How can I even start to describe such a great man? The last time I saw him (which is pretty long ago) I spoke to him only briefly, and he asked me how I was in Singapore, then when we all were done speaking there was a short moment of silence, and he said, (Chief-style) "Come", and blessed us one by one. We paid our respects and left, I never thought it'd be the last time I'd do so.
I'd known for a while Chief was not very well. Sent him lots of metta, but perhaps what I slightly regret now is that I did not visit him when he was in Mt Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. Nonetheless, physical appearance is not a prerequisite to ask for forgiveness, or to send metta and well wishes. So I'm not going to get attached to the thought. When I read my dad's message just now after celebrating Arti and Yaya's bdaes in J8, I was slightly shocked. A tinge of sadness, and perhaps an indiscreet tear or two. But somehow, I'm not overwhelmed with grief. Why?
To put it aptly in his own words, "This is all natural". And so to the man with such wisdom, to whom I have seen and known from a distance since I was 6 or 7, to one who has blessed me and other devotees (and the world) countless of times, to a man who wrote excellent books, gave excellent talks which have definitely shaped my perception of life, to one who had so much compassion, so much wisdom, to one who gave me my Buddhist name, to one with a great sense of humour, to a great teacher, I say "Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!" for a life well lead. (Sadhu is somehow translated as "excellent" in the Pali language)
Kind of interesting. Its Malaysia's 49th birthday today. On this day, 49 years ago, a reporter snapped a photo of Cheif (then a young monk and newly arrived from Sri Lanka) reading the newspaper about our independance. Today, 49 years later, he passed on. I guess my thought that I would get to see him again end of this year at the Novitiate will not hold true. But, in this world.... one never knows.
Cheif Reverend, may you be well and happy always, and one day attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.