Would You Live Here for 30 Years?
It’s amazing how many people in the world live in such conditions that many would deem intolerable. But due to circumstances they are in this situation. So many in Hong Kong live this way as depicted in the picture. You have the urban poor in every country of course.
Most of us would not imagine living in such a condition but for these people, they are glad to have a roof over their head. With another 210,000 people lining up for a space in one of these cage apartments, it is easy to assume that even having a space there which although is a far cry from being luxurious, is hugely appreciated by its residents.
I thought I’d share this article for everyone to read and to widen your perspective on the though lives many have to face out there. Although they are one step ahead of those without a home, but live in these small metal cages for decades with little hope of getting out from such condition, must be difficult.
Ultimately, we always want better but for many of us compared to these people what we have is very good already perhaps.
Tsem Rinpoche
23 Shocking Pictures of Apartments in Hong Kong
By coverage
Posted on November 23, 2015
- Leung Cho-yin, 67, pays around RM 700 (£105 ) a month for a cage in dilapidated apartment
- 210,000 people are on waiting list for public housing, double from 2006
- Monthly rents for tiny spaces, charging up to RM 36 (HK$90) , or ($11.60 USD), per square foot
For some of the poorest, like Leung Cho-yin, home is a metal cage.
The 67-year-old former butcher pays 1,300 Hong Kong dollars or around RM700 (£105) a month for one of about a dozen wire mesh cages resembling rabbit hutches crammed into a dilapidated apartment in a gritty, working-class West Kowloon neighborhood.
Home to tens of thousands, such cages – stacked on top of each other – measure 6ft by 2.5ft. – Daily Mail
A family eats a meal together in their small apartment in Hong Kong. (Benny Lam/SoCO/Rex USA)
Children do homework while their parents go about their daily routine in their family apartment the urban slums of Hong Kong. (Benny Lam/SoCO/Rex USA)
An elderly person sits in her home in the urban slums of Hong Kong. (Benny Lam/SoCO/Rex USA)
An elderly person prepares a meal in her apartment in the urban slums of Hong Kong. (Benny Lam/SoCO/Rex USA)
A single man with a low income sleeps in his apartment in the urban slums of Hong Kong. (Benny Lam/SoCO/Rex USA)
An unemployed man eats his dinner. His apartment is 28 square feet. (Benny Lam/SoCO/Rex USA)
A man does chores in his apartment. (Benny Lam/SoCO/Rex USA)
An elderly man living in his home in the urban slums of Hong Kong. (Benny Lam/SoCO/Rex USA)
Daily Mail : Cheng Man Wai, 62, lies in the cage, measuring 16sq ft, which he calls home in Hong Kong
Daily Mail : Yeung Ying Biu, 77, sits next to his cage
Daily Mail : Cheng Man Wai, 62, climbs up to his accommodation
Daily Mail : Lee Tat-fong, 63, is hoping she and her two grandchildren (pictured) can get out of the cubicle apartment they share in their Wan Chai neighborhood, but she has no idea how long it will take
Rocketnews24 : Steamboat inside the Apartment
Rocknetnews24 : Toilet and shower located in the corner of the room
Rocknetnews24 : Notice the bathroom under the bed
Daily Mail : Yan Chi Leung is mentally ill and lives in the 6ft by 2.5ft wire cage at the bottom of this stack of three
Daily Mail : Kong Sui Kao, 64, sits in his home in a room with 19 other cages
Daily Mail : Tai Lun Po, 79, has lived in the cage he is sitting in for an extraordinary 30 years
Daily Mail : Eight-year-old Lee Ka Ying lives in a 6ft square ‘cubicle cage home’ with her mother
Daily Mail : Yan Chi Keung eats takeaway outside his wire cage home – there are no cooking facilities
Daily Mail : Tai Lun Po walks to the bathroom which he shares with the other residents
[Source: http://thecoverage.my/top/23-hong-kong-apartments-picture-that-will-shock-malaysian-to-insanity/]
For more interesting topics:
An 8 Year Old Boy With A Mission
My mom’s lifestyle was destructive to me
Is your country in the rankings?
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Reading this article made me think how lucky and blessed I am and to be thankful for what I have. This definitely will become a good and fantastic educational material. Thank you for sharing this Rinpoche, and broadening our perspectives. _/\_
In comparison to these Hong Kong people, wow the space we have is massive and vast. We have to count our blessings.
Reading this article made me think how lucky and blessed I am . I come from third world country and I experienced how difficult it is live in this types of place..Every moment in our lives brings the opportunity to love and appreciate this beautiful life..
Things like this reminds me to be so thankful for what I have. Because what is so small or has little value to me could mean the world to another. So what I don’t need I donate (especially now as I am moving house). I must always appreciate and value everything I have and treat it with care and respect.
On the other hand, that does not mean that you must be stingy and selfish. Be humble and help the less fortunate when you can. That is the balance that you must find. Do not be selfish, but also do not treat your things like trash. That is how I see the middle path in this situation.
