2012年6月6日星期三

Bodhisattvas Everywhere

I am on leave this week. Thus, I decided to do my health checkup and settled for a late breakfast.

Thought today would be another ordinary day. I was wrong. It proved that when I was mindful, the day was indeed full of surprises and lessons learnt.

Bodhisattva 1 - Chinese Cashier @ Coffee Shop
I wanted my dose of coffee so much that I decided to have my late breakfast @ an air-conditioned coffee shop. When I walked to the cashier, I saw a $10 note left on the counter. I asked the cashier at the counter who had left it. She was shocked and then quickly said must be the customer before me. She quickly kept the money and walked towards the Indian customers sitting at a corner of the shop. She casually asked them what they have forgotten and in the midst of conversation, she took the money out and passed to one of the guys. I felt glad. She taught me a lesson. Indeed, a valuable one. When she took the money and put in the pocket of her apron, my first thought was negative - she wanted to keep this money? I felt so ashamed of myself. When she took out the money and returned to the customer, I know my first thought was wrong and was really grateful that I saw the truth. She even thanked me when she returned to take my order. I felt so embarrassed of myself.

Bodhisattva 2 - Chinese uncle @ my car parking lot
I decided to send my old books to the Buddhist Lodge so that others could read if they are useful. When I was about to reach there, I couldn't find a parking lot @ the usual one I parked - the construction company has re-painted them to be normal road. Thus, in the midst of panicking, I found a parallel parking lot opposite the road I was travelling. For convenience sake, I parked my car quickly into the lot (opposite from all those cars parking along these lots). An uncle looked at me in amaze. Then when I open my door (actually to move to my destination by walking), he questioned me if I knew this way of parking is illegal and I could easily get a fine. I looked at him and said I never knew. He asked if I was parking here for the first time. I answered yes. Then, he re-emphasized that this is illegal and I could easily get a fine. He even suggested me to re-park in the right manner. Without hesitation, I did what he said. He drove off after I gestured to thank him.

Actually, it is not his business if I get a fine or not. but he did a bodhisattva act to remind me and warn me. I was really grateful to him. I didn't remember if the parking in opposite direction is illegal but I trusted he is right. Otherwise, I would be seeing a lot of cars doing such things. Also, I am glad that I had an open mind when he suggested to me. I took his advice instead of ignoring or thinking he was a busybody.

Bodhisattva 3 - Ex-colleague who couldn't make it for lunch 
Wanted to meet up a friend cum ex-colleague for lunch. Unfortunately, he messaged me in last minute saying he was ill. I was a bit disappointed and hoped he would recover soon. Because of this last minute changes in my plan, I decided to go to Buddhist Lodge and then KMSPKS. And of course, it gave me chances to meet the bodhisattva 2 and also managed to send the ring-caps to KMSPKS. I even bought something from the awareness place shop.

Thanks to all bodhisattvas who have appeared and hope more will be appearing.

May I be mindful always. May all be happy and well always.

Amituofo.

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