Loving Kindness@Samsara

THE END of the World 2012

2012-01-07T15:42:00.005+08:00

Have not been back to the blog because of a broken hand. However I thank all those who continue to visit here and support my blog.

2012...the prediction that we all will disappear OR is it only the calender of the Mayan because their wise man only manage to calculate until 2012. Being a Buddhist...I believe in Cause and Effect. Surely there will be an end of the World as Buddha spoke about Impermanence. BUT do not worry because it won't be 2012 or maybe our life time. However one thing everyone of us can be sure...more and more calamities will happen all over the world. These calamities are our making. We are the cause. We do so much harm to Nature with things we call 'modernization'. Thou sow and thus reaped...fair and square.

Coming back to Singapore, a place I call HOME. We are lucky and have enough merits to a peaceful living but there are silly things we do...so enjoy this piece written by a wise Foreigner. How people live or behave is a choice but I am sure I won't JUMP Ship. Nothing is like home and when I am a first class citizen WHY do I want to be 2nd class, 3rd class or stateless !!

The Bizarre Behaviour of Singaporeans
Observations made by a German national who has lived in Singapore for 9 years.

44 years of economic and material success have spawned some very strange behaviours among Singaporeans.

They spent so much to buy a house or flat, furnished it up like a palace, but spent their time outside, most of the time at work. And the maids are the ones enjoying the million-dollar or multi-million-dollar assets..

Then they pay so much, the highest in the world, for a car only to park at home. Too expensive to drive, too many ERPs and car park charges to pay. And they are encouraged to park their cars at home and take public transport, being cheaper and more convenient.

And when Singaporeans travel, instead of seeing the places, they went shopping. The best part is that they would head for the cheapest bargains, buying stuff that they could get in Chinatown or pasar malam, at even cheaper prices. But they are still happy that they got a bargain.

And while the heartlanders are busy trying to make a life here, being told to bust off if they are not happy, which they could not, the rich and presumably very happy and contented citizens are buying up properties overseas just in case they need to make that escape from this paradise.

While many Singaporeans are thinking of jumping ship, or preparing to jump ship, hoards of new immigrants are rushing in to take their place in this paradise.

And to top it all up, they keep complaining about the government and all the policies that they found unpalatable, but come every election, they will vote and return the government to power.

Strange Singaporean behaviours !

A book....?

2011-10-18T20:48:00.003+08:00

Life is like a book, you decide on the character.
All stories will come to an end.
You choose the ending...a good one or a bad one...
and it all depend how you live it out.

The next chapter of your Life is another newly written book.
You will not be the same character you were in the last.
How simple or how complicate...you want the story to be?
You weaved the ups and downs

It must be about love, desires and all worldly things
that make the character in the book exciting to read.
What if the story is devoid of hate, anger and ignorance?
The plot is no longer worth writing.
Thus the book ends here!

Don't forget that a good character will have a good ending
and
a bad one have bad ending..
but are you sure it will be that way?

In reality that is not so because the hands of Karma decides it all.

The pretty, the ugly, the so-so
The healthy, the sick
The rich, the poor and the millionaires
The successful, the failure
what do you have to say?
So it was you, at the point of time
give rise to the character and the
life it will lead

So, choose wisely
Act carefully
and
weave the character correctly!

Prayers of Medicine Buddha with 1000 Lamp offerings

2011-09-29T17:08:00.011+08:00

Kindly send me the following information by leaving me a message in my comment box if you need prayers to be done for yourself and that of your loved ones. I will fill in the card (see attached) and place it in the prayer bowl. These cards are special made and they are biodegradable. You can send in as many names and no matter where you are, just do so by letting us know. What I need from you:

Name : The full name of the person
Age:____ Country : _____ State:______
Your wish for this person :

If you need to know WHY we are doing this, please read below. NO MONEY is needed. Noted the cut off date is 1st November 2011 by mid-night Singapore time.

***************
Upcoming Event: Prayers of Medicine Buddha with 1000 Lamp offerings by HE Kathog Rigzin Chenpo Rinpoche @ Chagzog Tamcho Centre on 13 Nov 2011.

We are extremely blessed to have the presence and kindness of H.E. Kathog Rigzin Chenpo Rinpoche, who will lead us, joined by many Buddhist communities around the world, in the Medicine Buddha puja and the 1000 lamp offerings.

Medicine Buddha is the manifestation of the healing energy of all enlightened beings. Prayers made to Medicine Buddha, the Supreme Healer (tib: Sangay Menla), will be blessed with healing powers of outer and inner sickness of oneself and others due to the 12 great aspirations strongly made by Medicine Buddha, at the time of his Bodhisattva-hood, out of his compassion. It is not only an effective method of supporting oneself and others to increase the healing powers in physical sickness , but also for overcoming the inner sickness of our defilement such as attachment, hatred, and ignorance. Thus, meditating or praying to the Medicine Buddha would purify oneself and others negative karma as well as accumulate vast store of merits. That would wonderfully manifest a temporary result of having pure and soothing outer ambiance. Most importantly; it will yield the supreme fruition of enlightenment of recognizing the true nature of our innate mind and the outer phenomena, ultimately.

In pursuit of true happiness, many realize that we and our beloved ones are constantly being exposed to many seemingly insurmountable ordeals such as terminal illness, natural catastrophe, economic turmoil, etc. which could cause immense physical and mental suffering. These torments not only cause pain which lead to health deterioration but also great distress to one’s mind. In actual fact, in these time of degeneration, misguided pursuit of happiness without knowing the right path to accumulate merits and purify one‘s negative karma is the root cause of these sufferings.

Through the understanding of “True Happiness”, one can develop genuine love, compassion, and joy. When the loving kindness and compassion are truly developed deep within our hearts, we would inevitably, not only care for ourselves but care for others with unconditional love. Loving kindness and compassion are the remedies of overcoming our sufferings. With that in mind, we would like to encourage all practitioners, devotees and readers to participate, radiate and reach out your loving kindness and compassion to fill up every space and corner of this world. Let’s us mingle our hearts with the great enlightened mind of the Medicine Buddha, the essence of love and compassion.

Be it of needing prayers for yourself, your beloved ones, friends, or simply motivated to dedicate to the well-being of all sentient beings and world-peace, we will most heartily welcome all and our centre is always open for your visit and enquires. You can participate by filling your loved ones’ names and their wishes in our specially designed wishing cards. We will gather all the wishing cards around the world and place them right before the Mandala of Medicine Buddha during our prayers’ event, so as to receive the great blessings from Medicine Buddha.

Phra Maha Chedi Tripod Trimongkol

2011-09-19T13:45:00.005+08:00

I search Goggle for a little bit more information to this beautiful temple of worship but found nothing written about it. We call it the Stainless Steel Stupa. It is situated in the outskirt of Hatyai, Thailand. This is a retreat Center and the Abbot in charge is Luangpo Aik. The architectural design and structure is unusual. We have not seen anything like this.

Upon arriving, the stainless steel structures caught our eyes. Although the sky darken and threatening to rain, however the little sunlight cast upon the steel caused it to sparkle. There is an air of calmness and serenity about the place.

