Two years ago, I shared about returning a wish ( 还愿 01）giving thanks to the gods and dieties during after I got my wish in successfully conceiving and giving birth to my only child.
Now that the borders haven opened up, I finally arranged a trip for my family. The husband, the child and the helper.
It was that crazy school holiday weekend that took us more than six hours to cross over to Malaysia border in a car and another six more on the road to reach our destination. Yes, I could fly to Europe with that time but the temples are not in that part of the world.
Some temples don’t allow photo taking of statues because it is disrespectful but the Buddha is the only one I felt safe and I can openly take a pic and share.
I’m not sure who bestowed blessing upon us. The important thing is I made a wish, I got what I wanted and I’ve returned to return.
Having only joined a few dharma events and taken refuge in the three jewels in when I visited in 2019, I wouldn’t qualify as a religious person. Prior this, I already did made a decision to be a half day vegetarian daily and stopped eating beef by choice. When Science failed me, all I needed was my faith to keep me going.
Why do I believe in divine powers and insisted on going back?
You see, I hardly dream but I dreamt of myself in a temple on a mountain hiding behind a Shakyamuni Buddha statue twice during my pregnancy. I still don’t know what my dreams meant but I’m felt so peaceful and happy when I woke up both times.
Plus, I am still thankful to be alive. Like what people say, “有拜有保佑” (Got pray got blessing)。
Plus, the little one kept falling ill and I’m worried. Worried that whatever was given can be taken away all because I did not make good a promise.
We took it as an opportunity for the little one to to be exposed to our culture and religion.
There wasn’t much preparation to return our wishes for this trip. We were told to donate so we did.
Back home, the elders frowned at the decision to bring the little one to the temple because they are afraid the little one can see the unseen and be affected. I am happy to share my little one is ok to the point that he didn’t want to leave.
To sum it up, I’ve returned and I’m at peace. May peace be upon you as well.
More on Keeping the Faith.
Memoirs of a Singapore Auntie 新阿姨传记 