_{Wesak Day at Metta Forest Hermitage-9th May, 2009}

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_{Dear friends in Dharma,}

_{It has taken me more than a month to organise the function at our hermitage-}

_{1. cut the grass, 11.To get a food caterer}

_{2. clean up the walls, 12.go out collect funds to run the show}

_{3. get the lights working, 13.send out email appeals}

_{4. clean up the compound 14.to send out SMS appeals}

_{5. do minor repairs 15.to prepare the programme}

_{6. get the water system working well and fill up the tanks 16.to put up canopy & arrange seating}

_{7. engage workers and supervise them 17. sort out food &other parcels.}

_{8. get helpers to do minor jobs 18.set up the PA system}

_{9. have a committee meeting of members 19.sort out cash donation to institutions}

_{of Meditation Society to help out on Wesak Day 20. to get speakers}

_{10. Decorate the premises 21.get friends to help out in the serving}

_{22. get friends to bring additional desserts}

_{23.to clear rubbish}

_{Everything was worth it. The Lord Buddha and the devas blessed us with fine weather, good attendance- more than 150 people attended,-- big number for a forest hermitage -- orphans, disabled, old folks, mentally retarded and physically handicapped from seven institutions attended to be served with a good vegetarian food, receive cash ‘ang pows’ ( a few hundred ringgit ) and take home plenty of food parcels etc (a few hundred rinngit worth) to last them a few weeks.}

_{All these would not have been possible if not for the kind and generous contributions of a few supporters and well wishers. I was worried whether it will work out this year but by the grace of the Lord Buddha and the Devas all those I asked for some donation sent me something. Some even donated without my asking. This is the Grace and power of the Lord to a humble devotee and desciple. This proves His grace to Metta hermitage.}

_{Dharma supports Metta Hermitage-- when our old, dedicated worker aunty Shanty fell on the floor two days before and all of us gave up hope of Wesak at Metta. The Lord came to our need and miraculously saved our old aunty Shanty and helped her to continue with her work. Withour her help there would be no Wesak. Such miracles are common at Metta Hermitage. That is why I say if ever you come to Metta Hermitage please come with respect for the invisible prescence of the Lord Buddha and His Devas.}

_{The little place at Metta Hermitage became lively with sincere people. Bro. Chong Su Lim sang a few of his latest Buddhist hymns to cheer the unfortunate ones. He had the humility to come and be with us. Bro. Quek Jin Keat, the former President of Buddhist Wisdom Centre gave a very encouraging speech . Dr. Choong Tuck Yew , a former manager from Bank Negara followed with a humorous speech to cheer up the crowd. Our secretary Mr.Narayanan an engineer and MC for the occasion appealed to the non Buddhists to put aside their prejudice and study the Teachings of Lord Buddha- a true treasure to mankind; which has been an inspiration, moral strength and guidance to so many for the last 2600 years including the great conqueror of India Emperor Asoka who was so inspired by the Teachings that he sent out missioneries to all parts of the world to spread the Teachings of Lord Buddha.}

_{I was very touched by Professor Vellayan,former directorof Zoo Negara, who responded to my call by bringing 43 towels, 43 tooth brushes and tooth paste for the very old folks of Batang Berjuntai .}

_{Despite all his busy schedule our former Chairman of Industrial Courts Dato’ Tan Yeak Hui brought his daughter from the university, gave me Rm500.00 and asked me to guide the shy lady to distribute the cash to the very unfortunate ones- a father concerned that the daughter should be introduced to compassion and charity at an early age. Well done Dato’.}

_{Seeing me helpless without a fax machine to send out messages to those who do not have a computer}

_{Bro. Quek donated a Fax machine to our hermitage. Such is the concern of our dedicated members eager to help out in the propagation of the Teachings of Lord Buddha. Where help is given without expecting a reward great is the merit, Bro. Quek.}

_{A short SMS message to Mr.Lee Hing Lee a big businessman who happened to be in China was not without response. Immediately he asked his secretary to hand over cash to me to distribute to the poor. His daughter Sharon Lee did not want to be left out and she too made a contribution to Metta Hermitage.Mr. Lee has been a great supporter of Metta Hermitage- Metta Hermitage is very indebted to him.}

_{Similarly Mr. Wei Chong Beng CEO Red Tone Company who was to be away in USA made a generous contribution before leaving the country, such is his faith in the Dharma and compassion for the poor and the unfortunate ones. Though he was not around his spirit of enthusiasm could be felt by all. His grand mother’s name is on three walls- donated by the loving grandson. How many would be fortunate to have a grandson like her. ‘Thank you grandma’}

_{As usual our staff from Affin Bank Miss Indranee , our treasurer, came the night before put up the night donated generously and handled the cash for me. With her around the accounting was perfect.}

_{Genting Highlands Buddhist Group was the first to bring food provisions and deposit cash into our account. Bro Chong Su Lim and Yuk Chai school staff PJ, Brought 64 individually wrapped food parcels for everyone. They had satisfaction of handing over the parcels personally to the unfortunate ones.}

_{I have to mention our Dato’ Dr. Menon the surgeon who could not come due to old age, 86, but made sure that he deposited cash into our account. Thank you Dato’ for having the welfare of the poor at heart.}

_{As usual Mr.Daniel Lim a businessman,, Lynda Chan , Mei Ling and friends went to Carrefour Kepong and loaded my car with food provisions. They have never hesitated to help Metta Hermitage. Metta Hermitage is indebted to Daniel Lim and his friends for their regular support to Metta Hermitage.}

_{Every case seems to be special. I am touched by their care, concern and genorisity. Our vice president Mr. Somasundram went out of his way to get his staff from the Health office to donate, got his wife Malliga to get her staff to collect food provisions and got his son Gangatharan to donate as well. Is this not the power of Dharma-}

_{Remember we are situated beside a small town in a forest setting and we do not have any star rating to our hermitage . I insist on the study and practice of Dharma and make progress on the path set out by Lord Buddha. Ours is not a social organization but a place where the resident hermit must concentrate on the Teachings of Buddha, meditate and live in accordance to the Teachings of Lord Buddha.}

_{He honours me Best who practices my Teachings Truly. Anyone can practice His teaching as long as you understand the Teachings. Start with simple discipline- purify the mind- that is the most important thing.}

_{Please forgive me if I have left out your name as there are many wonderful people who have donated their valuable cash and service to our hermitage on this Wesak Day at our hermitage. Please remember all your donation of cash , provisions and services cheered everyone and made Wesak Day memorable.}

_{To one and all I am indebted.}

_{May the Blessings of Lord Buddha be on you and your family. May you be healthy, wealthy and successful in everyway.}

_Guru

_{Guru Roshi Lingam.}

_{lingamroshi@yahoo.com}

_{Where there is a will there is a way.}