Transparency

In the headlines recently, Venerable Shi Ming Yi, together with one of his associates is being tried for the misappropriation of funds linked to Ren Ci hospital. This is news that one can easily read in the press.

However, what struck me most of all about this yet unconcluded saga is the apparent harmlessness which started it all. By which I mean in the actions of the Venerable. In loaning a sum of money to an associate through improper channels, he is now being tried for actions amounting to the deception of a charitable organisation. Should the prosecutors have their way, a seemingly benevolent man's name will be looked upon with some disdain always, in the view of the public.

I guess, the point I am trying to make, is that irrespective of our positions or responsibilities, and on whatever levels that we perform our activities and actions, we always need to be transparent and clear in our actions, so that should a time of accountability arise, we can always substantiate the intentions of our actions.

This need not only be subject to the purview of our financial accounts, but also in our words spoken and written and in our dealings with people we meet in everyday life. This is because we live in a society, and no man is an island; like it or not, no matter how isolated we are, we need to be accountable to the people around us. 

When a time of judgement arises, and our actions are put on trial, we can hold our heads high, with no chance of being deemed wrong or judged incorrectly.