New Year (Year of Dragon)

"This New Year, I am alive." What this means, you should understand that it means : "This year I should be a better human being than I was in past years. This year, I should be a better human being."

by above is by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

I picked up a copy of the newsletter of Amitabha Buddhist Centre on 23 Jan 12 at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. While reading it, I came across the above statement. I think it is very true and we can follow. Looking back in Year of Rabbit. I have been involved in a number of volunteer activities. I was busy during CNY, Mid-autumn Festival and Christmas especially. Not forgetting the giving of groceries to the poor on Sat. Before Sep 11, I only help on alternate Sat, after Sep 11, I have helping on every Sat. One Sat at Toa Payoh and one Sat at Bt Merah. Being human, I do felt tired at times, but after I think back, able to help others is better than being help by others. No complaint.

Hope I can more this year, the sky is not the limit.

Another Rare Opportunity to Help

On 31 Dec 2011, after my breakfast at Lam Soon Building along Hillview Avenue, as I was walking home, I saw a big private bus and a taxi both stopped along the road outside Lam Soon Building. When I walked past the taxi, I saw a Chinese man waving at me for help.

The taxi and the big private bus just had a slide collision outside Lam Soon Building. The driver of the private bus is from China and the taxi driver is a Malay man. So one cannot speak English and the other cannot speak Mandarin. 

Both drivers asked me for help. After some checking, the taxi driver admitted it is his fault and he is willing to compensate the bus driver. Both have agreed to settle the repair privately. The taxi driver initially agreed to pay the bus driver S$50 but the bus driver demanded S$80 instead. In the end, the taxi driver only got S$70 with him so the bus driver agreed to settle for S$70.

I also helped them to write a note for both to sign to protect both parties. All of us shacked hand and left the place without any argument.