The based of the Stupa has round entrances and each entrance is a room. Buddha statues were placed here. From the entrance, we stepped into the heart of the structure and we saw stainless steel lotuses holding robe offerings made to the Buddha. Walking around, I saw a spiral stainless steel stairway and I made my way upward. It opened up to this amazing and breathtaking structures of stainless steel designs, alms bowls and the ringing of the wind chimes were so meditative. Winds were rushing in and out of the steel bars. Stepping into this gave me a sense of inner bliss. We caught sight of some unusual insects and one had a face when its wings closed up.

I only have some pictures to share. If anyone reading here know more about this Temple, please drop me an email. I love to hear from you.

What to say...??

2011-08-13T22:44:00.005+08:00

It has been a long time I last posted. Actually I was wondering what to post. We always have an opinion to everything and anything. We must add our vocal to express our knowledge, our dissatisfaction, our joy, our sadness, our happiness and unhappiness. Really...do we have so much to say?

When I realized what I said was an arising of a cause which a condition ripen for such words, it started the ball rolling. What follows in words is either kindness or harshness and surely come with an effect...good or bad. If it is followed by action I will harvest the fruit.

Dependent Origination arises every second in our thoughts. How to stop this? How aware are we to this little insignificant cause which can roller coaster to bigger issues? NO, most of us are not alert and focus enough to see it arising, let alone curb it as it buds. I do know this and yet I fall prey to all these conditions that give rise to further pleasant and unpleasant experiences. I now prayed for positive actions and not otherwise.

A cause rises out of defilement - it has something to do with ignorance which has craving in it. Because we are not able to stop it, it takes shapes according to our feeling. Therefore ignorance brings craving and follow with love or hatred. The continuous arsing of Dependent Origination, beings are being reborn again and again. Birth is suffering, so is old age, sickness and death.

I am not being pessimistic but I am beginning to really 'see' death. Not others but mine. I wonder what can I bring with me? Can I bring money, power, beauty, authority...I realized NO! One dead man is the same as another dead man - no richness or poor, no commoner or authority. Once we turned into bones or ashes...where are we? Are we the bone or are we the ashes?

There is one thing I am sure we will bring with us - the type of person we are when we are alive. Don't forget this body is on loan to you. You can use this BODY to do good or BAD. You can lie and pretend for all to see how good you are BUT you cannot lie to your consciousness. So when the final day comes...you either die peaceful or fretful. You either die in old age or have life force terminated when you are not ready to go. We all fear death because we know we are not a good person. Even a moderate person who is either good or bad fear death. We feared because we do not know what's on the other side. Well what you are this life is what you have lived in your past life BUT you can prepare for a better life next by living the correct way now.

As I began to understand the Buddha's teaching, I realized the UNIVERSAL TRUTH is something that is there. It is the LAW of the UNIVERSE, no one can change it. Goodness will begets goodness. It is not so difficult to be kind...smiling at another person is also an act of kindness. A kind word will help someone along the way...it does not cost you money to do it.

As I watched the riot in UK, I am sadden by the activities of the youth who took part. What's wrong with the youth today? Why must someone do harm to others and it is not even beneficial to oneself.

Where is the compassion? What type of youth did parents raised? In general youth around the world are behaving the same way. There will be those that defy the law and even end up in jail.

Cry me a river........

Dragon in the Sky

2011-06-22T00:07:00.007+08:00

I was away for holidays in Thailand, Hatyai last week. I took many pictures during the trip but this one was amazing.

Yes, a cloud formation of a CHINESE DRAGON above the temple stupa. It is so clear...you can see the two round eye balls, the feeler, the legs and claws. I did not darken the clouds around it...it came out exactly as it is.

No, I am not misleading anyone. I am not suggesting anything except that I am amazed at what nature can do.

This is a beautiful picture for sure...that DRAGON!

To Western countries, the myths and stories mostly see this creature as evil and the way it is projected with the spike wings, angry look and fire breathing. It is a creature of the dark.

However to the Eastern people, especially Chinese...dragons are auspicious. They are out of this World. In the Chinese Horoscope, among the 12 animals signs, one of them is a dragon. There are many stories about Chinese dragons. I am sure you can find them in the Internet, so go net them if you are interested to know more.

Sharing this amazing DRAGON IN THE SKY......

Do you believe...?

2011-05-28T22:02:00.008+08:00

Recently I read in the newspaper of a man who died mysteriously. Before his death he has been complaining about stomach pain. The doctors in the hospital checked and found nothing. However the medicine did not helped so he continued to suffer pain to this unfounded reason. Unfortunately he died. After his death, they found a 30cm ringworm in his mouth?!!! What is this? How did the worm appeared in his mouth?

Actually in this world there are many unexplained happenings. We believe in science but there are things that cannot be scientifically proved. It is up to one to believe. After the man passed away, his good friend said he knew now "what it was".

Whether in the East or the West, we know that there are people practicing all kinds of mysterious ways that caused harm to others. Most of the time it is due to someone having grudges over another. They will go to these shamans to cast a spell. The lesser spells are to cause one to be sick, the heavier ones are to take the lives of someone. There are people who cast spell on women and vice verse where women did the same to men out of possessiveness which they wrongly mistook for love. There are people who are out of jealously harmed another by making them feel pain all over the bodies and no doctors checked could find anything wrong with them.

I heard stories from friends. Story #1 - Man A reported sick and checked into the hospital. Doctors did all the scanning, test. scope on Man A but found nothing wrong with him. They gave him medicine but the man checked into the hospital again with sever pain in his abdomen. He died in pain. An autopsy was done on him to find out the cause. When they where performing the cut...they found a big snake and all other organs were absent. If there was a snake, why did it not shown up on the scan, scope and x-ray?

Man B with the same condition checked into another hospital. They checked him because the man said he heard frogs croaking inside him. It sounded absurd but because he was going through so much pain, they did all the scan, scope, ex-ray on various organs in the body but found nothing. He died. Upon autopsy, the frightening happened. Frogs where jumping out from the cut but when they touched the floor, they turned into patches of bloods. It smashed all over the floor and was so gruesome.

I do not know how true are the above stories but I believe that there are X-files that contained unexplained happenings which were not make known to the public. What is the point of frightening everyone and when public react and there is no answer, it will spread panic. So no one is talking about such thing but in South East Asia such are not uncommon.

I pray for the safety of everyone that you do not encounter such dilemma.

Election 2011

2011-05-08T13:05:00.011+08:00

The dust is settling down after last night watershed fights at all the electoral divisions except one. I did not write anything before the day and now just to drop a few lines to record the day. From now to the next 5 years we will see what will happen. It will set pace and stage for the next round of election. By than who will rule will be very obvious.

The people of Singapore took to express their dissatisfaction this round, very strongly by giving 1 GRC and 1 SMC to the opposition. Although the win was a walk-over but the percentage was not exciting. It was sad that BG George Yeo lost out Aljunied. He is one of my favorite minister and will still be. Too bad Aljunied did not see it. Good luck to the opposition and all eyes will be on you. Making a lot of noise is one thing, to deliver will be the utmost.

