WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

Yan Leng

When I first attended the BISDS, I felt lost and alienated. Everything was new to me – the system, the school, the teachers, and the students.  Even the Dhamma was new to me.  Yet, as the years went by, I began to sense a change in me, a transformation that involved my character, my Dhamma knowledge and my attitude towards life.

Throughout the five years in BISDS, I have changed from an introvert to an extrovert.  I learned to make friends and to participate in classroom discussions.   I also gained leadership qualities by joining the children’s camp as a committee member.  Furthermore, I participated in other activities and helped during Wesak Day, Appreciation Night and so on.  The activities indeed enabled me to build upon my leadership qualities.

More significantly, my Dhamma knowledge had increased and led to many discoveries.  I realised how to practise the Dhamma in my everyday life, how the precepts can guide me and how I can be an example to others.

Besides that, thanks to BISDS, I have found Kalyana Mitras that brought colours into my life. Let me introduce you to some of my Kalyana Mitras.  Justin Lee tops the list, as I have known him since young.  He goes nag… nag… nag but I know that he cares for all of us.  Next is my beloved Lim Wei Gin.  She is such a bubbly person that one cannot help but laugh along with her.

Tan Yu Ming and Lim Sui Lun are like brothers to me; the former will split hairs with me while the latter will always back me up.  Two other friends – the Twin Towers (Leong Mun Ping and Bryan Fong) – are always around to cheer me up… and up… and up… (This is for saying that I am vertically challenged, guys!)

Other Kalyana Mitras that I must mention are Lok Shi Shuen, Chin Sze Mei and Lim Yee Wan, whom I have known for about five years. Life at BISDS would not have been so happy if not for You Xin Yi. She really lights up my life. Sadhu to John Wong, Ng Suelyn, the Lim twins, the Fam brothers, Low Kai Wei, Low Wen Xiang, Mike Teo, Cheong Hvey Jci, Kelly Tan, Chua Wei Chiang, Geetha Valaidum, Lim Sui Yuan, Vincent Oh, Ong Swee Pie, Choo Zhen Whei, Koh Mun Wai, Yong Sue San, Tan Pei Yin, Ong Xuan Zhi, Jusryn Ee, Suan Ngiap Kim, Sumitra Chye, Ooi Qi Wei, Chua Pei Wen, Sek Ying Phin, Loh Wei Ting, Kevin Liew and to my Moggallana classmates for being with me.

Many thanks go to my teachers who have guided me tirelessly in my pursuit of the Dhamma. Brother Ronnie, Sister Vanessa, Brother Kan Cheng and Brother Lid Sine – you have made a difference in my life.

Lastly, HAPPY 8OTH ANNIVERSARY TO MY BELOVED BUDDHIST INSTITUTE SUNDAY DHAMMA SCHOOL!

by : CHEAH YAN LENG, MOGGALLANA 1