Tuesday 8 September 2009

New book on the shelf



My Private Map
Lao Tzu said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Likewise, a book of a thousand words begins with a single character.

This book was recently launched at the Overseas Chinese Book Fair at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, where the Twin Towers are.

Together with other travellers, I was on stage giving a brief encounter of my trip to Morocco. It ended with a much anticipated book signing ceremony.

One world, 24 stories.

Sunday 24 May 2009

Cafe chats



Gone soon

La Fenetre Soleil cafe owner, a tall and lanky Japanese, told me that the pre war building would soon be demolished. He said it as if it was just a matter of fact, but his eyes lost in his deep thoughts.

Not far from where he sat, I thought of the Oslo-born pianist, Ketil Bjornstad. 

He once heard that his favourite old studio, Rosenborg, would be shut down due to financial crisis. The next thing he did was to fly back from Paris to record a special album in memory of it, before the studio disappeared into dust.

The album, titled "The Rosenborg Tapes Vol 1 and 2", scored well among the audiences. It also saved the studio from being demolished. The Rosenborg now stands proudly at where it used to be in Norway, with its old Steinway and wooden walls.

I don't have the power to turn things around. But I surely can dedicate a bit of space in my blog to capture La Fenetre Soleil's beautiful atmosphere.

Here today, gone tomorrow

Thursday 21 May 2009

On the bookshelf



優雅的離去

光看書名就已引人遐思,即使是非教徒,多少也會被這來自異域的108位大師的殊勝跫音所感染。

當我讀到大師們面對死亡時的自在無礙,心緒亦隨着豁然開朗,仿佛諦見了生命的另一種不可思議性。

此書巧妙地擷取藏傳佛教,禪門佛教及印度教的大師們在面對生死時所體現出來的智慧。

這些性靈大師當中,不乏備受敬重的精神導師,如虛雲老和尚,頂果欽哲仁波切,拉瑪克禮希納,六祖惠能及鈴木俊隆等。作者通過現代人都能了解的方式,深入淺出地闡明互古即存的死亡真相。

對于曾經接觸過奧秘難懂的“西藏生死書”及“藏密度亡經”的讀者來說,“優雅的離去” 不失為一本簡易明暸,珠璣的心靈日記。

全書以108個章節為順序,配以精闢的文章,及信手拈來的雋永詞句,隨手一翻,喜獲良多。

封面標題下有一段引文,叫我反思良久。

“生命里所出現的事情中,那件最讓你感到驚奇?”  賢哲回道:“就是,人雖看到身邊的人一個個去世,卻從沒想到自己也會死去!”

叫人欣慰的是,罹患肺癌末期的作家蘇希拉布萊克曼,也在此書出版的一個半月后,在光明節那天,優雅地離去了。

我在錫金 Tashiding起了頂果欽哲仁波切

Tuesday 19 May 2009

Blissful Life



Noble wishes in daily life


When putting on clothes, make the wish: may we don the garment of conscience and propriety.

When tying your belt, make the wish: may we fasten the belt of the vows and precepts.

When opening a door, make the wish: may we open the door of the profound innate nature.

When closing it, make the wish: may we close the door to the lower realms.

When walking, make the wish: may we move forward on the path of enlightenment.

When riding, make the wish: may we ride the horse of diligence.

When crossing water, make the wish: may we cross the ocean of samsara.

When walking upward or ascending a staircase, make the wish: may we ascend on the path of liberation.

When arriving at the desired destination, make the wish: may we arrive at the city of nirvana.

When meeting a master or noble beings, make the wish: may we meet with a true master and be accepted by him.

When visiting a shrine for the three jewels, make the wish: may we take rebirth in a pure buddhafield.

When on a journey or going to sleep, make the wish: may we rest on the path of the dharma.

When talking, make the wish: may we use
only mindful speech to communicate with others


Blissful Life 2



9 Happiness tips to
live each day


1. Whatever happiness exists in the world, all results from wishing others to be happy. Whatever suffering exists in the world, all results from desiring happiness for oneself.

2. You cannot always have happiness. But you can always give happiness.

3. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour.

