Thoughts on Deepavali

This is an anonymous contribution from a Member, offering a glimpse behind the scenes of the celebration. We’re extremely grateful and it would be a great time to remind everyone that this is your website and we welcome your contributions on any topic you think will be of interest to Members. Just email here or pass to Yang Liang or Alice at the Shrine and we’d be happy to share it with everyone.

As always, this year’s Deepavali celebration was a success, with the rain holding out until the end of the celebrations before unleashing its wrath (and thus helping to wash the floor a second time).

Many people came with family members in tow, prayed for blessings, greeted and paid respect to our Master, chatted with fellow members over the sumptuous vegetarian buffet lunch and left satisfied; making it yet another memorable occasion.

Like many past celebrations, there are a few small groups of very happy and willing volunteers who work quietly behind the scenes (well, I say quietly, but actually they can be quite boisterous) to ensure that everything goes smoothly with minimum hitches. For example:

• Putting up the decorations to enhance the ambience
• Arranging hundreds of oil lamps for everyone to light
• Washing and arranging the hundreds of fruits & flowers for offerings
• Handling all the administrative matters
• Photography — to capture our actions (the good, the bad and the ugly) - for our viewing pleasure and posterity (available on the shrine’s website)
• Cleaning the Shrine before & after each celebration
• Setting up the tables and chairs for guests
• Arranging and replenishing the food & drinks
• Setting up paraphernalia required to conduct the prayers

These volunteers have never, and will never, solicit for thanks. Nevertheless I would just like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of everyone who has in one way or another made these joyous occasions so successful.

Here’s a quote from someone, (that’s me, hee! hee!).

“Blessed and most fortunate are we in this lifetime to be given these precious opportunities to learn, serve and walk alongside our Master. The blessings and guidance that we received from our Master are PRICELESS.”