Kechara has KSK and there are so many other soup kitchens in the world, there is so much that you can do for the other people that are less fortunate than you. It is just a matter of effort. A little or a lot, it helps either way. So the point of my comment is to acknowledge and see how this is and how to react to it, react well.
In all countries, I guess there is a fraction of the population that lives in situations and conditions like these. It is just that usually, it goes unnoticed to the public or perhaps, no one can really be bothered.
This article reminded me very much of my first time volunteering with Kechara Soup Kitchen, where I never really appreciated what I had until I realised what so many didn’t have. I was fortunate to have most of what I wanted throughout my life, and it always never seemed like enough, until I went for a round to feed the homeless with Kechara Soup Kitchen back in 2007. Here I was, driven around in a car, having hot food served, and getting what I needed, and there were so many far from the plate of fortune I have been served. Yet I was not contented.
Looking through these photos made me think of the daily discomfort they have to face in just living. How would they use their time to practise, or for spirituality, as they would be occupied with trying to figure out how to survive daily. I guess I am even more appreciative that I have the right conditions for me to be able to use this life to study, learn and practise the Dharma.
Thank you for sharing this Rinpoche, and broadening our perspectives.
Carmen
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this to us. This definitely will become a good and fantastic educational material. This article gave us a very clear realization on how fortunate we are and how our desires dictates our life. Many of us are already staying in a very comfortable place but we feel not enough that we desire bigger and bigger house. It is never enough. If we still think the same thing and does not change our perception, the desires will destroy our life. However, I do believe that karma determines our life so whatever suffering that those people are experiencing are due their previous karma. Dharma teaches me to be compassionate and to be kind to all sentient beings. What we can do is to try our best to help those who are in need and at the same time continue our practice in cutting down our anger, craving, desires and attachment. Thank you, Rinpoche, it is a blessing for me to meet Rinpoche and Dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post with us, is very sad when look at all these picture that human need to suffer in this kind of living condition, how fortunate we are who can live in a proper house with our clean environment but I think a lot of us in also never thought that they are very fortunate because if they are happy with what they have then why some people are still complain their live not good enough , still full of desire to seek for the better never appreciate what they have I think we are the lucky one because we have Dharma and Rinpoche contanstly remind us about Dharma and be greatful with what we have, the most important is to help others who are less fortunate than us.
虽然这个地方是非常的狭窄、不完善的设备与有限的卫生标准。但这里还是会有基本的水供、电供、还有屋顶遮太阳与下雨。如果这样的环境相比于一些更贫穷，更偏僻和更落后的国家，是有多一点的幸福。
在这里生活的人，虽然不能像我们目前所拥有的舒适的环境。但是，他们也必须感到欣慰和感恩，因为他们还不至于生活在一个没有水供、电供或是需要在半夜提心吊胆因为连绵下大雨而造成屋顶漏水。
敬爱的仁波切时常都提醒我们，要感恩我们所拥有的一切包括人与事物。不要去埋怨“我没有这个，我没有哪个．．．等等•”。而因为这样，也让我们升起本来就不必要的烦恼与执着心。
如果你问我，我会在这样的一个环境里住上30年吗？我的答案是不会。我想，很多人也会和我的想法一样。因为，我们每个人都可以给自己做出选择。再加上，我们学习佛法，要相信因果。清楚的明白我们本身如果曾经造下不好的业，就要去承受不好的果。永远要记得没有人可以代替我们去承受自己所造下的业果。
感谢尊贵的上师在此让我们打开视野看到不一样的香港。
Like what Pastor Elena Khong said, “After all, in this World alone, there is already an infinite combinations of living conditions(situations), that we can be reborn into, and an infinite number of ways we can suffer on this planet alone, as humans”. As shown in the Dharma practice, human contentment and well being in real term requires us to go beyond physical, mental and emotional dimension, in order that detachment could be a greater wealth and devotion, and a bigger asset in our lives. Thank you Rimpoche for showing us the Way! Om Mani Padme Hung.
What is most amazing is that Hong Kong is a developed country, an international financial hub, a tourist attraction and infamous for its summer sale that attracts luxury consumers from all over the world.
Yet, tucked in corners are people living in such conditions and… they are considered lucky to even have a home over their heads.
Really, the next time we complain, think twice. I believe if we actually think, we will only be grateful.
I have amazing people around me. I couldn’t be in a better place. I’m grateful for my life and where I’m at. I never thought I could be in the place that I’m in. Surrounded by all the members of my dear Kechara family, enjoying the affection of numerous friends, who have never abandoned me always giving their love and care specially from H.H. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche…
Who should read articles like these:
1) children, to expose them to a variety of financial situations so they can develop empathy for the less fortunate. To develop a realistic view of the world, a good work ethic and to understand that life isn’t a bed of roses, and things don’t come easy for everyone
2) adults, to remind them that as they go about their daily lives with their head down and their blinders up, there’s always someone less fortunate than them. That their problems are never as big as they make it out to be, and there’s usually a solution to be found
3) you, me and everyone else to realise how fortunate we are and to stop taking things for granted 🙂 although these people have been reborn as humans just like us, they don’t have the necessary causes to enjoy their life, let alone learn Dharma. They aren’t living, they are surviving.
