It wasn't long after dinner that this interesting activity began. Devotees were given a candle each and assigned to different groups. A leader in the group then led them to different locations to light up the lamps which we had placed along the roadside earlier. It was a marvellous experience watching the almost dark forest slowly turning into a glowing fairyland of sort and an especially marvellous feeling to see your hard work bearing fruits. Later, the beautiful scene was even crowned with a firework (inset)! The finale perhaps was not any different from Chinese New Year but if you'd contemplate, maybe you'd rather think that there is a significance to the activity like it gives you this fine thought; that if one makes a point to pass a little kindness around, the world would turn into a Pure Land, a Utopia of sort. The good thought, as pointed out by the Dhammapada, is all too significant: All that we are is the result of What we have thought; It is founded on our thoughts, It is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with A pure thought, happiness follows him, Like a shadow that never leaves him. He abused me, he beat me, He defeated me, he robbed me; In those who do not harbor such thoughts Hatred will cease.Light a light for me!
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