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Chapter 1 - The Birthday of a Solitary Old Man I vaguely remembered it's my birthday. In a small and simple hut in the faraway isolated island, I started the morning by reciting the True Buddha Sutra once, followed by cultivating one session of Tantric practice. I sat in stillness and meditated, dedicating all merits to my disciples. Following my daily routine, I take some fruits such as bananas, papaya, oranges and tomatoes for breakfast. After which, I mop the floor, clean the windows, chairs and table. Following which I wash my clothes and do some housework. Once I am done with these chores, I will perform these three things: One, recite the sutras. Two, continue with my writing. Three, practice the art of Vajra Fist Exercise. When noon came(which was my birth time), I decorated a slice of white bread with a candle. I had planned to use the candle should a power and water outage occur, as it often does on this island. One reality is all, as symbolized by this single candle. I thus celebrated my birthday alone, and before I knew it, tears was flowing down my face. In retrospection, thousands of well-wishers had celebrated my birthday with me in the past. In contrast, I found myself staring at my lunch today, and I cannot hold back my tears. I cried as I thought of my mom who had passed away. Birthday is also known as a mother's 'labour suffering day'. I cried as I remembered my family and disciples. I thought of my dad who is staying alone by himself. He is well taken care of by one student of mine and that sets me at ease. Dad once told me, "One must keep changing one's lifestyle to experience life more fully." This is so true. It is good to try out different lifestyles so that one may taste the spectrum of life's experiences, be it warm or cold, rich or poor. Look at what I am going through, living out a miserable life as an old man in recluse! I liken this stage of my life as one of returning to the primordial state of being, and should be treasured. Suddenly, I heard a voice reciting a poem in the heavens above:
Many deities appeared in the heavens. They were the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond, Amitabha, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and many Vajra Protectors, Divas, Dakas and Dakinis. My mom was here! And many other visitors too. I celebrated my birthday alone today, no doubt. But thank god there were many invisible beings who showed up! To me, that marks another kind of joy
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