In a teaching a few years ago, Rinpoche reminded us that a human rebirth does not necessarily mean that we will be reborn with the opportune conditions to practise the Dharma. Certainly, the people in this article demonstrate this teaching very well. After all, in this world alone, from what we can see – never mind the unseen beings, never mind the animals, never mind the other plants – there is already an infinite combination of living situations that we can be reborn into, and an infinite number of ways we can suffer on this planet alone, as humans.
So when we read articles like this, we need to meditate on the preciousness of our human rebirth, to get the maximum benefit 🙂
Looking into all this pictures. It is very fortunate for me to have place to stay right now. These peoples struggle to survive. Money is always their problems. I guess, learning on dharma would be something very strange to them.
This is really crazy, I cannot imagine anyone living in such a tiny space. It so claustrophobic and it would most probably drive me nuts.
This post really is an eye opening for me. I’ve heard of Hong Kong being a very expensive place to live in and hence people live in very small apartments, but never did I imagine the cages and how small is small when your shower is beneath your bed.
It makes me realise how terribly fortunate we are to be living in Malaysia where most of us can live very comfortably. Space is not an issue here and for a space 4 times the size of what we see in those pictures we only pay 1/4 of what they would probably pay for a low cost apartment. Hence we should really stop complaining and appreciate all the things we have here, it’s considered luxury.
I wonder why hasn’t the government done anything to improve the quality of life for their citizens, especially the elderly? How could such living spaces be even approved or built. If they say because they do not have enough land and due to over population, well I hope now that Hong Kong is part of China, there is no more such excuse? Even Melaka and Singapore added more sand to make new lands to accommodate the growing population. Why didn’t Hong Kong do it?
Whatever it is, it is a clear sign of materialism at it’s worst. For a country that is supposed to be a developed nation, this is a horrible scene… seems like the richer the country is the lower the quality of life of the general population becomes and I am not surprised that depression is at it’s high.
This made me realise why it is extremely important for spirituality and dharma to grow over there… it would be to help these people find some sanity in an insane world.
This also goes to show that materialism, things, acquisitions does not make people happy and cannot bring happiness. It is empty and in the end all that we worked for, chased for, struggled for day in day out for what? For a piece of space in samsara and we need to work so hard to keep that little space and in the end we die. Reminds me of a quote advice from Rinpoche… “Although outwardly we have so much, we have so many conveniences, inwardly we have become more unhappy, so, acquisition is not the secret to happiness. The more we get, the more we have, the more unhappy we become.”
~ Tsem Rinpoche
Imagine the old man who has lived in his cage for 30 years… at the time of his death, what has he got? A life full of struggles? He doesn’t even have any dharma to help him and take with him on his final journey. Hence Rinpoche’s advice to us to always do dharma because in the end that is the only thing that can really help us. Thank you Rinpoche for this eye opening post.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing. We are so lucky in Malaysia. We should appreciate and thankful what we have now.
It really touches my heart to see how these people live. I am grateful for all the comfort that have been bestowed to me. The condition that some people live in Hong Kong is dreadful and yet these people were grateful for it. I hope the leader of Hong Kong will look into their welfare.
Hongkong is one of the wealthiest cities in the world and the rich live in big mansions with fantastic views and it is so sad to see the grim contrast of the poor living in metal caged homes. However, to some residents they considered themselves lucky to live in such cramped cages as compared to those living on the streets. They had no choice but to live in this condition due to the skyrocketing housing prices and inadequate low cost housing. I hope the government will take some actions to help them with proper public housing.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this post. We are indeed very fortunate. We should be grateful and appreciate what we have instead of complaining and take this opportunity to do our best to help the less fortunate.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the teaching of being grateful of what we have in our country compared to those people who are living within small cubicle apartments in Hong Kong.
What is being shown on the TV programs and Hong Kong drama only reflecting the good side of Hong Kong lifestyle and not the actual true happenings from their citizens, especially from those people who only can afford to pay the rental fee of cubicle apartment instead of having sufficient space for sleeping, eating, cooking, reading books, etc.
These people living in small cubicle apartments in Hong Kong, could have mentally and physically trapped with pressure and they might even blame to their own fate for having poor living conditions. I pray that there will be Buddhist organization to offer them Dharma teachings and prayers in their community, at least for them to realize that their current living conditions are due to their past karma and hopefully they could be motivated to engage with Dharma activities and achieve attainment with wisdom to gain inner peace in their mind.
Thank you Rinpoche for giving us many Dharma teachings in various methods.
This is featured in several HK dramas in the past and I have seen it and I was just shocked when I saw it. I cannot imagine that the rental of a small little double storey house in Bentong town, Malaysia is equivalent to a tiny coffin-like space in Hong Kong. I dare not wonder how much is a decent-sized apartment is like in Hong Kong. Anyway, I am just lucky to be in Malaysia where things are not perfect but in terms of space for living and standards of living are much better especially for the underprivileged.
