Keeping precious cultures

"如果你不了解你的过去，你就像树叶，不知道自己是树的一部分。"

Excellent quote from "Little Nyonya"

The director of this drama herself has a objective for it, to remind people about the Baba Cultures and hope that people will cherish it's beauty and appreciate it.

From the Babas, I observe that, their traditional cultures preserved their ancestors cultures, Chinese culture.

It's good to note that, Baba at old times spoke dialects and not Chinese. In fact the modern mandarin was a newly created language based on Northern chinese dialects. The national language during Tang Dynasty sounds like Hokkien/Cantonese.

Looking at the records of Baba's in SE Asia, they've been here since Zheng He of the Ming Dynasty, and even earlier. They've kept their traditions well.

饮水思源 is a virtue. I'm fortunate have known how to appreciate cultures and art. It is also gratitude and remembrance about our ancestors. The chinese was taught to recognise and remember their ancestors, their wisdom and practices, because elders are seen as wise people.

Pursuing what we like, or foreign cultures, is nothing wrong, but we shouldn't lose our own culture, which are priceless treasures. Even foreign people are picking up our beautiful cultures, why we, as the owner of these beautiful things abandon them?

Just hope that people will preserve their own traditions. I've limited strength, but I'll do what I can.

A silent thought on a star

I was waiting for the Shuttle Van to come and fetch me down hill.
I waited particularly long for it tonight.

The wind is blowing, the sound of the crickets, this silent atmosphere bring me to calmness.
While waiting, I looked at the only star, shining brightly at the dark sky... and I looked within me:
I'm calm...
No worries...
At ease...
Happy...

I did a reflection on my heart... and I reflected on the goodness that I've done.
Then I recollected the people who suffered around the world, and volunteers from relief groups who went to save the victims... and a thought arise in me:

"There are much pain and suffering in this world already,
why should I add on to more pain and suffering,
by having anger, sadness and other negative thoughts?
Having kindness in me, I should spread happiness, kindness around me.
Just as I've wished to be, and what Ajhan advice me to aspire:
"By cultivating merit, May Everywhere, everyone with my presence, be blessed."

Accepting the compliments I've got, I know that I'm moving towards the right direction, and should carry on carefully.

Then, I suspect, the shuttle service might be ended already. I left the place without and regrets. Walking down hill alone. And I see the gates, it was close... So today I also learn that, the service ends at this time...

It's a fruitful waiting, arises from wholesome causes.