Made breakfast, packed lunch hurriedly as I multi tasked between cooking and washing up (to Playmate's horror because I left boiling eggs unattended) because this was an event I cannot be late for!
While waiting for tram 70 (the only tram that goes there) along Flinders Street to Rod Laver Arena, one stranger was overheard telling another “This has to be the tram. I’ve never seen a whole tram looking so happy and friendly.” She was right, throughout my tram experience I may have seen one or two cases of strangers talking to one another, but this was entirely different. The whole tram was just buzzed with activity, with people talking about how much they are looking forward to HH’s lessons, and there were others who looked pleased and happy even though the tram was packed to the brim. Even I gave up my seat to another old lady, which I (admittedly) seldom do so, but she kindly declined saying I should have the seat because it’s not fair to me and she is fine standing.
In turn, this act of giving and getting kindness returned as mentioned earlier by Ajahn Brahm happened, which was a lovely start to the day. He was seen sitting on the stage in front of HH, more on that later.
Making my way down from the tram station to RLA, I quicken my steps as I was almost running late. It was 9.10am and I needed to collect the tickets before 9.30am. It’s really strange..because for once I felt this overwhelming sense of awe that got me tearing. Previously, I had missed many chances to see HH and I was convinced I would never get to see him in person. Furthermore he has announced his impending retirement in a few years’ time which means that there will not be many future public appearances (that are affordable enough for me to travel there). So it still feels a little surreal to see him in person, and I can’t believe this is really happening.
I was sitting about 30-50m away from him and on the stage, there is a platform for his seat and monks (I believe are representatives from various branches/monasteries from the region) sat on the floor. I spotted Ajahn Brahm , Khensur Rinpoche and his assistant Tenzin too.
About 10mins later, HH walked out from backstage and everyone stood up, bowing slightly with our palms together. That was when I started tearing and when I looked around me, there were other people who looked misty-eyed or crying too. There were a small community of Tibetans spotted, identified by their traditional dress which I believe they wore specially for this occasion. I don’t know how would they feel about seeing HH, I can imagine it to be far more intense than what I felt.
Just like what the parents had described, he is a very humble man, smiling and bowing at everyone as well – practicing what he stressed a lot in his teachings (which is also mentioned later), that respecting fellow beings is very important. As the camera zoomed in to him greeting the fellow monks, I gave a huge firm pat on Khensur Rinpoche’s shoulder, who is a close friend of his currently based in Adelaide as an abbot of a monastery.
After he has sat down, everyone else did as well and the 3 day series of teachings commenced.
(more pictures uploaded here)
24, female. A fashion addict who loves the outdoors as well, and globe trotting as a 
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