4. We are no longer happy as soon as we wish to be happier.

5. The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.

6. Real happiness is cheap enough, yet how dearly we pay for its counterfeit.

7. Some pursue happiness, others create it.

8. To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.

9. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Seek no more. Happiness lives inside us

Thursday 30 April 2009

All about hotels



In the world of hotel
We are only temporary guests

When we check into a hotel, we never bother to dress up the room simply because we know it's no point decorating it, we know we will leave the room the very next day.

Likewise, we will not be attached to the beauty of the room. We know they don't belong to us therefore we cannot bring them along with us when checking out.

If we can see the earth as a hotel room, and we are only its temporary guests, suddenly we feel that we are just filling up some of its space. 

The hotel will always be there, only its guests come and go. Same for the earth we live in, one day we will also depart from it.

Of all my journeys embarked, the hotel room has become my contemplating ground. Small or big, luxury or budget, they have in a way taught me something about this samsaric life.

I do not own the world. And nothing I have is truly mine.

Never take your hotel room for granted.

Cool hotels 10



East meets West

What if you were seeing a girl and your father was strongly against it? To complicate things further, you were the Prince and your father was the well respected King Chulalongkorn of Siam, and the girl you were dating was Russian.

Now imagine yourself staying in this palace and reading fanciful stories from a published hard bound book with vivid details of the Prince's love stories.

You have to be, of course, in the villa of the Chakrabongse Palace on Maharaj road near Tatien pier.

Criss-crossed with historical detail of the Chakrabongse family, the villa provides an insightful glimpse into the royal residence, also within the compound and open to the public once in a blue moon. I visited the palace late last year, which prompted me to come back for a stay at the villa.

My room faces the Chao Phraya river, with Wat Arun in the foreground, and Wat Phra Kaew in the background, I felt as if I was tucked between pages of the Siamese history. The spot where I stood on the balcony, overlooking the water once infested with floods, might well be the rendezvous the Prince used to greet his Russian wife.

The villa is a typical wooden Thai house, more so especially seen from the exterior. Its aged old interior, though classic, is well facilitated with ipod player, wifi and plasma tv. I figured a bit of creature comfort wouldn't hurt a guest's stay.

The public has zero access to the villas. Gate entrance is strictly watched by the 24-hour security guard who can recognize every guest's face. After 9 in the evening the villa staff is officially off duty, leaving the whole royal legacy of the Chakrabongse to its guests and the murmuring inserts in the garden.

In the late hours before I retreated to my bed, I came across a note Prince Chakrabongse wrote to his beloved wife, Mom Katherine Desnitsky. Even he had to give up kingship, he would never give up his love. 

How amazing love can sometimes be!

Their first meeting place, St Petersburg.

Cool hotels 9


Come, see and stay

I told Koravit, the hotel owner of Ma Du Zi, that those images on her hotel website didn’t quite do justice to the actual place itself. 

She smiled, admitted it, but was pleased that I was impressed with the room facilities.

What made me like about her instantly was her open frankness and readiness to accept advices and suggestions. There was almost an air of friendliness between us.

Having Persian blood running in her body, Koravit instinctively applies middle eastern patterns to the once-masculine French outlet. Her introduction of floral designs on the walls and doors helps soften the atmosphere by giving the right balance of Yin into the dominant Yang setup.

The evidence was subtle but I could feel her play of meticulous detail, here and there, within the hotel area. Say, for instance, a bar of soap wrapped around by a leaf or a few heart-printed chocolates on the bed, an arty-designed laundry bag or a cool set of postcards and bookmark.

These are not all that made me wow.

The Kohler branded infinity soak bath, in every room, is rewarding after a hard day’s work. You can call the maid to prepare the bath for you on your way back to the hotel. Trust me, heaven can wait while you are soothing yourself in the tub.

The extra huge bed, 8 by 6.5 foot to be exact, lets you roll around without the fear of slipping out of it. Good for a guest like me who can’t sleep “still”.

The intelligent lighting in the room lobby automatically switches off when your presence is not felt by the sensor system. It saves plenty of energy for the world, as well as for yourself. 

Ma Du Zi, in Thai, literally means “Come and see”.

And yes, you should come and see it yourself, better still, experience it yourself too!

Plenty of room to sleep on this bed 

Cool hotels 8



Hidden but smitten

Forgive me if you disagree, that I think most 5-star hotels in the Twin Tower vicinity are no match for the Maya hotel.

It rarely gets mentioned in the travel magazines or websites because it's quietly hidden in an old building which travelers tend to pass by unnoticed.

