Vesak Day, a religious holiday in Singapore was on Monday. Being the occasional religious person I am, how can I miss the yearly three step one bow ceremony at the temple?

Hence, I fixed a time with my sister and off we went to the temple during wee hours for the three step one bow ritual.

Just so you know, I have taken refuge in the triple gem (皈依三宝) in Buddhism since 2018.

When I bow, I kneel and rest my forehead on the ground with my palms open. I forgot all about my knee guards and I avoided kneeling on roads with significantly uneven surfaces.

I thought I was being a good Buddhist and will be rewarded by good karma doing all these ceremonial stuff until I burnt my fingers while heating up milk for my son on the same night.

“First degree burn”, said the doctor during my visit to the clinic after two hours of soaking my fingers in ice.

My fingers were still in ice when the doctor told me the diagnosis. The moment I removed my fingers from the ice, I felt the burn immediately. I wanted to cry from the pain.

Why?! I asked myself.

Then I remembered I ordered chili crab for dinner earlier because I wanted to reward myself for my hard work since no one wished me a Happy Mother’s Day the day before, no flowers and no nice meal as well.

Live crabs. My fingers, their pinchers.

I had deliberately caused the harm and suffering of an animal alive. I am so sorry crabs. I received my punishment. Please forgive me and rest in peace.

Karma burns.