In such a prosperous metropolitan Hong Kong, there are people who are living in condition that is unimaginable, some live and stay in cages for 30 years without any room, and even proper facilities.
So much we complain of our life being difficult, hard, not having enough and desiring for more, but these people had to live in such condition for more than 30 years, some even for the rest of their life because they could not afford to get a house.
we should be grateful for what we have, imagine living in these condition and earning low income, it is very difficult to focus on our spirituality.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these shocking reality, it an eye opener to myself, seeing such condition I feel grateful for what I have now.
This article is really shocking to read. I always imagined Hong Kong as a beautiful and developed country filled with rich people, but I never thought of the poor people living there. It is crazy that 210,000 more people are waiting to rent or buy these places. It just shows us how many poor people are there in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is such a small island but it has over 7 million residents. No wonder there are so many people living in cages like this with many more people waiting. There are people in Hong Kong that would waste tons of money just to show off about how rich they are while these people are saving as much money as they can for rainy days.
Well, what can I say and what can we do to make this situation better? Nothing much I guess, at the end of the day, it’s all about our karma. I don’t think that it really matters if we live through this life adventurous, crazy and rich or not . I think it is important that we make good changes to the world, also to other people’s lives and we do not harm others. Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this article.
It’s sad to know that even in country like Hong Kong where the economy and everything is so advanced, there are still people who ate left behind by the society. When a country is well-developed and advanced, yes it’s good image for the country and so on but I also think that there are people who can’t cope with such a high living standard therefore they are left behind by the society. In my opinion, a good leader should take care of the people whether if it’s a small population of people or not, everyone should be treated with equality. These people maybe poor but they are definitely not poor in spirit, although they do not have the best in life, but they are very appreciative of what they have. Most of us do not realise the importance of having gratitude and being appreciative, these are the qualities that will guide us through hardships and allow us to succeed in life.
Karma has brought about the harsh and difficult living environment. But fortunately, things can change. Create the right cause to experience the desired effect. The inhabitants of the apartment concerned should strive for the betterment of their lives or to remain in this deplorable condition for the rest of their lives. Living for 30 years in this condition is beyond imagination. We cannot think how it would be like for one to continue living like that forever!
In countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia where land is almost abundant and fewer population, we won’t come across such living quarters like these for the locals who can afford decent homes or residences. However in HK where its land of livable space are very limited and one of the costliest place to live on earth, it is rather inevitable for these poor residents to be able to afford any decent accommodation, let alone own a property. We do take for granted of the space, condition and environment we live in, either rented or owned, until we saw these living space of others like Hong Kong.
Hong Kong, being a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, there are also daily influx of mainland Chinese who flocks down to HK to seek better lives and have their babies born there to attain better privileges. It is rather sad that both local born HK and mainland Chinese have to put up with these dilapidated living space and for some, all their lives even.
About cage apartment in Hong Kong, we always saw it in TV drama series or movies. It may have being beautified and not as crammed as the photos shown in article here.
It is not easy to live in such apartment as it is not much space for own storage and daily activities such as bathing, cooking, dining and etc. But the residents here appreciate what they have even though it’s tough staying. At least they have a HOME. They never losing hope in their life but continue work hard for 3 meals, staying and kids education.
After reading this article and going through the photos, I feel so fortunate that I was born in a family who affords for good staying. I think others also feel the same. We should be grateful of what we have here and appreciate the people and things around. Doing our best to help people around who in need.
We are unable to predict what will happen in future. We may lose what we have now or even become homeless. It may not as good as previous lifestyle and it is tough but we should not give up. Just do whatever we can as long as we are still alive in this world.
With folded hand thank you Rinpoche for this inspiring article.
It reminds me of the animals confined in cages in animal factories such as pigs, cows and chicken before they are sent to be slaughter.
I cannot imagine living in such crammed space but these city dwellers accepted their predicament. They did rather stay in these cages than staying on the street. In Malaysia some foreign workers are reported to be staying in very crammed quarters provided by their employers.
Many Malaysians, me included, are really fortunate compare to Hong Kong folks. We complain a lot for silly, tiny things, even our house sizes. The fact very that we complain shows that we have lost touch with reality, other human beings who with very little on this planet.
Although they may have accepted their state of living I think it is very unhealthy for the mind besides the high risk of disease spreading due to the difficulty of maintaining cleanliness.
