Pilgrimage Trip - Day 1 & Day 2

6 Nov 09 (KL – Delhi)
There were 28 people in the group, we left KL, transit in Bangkok and arrived at Delhi about 11.30pm. We stayed overnight at Hotel Central Plaza.

7 Nov 09 (Delhi – Sankasia)
Woke up at 5.30am, breakfast at 6am, we left hotel around 7am. Arrived at Mathura about 11am, had lunch in a hotel. This is a pilgrim place for the Hindus. This is the place where the God, Krishna and his wife had lived.

We continued the journey, and arrived at Sankasia, Sri Lankan Temple at night. We offered the robes to the monks and handed over the money to the Kappiya. Then the monks chant the virtues of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, followed by Metta Sutta and blessings. Quite happy to heard chanting of sutta in Buddha’s Majjhima Desa – the middle country, where the Buddha preached the Dhamma.

Then we arrived at Burmese Temple, Sayadaw U Nanda is the abbot of this temple. He has been living in India for 35 years, the past 4 years in Sankasia.

The story in Sankasia. Buddha departed from Savatthi to heaven to preached his mother and the devas in Arbhidhamma. Everyday, we took his meal at Himalaya with Sariputta and preach to Bhante Sariputta. Then the people at Savatthi wondered when Buddha will descend from heaven, then Bhante Maha Mongallana went up to heaven and asked the Buddha. The Buddha told them at Sanakasia. Then the people from Savatthi walked 7 days (30 yogana = 400km) to arrive Sankasia and see the Buddha performed the physic power and descend from heaven. When the Buddha descended from heaven, the Sakka was on the right side with golden latter and Brahma on the left with silver latter and held an white umbrella.

明天走了

如果今天是人生的尽头，我躺在临死的病床上。我会后悔没有做些什么吗？有舍不得的人吗？对社会有贡献吗？在工作上对得起老板和同事吗？最后一个问题：我的人生过得有意义吗？可以闭上眼睛了吗？我想：我一定很想说：我一切都办好了，我要走了。

记得六年级的那一次毕业旅行，过程非常愉快。虽然也不是去那里，只是去海边玩玩而已。大家都玩得很开心。回来后时常还想去。但是，小小的心灵告诉我自己说，那是不可能的。过去的东西不会再回来。小时候就有这么认为。知道该放下的，都要放下，该走的都要走。

小时候，母亲会带我去基督教教会。有一次唱圣歌的时候，也会无端端流泪。牧师认为我很有潜质，被神感动了什么似的。当然，年小的我也不当一回事。

长大了，又让我遇到了一个又一个的善知识。谢谢他们一路以来的指引，支持，鼓励，我才找到了自己。认识了自己，知道生命到底是怎么一回事。在后面指引我们的，我们共同的老师，就是佛陀本人。

那佛陀到底是什么来的？那个天主教的女孩这么问我的时候，我真的不懂得怎么回答。他是神吗？他是先知prophet吗？答案都不是。只能说佛陀是个证悟的人，解脱了一切烦恼，脱离贪、嗔、痴的人。永远不再受轮回之苦。

那真的有人会没有烦恼吗？有人真的可以没有贪、嗔、痴，那会不会变成没有情绪，冷冷冰冰，不懂得思考之类的？答案是不会的。佛陀不是这样的人，反而是充满了智慧与慈悲。那佛陀在菩提树下到底证悟了些什么？内容是什么？怎样才不必再轮回？

就在大约两千五百年前的那一天，佛陀证悟后，心里非常的欢喜，就在心里念了这一句偈颂：

經多生輪迴，尋求造屋者。但未得見之，痛苦再再生。
已見造屋者，！不再造於屋，椽桷皆毀壞，棟梁亦摧折。
我既證無為，一切愛盡滅。

佛陀形容此屋子是身体，造屋者是贪爱，柱子是烦恼，栋梁是无名。佛陀见到物体与精神体，都是在不断的生起与熄灭，没有恒常不变的物体与精神体。因此，不会再对自己与他人生起贪爱之心。虽然，感受还是有的，但他只知道乐受与苦受，并没有烦恼的生起。不知道这样讲对不对，因为自己也还没有体证。

明天就要出发了，回到自己精神的故乡。自己也很想证明佛陀是否真的存在。看看那些地方。在经典里，佛陀曾经提过：

There are four places, Ananda, that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence. What are the four?

"'Here the Tathagata was born!'This, Ananda, is a place that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.

"'Here the Tathagata became fully enlightened in unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment!'This, Ananda, is a place that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.

