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Roving Over The World
- Book 111: Roving Over The World
- Chapter 14:
Reclamation Of Land In Singapore
- Written by Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated by Janny Chow
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A Singaporean disciple asked me \`Grandmaster, why don`t you move to Singapore?\`
I thought over his suggestion. As I prefer cold to hot weather, I can`t stand the heat in such countries as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
On the other hand, I dislike crowded and filthy places, therefore I will never consider moving to big cities like New York and Los Angeles.
In Taiwan, I will never move to Taipei, in the States, I will not reside in New York.
Tai Zhong (Taiwan) and Seattle (U.S.) are the two places that I stay for a long while. My ideal place of residence is Hokkaido of Japan.
In hot places, mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches are in abundance. I discovered that mosquitoes like to bite me. I was told they follow your moods. If your blood flow is smooth, your pores will be wide-open, and your body heat and odor will attract them. In tropical countries, I always get mosquito bites. The bites on my limbs are so many that they look like read beans in an ice-cream .
Perhaps this is the retribution that I get for inventing the mosquito coil in my previous life.
I n fact, I don`t like too modern a city. Although the exterior of the buildings are white, huge and grand, and have many species of flowers planted, to me it is still pragmatic and artificial. It is boring living in such a place.
After enduring the hardship of a long journey to South East Asia countries, I dread the scorching sun. My disciples console me saying that there is nothing to fear as the hotel room and cars are all air-conditioned. The problem is I like outdoor activities.
Perspiring profusely under the hot sun, I am a sorry sight. I cannot concentrate and enjoy the scenery comfortably.
Although I have no greed and nothing to fight for, I would like to be in a place that has water and waves, surrounded by mountains and beautiful scenery. The low wooden house should have a chimney. The place should have muddy roads, trees, and fishing boats, and is full of vitality.
My disciples may think that I am still attached to material world, and my dream place is too much. But I really like to stay in a place that has wonderful sight, as the scenery will be edifying.
I know Singapore is a modern country. It is noted for its cleanliness. Trees and plants are painstakingly cultivated. Occasionally, you can find quietness there, but nature and ecology have been destroyed.
The reclamation work is beyond my imagination. I was told:
the hotel was sited on a reclaimed land,
the restaurant was previously a sea,
that building was in a sea not long ago.
I can understand why Singapore must develop seawards, as it is narrow and densely populated. Many ships calls at its port annually and unloads a lot of cargoes. Singapore has to reclaim land, so as to import and ship.
Frankly I prefer the surrounding islands. They are elegant and adorable. Only coconuts and palm tress can be found there, as there are no modern buildings. Soon I was able to embrace the natural emptiness.
There is no land reclamation, and thus no artificialness.
It is back to nature in these islands. I like them as I can easily assimilate.
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