As the Upasaka says the Hail Mary…

Well, as you know many of my friends and relatives found that I’m a dedicated Buddhist in the sense that I’m able to give a Dharma lecture, know most of the protocols, rituals, such as chanting and gestures etc. However, most of them they don’t know my actual clandestine that have been obscured all this while.

Okay, let me proceed with my story…

When I was small, during every first or the second day of November, mum would bring me to the Catholic cemetery (St. Joseph Cathedral) which was located about 10 minutes away from my house (not the current house that I’m staying, but 13 years back). So did with my aunties, gathered there in the evening, with fresh chrysanthemums in their hands and few boxes of white candles.

As everyone had arrived at the tomb with a green and blue colours tiled cross, together they scrubbed and polished the tomb. I was asking, who were we ‘visiting’ this time? Mum and aunts just smiled and told me that She’s my late grandma, mother of my mum and aunts. (She was converted to Catholic faith after a miraculous event during her coma state in hospital, suffered with brain cancer. She was roused from a deep slumber by Christ. Although the nurse attempted to wake her up, she just could never wake up. Only Christ could save her. She didn’t know who’s that beardy Guy was, not until the nurse showed to her the image of Sacred Heart…So, this is how she was converted to Christian, except my her husband, my grandpa.)

As the candles were all lit, they began with cross sign, and joined their palms firmly, thus saying their prayer silently. I didn’t know what was that mean, so I was just followed as what they did, it’s fun though.

After my prayer before the tomb, I heard the bell chimed coming from the other side of the cathedral. Followers and choir were singing the hymns harmoniously during the Evening Mass. I rushed to the crowd, my curiousity towards the congregation just made me felt so graceful, felt like wanted to join them. From the event, my aunt explained that was how a Catholic’s Mass likes, where there would be a priest conducting the services, assisted by the altar bothers, having choir leading the crowd to sing the wonderful hymns and so forth…

Slowly I started to get closer with the Lady of Immaculate Heart, where my mum used to keep those images (cards). I felt comfortable for the first time I said my prayer to Her. Usually, when I encountered any bad omens, I would just take out Her image and beseeched for blessing. Even until know, I still feel that, she’s just like my spiritual mother, or Avalokiteshvara (Guan Yin) Bodhisattva in Buddhism belief.

However, I’m more suitable to Buddhism, as I found the affinity between me and Buddhism has ripened ever since I know the basic concept of overall teaching. Nevertheless, I’m able to attach the Dharma by applying it practically in my life, which is very constructive. However, I discovered the profound insight has actually aided in my daily life.

Actually, both Catholic faith and Buddhism have the same concept, basically be compassionate to all beings, respect the mother nature and never commit in negative deeds that nurture the sins to grow.