It was unfortunate that Uncle Chaim lost out in PP. If Uncle Chaim did not abandoned PP, his party will still have one place? However I think he is cultivating a bigger area...a GRC. He is so sure that his wife will win? People move in and out an estate to other places. The sure win yesterday will not be a sure win today and vice verse for all other estates as well.

Our All Time favorite is LSL and it is jubilant to see him win AMK GRC. We still have hope in him so Singapore will not hand over the country to the oppositions. We cannot deny the track records the winning party had done all these years, thank you. However I hope the winning party sees clearly this time what is the message that the people is giving out. Singapore is changing...what do the people want? After watching some of the speeches on TV and media, is there a split internally within the winning party. We know that you cannot break a bunch of sticks when they are united, but not so sure if they are split into a smaller bundles. Visions must be communicated to the mass clearly and not losing sight of the big pictures with side ones. Anyway it is a testing ground to give in to some unpopular decisions and saw the results. The standard of living is really high. I wonder a jobless girl like me, still trying to find a job, surviving on the little saving I had and for how long?

There are a few unpopular ministers and their winning margins spoke loud and clear. Housing - is a big issue. I am not surprised with the just 10,000 votes winning, wake up man. It is not how great you are when parked with a winning party. Insensitivity also dragged down the party's reputations and votes. Next is Health...what is this $8 for a bypass? We have to buy insurance for such big operation as we cannot afford it and here is a minister who can afford and paid $8.00? How did this come about? And why asked people to die in JB? Did he really said this or is it rumors?

Anyway life goes on. The winner will surely sit down and ask what went wrong? The oppositions - looked like most of them got their monies back. Anyway I don't know why the winning opposition is called Tin-Can. To me tin can only makes lots of noise. Give them a chance...

What goes up will come down...and...what is down will go up. It is the LAW of the universe. Whether the people of a country enjoys prosperity, peace and safety...it is joined KARMA. Karma does not belongs to the Buddhist...it is a universal law BUT only the Buddha brought it up.

Good luck to myself and all Singaporean. Congratulations PAP!!!

Epiphyllum oxypetalum...a midnight bloom

2011-04-25T16:25:00.011+08:00

Recently my garden is blessed with the blooming of Epiphyllum Oxypetalum. I love the plant and have anticipated its blooming for a long long time.Unlike other plants whose blooms will last a few days, this one will show itself for a short span of a few hours after midnight and than it will starts to fade when morning comes. So if you want to catch the special moment, you will have to stay up after midnight to celebrate its opening.

In this part of the world, we called the bloom 'Qiong Hua' or 'Keng Fa'. The fragrant of the flowers are sweet and pleasant to the nose. Scent filled the air and it made me very happy to see its opened white long petals, exposing the pollens and the heart. The white petals were so white that it looked like white feathers. The local people will let the flower dropped off and dries it and use it to make soup with pork ribs. It said that it cures diabetic. These are only local believe which I have no scientific proof for it.

Quote "Epiphyllum Oxypetalum is a night blooming succulent cactus of the type called an epiphyte. Oxypetalum is also called Dutchman S Pipe".

Sharing here are photographs that I took. All three bulbs in my garden bloomed one after another and it was said that it will bring good luck and abundance to the Owner of the plant.

All ....But for a good LAUGH!

2011-04-19T15:41:00.004+08:00

This is a joke someone sent me. Don't jump to conclusion until you read the end and have a good laugh!

OLD people have problems that you haven't even considered yet!

An 85-year-old man was requested by his Doctor for a sperm count as part of his physical exam. The doctor gave the man a jar and said, 'Take this jar home and bring back a semen sample tomorrow.'

The next day the 85-year-old man reappeared at the doctor's office and gave him the jar, which was as clean and empty as on the previous day.

The doctor asked what happened and the man explained, 'Well, doc, it's like this -- first I tried with my right hand, but nothing. Then I tried with my left hand, but still nothing.

'Then I asked my wife for help. She tried with her right hand, then with her left, still nothing. She tried with her mouth, first with the teeth in, then with her teeth out, still nothing.

'We even called up Arleen, the lady next door and she tried too, first with both hands, then an armpit, and she even tried squeezing' it between her knees, but still nothing.

The doctor was shocked! 'You asked your neighbor?'

The old man replied, 'Yep, none of us could get the jar open'

My Thoughts - 2011

2011-04-04T20:05:00.001+08:00

1) I Love My Parents...they are Irreplaceable!

2) To Deal...with...honesty to oneself and others.

3) The world revolves around me and I revolve around them...

4) To live sincerely...and die peacefully.

5) The statement of 'What you see is what you get' is no longer true.

6) People say and do things with an Agenda and you can't be too careful.

7) Is your life in daylight reality and your dream unreal? THINK...again. You perform all activities when you are 'awake ' and 'dream' alike...so you actually 'wake-up' in both states...so how can one be real and the other unreal?

8) Does one needs to be a fanatic in religious believes? The term 'fanatic' = a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm. How can anything irrational be taken as Truth?

9) Buddha taught the 'Middle Path'. Anything that is pulled to an extreme and lulled to an extreme will not produced ideal result.

10) Did you see or recall any of the great religious Leaders - Buddha, Christ and others an extremists?

11) What chances human has against Nature?

12) Silence is Golden...unless you are dead.

13) Human unkindness is performing thoughtless actions that hurt others indirectly.

14) Money is not everything BUT without money, who is going to pity you?

15) You can live poor BUY you cannot live without dignity.

16) How many people can put others happiness in front of them without personal agenda.

17) Sometime when I try to explain myself, I realized the more I explain the more ridiculous it becomes.

18) I hope to live life simply or live a simple live?

19) We are attending lessons every day but we never learn.

20) It is very difficult to be oneself. I am influenced by people around me. If I am myself, people will say I am anti social.

21) It is sad to know that one's freedom is in the hands of another.

22) What will you do if you know that tomorrow the world is coming to an end?

23) When you are alone, you are true; when you are with another, you try to be true; when you are with more people, you put the truth behind you.

Woes of a Nation - Japan March 2011

2011-03-13T14:47:00.008+08:00

As we watched in horror, pictures after pictures, reports after reports on the television filled our eyes and ears with shocked. This time it is Japan. Most of the people living near the sea probably have lost their lives. We saw big sea vessels coming inland carried by the 10m strong water. Yes, it swept everything in its way. How fast again can human react to act of nature?

I did not know what happened as I was in a library deep in my revision for the coming examination. It is a temporary cut off from the real world and woes behold, when I stepped out.

Many years, when I was a kid, Mum used to say that Japan will one day disappeared overnight. After watching reports that Japan is actually sitting along the ridge of live volcanoes undersea, we may have some ground to ponder upon. I was in Japan and had experienced the minor swaying which I was not expecting. However to the Japanese, it is part and parcel of their lives. No one can be more prepared when the earthquake triggered a tsunami.

I was speechless as I watch. Although we are from different country and far from Japan but we are one people...we are Global Citizen. With disasters happening around all our neighbors, words of comfort is no longer necessary. The pained is feeling the pain; the lost is lost forever; the missing is yet to be found and will it be found; the bits will have to be picked up; the road is tough and the tough got to push against the odd...