好几年前，当我第一次看到香港笼民的报导时，挺震撼的。
那一刻让我深感身为大马的人的幸福，是无法言喻的。我觉得生活上的贫穷是可以使用所学的技巧、知识和专业去改变它； 但是心灵上的贫穷，却视若无睹，是最可怕的。这比物质上的匮乏还要让人感到恐惧。
成为笼民是一种宿命的呼唤，抑或是个人的惰性造成的？这个问题常常盘绕在我的脑海中。当然，我不能以图像的表层来评断每位笼民，这就显然很不公平。
从笼民的生活写照似乎凸显，每个人似乎都有对自己的生活和社会产生出巨大的无奈和无力感！他们是香港草根一族，地位卑微，咬紧牙关与现实挣扎着，他们很难辛且踏实地度过日常的每一天，并没有对社会造成任何的破坏和伤害。
轻轻地使用滑鼠将每张照片都细细的看了一看，我觉得笼民们对自己所过的生活，其实都挺自在和悠閒。
生活的苦，不是以物质富足或贫匮为标准，而是以内在贫或富为定，对我而言，虽然在笼民的眼神裡，看到了对生活的无力，但却不代表他们是最贫乏的一群。
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for this post highlighting the appalling living conditions of the urban poor in Hong Kong. Urban poverty is an issue even here in Malaysia. These group of people often go unnoticed as many have this perception that poverty only exists in rural or undeveloped areas. Sadly, those who leave the known poverty areas to seek better opportunities, only to find that poverty exists even in the cities.
This post is a great way for me to reflect on my life and how blessed I am to be living where I am today. I pray for poverty to be eradicated everywhere – be it worldly and spiritually.
With folded hands.
看到香港人民的居住环境真的非常伤感，香港笼民大多数是年长一辈的老人家，看了很心酸。我在想难道他们这一群退休了的老人家是没有家人呢，还是说因为孩子们没有能力养活老人家了呢？！或是被嫌弃他们然后被抛弃的呢？
在这繁华都市的香港里，也住上了很多这样的笼民，一家大小吃喝和所有的生活作息都在那么小的狭窄空间里生活，那真是不容易。环境是非常恶劣。这些成长中的小孩们，他们的意志力是很强的，因为他们生存的方式是多么的困苦，但是看得出他们都有一颗赤子之心，他们融入生活环境里而他们不被环境影响他们。我反而觉得他们比起我们不会有太大的执着心。
我们现在所拥有的一切实在是太幸福了，我们衣食无忧，我们的环境优良，可以随时随地的跟随上师的脚步一起学习佛法，实践佛法。我们不应该认为我们拥有的一切都是理所当然的，更不应该利用我们所拥有的；比如上师加持与护法庇护所给予的一切。
我们要更精进的把所学到的帮助他人让他人过的和我们一样好。
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche. I visited Hong Kong very often due to my work. That’s how Hong Kong people live their lives. Properties are too expensive for these people. They are kind of used to it because majority of the people stays in small apartment. This country is just too small to fit in so many people. Hence that limited space became expensive to live. According to the local people, The cage home is getting less and less nowadays. Due to bad safety facilities, the Hong Kong government had ban this way of living. I hope their next generation will get out of this porvety circle.
It’s sad to see these people living in the cage or in such a small area. The condition is really bad especially for those with childrens and old people.
We should be greatful for what we have now and be more compasionate to the unfortunate one. Hope this people meet the dharma and with dharma it give them hope and the true meaning of life even though they have to go through this difficult time but at least their mind is at peace knowing whatever we going through is due to our karma but by practicing dharma they can change their future.
Nothing is permanent, we can make a change with dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post.
I remembered I read about Cage Home’s article more than 15 years ago, it seems no sign of improvement, Just imagined new generation who had grown up in such conditions ? Staying in such condition, emotional and psychological will be affected long term…
After seeing all these shocking heartfelt pics, we should not complain what we do not have anymore…. We should not take things for granted with no gratitude anymore, compare to these cage people, we are more than 100% lucky.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post as a great reminder to us. We are lucky to be in Malaysia especially we have the fortune to meet precious dharma and be the students of Rinpoche.
It’s kinda shocking how such a prosperous and developed nation such as Hong Kong still has over 200,000 people waiting just to have their own cage to live in.
It’s sad to see the conditions these people are living in which are really bad and cramped especially for those who have families.
I’m quite surprised that the government isn’t doing anything to help these people in terms of their welfare. No one would like to live in such conditions but yet they don’t have a choice.
At the very least, they could build low cost flats like they do here in Malaysia and collect monthly repayments from the tenants instead of letting this “cage” concept continue.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
多谢上师的分享，看到这些笼民所住的地方，就誏我想到那些被关在笼里的动物，吃，喝，拉，撒，就在那方园之地，谈不上什么个人隐私，卫生，人權。谁叫你窮。难以想像一家几口要如何住？因此环境，很多问题就产生了。感恩父母把我生在这里，感恩有此机缘遇見上师，得聞佛法，去惡修善、永世不堕此境地。愿这些笼民也能得聞佛法，擺脱如此困境
we have been very blessed our my life and rewarded with good friends good health and good house.we must appreciate what we have..
The urban poor can be found in every city in the world. Unfortunately, the numbers are increasing. When I was in Paris many years ago, I happened to visit an apartment building in which some of the storerooms were converted into bedrooms for a low rental. No one wants to live in such terrible conditions. I feel very sad for the people in these pictures and pray for their situation to improve and their wishes fulfilled.
