The Gratitude for a Drop of Water

Repaid With a Gushing Spring 

 

The Water Drop teahouse, found on the 4th floor of the Sutera Mall in Johor Baru is a story born from Venerable Master Hsing Yun's gratitude  Master Hsing Yun was born in Chiangtu, Chiangsu province, China, in 1927. 

The teahouse derives its name from the gratitude expressed in the old saying "a drop of water's worth of kindness repaid with a gushing spring."  We must all repay the drop of kindness from our parents, our teachers, and our country with a gushing spring .  Only a grateful life can be a rich life.

Master Hsing Yun was struck with serious illness at age 17 or 18.  His master sent someone to travel a long way to deliver half a bowl of salted vegetables to him.  To people today, this may not be much but at that time it was a rare delicacy.  Master Hsing Yun was overcome with gratitude as he tearfully ate the pickled vegetables and made a vow to spread the Dharma for the benefit of living beings.

I read this from the book "Buddha Land in the Human World" written by Pan Xuan together with Master Hsing Yun.  This book was given to me by Tanah Sutera Development Sdn Bhd general manager Steven Shum today. The book is tagged RM40 but to me, it is a priceless gift.  It is gift of the Dharma.

Steven also shared with me that the society is the best place for a person to cultivate spiritual development.  The removal of greed, hatred and ignorance is not easy but it can be done, says Steven.

"Meditation, chanting, volunteering, reading Dharma books, doing good ...these are all cultivation," he adds.

The Sutera Mall, managed by Tanah Sutera Development, is extending the duration of the "One Stroke Calligraphy exhibition, which was initially scheduled from Nov 18 to Dec 1. It is now extended to Dec 15.

Don't miss the One Stroke Calligraphy exhibition which tells the inspiring journey of the Master's life and his work. The event is jointly organised by Tanah Sutera and Fo Guang Shan Malaysia, Johor.

"Don't Look At My Writing, Please Look At My Heart".

Make a trip to the Sutera Mall before the exhibition wraps up.  It will be worth your while.

The Sutera Mall, which started operations on Aug 2008 and receives an average of 600,000 shoppers monthly, is organising events such as this to nurture the community with culture and edcuation.

Meanwhile, over at the newly-opened My Library,



Ginny Lim, 23, a library officer at My Library, said a total of 278 people and corporate bodies had joined as members.  The library receives an average of  5,532 visitors daily since it opened on Nov 18.

The Wall Street Journal is found at My Library

Besides an assortment of magazines, books and audio materials, the library also has facilities for rental, namely, rooms for discussions, seminars and kids' activities.  One can also order coffee or tea from the Water Drop teahouse while you indulge in reading at the library.