Life is so fragile..my Guru keeps reminding us. How long will we live? You said 60s, some said 70s and some said 80s. No one wants to die and especially in such unpredictable way when you have wishes and dreams unfulfilled. In actual fact, we live by every breath we take. Once the breath is not coming, we are goners.

I pray for all the people in Japan - may those who are alive live well and in safety, the unfortunate ones, may they rest in peace. Japan at crisis need to be united and strong. Kudos to all those who lend a hand to help Japan, be it its own people, tourists, countries around the world - physically or in prayers too be well and happy. Deepest Condolences to the Japanese people.

I am glad and grateful that my blogging friend Cindy is safely back home in Malaysia. My friend's brother and sister-in-law with their 2 boys were in Tokyo when it happened and they just touched down Singapore with the first flight out of Japan. To my friend Tazuko, whose parents and relatives are in Japan be safe and the son and family of Aunt Lian is safe too.

Japan is plagued with earthquake, tsunami and now the nuclear plants leaked...is going through a difficult time. May we joined together in prayers that these disasters will be over soon and Japanese picked up and be strong.

The World is changing. I feel that the World is cleaning up and slowly will see all these as we draw closer to 2012. 2012 may not see the end of the World but we will see the World in a different light.

My prayer : Ohm Mani Padme Hum

what a terror....

2011-02-27T11:32:00.004+08:00

I wonder how many Singaporean are aware that terrorism is actually at home? Are they concerned about their safety? Did you ever think for a minute that your good neighbor , your friend, someone you know..... Think if you walk on the street with someone walking next to you who carries a bomb in his bag and if it explodes than...do you just say 'I am suey lah!'.

With incidents worldwide...the biggest being the World Trade Center 911 incident but again it was so far away from home. We sympathized with the victims and families and that is all. The pain is there but the pain is not ours.

Why do some in Singapore wants to do harm to this little island they call Home? We have to thank Mat Selamat for hitting the nail home. Again how many Mat Selamat are out there waiting for their opportunity to harm US? When it really happened, it is too late to cry or regret. Singaporean are so fortunate, complacent and dependent on the Government. To date our country is superb in their vigilance but there are people out there who are weak at will. They can sell themselves if someone gives them monies.

We all did wonder how did Mat Selamat escaped from such tight security? Although the government warned against housing him but they are against the notion of family. Even with such stringent punishment, can you say you turn your family away in such situation? The family may not be a terrorist but they are human and they have compassion. They know housing this person will put them in trouble and yet they did. Can we blame them? You can't...it is human. If it happens to someone in your family, you will do same...so don't blame.

Not blaming does not mean 'tidak apa'. Not blaming those whose emotions are invested and not see the bigger picture But it surely shows that if Mat Selamat is convicted and sentenced...what will the emotion of his family be? Will they multiply? This is home ground.

Looking at the world around us now...it is surely chaotic. All the unrest in the West, in the East...to the North and to the South. It is people throwing government and they no longer want to be suppressed. It is not only the people, Nature is also wagging wars at human!

Beginning of the Metal Rabbit 2011, the worst hit is Australia. Imagine Brisbane going underwater not to mention people loosing their homes and lives. Now the earthquake that shook New Zealand and left many dead. So it is not where you live, it is when is the time one will die and where. Many of those dead are foreign students.

So up in China, down in Australia/ NewZealand, east in Korea/ Taiwan/ Thailand/ Cambodia and west with Libya being the latest.

As human heart/desire goes from goodness to anger, when the heart feels the perception unfairness, when the heart feels why should I care for others when my happiness is at stake, when the heart feels why must I be suppressed to poverty...it rebels! Feelings are contagious and it can influence. Again there are those that play with the weakness of human beings, brain washing them to sell their life for a cause....are unethical but as long as it serves their purpose.

I can never understand that any religion, if it is a TRUE religion will want to take life or lives for the benefit on one cause. It is a human one is dealing with, it has its own thoughts and believes and can never be forced to do anything. When you scolded someone, if that someone do not retaliate does not mean that someone agrees with your doing. No two persons are the same and how can you force someone into your own mind...for a matter of fact, why don't you turn around and think like me? So you won't and than why should I?

There is justice in this World. When it comes to such a time that people cannot control themselves, Karma will.

LUNAR NEW YEAR GREETINGS....

2011-02-01T11:46:00.003+08:00

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR 2011
GREETINGS
TO ALL
MY READERS.....

Bye 2010...Hello 2011

2010-12-31T09:29:00.015+08:00

The Year 2010 is coming to an end with just a few more hours to go. It is an eventful year for the World as well as for myself. I count my blessing, and take all the good, bad and ugly with a pinch of salt. Life is not a bed of roses but again it is thankful to be alive and be useful to family and the soceity. Always remember the worst cannot stay worst forever, neither can good time last forever. Live the moment and tomorrow to take care of herself. Always remember to be kind towards people you love, people you have no patient with, people you think is not up to your standard and more. Do not take lives for fun...not killing for one's own hobby.

For 2011, whatever is going happened is already set. Live it as it comes...so HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 to my blog followers as well as those visiting here. My greeting this year will be Banners so painstaking done by GOOGLE... thank you and cheers!

A sexy joke...

2010-11-19T11:18:00.006+08:00

My computer is lagging, so much so that it took ages for me to load something up here. So to give my brain a break, today I am posting a joke just for laugh. Something a friend made me guess ??? and not till the end that I realized it is a sexy and not so sexes.s.s.s. type of joke.

Thanksgiving is around the corner. Buddhist do not pick a special day to celebrate thanksgiving as we should live our days with gratitude. We are grateful that we wake up in the morning and see the sun shining, feel the breeze on our face, hear voices of people talking, cars zooming by, see flowers blooming, hear music, feel the joy, the pain, the tears, the happiness, sorrow...it is a reminder that we are alive. Many have problems, some struggle to find a living...our lives whether good or bad is something we Buddhist says as 'The Cause and Effect'. Unfortunately not many see it as such as we are so wrapped up in our problem..Yes, OUR problem and it seems bigger than any other people. It is so because we say we are suffering and our suffering meant a lot to us. We forget about others who are suffering worst.

There was once I was on an operating bed queuing to be pushed in to Theatre for a DNC. It is nothing major but the continuous bleeding nearly cost me my life. While lying there, I saw patients being pushed in and pushed out. It is not a nice feeling. Thoughts flipped over my mind and I was wondering how if I do not come out alive? What have I done with my life, my parents and siblings, my friends. What good have I done so that I bring it with me like a protection charm that guarantee me a better next life? At this point, I prayed and wished..."Let me take all the pains and sufferings of all these people with me. When the doctor cut me, may I bear and take all these pain so that all these suffering patients come out alive and live healthily. I prayed that all these beings be well and happy. I went in and came out alive, till today. My faith did not waned instead it has grown. However I respect others choices too and will not belittle other religions . To Each His/Her Own...

OK, here is the fun and have a great weekend!

I will seek and find you ...
I shall take you to bed and have my way with you

I will make you ache, shake & sweat
until you moan & groan..

I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop
I will exhaust you to the point
that you will be relieved when I'm finished with you

And, when I am finished, you will be weak for days, my Love...
THE FLU ....

Now, get your mind out of the gutter and go get your flu shot!! ha.a.a.a.

