What a Blessed few days we had!
Dear Geshe Tenzin Zopa, Ven. Thudten Lundup, Ani Chodni, Ahpey and Our Holy Child, Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche,
I cannot begin to describe the tremendous gratitude and appreciation I have for you for giving the best 3 days in Ashton’s and my life! The honour of having all
of you holy ones to visit the island, allowing me to chauffer and bring you around the island and most importantly, you have treated me like part of the
‘family’. It is indescribeable, the greatness of your hearts and generosity with all the blessings and karma you have created and generated to/for so many people in such short time. To give me the chance to share a meal with you, for the devotees and members of Amitabha Buddhist Centre welcoming me as part of them. For them to open up their doors to all who would like to visit Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche and seek blessings – with no questions asked, just warmth and welcome and serving and treating everyone who walked in with drinks and food.
I am ashamed. I am ashamed that I have not been able contribute to this Holy cause, not finding out earlier nor pursuing Buddhism further than the occassional visit to the temples. I am regretful that I am not able to do more than what I can to contribute to the visit for all of you and Lama Rinpoche.
Geshe Tenzin Zopa,
I admire your most humble character which I felt through reading your book and your encounter in the search for the reincarnation of the supreme Guru, Geshe Lama Konchog and also, simply just by being with you the last few days. Your most kind autographed message in the book you presented to me, how I felt the warmth in your heart and all the things you have done of which you have then described yourself as being just ‘ordinary’. I think you are one of the most EXTRAordinary person I have met. Anyone would give up anything just to be in your position! To be able to be the attendant to the superior Guru Geshe Lama Konchog, and now in such close proximity of the Holy Child of Kopan. If, after all these, you describe as yourself as being just an ordinary person, then I would think you have just given new meaning to that word ‘ordinary’! Your generosity fills my heart, your invitation, your humbleness and your willingness to give and teach – it is just too admirable. I wish for all the blessings you and your love ones can ever have and may you live and live and live a long long life!
Ven. Thudten Lundup,
thank you for being such a joy to be around. You remind me of what fun and carefree means, even as a humble monk. Your warmth and humbleness, your proficiency in the English language is admirable and knows no bounds and I have benefited from you in the last few days. I wish you well and a much fulfilled life and may you realise your dreams in the shortest possible time and also attain and accomplish what you have set out to do in the world of Buddhism.
Geshe Ani Chodni, although you are a very quiet person, I can feel and see the never ending kindness in you, your movements and your mannerisms. I believe you, in your own ways, spread the teachings of
Buddhism to more and more people who will definitely and eventually benefit from. I also wish for your well being and longevity be with you always.
and most of all, to Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche :
How you fill my heart with happiness and calmness! Now, I can see evidently why the great Guru Geshe Lama Konchog has chosen you as the One. It is written all over your face, your behaviour and most of all, your character. At this tender age, you elude firmness and presence….the firmness of a leader of teachings and the presence of a strong mind with a task to fulfill and to spread Buddhism in the ways that you know how. I cannot find words to describe your generosity for allowing me to receive your blessings, for allowing Ashton to be part of your play time and spiritual world and just to be a part of you.
How you have blessed the many animals you met, the Dolphins, butterflies, fishes, turtles, Kois, Stingrays etc. and how you have brought with you the sense of calm and blessings that many seek to find – its priceless! Your happiness in your face, the seriousness when in prayers and the countless generous blessings you have given are immeasurable and I believe in the times ahead, you will be the one who will give many, the teachings of Buddha and lead them in the path to seek enlightenment, this, we are thankful. In you, we will seek the opportunities to spread the words and wisdom to all, the teachings of the great Geshe Lama Konchog and of course, Buddha. I wish you abundance blessings in your quest in the learnings in Kopan Monastry and may we have the pleasure of your Holy presence in Singapore, in Amitabha Buddhist Centre and all the other homes for children and the sickly to be blessed again, soon. May you live the most fulfilled long life and while doing so, share with us your teachings and wisdom that we all so long.
To all the members and devotees of Amitabha Buddhist Centre, I am speechless! Your relentless and tireless efforts to organise and invite the honourable Lama Rinpoche and all the Sanghas have created boundless Karma and connected thousands of devotees and followers to this Holy being. Your warmth and welcome to each and everyone is indescribeable. Your patience and flawless organisation and unconditional acts of provision of accomodation at its highest is admired by all, especially me. I have learnt much for the past 3 days just being able to be in your presence. I am thankful for the opportunities and that I have learnt the very meaning of humbleness. Everyone I spoke with told me it is fate that brought Ashton and I to you, and I truly believe that. Thank you!
The past days have opened a whole new world for me, I have learnt more about giving unconditionally…for what I have experienced, I realised what I have done (not like alot!) is NOTHING compared to what ABC and the Sanghas have and are still doing. You have given up your life to the teachings of Buddha, to spread the word and to help others and this I am sincerely thankful for…for the fact that I am allowed to witness and be a part of your unconditional love for anyone and everyone. I have learnt and yes, what a Blessed few days we had!
Now I cannot wait for the new ABC to be officiated and opened! I will, as a promise, be here to assist whenever there is a need for an extra pair of hands to do anything I can in my humble and little ways and contribute.
With a heavy heart, I bid you all a safe and great journey to the other parts of the world to spread your goodness and a restful trip back to Kopan. Peace be with you always.
Note : At the time of writing, I am not a member of ABC nor have I known or met Geshe Lama Konchog. But in the short span I have had the honour of meeting Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche and the Sanghas, I have read and researched all I could to learn about them and their relentless quest and teachings. I am only too far from what many devotees are at but I guess it is a start. So for the nonchalant and ignorant way I may have phrased or described the greatness of the people above, I seek forgiveness.
in the new phrase I have learnt, Om Mani Pad Me Hum.
Sincerely
Catherine
Sentosa, Singapore