It does not get rated among the top ten hotels in Kuala Lumpur because it doesn't have the right connection in the industry perhaps.

Its sky bar commands the best city view on the 13th floor but its Cantonese locals probably don't like number 13.

Its location is within walking distance to the KLCC and Ampang entertainment spots but it's also close enough to the Malay cemetery.

Its interior decor won a design award for its sheer simplicity but not many hotel guests prefer to walk into an empty space.

For all these reasons above plus a few of my preference, such as the warm jacuzzi swimming pool, the ala carte breakfast, the fabulous toiletries set and a really cool adjustable writing desk.

I personally think the Maya hotel is such a rare find.

I have come back to stay here over and over again whenever I go shooting in Malaysia. Put all the nights together I have since stayed, it might well be over 3 months. 

Enough to prove that this is my kind of hotel.

Bamboo forest, empty space and minimal decor

Cool hotels 7



Room with a view

Few hotel rooms in Bangkok command such an unfolding panoramic view of Temple of the Dawn, where I woke up to the sounds of river boats every morning, and to my astonishment, my hotel neighbors had been living in the old quarter since decades ago.

With only 7 rooms to choose from, you are almost guaranteed of privacy. Checking in or out is smooth as the river breeze.

Nestled on the Ratanakosin island, Arun Residence is literally steps away from Wat Pho, which houses the world's largest reclining buddha, the Grand Palace, Museum Siam and Pakorn Flower market, one of the busiest in Asia.

If you rise early enough, you can make merit by giving morning alms to the monks who walk past the shop lots. Or if Thai delicacies are your bet, a stroll along the pavement provides you with an array of local tastes. 

The Sino-Portuguese river house faces the west side of the Chao Phraya river, so sunset is a great time to unwind and to observe Temple of the Dawn with its glittering lights.

I had a great therapeutic massage in the comfort of my room. The masseur was from the respected Wat Pho traditional medical and massage school. 

Ask the staff to arrange one for you, as the hotel is built on the land owned by Wat Pho, they have a special deal to work things out.

Temple of the Dawn, seen from my viewfinder.

Cool hotels 6



The city of sleep and relax

The hotel name, Phranakorn-Nornlen,  is a bit of a mouthful to spell or pronounce. Its location, hidden deep in a soi off Thewet, can be a pretty daunting task for the first timer. Nevertheless, it is well worth the effort when you finally find your way to this hidden gem.

Rose, the host of the hotel, greeted me with her genuine Thai smile. She showed me a few room layouts, each with its own hand-painted walled mural, and it was tough to make a choice among them. 

The next early morning, I made a swift visit to Thewet market, where the Royal household used to frequent 100 years ago. Rumors had it that they arrived in big empty boats, and left full of fresh produce enough for a week. I stood by the pier, now in need of repair, took a long glance at the river and imagined its hey days.

When I returned to the hotel, Rose had already made my organic breakfast, with freshly squeezed juice and vegetables grown on the hotel's rooftop. 

"We grow some of our ingredients here without chemical fertilizers. Or we buy them from the royal agricultural projects by HRH King Bhumiphol." She beamed again, "We support only farmers who live in good moral codes and use ingredients according to the season."

It is hard to believe that Rose was once a well known Thai celebrity. She didn't act like a snob at all as most local celebrities do. 

Perhaps she was too exhausted having to put on an act in the entertainment industry.

Phranakorn-Nornlen, in Thai, means "the city of sleep and relax". Judging from its neighborhood address, you would be grateful for where it is situated.

Sustainable living can be pretty cool and chic too.

Tuesday 28 April 2009

Cool hotels 4




Sleep at Seven

How about a small boutique hotel with only seven rooms in seven colours? 

And all you have to do is select one of the seven days to suit your mood. Sound like a dream? No, welcome to Seven on Sukhumvit 31.

Each of the seven rooms is inspired by the deep-rooted Thai tradition of relating each day of the week to a specific god of the planets found in ancient Indian astrology.

Sunday is red for the Sun god Phra Arthit.
Monday is yellow for the Moon god Phra Charn.
Tuesday is pink for the Mars god Phra Angkarn.
Wednesday is green for the Mercury god Phra Phut.
Thursday is orange for the Jupiter god Phra Pareuhat.
Friday is blue for the Venus god Phra Suk.
Saturday is purple for the Saturn god Phra Sao.