Triads and the Young

2010-11-12T14:39:00.009+08:00

The two recent gang fights in two different locations one after another leaving one dead and many injured was a shocking jolt to many parents, society and the law enforcers of Singapore.

What is becoming of the youth in our society? Actually there are signs of such troubles brewing. Is it blind to the law enforcers/ parents/ teachers that these youth are gathering in groups in HDB’s void decks, shopping centers and places of entertainment i.e disco, bars, etc? You can tell that they are young and most of them are teens to the early twenties.

These youth, do they know what they have signed themselves in when they joined a triad? What is the future? Do they know they will be in trouble with the law? What sufferings they are getting themselves into and what heartache to parents and siblings?

Are parents blind to the fact that their child joined a triad? Does school allowed school children showing off their tattoo body, arms and legs? Where are the disciplinarians? I am sure there are school bullies and many are forced into joining a group or a gang. There are boys and I am sure there are girls as well. Do we have to wait for them to kill someone openly to know that we are in trouble?

The gang fight that lead to one death and it is for a very trivial reason. Just because someone looked at you and it is called staring? I would also stare and take a second look if someone have tattoo over their arms and legs? What are these youth trying to show off? That they are into brotherhood, that they have backing, that they can talk loudly and shamelessly opened their mouth to vulgarities? They have the 'I dare you attitude' and of course oblivious to people around. People shun them BUT they mistook people are afraid of them. So it makes them even more fearless and in their eyes, they see no one but themselves. It is a false sense security because what do they know about the world? They ignore the law and when they get into trouble with it, I am sure they shake in their pants! To chop someone up and showed a V sign is COOL? The best part, they shouted the Triads Number 369. Who is 369? They are GOD? NO! because the law do not fear them. It is live and lets live and you don't give me trouble, I close one eye to all the bad things you are doing. From loan sharks, brothels, gambling dents, drugs, gang fights and all these cannot come into the surface. Anything that cannot come into surface is against the law.

So now they are really brothers in brotherhood because once they are found guilty, they will die by the gallow. They are so young. Youth and it is be beginning of life. So with stupidity, they have no tomorrow. I cannot understand why triads need to recruit such young people. Why must such activities starts in school? I am sure triads should be more sophisticated because I am sure there are better educated ones but can they lead to a better course instead of all these killings and chopping? Singapore is against the citizen owning fire arms so these youth used chopper, long knives, baseball bats which should be used for better things.

Looking at these youth, who is at fault? The parents, the teacher, the society and complacent law enforcer. I am really sorry for the boy who died and his parents too. I will not say forgive because to err is human and therefore the lessons must be learnt the hard way. To those who were so high, so garang and happily chopping people - you started the cause and now the effect. To live in constant fear of death is a cruel punishment because they are so young. I have no words for their parents and they know what they have breed. To the law enforcers, please protect the future of Singapore. Their protection got to start when they are in school, not until they became wayward and chopped people to run after them. The one being chopped and the choppers are both pathetic. Will this lesson be learned?

Out for a ride...

2010-11-04T11:41:00.019+08:00

Transport to developed countries are taken for granted. Many owned branded cars and they are no longer a needed transport but to shout about one's status. In this little island, some of the beautiful flashy sport cars are for show. The roads are too short for its speed capacity.

These are pictures sent to me. It is fun to ride...which we will never see anymore. It is transport but to develop countries, it is dangerous. It is also not hygienic to transport food around...nor is it safe to send animals around. Sometime simplicity is blessing...we are too contaminated with luxury. Simple thing no longer make us happy and all the the good things we had also no longer make us happy. SO...where is happiness?

Enjoy the sight!

Where should I place my COMPASSION...

2010-10-25T17:15:00.005+08:00

Recently I am becoming more and more aware of the sufferings beings are facing. With so many calamities around the world, the pain face by human alone is already unspeakable. Although it is believe to be group karma, but one cannot think that way or else we will become inhumane.

In fact, it is difficult for one to feel the pain and suffering of another If one does not see, does not hear, does not feel, does not fear….one will think that the life one leads is similar with all others. This is not true and one’s sufferings are different from another. One’s enjoyment of peace and prosperity is not equal to the person standing next to you. Therefore you should count yourself lucky. Do not wish more or wish less of one self, just be happy with what you are now and what you have now, where you stay now and the safety and environment you are immerse in. We are always complaining that grass is greener on the other side, is that so?

Singapore is a very small island. You hardly see it on the map. Many know who we are but there are many more who do not know us. we are a safe little island and away from the typhoon that wrack havoc around our neighbors. We are away from heavy rainfall that flood a country causing landslides and burying everything as it goes. We experienced tsunami, a very minor one causing minor damages as compared to other neighbors around us, and we have a big heart to always donate as much as we can…after all we are only a small island.

I saw the sufferings and it pains my heart. The 911 bombing in USA, the 512 earthquake in Sizhuan, the flood in Myanmar, the tsunami hitting so many countries around South East Asia and Asia Pacific and now Typhoon Magi killing so many in Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan – can I ignore these? I cannot because I watched news and the reports and pictures are enough to bring tears to my eyes.

Animals have their fair share of woes. The earth is no longer a safe place for them. Humans need more and more places to put up homes and for agriculture and these animals are force out of their natural habitats. On top of that, they are food for our survival. As if these are not enough, we killed them for their fur. If you see how brutally they are killed for ‘’good to have” items and not “must have” items, you probably will be indifferent about it because it does not involve you. WRONG! It will because once these animals go into extinction, the future generation will not know what they are. There are people who buy all these so called exotic goods…expensive and they pay through their nose for it. Of course, because it caused other people’s life to get the goods on their body as accessories or food.

Now Singapore is facing their yearly HAZE, so bad that buildings around are visually covered in mist. These are burning of lands or plantations in neighboring Indonesia. Again animals are roasted alive, whether on the ground or below the ground with extensive heat, and neighbors are inhaling all these polluted smoke. Talking about being environmental... it is about survival for Indonesia.

I am no kinder because I am not a vegetarian nor a vegan. I am aware and I eat only what I need. There are many food on the table and many ways to cook them, I do not need exotic animals meats. I do not need shark fins, I do not need to eat a fish fried alive, I do not need to eat a fetus with its placenta attached to prove that I am virile, I do not need to eat dog meat to keep me warm, I do not need to eat crocodile head boiled with all kind of herbs to help me perform on bed… I just eat simple food and it is bad enough because there are chicken, pork, mutton and beef. I have stopped all seafood except for fish. I am not preaching that anyone or everyone must be a vegetarian BUT at least do support unnecessary killing.

Recently again it came to my email on the killing of dolphins on an island off Denmark. Friend told me that it is not dolphins, it is whales and again this island is not part of Denmark and neither is it under UN…It actually does not matters to me who and what they are. Will people have no feeling when they see this sea of blood? The people who kill, did they feel it when the animal struggle to live?

A friend said that people who kill chicken and pigs, sheep and cows for our consumptions are just as bad, so I should not discriminate. To be frank, from the bottom of my heart…I have no right to discriminate as I eat these meats too. IT IS COMPASSION…and I am wondering whether I have no right to being COMPASSIONATE because I eat meat? So where should I placed my COMPASSION.

