Page 40 - EH67

38 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

Creating Positive

Conditions for

Well-Being

By Venerable Yin Kit

The following write-up is based on Knowing he was a Buddhist I asked
eight questions that Benny Liow him what people of the Buddhist
asked Venerable Yin Kit about how faith did for their loved ones and
Venerable Yin Kit is celebrating she came in touch with Buddhism,
her 30th year as a monastic in how to approach the different schools family in such situations. He
explained that in his faith, a person
2022. She is grateful for three of Buddhism, misconception of the generates merits from abiding
decades of cultivating the land doctrine of emptiness and non-self, by precepts. These merits could
and the mind, living with her and the importance of mindfulness be dedicated and transferred to
Dharma sisters, training novices, meditation for people today. She has a parent or a loved one for their
and teaching in such varied places taken these questions and blended well-being.
as prisons, community events, them together to form this short
end of life education and service, article. As such, Eastern Horizon When he told me that the first
international conferences, and would like to thank Venerable Yin Kit precept - abstaining from taking
elementary schools. She often says, for her kindness in responding with life - meant not eating meat, I
“I am only one small condition, the answers to our questions. May it immediately realized this precept
would not be difficult for me to do.
part of infinite numbers of factors benefit our practice and cultivation.
I had only to give up eating poultry
coming together to be here
My first encounter with the and did so right away. This belief
and precept seemed rational to
Buddha’s teachings was in the
me and offered at least something
1980s. My mother had just been
I could do for my mother, as a
diagnosed with terminal cancer and
daughter. So, I became vegetarian
was given a life expectancy of only
overnight.
a few months. I expected she would
pass away soon but I didn’t want
My mom went on to outlive all the
her to suffer, especially with pain.
doctors’ expectations and had 1 ½
more years of life. I was able to take
During this time, I worked in
my mom to a monastery, where she
the hospital. The son of one of
took refuge. Following these events,
my patients was a Buddhist and
she became fervently devoted, very
during one of our conversations,
calm and focused on her practice,
I mentioned how seriously ill my
vowing to go to the Pure Land.
mother was. He asked me if my
Venerable Yin Kit (center) with Ven. Yin Tan, mother had any specific beliefs or Her passing was very peaceful.
Ven. Yan Qan, Ven. Dao Ji, Ven. Dao Ren, Dao Moments before she passed away,
Xin Sze, after the ordination of the newest faith. My mother was a traditional
member of the sangha, Spring 2020. Chinese folklore worshipper. she was conscious and fully aware
of her family surrounding her. My