One inspiring CNY gathering with Ven Kai Bao... up in Bai Yun San

Dear Brother and Sister in the Dharma,

I think this must be an auspicious day to be able to meet up with Ven. Kai Bao up on the hill in Bai Yun San temple on the 5th day of CNY.
All of us were only informed the day before but I guess it was this 'Yuan' that made us able to make it to the meaningful event. :)
We were entertained with lion dance, good food cooked by Ven Kai Bao himself. And this great for the kids. :) All of us love the rojak made by Ven. Kai Bao.
Best of all, it was such an enlightening moment to be able to hear a short talk by Ven Kai Bao.
Candle was lit up and it was something like an endless light (Wu Jing Deng) night that we used to have.
Ven. Kai Bao told a story about 2 tribes during the Buddha time who were going to start a war over the water supply from the only river they shared. Then Buddha came and asked which is more valuable, the lives of the people in both tribes or the river?.
Often we fight or we chased after something which is less valuable than our own lives. To self check, always asked which is more valuable.

I have seldom make new year resolution as I had always have them almost left out by the end of the year. :P
But Ven Kai Bao looked like he has the 'power' of awakening, to wake up this sleeping learning spirit.
He reminded us on the start of the new year, let's try to be like the candle that is lit up and continue to bring light to other beings.
This may sound simple, but how I wish you were there to listen and contemplate that it also meant there is a journey for us to thread in the learning and propagating the Dharma.
It was a very special moment to light up a candle and make a resolution in front of the huge Kuan Yin statue(an image of compassion according to Ven Kai Bao).....(still remember this place?). I guess over the years, we have started to use different terminology like ‘Energy’, instead of the power of metta radiating. haha.
Never mind about this, as long as one still remembers that there is a Buddha seed implanted.

Ven Kai Bao also expressed that we, especially the Alumni of the PPB USM, should take up the initiative to continue with the Annual Reunion Camp, as this was where the sparks started thru PPBUSM.

We had one alumni camp last year with the attendants of ~25 ex-PPB members. We wished we could have another one this year.

I wish you were here that night, not only to have good food, though they were really sumptuous, but to know that a new year should begin with a heart closer to the Buddha.

I wish you were here in our next coming camp, not only to reminisce the good old times, but to know that there is always someone here to support and care in your life, be it the spiritual life, working life and family life.


We were up on the hill together to plant a new seed:
Bro Chew Yiap
Sis. Bao Xue
Sis. Peik Yin and her son
Bro. Chong Sing, Sis. Hwa Siew and their 2 sons, Jaysen and Jayden
Bro Kenny and Sis. Mui Geok
Sis. Cheu Peng (our present PPB advisor...ehm ehm just upgraded), her hubby Ngoh, and their son, Eugene
Bro. Chun Chin
Sis. Sin Dee, Bro. Yong Joon and their daughters, Jo Ee and Jo Von
Bro. Yu Kang & his wife, Yuki.
Bro. Ah Eng

May all the good deeds be with you and all beings!
May you be well and happy!

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!