Low Siew Yong (75 years old)
I was admitted to the Sungai Buloh Settlement when I was 13, back in 1964. When I was young, I joined the Buddhist temple as a member along with my friends. After becoming a member, the temple would give us red packets every year. I don’t quite remember the exact amount anymore—maybe five or ten dollars?
Every Wesak Day, I really wished to participate in the float parade, but I was never selected. Maybe I wasn’t good-looking enough? Fortunately, both of my daughters were chosen later on. They dressed up as little girls holding flower baskets in the parade. They were so happy, and I was proud of them.
In the early years, I volunteered at the temple every Wesak Day—helping to pack and distribute fried vermicelli to the devotees, and delivering porridge to the elderly in the building. We volunteers would be busy from 11 in the morning until around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Afterward, the temple would give us each a towel as a token of appreciation. The temple used to be so lively, crowded with people, and donors’ names would cover the entire blackboard.
I once ran a mixed rice stall named “Woh Hup,” located opposite the Hokkien Association. I was already divorced then and managed the business alone. After earning some income, I would offer three large incense sticks and donate RM50 to the temple every year, as a humble offering.
When I was younger, I often participated in Wesak parades. Now that I’m older, I no longer have the energy, nor the interest in watching Chinese opera. I used to visit the temple with friends on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month, but I wouldn’t say I’m a particularly devout Buddhist.
This Wesak Day, I wish everyone peace and prosperity! I’m exhibiting a pastel artwork in this exhibition. I find pastel art easy to pick up and very much to my liking. Every time I finish a piece, I take a photo and send it to my two daughters on WhatsApp. They always reply with a big thumbs-up, which makes me feel so content.
