My experiences of taking refuge and 5 precepts with Venerable Hong Bok on 4 May 2019 -

My experiences of taking refuge and 5 precepts with Venerable Hong Bok on 4 May 2019 :

On 4 May 2019, it is a Saturday, I woke up at about 5am plus, got dressed, had my bread from Duke Bakery (took two bites only ) before heading to Geylang Lor 24A as we were told to be there at 7.30am. I got a Grab car and arrived at the venue at 7am but abit S$20/- poorer. I sat down in the meditation hall and meditated.

Why this "qui yi" mean a lot to me - It was never a moment about money. It was the date with a 4 and 5 and to "qui yi" on this date and with Venerable Hong Bok makes this day, very, very very special. I had to do it.........even though I face a bit of obstacles. You would know that "4" is my spiritual number. 

What obstacles did I face ? Well for a start, the Organisers said we had to wear a "haiqing" and precept robes in order to take refuge and 5 precepts. We had a WhatsApp chat group. I told them I had been following Tibetan buddhism for 23 years and don't own a "haiqing". 

So I asked them where to get. There were some kind people there who gave me 3 places to go down to buy. In the end on 2 May morning, I head down to chancerlodge complex where outside there were many stalls selling durains. I went to this shop/office at level 9.

So I went there to get my "haiqing".  The lady there used a measuring tape to see how tall I am and got me one. I paid and went off to work. Then I happily announced that I got my "haiqing" at this price and then some member said did you get the "manyi" ? I asked what is that......? they say it is a brown robe to be worn outside the black "haiqing". 

Alamak. And then 3 May 2019, my schedule quite full until evening time then got to head down to Geylang for class. No extra time to go out to buy again !!! 

At that moment my thought was : Never mind, I come wearing the "haiqing"  and if Sifu said he will not accept me as his student then too bad......maybe.... no destiny .....that was my thought. I knew that I was being stubborn my nature mah.

Then someone whatsApp me saying she will lend me her brown robe and if it fits, I can keep it. I felt  pai seh........but this gave me a thought : if ever one day Sifu tells me that I can give dharma talk....I sure going to tell them......my this story !!! How "Lun Chun" I am when it comes to Dharma.

Can go shop buy "haiqing" and never buy the brown robe !!! and the lady in the shop didn't even ask me if I needed one. But she did ask me if I need a bag to keep the "haiqing". .....I bought that.

So a lot of times, it is not the money. I thought hard to myself. Hmm..........maybe the Universe wants to test me to see how hard I wanted to take this refuge and to take 5 precepts again. Many a times, we face obstacles .......and this was mine. 

3 ladies whatsApp me asking me about the "haiqing".......well..it felt warm that many are kind towards me.

So I had to solve my own problems : I ask my client if I could shift her appointment to Monday to allow me time to go out to buy my "manyi" and she agreed even though she had an urgent issue to see me. Wah !! I so happy and went down to buy the brown robe. I also know my this lady client got make merits liao.  Happy for her !!!

Then came the actual day, we had to kneel for one and half hours and during that time, my legs were wobbling, feeling weak but my mindfulness still strong to carry me throughout the whole procedure except that all was done in mandarin........so sometimes I do not understand what Sifu was saying. So I use my "er ken" (ear faculty) to listen hard and to follow......

I only realised that it was nearly one and half hour it ended at 9.24am around there when I make my way downstairs for a toilet break. I bun up my hair up for this..........yet it was so humid that sweat came pouring down.  But all this is removing my past bad karma........I know.

I also saw Sifu use white towel to wipe his face mindfully. While in the beginning........I just wipe and wipe. Then I later told myself : Hei ! this is not right ! I will only take this once ! this is my one and final time ! So better be still and let the sweat pour down without wiping. So towards the last 15mins, I was still.

I also prepared a red packet for Sifu and then see if timing is right to give to Sifu which I did as I had a personal interview with Sifu to ask if I am on the right cultivation method and my progress. I shared with him how my progress was. Again, I had to kneel and I make sure, fast, fast one  !!! then I left the room. Everyone outside was so surprised, so fast !!!

I dislike kneeling because my body cannot take it. Then I thought like that - how to be nun ? even with robe..........don't know how to buy and don't know how to wear. so many rules. I don't like rules woh. Jia Lat.......I think I better drop the idea. 

Oh I forgot to mention : that day is my first time learning how to bow the Mahayana way. I had a 10min crash course before the real session begins. I was quite slow and could not follow.......hehe luckily Sifu never say me. 

Conclusion: I write about my awesome personal experiences in the hope that should you one day wish to quyi in Mahayana Tradition, you have to remember to buy two pieces of clothes , one called "haiqing" the other call "manyi"

After taking refuge and 5 precepts, I make sure I keep to it and when I do meditation, it was very very good. Till the next time I write......