Seeing such living conditions of the urban poor in Hongkong, living in abject poverty in cages, where they sleep, eat, study, do their chores and even work inside the cage,one wonders why we complain so much living in Malaysia, where even a small flat has so much more room and space than any of these cages.
It is heartbreaking to see the elderly, living out the rest of their lives in these cages of a home. At the same time , I think of the homeless, who do not even have a roof over their heads. On a Kechara Soup Kitchen round, whenever we spot an elderly person or a woman sleeping in five foot ways, we are filled with misgiving about their safety.
Yes, we take for granted our lives of comparative luxury and comfort, not realizing that between us and the homeless or those living in cages for homes, is “just a breath”.
It is particularly disturbing to see these images of elderly people living in deplorable conditions. Indeed a reminder to us to appreciate our current good fortunes and never take anything for granted.
谢谢分享关于香港笼民的生活。
其实在很久以前也有看过一套港产片 ” 笼民 “ 这一套片也活生生的把笼民的生活拍出来了。
国家进步，社会发达，有时候我们也会忽略了另一边厢努力生存着的人。
70‘ 80’ 年代有很多笼民， 他们很多都已经搬出来了， 一位他们明白坐在等不如，努力的脱离这个地方，为下一代创造更好的生活。
现在还留在笼子里的一群都属于比较年长的。
生活好坏，都选择与自己的一双手。 就好比快乐不快乐，都是自己的主人。
It is very very sad and heartache to see these poor people living in cages that they called home especially in the advance and modern city like Hong Kong. Hope that the government of Hong Kong and its housing departments can look into their plight and provide them with at least some basic and decent homes.
By looking at these heart breaking photos, we must be contented for what we have in our lives and be happy.
Thank you Tsem Rinpoche for sharing this post. We are so lucky and must grateful, that we are live in Malaysia. It was so sad when looking on those pictures. That why we must appreciate much what we have it now and don’t complaining so much.
I believe the moral of this article is to always cherish what we have and be happy. Situations can be worse. Looking at how these less fortunate Hong Kong people live, really puts into perspective how abundant many of us are.
I remember visiting my HK friend in her house once and she gave me a tour of her house. It was a spacious 3 storey house. When she showed me where her maid sleeps, I was shocked. The maid’s room was literally a cabinet. It was only big enough to sit and or lie down, just like the pics of cages in this article.
My friend said that this was the norm in HK as real estate is very expensive. I will never forget that experience as I thought it wasn’t really nice to have anyone sleep in such tiny confined spaces. However, I realized that I’ve been spoiled by having large spaces all the time.
Regardless, it is a good reminder of how fortunate we are compared to many others and not take it for granted. Our karma can be quite volatile. We may lose what we have overnight.
Dear Rinpoche
We are extremely lucky to live at such conducive condition in Malaysia. We have almost everything. Majority of us have nice house, cars, good foods. We should always remind ourselves that be compassionate to help others whereby less lucky. If we believe in karma, the more we should be generous to give our helping hands to the less fortunate one.
I have shown this post to my children. I hope they can realise how lucky they are and know to appreciate what they have. Thanks Rinpoche for the sharing.
its sad to see people are living in small cages called “homes” for decades. We should be grateful for what we have, at least we still have a decent place to live in, it might be small and simple, but good enough compare to what urban poor in HK has to go thru.
These unfortunate people most of them are very old, and yet there is no one taking care of them. Lives is very though in this highly materialistic world.
Just hope that these unfortunate people can learn some dharma, at least they can lives happier, and collect enough merits and karma to have a better lives later on.
Dear Rinpoche,
I knew that the housing condition at Hong Kong is bad for the not so well off people, but I don’t know that it is THIS bad. I feel that we as Malaysians are extremely lucky. We need to appreciate more of what we have instead of focusing on what we don’t have. Malaysia is a beautiful country and most of us can afford a small place that we can call home. But of course there are exceptions such as the homeless peoples.
The people that are forced to live in such conditions have the karma to be reborn into it. We have to be mindful of not collecting negative karma that will eventually propelling us into such living condition in our next life.
Chris
I cannot help but feel pity and sorry for the people in the photos living in the caged condition deprived of space and likely basic amenities or hygiene. At the same time it sent a chill down my spine because we could be the people in the photos living in those conditions (or worse) in our next lives. I hope that the people in the photos will do something to elevate their living condition. It also serves to remind us that we should be thankful of what we have now. Let’s not stop doing good for others and be more generous to create a cause for a better reborn.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella
This really served as an eye-opener for me. I knew i was very lucky to have the life i have, and this post reinforces that. So many people in this world live in conditions i would find impossible to cope with. When i compare my life to theirs, i really do feel grateful for what i have. And from this i learn a valuable lesson.
I learn that i have the power to do things. Things that can help others. Because i am lucky enough to have been born in a wealthier part of society, i have the ability to make a difference in the world. I go to a good school, get good education, have a comfortable lifestyle, and have all the luxuries i want. Many people have this, buts its whether or not we choose to use this to our advantage. With the wealth that many people have over poorer people, we can help others. If others are in poverty, we can help. Because we can afford to help. The question is, will you help? That for me is the main thing i took away from this post.