I had the fortune to stay here for three nights, changing my room from Pink to Orange to Blue. And without fail, its ceiling to floor coloured murals affected me emotionally. When I was embraced in a sea of orange, I started feeling sunny too. Likewise in a blue atmosphere, I became more melancholy and less inclined to be agitated. 

Scientists have proved that certain colours can invoke a part of our hidden memory from our sixth consciousness. I suspect it may go even deeper into our eighth Alaya consciousness.

The day I left happened to be on sunday, I discovered upon checking out that the red lobby/public room which I have breakfast everyday was actually its seventh.

The Sun God was there in the room, greeting me at my departure.

The Orange room, with its hip murals.

Sunday 26 April 2009

Cool hotels 3



Arriving home

The Eugenia is named after the hotel owner's 83 year-old Vietnamese friend, who inspired the creation of this chic property.

It is hard to believe that the 12-suite Eugenia was built anew according to master plan. Every single detail in the house is meticulously conceived, so much so that it truly evokes the opulence of an authentic 17-century chateau.

Indeed, when I arrived here, I felt more like arriving home than at a hotel.

The suite I stayed was appointed with antique copper bathtub, metal switch boxes, old reading lamps, and a Victorian bed with Belgium-imported white linen. And if you are a vintage car fan, a nostalgic ride in Jaguar MK VII or Mercedes Ponton 220 S around the town is highly recommended.

Room amenities are standard but its unlimited free overseas call certainly sounds tempting . Calling home or friends abroad has become part of the activities here.

On the nights I was there, the hotel owner, a Taiwanese architect, was not in town. I didn't have a chance to ask him why he decided to use an old lady's name as its hotel signature.

Needless to say, it will be another fascinating story to hear.

The emerald pool is a great spot to read and write.


Tuesday 14 April 2009

Cool hotels 2



Number Sixteen

I stayed at Number Sixteen for three simple reasons. 

First, most five-star hotels in London easily cost over 300 Pounds per room. I paid 200 Pounds for a 55 sqm, much spacious than the usual hotel rooms.

Second, nothing can really beat this stylish mid-Victorian white stucco terrace on 16 Sumner place, I truly felt like living the life of an English man.

Third, it's right in the heart of a bustling neighborhood, steps away from Victoria & Albert and Natural History museums, Harrod's and Knightsbridge. Plus a mere five minutes' walk to South Kensington tube station.

Last note to add. Though not important to some, I had been mesmerized by the weather forecast stickers stuck on the paper every morning. It might not help save the notorious climate reputation, but it certainly left a mark on my heart.

When you are mindful enough, people can notice the difference you make.

Instyle magazine called it a temple of sophistication

Cool hotels 1



A letter to Kurt


Dear Kurt,

Legendary is a word I hardly use in my daily vocabularies. A word I probably will not relate to the service industry, unless of course, the establishment really deserves it.

This is my first stay with the Oriental Bangkok, and undoubtedly one of the most memorable hotel stays I have so far in the land of smiles.

The Sukhothai may be known for its imported buckwheat pillows. The Four Seasons for its 24-hour fitness centre with free flow of fresh juices and coffee. The Peninsula, diagonally opposite from the Oriental, is thoughtful for its digitalized weather forecast in every room.

But none comes close to the Oriental for its impeccable personal service.

Daisann McLane once said when hotel rooms are perfect, she often forgets the details. Here I will not go into detail on the décor of the rooms. But allow me a few words on the pleasant staff at the Oriental, who is well mannered in every sense of the word, and who makes me feel both welcome and comfortable all the time.

The butler on my floor, Khun Rinrada, is a charming lady who goes all her ways to meet my needs. She will always press the lift button for me every time she sees me leaving my room. She gave me a vase of fragrant flowers for my bathroom. And she even offered me a bar of lemongrass soap when she learnt that I liked the smell of this Thai spice.

My room is well maintained by her meticulous inspections. She feels more like an old friend to me than a staff at the Oriental. And giving more than what the guests expect has indeed become a motto here.

Another important person worth mentioning who makes my stay possible is Khun Santichai, director of sales. Within my tight budget he managed to work out a good deal for me to experience the Oriental stay. I was particularly impressed by the view of my room. He even called to wish me well during my stay.

