edeon's encounters: 22/07/2007

The past week has been a whirlwind, ups and downs that pass trough like a roller coaster. Monday and Tuesday, busy preparing for English and Chinese discussion meetings, at the same time chanting for the success of Project 50 practices. While chanting, i remember a what Chin Yen said to all group PIC that we always must be caution that the practice so far had been smooth running. The Devil will surely appear on such meaningful event to test our spirit and courage. As the Daishonin stats: 魔不境初，焉之正法。The Devils will appear wherever the True Law spreads. So we must be careful and chant plenty of daimoku. So when I chant, I have this courage that is burning in my heart, and I ask for the devil to appear, as i will challenge You.

Then following after Tuesdays English Discussion Meet, I went to night duty in BK and didn't sleep all night. Then, Wednesday, like always, online for a wholeday without getting enough rest. At night I went to High School Div PIC meet. I have a very fruitful meeting with discussions done with other PICs, discussing on the new directions of HSD and suggestion to improve the meeting.

Then Thursday morning, I met my freelance employer to discuss on the design of the shop. That morning, I'm not feeling so well. So after that, I rush home and rest. I know that something will happened then... Its the same problem i had for few years now. Sometime, when i got fever, I will get numbness on my whole body and I can't controlled it. Worried about out PIC training at night, the numbness got worst. Luckily, my bro came home early that day. I tried to rest some more but the numbness didn't ease out. So I asked him to contact my mom. Then, I make myself to get out of bed and ask my brother to sent me to the nearest clinic. Then, the doctor gave me some antibiotics and calciums, asking me to relax and breath slowly with a plastic bag as it might be anxiety. Slowly, the numbness ease out and i really want to go for practice. My mother wouldn't allow it. With a letter form the doctor i admitted to the Hospital to check what's wrong with my body. This is not the first time such numbness happens.. So i had miss out PIC traning, and with my another PIC gone back to Penang， i'm very worry that my B5 members' practice on the weekend. Chanting for the doctor in hospital to discharge me on Friday or Saturday.

The doctor took some blood sample to be examine and I stayed a night int he hospital. Then the next morning the doctor showed up and told us(my mom & I) that my white bloods count are double of the normal rate. She want me to get antibiotic injections as she suspect that there must be some virus attack that my body creates so many white blood cells. But I felt very good already as i have no fever and very energetic. She then insist me to stay until Sunday.

When i heard the news, i got very disappointed as i need to go for the weekends training. So i chant for my good health and being able to defeat this devil. With a strong ichinen that i will recover for the sake of kosen-rufu, being able to win this battle with all my comrades, encouraging then and foster them to be capable youth. It generates a fighting spirit in me and the will to have a healthy body, so that i can freely participate in Kosen-rufu. Chanting that I will surely be discharge on the next morning and join my friends in IPA.
look! perfectly healthy...

Saturday-- doctor came and deliver a news, that my white blood count has gone down to 12 (normal evel is 11), but she still wanted me to stay for another to do further observations. I really want to join the practice and so, reluctantly, I'd contacted Chin Yen that I can't attend for both practices... Then I receive a messege from Keh Chong , that " Kosen-rufu is not the end of the river, its the river itself, its your spirit living in the life of Buddhism. Fighting no matter what conditions for the sake of Kosen-rufu. " 广宣流布不是河流的终点，而是河流的本身，使你活在佛法人生的脉动，这意味着为广布而生在任何情况也继续奋斗。”

staring out the window, chanting for the success of training and the rain to go away as gym boys need to practice....

With my mother encouragement and sensei guidance from New Human Rev. I chanted with the spirit that I surely will be discharge on Sunday, early morning and I can still join them. - I will have 100% good health and nothing is wrong with my body. - With a healthy body, I can freely enjoy and participate in kosen-rufu activities. I will be able to overcome this obstacles and complete my mission as Group PIC for making this event successful and the personal growth of members in life and kosen-rufu. I will win this battle and use this experience to encourage my members. This will be my stepping stone to deepen my faith and after this incident, this sickness will no longer bugging me. I will have a healthy body. - cahnting for the success of training and members and supporting group's good health.

Then on Sunday, I waited for the doctor until 11.30 and finally she deliver the news that I can be discharged. My body is perfectly healthy from all the examinations and my blood count is normal. Once again, I put on my battle gear (black T-shirt and track bottom) ready to surprise my members, catching up for the afternoon practice. With some help from the insurance agent, the discharge process is fast and i'm able to leave the hospital around 2.15pm.

Then i arrive back in IPA, great joy just flows in my body that once again, i come back to join my friends, in this familiar atmosphere. In SGM, everyone support each other like thier own family. My member done very well with Chee Chung. I'm very happy that I win this battle. Knowing that my body is very healthy and will overcome this problem. I need to take care of my health. The important lesson is that we need to have very strong ichinen "一念" . We can never be defeated by our karma. Karma is in our life, but how we look at it depends on ourself. Buddhism teaches about having the positive thinking and with our strong ichinen, we can change poison to medicine. Life is about challenge, youth is all about challenge. All these obstacle and challenge thrown to us will make us grow as a person.

Practice in IPA, here is only 1/2 of the performers...

Finally, i would like to thank all friends, comrades and family for all your support and encouragements. and especially Chee Chung for taking care of my members so well. Once again, I will join all youth members to achieve our goals in kosen-rufu and this Project 50. Fostering youths that contributes to the country, the society and be a victor in life.

" Walk the eternal and solemn path of truth and justice! Bring forth your youthful boundless powers of creativity, your vigours life-force! Abide by principles that lead to living a sound valuable youth! Your actions, sparkling with amazing dynamism! your heroic struggle, brimming with unshakable commitment! " Daisaku Ikeda

For more pictures of our Project 50 practices, please visit http://merdeka50sgm.blogspot.com/