Friday, May 28, 2010
Happy Vesak Day!
Now this, I think, is the first time I'm every posting anything Vesak-related. I do celebrate Vesak, albeit in a lay-follower's kind of way, and unfortunately also not with the best I can do usually. There's a monastery just a stroll away, but since her renovation I have hardly been there. I really loved the old, rustic feel when it was a run-down monastery years ago.
I'm writing today in remembrance of a certain person who's had an important impact on my life, although hardly anyone knows about him. I call him 阿伯. I really can't put a name/role to him - he's a holy man, not exactly a monk, perhaps more of a reverend status. He used to come down to Singapore from Thailand almost every Vesak, and bring a host of monks along. There'd be a Vesak celebration at his premises, and he and his monks would bless us. He in his completely white raiment, with the monks in their saffron robes. We've had a special connection even before I was born; he met my mom in Thailand whilst she was pregnant with me, apparently. And there were some stories about this chance meeting that probably would have garnered a page in the Book of Urban Legends. There's just something about him and his monks that was special - you'd feel completely at ease, as if you've come back home after a long, long journey; and yet you'd feel a peaceful sort of unease, if it they could read right into you and knew exactly what's going on.
阿伯passed away some time ago in Thailand, and I was unable to go. I'd love to visit this remote place of Thailand where he was laid to rest some day, and see again the temple that was built in conjunction with that beforementioned chance meeting. And for now, I think Vesak is a fitting day to remember 阿伯 by.
Wenky
11:04 AM
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