I felt disgusted when I see the sea of blood. If I do not feel …COMPASSION…I have lost the ground to practice Buddhism.

That is why I pray before consuming my food – I thank the animals for being food for me. They have provided me with the energy to survive so that I have wisdom to practice. When I attained my wishes the merits goes to them and may they be liberated from sufferings too. For all those who make it possible for the food to be on my table, I wish them same. For all those who cook and make it consumables, I pray same. May I eat with awareness, with gratitude, with wisdom and fulfilled my ultimate goal to benefit beings.

In the name of the merciful Amitofo….

HALLOWEEN DAY…

2010-10-18T11:18:00.010+08:00

Halloween 2010 falls on 31 October. This event is not a popular celebration in Singapore but there are events organized for those that are interested to participate in theme parks etc.

The word ‘hallow’ to me means Death and Halloween to me means a day for the dead to come into the world to haunt it. It is a night where people will come out at night, dressed in all kinds of frightening costumes to try and frighten the frightening or vice verse. I love the pumpkin most. With the cut round eyes and a tooth, it looks adorable and yet a bit spooky. To think pumpkins are used in fairy tales and an important decoration for Halloween.

All Halloween goodies are out by now and parents surely have a hole in their pockets. Kids probably are the happiest. They are all ready with their scary make up, pumpkin lanterns and waiting to join their friends on this night to walk around neighborhood. It is a good community event and for networking.

So what comes into your mind for Halloween? He is Count Dracula of course. The story of the blood sucking count is a character we are familiar with, on the movie set as well as novels. He sleeps in a coffin, wore cloak, had a pale face, frighteningly handsome and he had ‘fangs’ for easy access to the blood vessels on your neck. It is funny that he sucked blood from females, maybe because they are the weaker sex. It is full moon night, when he flew around and comes into the balcony of the heroine. Those bitten became Dracula as well and life goes on in bloody account.

The next favorite is a visit to haunted houses. I suppose on this night the spooky will come out and party in full force. Do not try anything even if you think you are a hero. An eerie thought strikes me – what if one walks around in a frightening dressed up and come face to face with a real one? For me I probably will not be frightened because I will take it that it is another human dressed up as a spooky…ha.a.a.a. This is the best time to make friends with the spooky because there is no lines drawn. So much for my crazy, wild imaginations!

Halloween is said to be a Celtic Festival. It is actually to celebrate the end of Autumn or harvest. The good part of the year to plant, sow and harvest are over and now getting ready for winter. It is time to take stocks of food and all necessities for Winter. The crossing over to cold period ends in 31`October and according to folklore, the energy is weakest between the human world and spirit world. To ward off these spirits, one dresses up as one of these spirits so that one will not be harmed.

There is a certain similarity between Halloween and the Chinese Lunar Seventh Month when we celebrate the Chinese All Souls Day. According to believe, the Hell Gate was opened for 15 days to allow the dead to come back to human world. To appease and to entertain them, we did streets wayang and temples organized prayers sessions to elevate those that are still suffering in the lower realms. To the businessmen, such events generate income.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN DAY to all visiting friends to my Blog.

(Attached is a picture of my Farm at Farmville. I got myself a haunted house, pumpkin house and all the goodies to be a part in this celebration.)

Thoughts...More

2010-10-11T11:30:00.005+08:00

* Who do you think you are? You are nothing but a pile of bone, stinking flesh and a walking graveyard. Why? because you eat carcasses!

* RELIGION...practice correctly brings JOY; practice wrongly becomes a stumbling block...it rolls you to Hell.

* Friends either make you OR break you.

* YOU need things to prep you, the more the better, the branded, the glitters, the money, the women, the people, all the material things…WHY? JUST to prove that you are living and around.

* HUMAN scrubbed and perfumed themselves with the most expensive toiletries. No matter how hard they tried, they will smelled the next second. WHY? It is the dead (food) buried in their bodies and when it went into the blood stream, it cannot contain. It comes out as perspiration urine and shits.

* What can be wild? Human or Animals?

* The joy of seeing a flower blooms brings happiness only when it is shared.

* All worldly possessions only brings conflicts. It breaks a family when they fight over it after you are dead or it started long ago even before you are dead.

* No amount of riches, power and fame brings you to heaven. Heaven is only for the virtuous.

* In history, Kings and Noblemen, normal human beings died under the hands of a WOMAN. The lesson is never learned because people still cannot stop themselves for indulgence in a WOMAN.

* Behind every successful man is a Woman…Behind every downfall man is also a Woman.

* Which is more frightening? A Human or a Ghost?

* Is there a word called IMPARTIAL? In this world, this word do not exist… the word of all time “mutual benefit”.

* Who is more selfless than Buddha and Bodhisattva?

* You are born pure BUT as you grow, you become more and more contaminated.

* Can there be true equal between Woman and Man? It can never be…Woman is made in such a way that she is the one who bear the pain.

* Words are just Words…did you see the wisdom when they said “Called a Rose by any other names and it smells just as sweet”.

* As Human becomes more sophisticated…illness becomes more sophisticate This is call balancing of the Karma.

* Do you believe in Karma…Buddhist do not have the sole proprietorship to this word. Karma is Universal.

* I have seen the Cause and Effect of bad deeds done. Do not think that it is just a God fearing word. It is not. So DO NO EVIL because when the effect comes, it is too late to regret.

* Still I want to say this…”Death is Inevitable”… All merits you have done, both good and bad are your companion until you attain Enlightenment.

* Does the Preacher believe in what is preached? Does the Preacher practice what is preached? Look beyond the surface and you will have the answer.

* We see what we choose to see.

* No amount of Rights can right a Wrong…with only sincere repentance will it be lighten. You do not repent to the person you wronged BUT to yourself for doing such silly thing. Repentance is effective only when you are aware BUT to many, they did not even accept the fact that they have wronged.

* I see, I do, I conquer…MYSELF and not others.

* Take a pen, be honest, write down all your negative characters and your positive characters and see whether it balance.

* When you look at a problem, you should take a helicopter’s view…not a one sided view.

* When you are face with a problem, solve it and not put the blame on others. Remember, when you point a finger at another, four fingers are pointing at yourself.

* Compassion arises only when there is a target…actually one should maintain a compassionate heart all the time and to all beings.

* Do you feel offended when someone ignore you? Why? Because your EGO is hurt. Self worth is not based on what others perceived of you. EGO is nothing but a pile of bones.

* In this mundane world, everything is a test subject…we all have a worst part of our self that we need to right.

...more Thoughts from myself for myself and those that are interested to ponder.

Late Mrs Lee Kuan Yew - 1920-2010

2010-10-06T11:25:00.003+08:00

Like many Singaporean, the passing of Madam Kwa Geok Choo or better known as Mrs Lee Kuan Yew is a National mourning to all of us. In her I saw a woman of virtue and an example of a good wife, a wonderful mother and a much respected public figure. Behind a successful man is a woman and we see this in the Late Mrs Lee. She was always beside MM Lee, she never come to the front or try to outshine her husband, she silently support and that is what I feel the most remarkable about her. She inspires. I like to pay my respect to this remarkable Lady, may she rest in peace.