"'Here the Tathagata set rolling the unexcelled Wheel of the Dhamma!'This, Ananda, is a place that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.
"'Here the Tathagata passed away into the state of Nibbana in which no element of clinging remains!' This, Ananda, is a place that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.

"These, Ananda, are the four places that a pious person should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence. And truly there will come to these places, Ananda, pious bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, laymen and laywomen, reflecting: 'Here the Tathagata was born! Here the Tathagata became fully enlightened in unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment! Here the Tathagata set rolling the unexcelled Wheel of the Dhamma! Here the Tathagata passed away into the state of Nibbana in which no element of clinging remains!'

"And whoever, Ananda, should die on such a pilgrimage with his heart established in faith, at the breaking up of the body, after death, will be reborn in a realm of heavenly happiness."

Some of my thoughts...

In this blog post, I would like to share some of my thoughts and feelings of my encounter in Manila.

Religion
Firstly, Catholic is a total foreign religion to me. I don’t have any catholic friends or priest that I known. Eddy Hew is a Christian, and I am a Buddhist, and we stay in a Catholic Church. This is the first joke, what a wire combination. Of course, before that I were told that Catholic was very conservative. But for this 2 weeks, I have learnt that Catholic are not conservative as I was told. In fact they are very open minded, kind and nice people. Fr Tony is a very kind and humble person. He is very considerate as well. For he knew that I am a Buddhist, he prayed very short during the meal. Just a sentence and its done. And never did he try to convert me into Catholic. This really makes my stay very comfortable. Thanks again. And I have this wonderful experience to attend the first mass in my life, and it was in Tagalog.

The People in Philippines
Basically and generally they are very happy and positive people. You will definitely hear a joke everyday. At least I will hear a joke everyday, and I really enjoy the laughter and the fun with all my friends here. The Philippinos are very humor. They can joke about anything and anytime. Even during bad times, like flood. Carla said that people still can joke even the water was at their chest level! In addition, they are very nice towards the guest, they appreciate the friendship, and they are very people oriented. I feel like I am the least people oriented in the team… Thanks to Shernan again for reminding me to smile. Have not done that in quite a while.

The rich and the poor
I have been to the place where the people with less income lived. And I have visited Makati, Megamall and Mall of Asia. This I have witnesses the wealth disparity of the rich and the poor. The worse affected people by the flood are always the poor people and rich people always can recover very fast from their loss. What I can do for them is very limited and the impact is so minimal. The people in the urban area are continuing with their life, go to work as usual. While some of the poor people are still staying in the evacuation centers. Just hope that people lives can be improve one day and the wealth should be share more evenly.

The kind people
Firstly, I must commend on Ms Carla and all the volunteers for their persistence and untiring effort in packing the Hygiene Kits. They managed to pack all the 5000 Hygiene Kits in 3 days time! Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. I am quite tire on Saturday and Sunday, sitting there watching them packing. I can see that the volunteers had demonstrated the selfless effort when they were carrying the heavy stuff and their speed in packing the Hygiene Kits. I know that they are here really to help. They might have felt the impact of the flood and the impact to the people. I think that’s their motivation. Thanks again. You all have taught me a great lesson.



I also must commend Ms Cel and her staff for their help during the purchasing of all the Hygiene Kits items. Ms Cel had helped us so much. And when we thank her, she just said, ‘This is the least I can do.’ She is just so kind and humble. Thanks again.

For Fr. Tony, thanks for risking your life to go to the bank and withdraw such a big amount of cash. Thanks again for the shelter and food. Many thanks.

For Annalyn and Catherine, thanks for helping us in purchasing the stuffs at Divisoria. That’s real tiring. Thanks for your effort.

For all the kind people in Philippines, I know why Ninoy Aquino said, ‘Filipino is worth dying for.’
Kids
I have met some kids during this journey. Basically they like to pose in front of camera. Whenever I aim my camera at them, they will pose for me. During the flood, some of them had to swim for their lives, where they climb up the trees and roofs. They hope that the flood will never happen again. I share the same hope with them. Hope that it will never happen again.

Relief Mission

This blog post has to be written in English. This is because I would like to dedicate this post to all my friends in St Peter Parish.


26 Sep 09
Typhoon Ondoy hit Philippines, brought heavy rains and flooded Metro Manila and nearby area.

28 Sep 09
8.00pm, night market, SS2
I received a phone call from Ms Hayat, staff from Mercy Malaysia. She asked me if I would like to volunteer myself to the mission in Philippines. I have to give my answer by noon tomorrow.


