Post 117 : SBS updates

I think it is high time for me to write on my experiences working as a volunteer worker up at SBS. This will be my 3rd week working up there at the edge of the forest. For a first-timer in the working industry(defy the fact that I'm only a volunteer) I'm glad I made this decision to work at the monastery. In such an environment, most of my colleagues are already seasoned Buddhists and are rather experienced in the Dhamma(teachings of the Buddha). So it is a rather conducive place for me to achieve one of my holidays resolutions : and that is to seek and understand the Buddha's way of life.

It has been 2 pleasant weeks. I met many brothers and sisters in the Dhamma whom were ever willing to help with selflessness. For example, I have this lady who will pick me up on an almost daily basis from my house to the pindacara(alms round) venue of the SBS monks. Then another lady will send me up hill with the 2 Sayalays(nuns). When I'm done with the day, one of the uncles will then send me to the foot hill.

Regarding my job description, it is a really random list. No two days have similar tasks. What I've done so far includes writing cheques and receipts, answering phone calls, logging in the accounts, packing food for the other workers, helping with cleaning and housekeeping, running here and there all over the hill monastery except the monastics zone of course(out of bounds to females), playing with dogs and feeding them and some computer work.
My dad calls me a "pion" : runner/office boy kind of work.
And I said it's even better to do all sorts because that's where I can learn!

The SBS office during Wesak Day

There were few interesting incidents that occurred. One of them was the incident when I was chased by a female dog whom they named "Ah Girl". His husband is "Ah Boy". So Ah Girl recently gave birth to 9 puppies and is still nurturing them. Ah Girl being a seasoned mother (Ah Boy can be quite gatai/horny LOL) is of course heavily protective over her new borns. When I tried to approach her during the 2nd day of the birth, she barked and was running towards me even though I was at a distance of 100m away from the nest. One man got bitten by her when he only walked past the area.

I'm quite a puppy person as they don't smell as bad as adult dogs. So on the 3rd week of the birth, I dared myself to have a peek at the newborns. This time I dared a 50m range and stood for a lookout. Before I even stepped forward from my lookout point, Ah Girl ran forward towards me and CHARGED! So I screamed and I charged too!!!! I was so scared that my heart nearly failed me. I was thinking of the steep terrain and how tough it'll be for me to run away from a scorned mother. From 50m difference in distance, it became 5m and I actually considered which leg to offer, the one with the sprained ankle or the one with the injured knee. I decided sprained ankle. I shut my eyes and tried to shut off my senses.

Suddenly, I heard a shout "Ah Girl stop it!". And she really stopped!!!!

Thankfully, Hla Kyaw, the Burmese worker up at SBS arrived in time. Or else it wouldn't be only mosquito bites scarring me, it'll be dog bites too! With Hla Kyaw around, I could daringly adore the puppies. If only I could bring one home. Apparently, puppies from SBS are of popular demand. Must do booking weh!

Another incident was when me and Aunty Chooi Suan hiked to the lower organic farm to pluck some Pegaga leaves. She wanted to make us all afternoon health drinks. When we got back from the slight hike and adventure, someone spotted a fat juicy leech on the office ground. Obviously, the leech had quenched it's thirst for blood and it was one of us. We both searched frantically. Went to the toilet to check but no traces of blood. I got really scared when someone mentioned about the case of how a leech went into a girl's body through her pubic region and parasite-d on her blood. The leech got so huge that she looked like she was pregnant!

However, I finally found the victim! It was Ah Boy! Poor dog! I found him licking and nursing his own wound. No plasters needed. How resourceful of Ah Boy :)

I learnt a lot about work politics, issues in life and of the struggles that my adult colleagues went through when they were young(er). Here I would like to thank Aunty Lei Hoon who taught me on how to be such an energiser bunny despite the fact that she is already a grandmother, taught me on how to "follow the law" when working and taught me how to never say no but maybe I'll try. I would like to thank Aunty Chooi Suan who taught me on how to let go off the past and move on with life, taught me on dirty work politics and analysing characters, taught me on the wonders of the Pegaga plant, taught me on fighting to the very end and live the struggle.

To Sis. Lee Ching who taught me true and pure selflessness. Then there is Ah Boy, the dog that taught me courage and responsibility. And of course the abbot of SBS-Bhante Aggacitta who answered all my doubts and questions-even the stupid and silly ones. You know I actually asked him "Will ALL my questions be answered when I'm in deep meditative concentration? Even questions like : Why is the Buddha's ears so long?". That got all of them into fits of laughter. I learnt so much from Bhante that I can never thank him enough.

Saddhu ALL!