For MM Lee, we know that he is hospitalized for chest infection and now with the passing of Late Mrs Lee, we pray that he stays strong for the sake of Singapore. I appreciate all the things that MM had done for Singapore. In such a moment, we can only pray - that the Lee family gathers strength and move forward.

Condolences from me and my family to MM Lee and PM Lee and Family. Thank you for everything you have done for us and many appreciative Singaporean.

Gentle Giant...Elephants

2010-10-05T14:13:00.000+08:00

Yes, I am talking about elephants. This animal probably have been around since prehistoric time. I supposed at that time they have saber tooth, and long furs, long trunks and were much bigger. However cartoonist always drew it cute looking, like in ICE AGE.

There are different types of elephants and it varies from countries, maybe due to its feeding. A Thai elephant is different from a Sri Lankan ones or the African ones. Do not be misled to think that elephants are tame, and you will be in trouble if you do. We are weary of strangers and will not allow strangers to come close to us, so do the animals. This is the fear or being harmed. However you better be careful if it is a mother animal and there are babies around. This is the instinct of motherly protection and she may charged at you.

Those that had been to places and seen elephants or ride on one, it is because the tamer is there. Don’t try anything funny if the tamer is not there. I sympathizes with elephants that are made to work, entertain human and killed for its tasks. Even its skin are made into wallets, shoes, bags and anything imaginable that is fashionable.

I remembered I was in a country with friends and we drove into this animal sanctuary. We saw elephants and were very excited. These are the tall, big ones with black skin and supper big ears like fans. Initially our intention is to move nearer to take a better look and also to take pictures. I think the two jeeps created some discomfort among the animals. In any animal group there is a leader and we saw this big elephant stood out and looking at us. The guide immediately off the jeep’s engine, we sat silently and dare not even breath loudly (as if our breath will disturb them). The group of elephants started to move towards the two jeeps and surrounded us. This is no fun anymore and the tension in the air intensified. The animals were sensing our presence and we hope to give them the impression that we meant no harm. We dare not start the jeep and run for life because the animals will be frightened and will definitely charged at us. I noticed there were little ones and maybe that was also one of the reason. This is a frightening experience and we forgot that these were WILD ELEPHANTS!.

Elephant have long memory – meaning it can remember you, so never do anything bad to it. In any case we should not do any harm to animals, whether they have long memory or not.

In Thai history, elephants are use for warfare. They were the ‘horses’ of army generals. If you saw Lord of the Ring, all the mammoth elephants were killed in the fights. Although it is a movie, and of course we all enjoyed the scene but too much killing for my liking.

Elephants are much love by both adult and kids. As a kid, somehow or rather we just felt that elephants are kids’ best friend. Any toys, hard or soft elephants appealed to us. I have one pink one from Jim Thompson sitting on my hard disk on top of my worktable. I have an abstract one in granite which is one of my favorite and I treasured it. I picked it up at a nursery – I would carry the whole family home if the space in my home permits.

Elephants should live in its own natural habitats but because of its gentleness, since long ago it is one of the animals in circles as well as other type of entertainment industry. I was told that once an animal come into contact with human and live along side human, it can never go back to its natural habitats. This is because its habit changes, its nature change and because it is well looked after by human, it lost it sense of survival in the wild and even its own type will distance themselves. Very much like human, isn’t it. Once we moved away from familiar ground, we do not know the danger that is facing us.

I love these creatures. I cannot bring myself to ride on one. How can anyone bare to kill this gentle giant? Please protect animals so that our younger generation gets to see them and appreciate them. Many animals are extinct now and if we go on senselessly killing, our future generation will not know what is an elephant.

OWL...

2010-09-25T10:48:00.006+08:00

This picture is provided by National Geographic and so is the write-up. Isn't this snow owl beautiful? The feathers are so pure...and fluffy and makes you want to hug it. I love to have one as a pet but it won't survive in this harsh hot climate. We do have owls here but they are of the smaller and grey kind.

Extract: "The snowy owl's beautiful white plumage helps to hide it in its Arctic habitat. Only the males are completely white. Chicks are dark and spotted, while the females are white with spots on their wings.

Young owls, especially males, get whiter as they get older. Females are darker than males, with dusky spotting, and never become totally white. Some elderly males do become completely white, though many retain small flecks of dusky plumage.

The snowy owl is a patient hunter that perches and waits to identify its prey before soaring off in pursuit. Snowy owls have keen eyesight and great hearing, which can help them find prey that is invisible under thick vegetation or snow cover. The owls deftly snatch their quarry with their sharp talons."

Does Owls remind you of Harry Potter? Actually it does gives one an eerie feeling when it perch high up on a tree and looking at you with those ever So big and unblinking eyes that say..."I saw it all". Owls are associated with the Dark Forces, I don't know why. However this snow owl do not have the round big eyes which I think it makes me think of a sharp, focus, eagle eye instead.

In this part where I lived, people knows owls from their school books and movies etc but in real life we hardly see one. I know though, that owls are carnivorous. They eat rats and the like.

Looking at this beautiful snow owl, it makes me think of a video that someone sent me on FUR. In China, people are breeding animals with beautiful fur and killing them to sell off their fur to some fashion designers and those that love to wear fur. Thank goodness in this hot part of the world, we have no requirement for such. We are blessed. Do you know how these animals are killed, all those proverbs like...'Skin you alive'...'clubbed you to death'...are such cruel words. Well, these animals are literally that...and...left to die in pain. HOW would you like to wear a beautiful fur around your neck...and if you have the 'eye' to see, you will see Bloody dead animal around your neck instead. HOW would you like to be SKIN alive?

There are animals cruelty because there is a DEMAND. Stone age people do not have enough to cover their bodies from cold, so they need the animal skin. They only need something over their body BUT today people boast of owning MINKS an how much it cost. Talking about protecting the environment and kindness to animals? We should preached this to the rich and famous and the Vains! Well just remember - what goes around comes around. We do not need fur to keep us warm, we have enough natural fabrics to do so...PLEASE DO AWAY with all these cruelty!

The amount of harm we are doing to the environment, it is retaliating. I will not want to make bloody money to get rich. This is a funny world, when there is a need, there will be people who are not afraid to die to supply....SAD!

(A note of thanks to National Geographic and the photographer by making such a beautiful Owl photographs available.)

Watch this Video..if you still think that wearing fur is alright. If it does not raise your compassion, something in you must be blocked!

.....???? My attached video disappeared from this post. Anyway be it so. It is too cruel to enhance my blog. However hiding under anything will not earse the fact that animal cruelty is there. FOR those who has a strong stomach and a strong heart, go search for ...'animal fur, animal cruelty...etc', you find tons of them on Youtube.

Amitofo....may the Buddha blessed those that have committed such crime. May all those pitiful animals that die in such a painful manner take better rebirth.

Mooncakes Evolution

2010-09-19T13:45:00.002+08:00

What comes into your mind when you think of "Zhong Qiu"? To me it is a merry making and sharing time for a year of good harvest. It is family reunion, it is a big round moon hanging in the sky with little clouds around it and it is feasting time.