29 Sep 09
10.45am, SKM head office in Asia
I applied leave from my boss, dear Michael Lee. He is a very kind person. I told him about the mission and would like to apply leave from him. He said that he will consider it for half an hour and will get back to me. While I am waiting anxiously, Ms Hayat called again and asked if I would like to go, if not then she will put me on the waiting list. 11.15am, Michael agree to let me go with the consent of other colleagues that they will not take any leave during this period.


6.30pm, Mercy Head Office
I was introduced to Mr Eddie Hew, Senior Program Officer. I had a meeting with Hayat and Hew, was told what to prepared, expectation of me and etc. Mr Shaharudin, the acting GM of Mercy Malaysia met up with me too and he asked if I knew how to swim…

8.30pm, Kelana Jaya Medical Centre
I took the vaccination of Typhoid and Hepatitis A. I had taken tetanus during a bike accident occur at the end of August. Total vaccination fee is RM160 ++, from my own pocket. And got to know that the vaccination will only take effect after 1 or 2 weeks…
12pm pack my stuff… slept at 2am.

30 Sep 09
6.45am KL Sentral
Met up with Hew and we proceeded to KLIA. We caught the flight at 10.20am.

2.30pm
We arrived at Manila airport, terminal 1. We were welcome and greeted by Ambassador of Malaysia Mr Haji Rosli.



1 Oct 09
We visited ABS-CBN, the tv station for Philippines. In the afternoon, we dropped by Veritas Radio Station and send a box of water purification tablets to them.

2 Oct 09
In the morning, Mr Ren Ren, our driver, drove Hew and I to visit the site. Firstly, we arrived at Fairview Riverside. Although I was so astonished to see the devastating area, I just have to take out the camera from my pouch and start taking photos. As I have told myself to remain calm for whatever scene or situation that I will encounter. Mr Hew was talking to his boss, Said on the phone.
Next, we went to Bagong Silangan, one of the most affected area in the Quezon City. Ms Mayan, social worker and Mr Angelbert, public school teacher brought us around the place. There were little caskets in the evacuation centre, people just remained calm.
There were a lot of houses destroyed by the flood. People were cleaning up their houses and cloths.


3 Oct 09
We visited another affected area in Santa Lucia. The meeting point of a creek and Tuliahan river.

This is an elementary school in Santa Lucia. There were total of 200 families in this school and average of 9 families in a classroom.

4 Oct 09
We visited Divisoria, the wholesale market in Metro Manila. The place was very crowded and of course the prices of the goods are cheap. Thanks to Catherine, Annalyn and Eric, who helped us so much throughout the entire journey. We have brought 100 sets of Hygiene Kits which consist of towels, toothbrush, tooth paste, soap, laundry soap, shampoo, slippers, panties, sanitary pads and combs.

5 – 6 Oct 09
We went to Ms Cel’s office. She has been extremely helpful to us, where Cel and her staff, Airene helped us to order the 5000 sets of Hygiene Kits.

Then the next day, we started to receive all the items in the Hygiene Kits.

7 Oct 09
5.58am, Hew and I were woke up by a call, the 5000 buckets were here in St Peter Parish. Half awake, we went out and helped to carry the heavy buckets down the stairs to a lower floor in the church. The buckets came 40 in a stack; it was really exhausting to bring them down the stair case…

At 3.30pm, we arrived at Bagong Silangan. We distributed the first 100 Hygiene Kits to the people in San Isidro Laborador Parish. Before the distribution, Mr Hew will tell the people about Hygine, to wash the hands before eating, and we sang happy birthday song to estimate the length of hand washing. After that, there was a psycho social activity for the people, where they sit in groups and share their experience. After that, we distributed the Hygiene Kits and left.

8 – 9 Oct 09
The items for the Hygiene Kits continue to arrive at St Peter Parish. Thanks to Ms Cel and all her staff who have helped us in the logistics. The slippers for kids were the last to arrive. It was about 10.30pm on the Friday night.

10 Oct 09
So great to see someone who is so familiar, someone I have known for 2 years, Ms Carla and our colleagues in Manila office came and helped out in packing of Hygiene Kits. Ms Carla helped to organize the whole packing process, brief the volunteers how to pack, how many to pack etc.

In the afternoon, we distributed another 100 Hygiene Kits in Santa Lucia.

11 Oct 09
Thanks to Carla again for bringing me to shop for souvenirs and buying me lunch. In the afternoon, we continue to pack the Hygiene Kits. In 2 days time, we managed to pack 2700 Hygiene Kits.