Needless to say, no one can whistle a symphony alone. It takes a whole orchestra to play it. Over the past few days I observed the staffs at various departments, and my conclusion is, they all love working for the Oriental and feel proud being part of it. From their bright smiling faces I see loving kindness and friendliness. And it reminds me of a beautiful saying: you cannot always have happiness, but you can always give happiness.

We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future. George Bernard Shaw knew it. And you knew it too by saying about the Oriental: our history is also our future.

I wish the Oriental the very best in the coming years.

Sincerely

Vancelee Teng

Where renowned writers sat and sipped...

Saturday 21 March 2009

Life observer 2



離開地面一尺

不是市集小販們此起彼落的叫賣聲。

不是從遠處聖母大教堂傳來的娓娓鐘聲。

也不是西貢河上擁擁攘攘的漁船所發出的引擎聲。

是轟隆隆的電單車聲,以千軍萬馬之勢,先把胡志明市這座法殖港城給吵醒的。

天微亮了,車龍出現了,震耳欲聾的車聲源自四面八方。大路上,小徑邊,窄巷內,川流不息着,為越南人開始鋪上一天的生活節奏。

每日進出市區的電單車不少過兩百萬輛,以第五區的唐人街為甚,其次為第一,三,十及十一區。

吵,是難免的。亂,也是無可厚非的。

居住在胡志明市而不聞電單車聲,那你的神識肯定是遺留在睡夢中了。

無所不在的車聲,是胡志明市的生活音符,翻滾着,充塞着整個空間,經由公路表面往地底深處下鑽。想要諦聽它跳動的脈搏,最好選擇離地面越近越好。

太高,觸目盡是一大片鋼骨水泥及稻田茶地。太低,又只能窺見污泥水道及高腳浮屋。

貼近地面觀察一個城市的精神面貌,比較接近真實記錄中的原汁原味。而“身入其境”指的,當然是自身對周遭的環境感受。

跳上一輛 Xe Om(越語為電單車之意),屏住呼吸,飛馳在房與樓之間的公路上。Xe Om 車伕擅操捷徑。所謂捷徑,多為民房住宅區內又長又窄的陋巷。好處是,少了公路上的水泄不通及烏煙瘴氣。而一路上,尚可親睹形形色色的人生百態。

依偎在母親懷里哭鬧的嬰兒,上學去的天真孩童,嬉笑玩樂的小伙子,晝夜辛勞不停的小販們,恩愛的情侶們,吵架的夫婦們,還有握着拐杖坐在曬太陽的老婆婆。

一幕緊跟着一幕的生命實相,以生老病死的詮釋方式,用極快的速度在我眼前呈現着,又如閃電般地消聲匿跡。在雙腳離地面一尺的水平線上飛馳着,盡入眼簾的每一幕都是一場活生生的戲。戲中的主角雖不是自己,卻總是息息相關。

場景和主角一直在更換着,聲音和空氣中的味道也隨着境界的不同而改變。還沒來得及明察眼前當下這一幕,下一幕又呼然而至。幕幕匆忙交替中顯得有點混亂,但又亂中有序,像小時候寫字用的大方格簿子,一格接一格地迅速被填滿,又一格格地被塗擦掉。

離開地面一尺不算高,在腳不着地的虛幻空間中飛走着,少了高空遨翔的遼闊自在,卻多了一份踏實之感。

我的靈魂騎在車背上,在一個又一個不經意的拐彎處,我總會帶有些期待,驚喜及一絲許無法自拔。

離開地面一尺,我尚未脫離娑婆世界的業力牽引,依舊在半真半假的時間空隙中飛馳着。經過眼前的景或物,是如此神速,如露亦如電。

闔上雙眼,把色塵拒絕在外境的門檻上,心不作他想,意不作他解,渾然忘我地飛越在有和無之間的生命長廊上。

只知道,雙腳一着地,"現實"即刻尾隨而至。

進出胡志明市區的電單車

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Healthy living 3



多說好話
家人病時,你會關心慰問。好友不如意時,你會好言相勸,甚至心儀的寵物受驚時,你也會抱抱或摸摸它。

但當我們體內的器官受到壓迫時,你可曾好好地和它說過話?如果說一切生命皆有佛性,那器官內的每個細胞亦復如是。

大陸著名作家賈平凹害了多年的肺病,尋遍名醫都治不好。他把心一橫,索性隱居起來。幾年后重出文壇,肺病卻離奇地痊愈了。

記者追問他來龍去脈,只見他輕描淡寫道:我什麽藥都沒吃,這幾年就只是每天和我的肺說好話。

關懷的一句好話,勝過華佗的仙丹靈藥。

日本科學家已經證實,一杯水的分子結構能因一句好話而徹底改善。更何況是我們體內一個個生氣勃勃的細胞呢?

