1063

Tonight I came home soaked to the skin. Never had rain been so so heavy for a long time. Everything was a complete blur not more than 2 metres away. Strong winds threatened to overturn the trees. Lightning and thunder went down upon the dark wet roads every few minutes.

In the letterbox, I was delighted to receive my membership card from Gaden Shartse Dro-phenling, with a great auspicious number 1063 ! In cantonese, I think it means "rising and growing all the way from now on". Besides Amitabha Buddhist Center (ABC), Dro-phenling is another buddhist center which I joined. At the same time I also have their invitation for a series of programs starting this Sunday, which is paying homage to Lord Buddha Shakyamuni. This event will be graced by His Eminence Kyabje Lati Rinpoche and his entourage of 26 Lamas from India. Lati Rinpoche is a highly realised and respected reincarnate lama and is the Spiritual Assistant to HH Dalai Lama. The guest of honour will be Mrs Goh Chok Tong.

Besides this public event for the whole of next week, there will be private dharma teachings by His Eminence for the rest of November, where he will teach the Dharma for members and students. I will try not to miss these teachings as I place a lot of importance in oral transmission. The essential point is that there is an oral transmission that takes place in which a teacher teaches the student: the student listens to the teachings, absorbs their meaning and puts them into practice. Transmitted teachings have the power to bless and influence those who hear them in a positive way - not only in this lifetime, but in future lifetimes as well. What is most important is the blessing of the essential message by a highly realised individual or guru. It is different from reading it in a book, or hearing it from a CD.

Now I know why we have this thunder storm tonight. This is because Lati Rinpoche is arriving in Singapore tomorrow morning at 7am. It is the shower of blessing before the arrival of a great practitioner/guru. And I know by tomorrow 7am, when His Eminence lands in Singapore, the rain will stop. I have witnessed this phenomena many a times before.