When it is still fresh in my mind, I think I better put it into words in case one day I am so reckless that I really forgot about this great day – 2nd August 2010. Today, University of Malaya has acknowledged the noble contribution of my mentor – Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. He was conferred with this great Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities. More or less, the ceremony was attended by 200 participants from SGM – mostly leaders. Sensei was not here to receive the award. Instead, his eldest son was here to receive on behalf of him.
Few weeks before this, I was first informed by a leader – Ooi Li Ting. I was made understand that this conferral ceremony was to be kept low profile – not to be over enthusiastic over it. So, most of us were having this great joy, quietly in our hearts. We were asked as well, to really think of the significance of this event especially at this year. Later, a few prayer objectives were laid down for the big success of this event.
Dr. Boey, an academician from UM had held a special meeting to meet most of our SD members in our Region 2. In this special meet, Dr. Boey shared with us the honor of this conferment with a few Gosho passages. I deeply impressed by his way of presenting his sharing. Indeed, I should say, it was a great piece of sharing – exposing the wisdom that he possessed through his practice all this while. Dr. Boey later spoke to us on our focus in chanting which he laid down 4:
1. To chant that the whole ceremony will be smooth and great success;
2. To chant that the weather on that day will be just nice;
3. To chant that people in UM and Malaysian society will be able, through this conferment, to have a deeper understanding of sensei and SGI; and
4. To earnestly chant that we can really deepen our bond with sensei and have a fresh determination in our practice and studies.
These had become our prayer objectives from that moment onward. Each student house had later agreed to have chanting sessions – once in the morning and once in the evening, each 1 hour – to chant according to these objectives. I should say it was really a hard challenge to do so. There were times when we have a full-1-hour-session with full attendance. There were times, as well, when there was only 1 or 2. The feeling of seeing most of the housemates waking up as early as 6 in the morning to perform the Morning Prayer was so touched. The feeling of each of us was really towards the same goal, the same objective, will eventually charge the life to the fullest – and that’s what made the day even greater.
At the same time, we were told to standby. Tasks were given from time to time. Sometimes it could be some clarifications on certain matters regarding the university. Sometimes, the tasks can be difficult and at time, seemed impossible. Nevertheless, we will still try to do the best, just to ensure that the ceremony will go smooth.
Seats were actually limited. Not all can actually get into the hall – Dewan Tunku Canselor – to witness the ceremony. However, Academy M was told that we were given a little privilege where we can send in as many names as we liked, and we will be given as many as possible seats. At the end of the day, we were given about 15 seats – a few of them were students from UTAR. I can feel that most of them really chanted hard to join this ceremony. They would like to be in there to feel the joyful process of conferment – recognition of the most prestigious university in Malaysia on our beloved sensei.
“Daisaku Ikeda!” – these words were announced once and my heart pondered fast. I was touched when the word by word was read by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ghauth. Deep inside my heart, I congratulated sensei. His efforts were once again, recognized, acknowledged. I pledged in my heart, “I will not leave you (the path of mentor and disciple). I will, from now onwards, to fight like you, to fight with you. I want to deeply understand the meaning of “baton” that has passed to us and that I want to be the one that grab tight of this baton and truly engage myself in the path of world peace. I will study more and deepen my understanding about you and proudly share with people, your philosophy. I will proudly tell the world that you are my mentor for life and I will take all means to explain and share with people your great efforts and contributions in making this world a better place to stay.”
I heard people asking around, posing question like how do you feel? No single word can actually describe how I feel. But that doesn’t mean that I do not have any impression or what – my deep feeling will lead me to do the right things.
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