Hello everyone :)
I am sorry, yesterday I could not update you with the "Skies of Merit" Retreat (Day 2). After the retreat, I went to my cousin's place to meet with her father and other cousin. My cousins and I went to Clarke Quay and enjoyed the night there by sharing and taking photos. What a wonderful night we had! :)
Okay.. so the retreat on day 2 was as great as the day 1. The remarkable moment, for me, was when I and some people took the refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha) and precepts. Ven. Thubten Chodron said that by doing such activity, you have made your deep commitment as a Buddhist. Actually this kind of ceremony is only an official thing, what important is when you can plant it at the bottom of your heart and promise yourself to do your best to keep the refuge and precepts until the end of this life.
I am very glad as well, when Ven. Thubten Chodron gave me the name of "Thubten Tsepal" :). Later on, I asked her the meaning of Tsepal and she described it as Noble Life. Hopefully, with my new name, I can change myself to be a better person and live a noble life according to the Buddha's teachings - Do good, avoid evils.
Apart from that, I learn from Ven. Thubten Chodron to REJOICE after we do something good, and also REJOICE for virtuous actions done by others. Rejoicing can be done as well when we remember all of the good qualities of Buddhas and Boddhisatvas. By rejoicing, we are trying to reduce our ill-will, envy, and jealous mind thus experiencing Mudita.
May you be well and happy always :)