Its very hard for these people to escape this lifestyle. The poverty cycle is merciless and unforgiving. Once you are in poverty, your children are in poverty. And unless you break this chain of poverty somehow, you and your future children will remain in poverty. Its endless. But it is a lot easier for these people to break this cycle is we help them. All they need is that little push.
This pictures reflect the point that this could be me in those living conditions. Looking at where we are , aren’t we lucky we gain some merits or “lucky” to have or be where we are. With this reflection raises 2 question. What are we doing in this precious life we have? and How can we help those that is in these condition within our capability ( not asking to go HK but i am sure around us we have these condition such as homeless etc in every city or country).
Guru, Thanks for the sharing and reminder .
_/\_ yikming
谢谢仁波切的方向
每个国家都面对社会问题。
看到以上的图片关于在香港居住在类似’笼子的家,真的难以想象，华丽背后的心酸了 !
印象中的香港是一个富有的城市,香港人的收入普遍都很高。
香港的笼屋, 所谓的家,香港也有不为人知的一面，我们是如此幸运，应该要惜福。
不要抱怨我们的生活不好，与他们相比我们是多么幸运的，能住在一个环节舒服地方。
当我们在抱怨家不够大的时，有人家都没有…..。
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing such beautiful blog post.
To live a happy life is not about the place where one is staying..either he/she has a bungalow house or a small space with few square feet. Who we are staying with and the attitudes within ourselves are always the keys to unlock the door of happiness.
An individual might owns and live in a bungalow house, however, if he feel stressful all the time and can only share his ups and downs with walls in the house, I would perceive it as a kind of torture. In converse, there are five individuals in a family who need to squeeze and fight for a space just to sleep every night in a room could be seen as pitiful and suffering, however, what’s really matter is they are all being together, whenever they face problems in life they have someone they love and care about to stay right beside, to talk or cry on.
There are people looking down at individuals who are less fortunate etc., homeless, poor, and uneducated. What’s more important in life is not about how much one can earns in term of sen and dollar, it’s not about how high can one archived in life in term of materialism. What is ultimate at the end of life are what we learned, experinces, knowledges that are gained, who are still there for us when we are facing difficulties or death, what we have done to benefit other sentient beings.
Living a life is not always about oneself. Being alive is to benefit all sentient beings, to help one another when they need it, to stop sufferings, and to build a better world.
May all of us able to achieve the ultimate goal in life and stop sufferings from cycling.
Thank you. _/|\_
Hong Kong is the most affluent and extravagant eastern city with the most exclusive and indulgent ways of life. Yet to see what is posted here, shows not the affluence of the city nor people but rather the lack of care among the ones who have and the ones who have not.
I presume such extremes were created when Hongkong was a British colony, where the government cared for nothing but to milk Hongkong dry. But that was almost 2 decades ago, I hope that now the current government will do something for these urban poor. Singapore is a good example, where the government cares and had provided the citizens with affordable homes.
It is really sad and I hope that Hongkong will do something for these urban poor, even though it is a fact of life that poverty is everywhere. But let there be improvement.
Whatever the circumstance, at least they are doing something about it according to their means. They take responsibility for themselves, are not complaining and do not depend on others for handouts. That’s an admirable trait to me.
Everything is relative. If we think we’re in an unfortunate situation and complain incessantly for every little inconvenience, there is always someone else in a more dire situation and someone else who is “better off”. Same applies to them.
Many of us are seem to be so entitled. We may be so much better off than some others but still are not satisfied materially. When we get to the next station, we still want more and are still not satisfied and want more. But I’m not saying we don’t strive to be better. But if we have contentment, we become so much happier.
Material wealth is not the answer to lasting happiness, but a comfortable situation and enough resources will help in one’s spiritual practice. When one’s mind is constantly occupied with daily survival, it’s hard to focus on spiritual practice.
It is reported that there are about 200,000 people living in Hong Kong in what the government calls “inadequate housing,” including cubicle apartments and cage homes. It is sad that such a large number of people are living in such poor accommodations in a so-called wealthy city.
These cage homes are usually located inside old buildings in urban areas, and we can see from the pictures how poor safety, hygiene and privacy are for these residents. Living in these harsh conditions, their psychological well-being is definitely affected.
Urban poor is everywhere, hence every government must show that they are making every possible effort, within available resources to have adequate housing, especially for those from the lower income groups.
In Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “Recall the face of the poorest and weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him.” As we go about in our daily lives, it is good to not just think about ourselves all the time but spend some time to think about and care for the poor who are suffering.
If you are interested to help, Kechara Soup Kitchen distributes food to homeless and urban poor on weekdays & weekends. You can get more details here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/820518077997735/
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing !
看到以上的图片关于一班在香港居住在类似’笼子”所谓的家, 看到心都酸了 !
由其是现在年轻的一群, 一出世就被保护和宠坏的环境下成长, 完全不懂何为吃苦 ! 我们在电视银幕和杂志里很难看得到在背后的这一群人, 他们的辛酸, 无奈 , 无助, 应该得到某方面或机构当局关注 !
