Circling the Dharma

Yesterday, I made a last minute decision to rush down to NUS for the Dharma circle, and fortunately i did.

I got this chance to meet up with one of our senior, Hwee Shan (who is probably 10 yrs my snr). Initially, her background didnt seem to impress me at all. Moreover, i am those typical ego kind of guy who tend to look down on ppl, and not easily convinced or impressed by others.

But after a sharing session with her of about 2.5hrs, I was deeply amazed and impressed by the compassion and positive energy she exudes. I guess she has become the idol of many of us overnight. Its indeed our collective karma to be able to meet up with her last evening. 'She is a bodhisattva' - as quoted from Gabriel Kalden.

During the first hour or so, the room was filled with much positive energy - a contribution from everybody's joyous mood + of cos the presence of Hwee Shan. Its definitely not a pyschological effect from myself as I din come with a very joyous and light-hearted mood. This positive feeling was felt gradually as the session proceeded.

Unfortunately, the session was somehow upset by a few mundane arguements on certain issues, which both nale and i felt was certainly unnecessary. While its good to clarify issues and raise questions, I felt there was this tendancy for ppl to correct others or forcely voice out what they know, be it from their own readings or whatever. The worse part was that the new guy was not even given a chance to finish his story on the turtle before he was 'corrected'. Those who din know the story will be hang puzzling in the air - what r u guys talking about!?

I believe many who were present last nite did have their own views and understandings of the analogy, just that they din see the need to voice out or argue. Afterall, the essence of the teaching is to practise the Dharma well and treasure human life.

On the other hand, I felt hwee shan was wonderful. Without rushing to voice out her views, the way she handled and reacted to someone 'correcting' her words was even more impressive. And wat touches me most was that most of what she shared with us last night were either her own or her friend's experiences, nothing much quoted from books or sutras.

Those who have met Ven Chun Hui (a NUS-grad theravadan nun) will find her a very compassionate nun. Ven Chun Hui told us 2 yrs ago that she didnt wanna join NUSBS initially, but merely wish to offer her friend (Librarian of nusbs) a helping hand, and thus, joined her as a sub-commer. And the librarian she mentioned is none other than Hwee Shan. And their president then actually conduct their own sessions on 'Cheng Fo Zhi Dao' Well. Well.... if only I was a student in their era.