12 Oct 09
We had lunch with Cel and friends. At night, we had farewell dinner for me. Fr Tony said that it’s a tradition to have a nice dinner for farewell. This is to make sure that I go back tomorrow. Lols…

13 Oct 09
In the morning, we distributed 140 Hygiene Kits at Bagong Silangan. After that, I said good bye to my dear friends in St Peter Parish. Shernan, Ac, Jollibee, Jade, Margie, Annalyn, Liza and Roselle, thanks for the hospitality and friendship that you have given. Really appreciate it.

红木林

上个周末参加同学的婚礼，回到了浮罗交怡 - 即让我熟悉又陌生的地方。熟悉是因为曾经在这里生活过好一段日子；陌生是因为它变了许多。改变总是容易让人觉得不安。

婚宴后的第二天，小雪姐姐带我们几个朋友一起到Kilim Geoforest Park。我们吃完午饭或早饭后，就来到了这个地方。基本上这是一个红木树林，沼泽地带。首先，我们来到了码头，买了票就上船。因为我们是当地人，所以比较便宜。哈哈。没有啦，因为小雪的老爸认识人。


这次的红木树林的旅游有四个景点，那就是蝙蝠洞、鳄鱼洞、鱼塘、还有喂老鹰。首先，来到了蝙蝠洞，基本上没什么特别，就是一个洞，里面有很多蝙蝠。没看过蝙蝠的人值得一游。


接下来就是去鱼塘，鱼塘里有很多不同种类的沼泽地带的鱼类。当然，还有一些深海里的大鱼。在沼泽地带有一种鱼很特别，它可以喷水，把昆虫击倒跌在水面，然后就吃掉它。这种鱼还可以跳跃，吃到水面上的虫。我们以面包代替虫来喂鱼。我们把面包放在鱼塘边的木板上，小鱼可以很准确地把面包击落，跌入水里。由于雪小姐的衣服也是白色的，所以也被当成是面包，中了一炮。

小鱼也可以跳出水面，吃到面包。

有各种各样的鱼类和海洋生物。

一路上，凉风习习，天空有几朵乌云盖着，不会太晒，刚刚好。船长把船开得有时快，又有时慢，很会配合节奏。开快的时候，就很大风，再配合新鲜的空气，令人精神爽朗。开得慢的时候，就有点像在湖边开着浪漫的小船，让人心情放松。

接下来我们去另一站，就是鳄鱼洞。以前曾经有鳄鱼住在那里，后来被残忍的人类枪决了。

过后，我们来到了喂老鹰的地点。从远处就见到很多老鹰在空中盘旋。小船转了个弯，就来到了那个地方。人们把鸡皮丢到水面上，然后老鹰们就一直从空中降下来吃。看着空中的老鹰，那数目实在是太多了，第一次看到这么多老鹰，在这个岛上呆了这么多年，都没看过这么多老鹰，估计有五十几或以上吧。但是老鹰不会太大只，还好。但是还是很开心。

接下来我们就出海。看看青色的大海，还有蔚蓝的天空。


最后，又回到了码头，在那里有一个特点，就是有游泳的猴子。我把花生丢下水了，他们就游泳过去拿来吃。真是有点神奇，还有会游泳的猴子，而且也真的很可爱。

最后总结一下，90分。不错。很好玩。还有，谢谢好朋友们的陪伴。还有小雪的热情地招待，和阿风的临时导游。谢谢大家。

天使与魔鬼

话说二十八年前的某天某日某时，在马来西亚东海岸的一个小镇上的某间小诊所里，有一个婴儿出生了。出生的时候，是农历七月，鬼节。结果害到这个婴儿的妈妈提心吊胆地在小诊所里过夜。而这个婴儿的出生，到底意味着什么呢？他会为这个世界带来怎样的灾害呢？哇哈哈哈。

首先，一出世就要吓他老妈子一餐。接下来，老妈子为了要照顾他，辞去自己很喜欢的工作。然后，还要老豆供他衣食住行，老妈照顾他吃饭拉屎。深怕他天资愚蠢，老妈子在她五岁那一年就教他背乘法表，由二开始。“一二二、二二四”还好这小子也不差，老妈子心里也有点放心。

老爸为了撑起这头家，也选了一份自己不怎样喜欢的工作，但也养活了这小子，而这小子也不曾有过饿肚子的经验。老妈子就一直督促这小子的学业，深怕他考不好，结果就花钱送他去补习。

当然，这小子随着时间过去，也慢慢长大，迈入青春期，而且也同时迈入叛逆期。这时候，在鬼节出生的小子真的变成鬼，什么花样都来，搞到两个老人家头疼不已。后来，一直到大学才开始懂事，魔鬼也渐渐因为成长了、经历过了、痛过了，最后才慢慢变成个人样。

