Allow me to share my memorable trip to Puttarparthi to celebrate Wesak at Prashanti Nilayam this year 2009.
On May 5th 2009 , some Tangkak devotees , a small group of curious participants from Tangkak , my brother Bernard and I left for India .
This is my second visit to celebrate Wesak in the presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba . My first trip was 3 years ago , where we celebrated Wesak at Whitefield in India .
After my first trip , I had aspired to visit Prashanti Nilayam at Puttarparthi and I had my wish granted this year .
As the summer heat was soaring in India , we , the choir , were told that Wesak celebration would most likely be at Whitefield , as Whitefield being cooler in terms of weather . Two days before our departure to India , we received confirmation , that Bhagawan will be in Puttarparthi for Wesak . Incredible ! Imagine how delighted I was at the news .
Our group arrived at the Ashram in Puttarparthi in the early hours of daybreak on the 6th May 2009 . After having settled in our rooms , Sister Hiang Lan(my room-mate) and I got ready for the morning darshan . That evening our choir , made up of mainly devotees from Kuala Lumpur and a small member from Tangkak were called for an audition and we qualified to perform on Wesak day 9th May as scheduled . But on the 7th May , words came round in the afternoon , that we will have to sing on the 8th May afternoon and that is at the opening of the Wesak celebration .
On the 8th May , we sang to a huge crowd at the opening of Wesak . At the end of all the performances , Bhagawan came down from the dais to take photo with us . We were all so overjoyed by Bhagawan grace and Love .
On the 9th May , that is Wesak Day , celebrations continued with performances and activities . Some Tangkak devotees headed by Brother Albert Ong , were called upon to distribute food to the poor . After an early lunch , Sis Hiang Lan and I started packing in our room , as our Tangkak group was to leave for Bangalore that afternoon at 5.30 pm.
While we were packing , two ladies came to our room at the 3rd floor of the hostel . One was an Indian lady and the other was a European lady . The Indian lady asked if I was Buddhist when I asked if I could do anything for them . She also enquired where I was from and we discovered we were Malaysians . Then the European lady asked if I know who Karmapa is ? I told her that not only I know His Holiness , I had the opportunity to meet him in Bodhgaya in December of 2006 . The Indian lady turn to the European lady and said “ You have found the person .” Then the Indian lady left .
I invited the European lady into the room . She was dressed in a white sari with small flower designs and held a white plastic bag . She related that she had spent a year with Bhagawan and Bhagawan had asked her to visit North India . She continued that the chapter of her life here in Puttarparthi is coming to a close and she will be returning to Germany soon . She had asked for Bhagawan’s help (in her prayers, may be) to find someone to handover a few things .
Then she took out from the plastic bag some photos and posters of Taras , Karmapa , Ruipoches , some CDs and DVDs .
She told me that I can go through them and keep them if I wish . She then gave me a CD entitled , “ Lion’s Roar Great Compassion ” and told me to keep it .Then she took out a saffron silk cloth , saying that it is very precious . She unfolded the cloth and took out a photo of the Image of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni at the Maha Bodhi Temple in Bodhgaya . She handed the photo and silk cloth to me saying she knows I will treasure it . She said that the silk cloth was worn on the Buddha Image in the Maha Bodhi Temple . The Maha Bodhi Temple where the Image is photographed is the exact place when Lord Buddha attained unsurpassed , supreme Enlightenment . I was so overwhelmed but managed to thank her and did not know what else to say but we hugged each other and cried . She left immediately , leaving me standing in the room still stunned . Sister Hiang Lan immediately asked me to get her name . I only managed to get the first part of her name --- Maria , as she disappeared down the stairs .
Back in the room , I sat on the bed thinking --- This is unbelievable ! I knew it was all Bhagawan’s grace and Love . On this day , 9th May was also my husband’s birthday and this is a very precious and holy gift for him too.
SADHU , SADHU , SADHU .
Sis Tay Peck Lian (Mrs. Ee)
27/06/2009
