings had been our mothers in the past. With that it also helps to remind ourselves again about setting the right aspiration for the bodhi mind to arise to benefit all others.
We ended the two hours online celebration with a strong dedication prayer for all affected by the COVID-19 situation. May the situation turn positive soon. Happy Mother’s Day to all!
Reported by Leow PS (19Z124E)