除非似木頭,一切生命皆有佛性

Healthy living 2



戒口

爬了幾百級的楷梯,終于登上了蘇瓦莆迪那大佛塔。

迎面撞上了一位喝得酩酊大醉的年輕藏人。他追着問我的名字, 我告訴了他。他窮追不捨,又問我吃肉或不吃肉。

我先是一征,然后回答:吃。

你吃肉?他口齒不清的咆哮着,用他的手指頭在我的手背上捻了一團肉,又大言不恥地說:你吃肉!你吃肉!

我被他這突如其來的舉動給震懾住了。回返曼谷后,我真的把肉給戒了。先從豬牛羊開始,接着是雞鵝鴨。

我和那位年輕藏人平生素未謀面,有緣相遇,多半為業力牽引。他那天雖喝醉了,心卻還是清醒着的。

時時提醒自己少吃眾生肉。

Life observer 1



凌晨兩點的飛機聲

凌晨兩點十分,躺在床上倘若還未墜入夢鄉,可以很清楚的諦聽到飛機劃過公寓上空的隆隆聲。

離我頭頂上方三萬五千尺,有一架載着各地乘客的747緩緩而行,我不知道它要飛往地球上的那一端。但每逢此刻,方察覺自己失眠了。

地上的人為了瑣碎塵事而睡不着。天上的人呢?

在寺廟旁偷睡懶覺的老人

Healthy living 1



有洞的菜才好吃

鄉下長大的人應該有聽說過,農夫自己種的瓜果蔬菜,自己也不敢食用,主因是農藥打得太多了。

你可能會反問,農藥成本貴又對人體有百害,打這麽多幹什麽?

若我們捫心自問,尤其是家庭主婦們,上超市買菜時,會否買有蟲洞的包菜?會否買帶疱的番茄?會否買表皮粗糙的黃瓜?

答案是非常明顯的,大家只要買漂亮的果菜,農夫們為了漂亮的收成而拼命打農藥把蟲蟻趕走。這些外表美觀的果菜,都沾滿了一層層毒性極濃的農藥,好看不好吃呀!

自己種的瓜果蔬菜不打農藥

Monday 9 February 2009

Well beings 2


Tagore's house
Sufferings, in Rabindranath Tagore’s eyes, had become a good medicine for his questioning mind. From the close encounters he had with the people living off the dusty street, he penned what would become the world’s best literary works as judged by Nobel committees.

He was also under great influence from the Japanese masters at that time. He traveled extensively to the land of the rising sun, and immersed himself in the art of tea ceremony, meditations, paintings and Buddhist teachings.

One glance at his poems you would not wonder why. There was almost a zen touch in one of his Bengali poems that goes like this…

"Where movement is not all movement
and stillness is not all stillness;
where the idea and form,
the within and the without are united;
where infinite becomes finite,
yet not losing its infinity."

On 7 August 1941, Tagore breathed his last in the
comfort of his house,
ending a life so beautifully lived.

Tuesday 27 January 2009

Well beings 1



Mother Teresa's chair
I was particularly moved to see two chairs exhibited at a crammed room next to Mother Teresa's tomb. One was labeled as her regular wooden stool which she used to sit while working in her office. The other, a cushioned chair which she always refused to sit at work, at least not until when she was in great pain in her last ailing year.

She sat on that cushioned chair briefly for one last time on the morning of 5 september 1997. On the same day at 9.30pm, she peacefully passed away. Her last word: " Love one another as I have always loved you."

Another sentence also caught my teary eyes when I read from the exhibition material. I could hear her voice calling the world afar... " What you cannot do, I can. What you can do, I cannot. But together we can do beautiful things for God."

I got out of Mother House through the entrance where I was led in. The signboard, next to the door, made such a great impact on me. It read: MOTHER TERESA. IN.

I knew she still is. I could tell from the faces of those nuns and devotees.

The miracle of faith and selfless compassion