后来他工作了，遇到的挫折与失败简直就是加倍。他学习到痛是人生必须经历的感觉，而且每个存在的生命都免不了痛苦。他开始知道世界上有很多人没饭吃，饿肚子去世的，同时他觉得自己很幸运，为了表达这份情感，他参加了当时世界宣明会主办的饥饿三十。当时他希望，可以为这个世界改变些什么。最后，他也想变成天使。

一个人旅行的快乐

去悉尼旅行回来已经一年之久了。在最后一个星期的周末，我自己一个人走过著名悉尼大桥。我住的公寓靠近地铁站，早上自己坐上火车，到了靠近大桥的那个站就下车。

一下车，发现附近有一个早市场。那里有卖很多各种各样的东西，当然非常地多元化与国际化。我选了一档土耳其的食物，那个面包有点像我们的roti canai，里面有一点菜，还有配上柠檬，感觉很特别。我就坐在草地上吃了起来。去到那边就发现当地人喜欢坐在草地上，吃东西、谈天之类的。而且就算是中午十二点也可以，因为天气非常凉爽。

吃完我的早餐，就到市场走走，有很多很可爱的东西，有衣服之类的。还有就是这位卖中国茶的外国人。他请我喝了一杯，还用跟我说，这是乌龙茶。人在异乡有杯茶喝果然是不同。

接下来开始踏上悉尼桥了。

这座大桥有十个道路，其中六条是来回的车辆，两条是给火车，还有两条是个行人和脚踏车。我一个人走，一路上有很多人，多数是来跑步运动的，还有就是像我这种来旅行的。

悉尼大桥对面就是剧场了。

桥中间还有一座纪念牌，纪念在这里殉职的建筑工人。

走过这道大桥大概需要半小时的时间。过后，再多十到十五分钟，就来到剧场了。这里每一张拍的照片，都是要求别人帮我拍的，因为毕竟是自己旅行。帮我拍过照片的有马来西亚人，Tasmania人，中国人和当地的澳洲人。

这是一位马来西亚的小妹妹啦。

靠近码头的地方就是有很多海鸥。他们飞翔与降落的样子都很好看。

剧院的旁边有一座植物公园。有一群小朋友在小山坡上滚下来，滚下来后又继续再滚。还有双人的，手牵手一起滚。真可爱。

还有一个老爸牵着他孩子的手把他甩得得高高的，另外两个孩子又要。

还有另外一个小女孩，她在追一只鸟，我要拍她的时候，她也不吝啬或害羞地望向镜头。

在植物公园走了一争子，然后参观艺术馆。

晚上回到唐人街。

附近还有一位阿伯头顶上顶着一把吉他手里也拿着吉他，一边弹一边唱，头顶上的吉他还不会掉下来。

为什么要结婚？

上个周末，参加了另外一个朋友的婚礼。这里不能够讲任何名字，因为他们都是很神秘的人。星期六一早，我就和A君到霹雳州的某个小镇。到了那边就和某位朋友吃饭。饭后，我们就到酒店休息。

到了酒店，我们被通知要和另外两个人公私房间。我们要了钥匙，然后就到房间。我按了门铃却没人应门。我用钥匙打开房门，却看到一双男人的鞋子，还有一双女人的鞋子。我和A君担心他们是夫妻，所以就关门，不好意思打扰。后来，下了楼下又上来，那位男人才醒来。原来他们不是夫妻。他们是我们的学长。当然，大我们好几辈，所以没见过。男生是我们的某届主席。女生则是我的学姐，而且还是同一科系，同一个主修。她那时候是这个主修的第二届。哇，如果我是妖怪的话，那她应该是千年什么什么了。实在是大我好几届。

大家在房间里，第一次见面难免要互相认识，找一些话题。讲一些有的没的。后来当然还有讲到这位结婚的朋友。至于内容是什么呢？为了要保护当事人的私隐和他独有的版权，这里也不谈了。

第二天，在车上，A君问了一个问题：“为什么要结婚呢？”坐在我们前面的那两位学长突然没有回答，因为他们两个都结婚了，而且有孩子了。然后学姐就问：“那你以前有没有女朋友？”说真的我也不知道A君以前有没有交往过女友。A君当然死都不说了。后来，这问题就不了了之。

至于为什么人要结婚呢？要生育下一代？无聊没事做？生活苦闷？老来有个伴？也许大家的答案都不一样吧。我们吃了午餐，买了手信，就驾车离开了。