这编文章, 应该让年轻的一群看看, 让他们明白”见苦惜福”这道理 !
大家一起共用浴室和厕所都需要拥有合群和忍让精神, 才可以相处! 不简单 !
愿所有苦难的众生离苦得乐 !
感恩合十
Yeo Kwai Gin
It is just saddening to see the rich constantly getting richer and the poor getting poorer, widening the gap between the two “societies” that we deem. What is shameful is that some people that are around us will also make use of these people that are already suffering and cheat their money for their own gains. To show their “wealth” which they fed off from these people that are living in such poor conditions.
Seeing this, it also made me reflect that many times in our lives we have things that some may consider as luxurious, yet we do not see that. Living in samsara we constantly crave for the things that we do not have, thinking that those things will make us happier. But how many times that is the case when we achieve it? I will say close to zero. When we just seek these pleasures in life, we achieve nothing. It is nice that people around us admire what we “have”. However, how many times these items are “real”?
Life is constantly being impermanent just like what Lord Buddha taught us. Thus, we are holding and aiming towards something that is empty and has no value thinking that it will help us reach something. But with emptiness, it will only bring more emptiness to us. With that emptiness, it will consume us and make us feel angry.
Through this post it makes me appreciate the things that I have around me more as well as through this it shows that with the same amount of “money” we can be living like the kings and queens at a corner of the world, but we can be living like someone worthless in another corner of the country. It just reminds us how important it is to be doing good deeds to accumulate merits in our lifetime and not let it go to waste. When we exhuast these merits that we had accumulated, what will happen to us in the future? We may just end up in their shoes.
Thank you Rinpoche for this timely reminder that life is impermanent and we should never take anything that we have for granted. It just really makes a person’s heart cringe when we see things like that. But with us seeing and doing nothing, it is as good as not doing anything. I truly feel that only when we start doing something productive with these information, then it will benefit us and satisfy that craving hole that we have in us.
I feel heartache to see such living conditions. In such advanced country like HongKong, the richest will only get richer yet the poorest will not get any better, it seems. To be honest, flipping through magazines like Prestige or Tatler looking at those people holding champagne posing for pictures in parties did irk me a lot because there are millions of poor people couldn’t even afford a proper meal. Yet some are so addicted to flaunt their wealth to the public. Imagine the price paid for a sought after designer bag could feed a person for almost 3-4 years? Yes i know life is unfair. However, the conscience in every human beings should not be buried by ignorance. Let’s reach out to those less fortunate and bring happiness to everyone, not just for ourselves.
Every society has its issues and it is sad to know that there are people living in such conditions. Therefore, those of us who are fortunate should be thankful.
But it is not enough. We must also take actions to help people in need. I think Kechara Soup Kitchen is a very good charity work. Although a person on his own cannot directly help everyone in need, it is good to start from somewhere. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this.
It is pains my heart viewing these photos. Urban poor is in every city, no matter how beautiful a city may look. Some may say they are even worse scenarios where people have to live on the streets, and they still have a shelter over their head. In both cases, their living condition is far from comfortable, and we should ask ourselves, would I stay in these places if given a choice?
Seeing these photos remind me of the homeless in Malaysia. Their situation is not any better either. I think that’s why Rinpoche started Soup Kitchen in Malaysia years ago. It is not only to lend an helping hand to the urban poor, but it is a also a way for us to develop compassion, and provide a chance to practice kindness.
I pray the urban poor issues can be eliminated, or reduced at least. Nobody needs to suffer like this.
If you have ever complained that your apartment is small, please read this article. Sad to see all this, home is not just about a place to sleep. Home like this definitely affected the emotional and psychological of the person stay there. I think Kids who grown up in such conditions may has lots of problems.
Compare with them, lots of us is so lucky. Even we are renting a room here is also 100% much more better. I hope seeing these images makes you think of yourself in them and makes you feel an appreciation for your own good fortune. We should appreciate what we have and don’t complain.
It’s still shocking and sad to see the pictures of people’s life in metal cage in Hong Kong. What I see the title, in my mind I say “No way. It’s no way for me to live in this cage for 30 years…”
Hey, wait, would it be I am actually staying in another larger cage as well? People who live in wide grassland would think people who stay in city/apartment – even it’s a thousand square feet apartment with swimming pool, lift and tennis court facilities is out of their mind – “Why caught oneself in small space in a place with traffic jam day in day out??”
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing,
We Malaysian are so lucky as compared to others. However, many of us are not appreciative enough, including myself, we always want more to feed our desire and ego. Thank you for the sharing. This reminded myself to work not only for me, but always think about others in need. When we are not happy and want more, think about others who are poorer and live in worse condition.
Thank you
Pee Bee Chong
Really sad for these folks.
As even in London there are places where they rent out bed spaces and some rooms are shared by 8 or more people.
Most of these are single people doing odd jobs and finance is an issue hence they put up with these accommodation.
Really sad indeed.