Contemplating Impermanence in Wan Ching Yuen

           Working for Than Hsiang Temple, I have the opportunity to come in contact with those old bodhisattvas(old folks) staying in Wan Ching Yuen daily. It is like looking at my own future whenever I meet them. Both their joys and sorrows reveal a lot of things to me, urging me to get ready and face the wearing effect of time.

           The following are my conversations with a few of the bodhisattvas. They recalled their past and savor the days in Wan Ching Yuen. Throughout these conversations with them, my mind became restless, disturbed by their trembling voices. I thought of their past, about life and about time. While compiling their conversations, I was hit by a sorrowful feeling and my eyes became moist. Life has nothing to boast about. After the ups and downs, at the end of our time, no one is allowed to start again. Maybe we can help recollecting the past, but deep inside we know that everything vanishes, like the clouds and smoke with each passing day. Impermanence.

          Staring at my impassionate computer, I ask myself who has slowly taken away our youth without us knowing. Who has locked ‘solitude’ and ‘loneliness’ on ‘old age’? Who can cause the dignity of life to reappear on the face of an old man?

Chen You Wei陈幼微(85 years old)         

Chan Yue Wei (85 years old)
Last time at home, I only had my servant with me. We had nothing to do, nothing to talk about. Life was quite meaningless. When Than Hsiang Temple was completed, I brought my servant here to help clean the place. Since then, an unbreakable bond between Than Hsiang Temple and me was established.

I have stayed in Wan Ching Yuen for many years now. During this period my children came to take me home three times but I each time I left home for Wan Ching Yuen. Wan Ching Yuen is very good. I would rather stay here than return to my own house. My children have all grown up: one is an engineer and the other a doctor; they have to toil for a living. As a result, they tend to neglect their home. It is lonely to stay at home by myself. The silence in the house would turn me dumb. I lived alone, looking at my reflection in the mirror, and always felt an unbearable solitariness.

However, Wan Ching Yuen is different. Even if I don’t speak, I can listen to the other old folks. When I am free, I can help out in the office, chant sutra or read books. The staff here respects us, old people. They will assign me some light duties to do, making my life meaningful here. I like Wan Ching Yuen.

Lee Bi Lian 李碧莲(73 years old)

After the death of my husband, I stayed alone at home for 11 years. Then I moved into Wan Ching Yuen. I remembered telling my old partner that when one of us passed away, the other one should move into Wan Ching Yuen. It is because the conditions in Wan Ching Yuen are very good. It is not that I have no children to look after me but they all have to work for a living. That’s why I felt very lonely for the last 11 years. The ceilings at home are a friend of a lonely person. I stared at them for many years already.

        Wan Ching Yuen gives us warmth. It also gives us freedom. The staff and volunteers here are very kind. You are very kind too. When they see us, they always smile and greet us respectfully. Ven. Wei Wu is very compassionate. We are grateful for what he has done for Wan Ching Yuen. The conditions in Wan Ching Yuen are very special. Here you learn to cultivate your bodhicitta. We can also cultivate our compassion when we come across old bodhisattvas who are seriously ill. We try out best to help and console them.

           I am also an old lady. So I feel very sad when I see old people suffer. Sometime, I would shed tears while consoling them. I expect nothing now, only hope that my illness would not worsen. I am contented if I can dress well, eat well and sleep well.

Ke Shin Siew柯欣秀 (60 years old, center)

      I just moved into Wan Ching Yuen not too long ago. It is well equipped here and the environment is clean. I admire the working attitude of the staff and volunteers here. Though they are busy, they always have a smiling face. Sometimes I see that although they are constantly bothered by the old folks, they still treat them with respect. I understand that it is difficult to serve an old man. Old people are senile and imbecile, and they would throw tantrums when they are not in a good mood. So it is rather difficult to maintain your respect towards old people.

      I learn quite a lot of things in Wan Ching Yuen especially that I can reflect upon myself every day. Every old man is my mirror. I hope I would not repeat the same mistakes and also would improve my attitude.

Lei Sen Yu吕先友 (86 years old)

         I have seven children; every one is very filial to me. I love my grandchildren. I have many grandchildren and it is not easy to look after them. I am old now, so I have to leave them behind, much against my mind, and come to Wan Ching Yuen to lead a peaceful life.

         Life in Wan Ching Yuen is really more luxurious. I read newspapers or watch TV whenever I am free. The Venerable and staff are very compassionate. They organize many activities for us one of which is the making of document clips, three times a week. Each time we need to complete five thousand clips. Anyone who wishes to work can take part. Working as a team, the task is completed seemingly without much effort. I don’t mind about the wages and I donate all my wages to Wan Ching Yuen. I wish that all of us staying together would be peaceful and happy, and there is no back-stabbing amongst us.