Zhong Qiu is the Chinese word for Mid-Autumn. Once a upon a time, long long ago...it has something to do with revolution. To overthrow the wicked ruling party, people came together and planned a cope. To make sure it went unnoticed, they made rounded mooncakes and inserted message roll about the time, date and this made everyone ready to do so. It was successful and everyone rejoiced. The mooncake messenger became a delicacy for celebration.

There are many stories revolving around the Mid Autumn Festival. Other than the above, there is also a legend of a maiden flying to the moon after eating a special concocted pill which gave eternal life.

Mooncake had come a long way. It became a cake for celebration and gifts to each other to celebrate great harvest. Slowly this cake that was filled with white lotus paste changed. People started putting egg yolk to make it taste different. Subsequently from one yolk in a cake became double yolk in a cake. Families made these cakes as gifts and gradually it became a blooming business.

On this special mid Autumn night and it is the 15th day of the calender, families started setting out table and chairs, fill the tables with food and of course the prima dona of the night which cannot be missed is Maiden Mooncake. Slowly the food increased to having pameloes, small yam, cow horn nuts and we even have char mee hoon, curry chicken and anything palatable to fill our stomach.

As a kid I was very excited and cannot wait for night to fall. Other than food, I looked forward to seeing all my neighbor kids. They gradually showed up and each holding a beautifully lit lanterns of different sizes and in the shapes of animals. By looking at the lantern, it is also parents showed off as to how affordable they can be...I loved the gold fishes. However we were not so well to do so we have paper lanterns. It did not made me feel inferior because the happiness is too much for me to bother. However there were years when my parents can afford...I had gold fishes lanterns too.

The mooncakes had evolved. From the traditional baked cake, it now have snow skin too and also ice-cream mooncake for those who needs variety. The filling too evolved. From white lotus paste to plus one egg yolk, two egg yoke, nutty with fats and vegetarians for those 'grass' eaters. As human advances, the mooncake evolved further to fillings with white chocolate and brown chocolate for chocolate lovers; filling with durian, filling with hazel nuts, filling with bird nest and anything the bakers can think off to boost marketing and sales.

The mooncakes wrapping also changed with time. From a simple rice paper, it comes in paper boxes and now the paper boxes has to be 'designer' to show off the 'expansiveness' of the gift. I received a few this year with really nice packaging. Talking about loving the environment, the boxes used to pack the mooncake now can be recycled to be used as gift boxes and even jewelry boxes.

If you are a Chinese, and if you still have old folks at home, you will be reminded on this culture. If you don't remember, you will see stalls selling mooncakes and paper lanterns to remind you; and if you don't, your friend will share a piece of the mooncake with you.

Sharing love and joy with you for this Season. No matter you are home or you are far away from home, Home is where the heart is. Look at the moon, think of your love ones and wish them peace, joy, safety, happiness and abundance.

For me, I will cut a piece of mooncake, hold a cup of fragrance hot Chinese tea and look at the Moon. I will cheer my parents wherever they are, may they always be with the Triple Gems. I will cheer all sentient beings, may they be well, be safe, be happy and may they have an opportunity to hear the Dharma and be liberated from sufferings.

Happy Mid Autum Festival 2010 my friends!

Sea Turtles...

2010-09-13T12:00:00.002+08:00

I have been missing in action and left my blog posting as at 1st September 2010. I was busy with Guru in town giving teachings, initiations and pujas. This is a busy week, tired but happy.

Today I saw something from National Geographic about sea turtles and love to share it here. You may have missed this but again are you not awe by nature? When Buddha said we are not the only living beings on this Earth, he told the Truth. When we think that we human populated this Earth and we are counted in billions...may I remind you that if you check on all other living life forces around you, they can over run we humans in trillions and trillions. This are only those that we can see from the walking, crawling, flying and swimming...there are those that are invisible to naked eyes...bacteria, virus etc., not to mentioned those from another dimension. Therefore what is there to be so proud about being Human? Human is said to have higher wisdom and better merits to take this form but such merits need to be earned. Please do not forget merits expire when you use them. It is like a saving account, if you keep drawing and never putting back...you will go bankrupt one day. Therefore always remember to do good to increase blessings. I have side tracked.

Coming back to sea turtles, whether adult or kid, we all love a tortoise or a turtle. In my days in Phuket, every year Songkran, I will buy a turtle and after blessing from the monks, released it to the sea. This is because I love this creatures and it is in line with my teachings - give life to others is like giving life to yourself.

I also stayed at hotels around Maldives and Seychelles and these turtles will come up to the beaches to lay their eggs. People protected the eggs, wait for the little turtle to break shell and the cute little thing knows by instinct that it crawls towards to sea. However people keep them and let it grow bigger before releasing them so that the bigger sea animals do not eat them for food. Some marine people tagged the turtle and monitor its movement and no matter how far a turtle swim, if it is still alive, it will come back 'Home'. There was this turtle that came back home after three years and it is so heart warming. There are different types of sea turtles i.e leatherback sea turtles, green sea turtle, Hawksbill sea turtle and Kemp Ridley sea turtle. You can read about them in National Geographic.

I have also seen giant tortoises and even when you sit on it, it will still move. They roam around freely and kept as house pet. Do you like one?

Here is the facts from National Geographic...SEA TURTLES HAVE BEEN SWIMMING IN OUR OCEAN SINCE THE TIME OF DINOSAURS.

To the Chinese, turtles or tortoises mean Longevity and good luck. So when someone wish you long life like a turtle or tortoise, do not get angry. It is good intention.

WONDER EGG...(2)

2010-09-01T10:47:00.009+08:00

Here is more facts about WONDER EGG. I love eggs and I don't eat just any kind of 'eggs'. I know there are people going for exotic eggs i.e like those with unborn chicks, turtle eggs and whatever eggs as any kind of eggs won't kill. So since I have the following article, lets continue to learn more about eggs. People refrained from it not knowing the facts and follow blindly just because someone said so.

" I was on a weekend trip with some friends recently and one of my friends was cooking breakfast for the whole group. I went over to see what he was cooking and saw he was getting ready to make a big batch of eggs.

Well, to my shock and horror, I noticed that he was cracking the eggs open and screening the egg whites into a bowl and throwing out the egg yolks. I asked him why the heck he was throwing out the egg yolks, and he replied something like this...

"because I thought the egg yolks were terrible for
you..that's where all the nasty fat and cholesterol is".

And I replied, "you mean that's where all the nutrition is!" .

This is a perfect example of how confused most people are about nutrition. In a world full of misinformation, somehow most people now mistakenly think that the egg yolk is the worst part of the egg, when in fact, the YOLK IS THE HEALTHIEST PART OF THE EGG !

By throwing out the yolk and only eating egg whites, you're essentially throwing out the most nutrient dense, antioxidant-rich, vitamin and mineral loaded portion of the egg. The yolks contain so many B-vitamins, trace minerals, vitamin A, folate, choline, lutein, and other powerful nutrients... it's not even worth trying to list them all.

In fact, the egg whites are almost devoid of nutrition compared to the yolks.

Even the protein in egg whites isn't as powerful without the yolks to balance out the amino acid profile and make the protein more bio-available. Not to even mention that the egg yolks from free range chickens are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.

Yolks contain more than 90% of the calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, thiamin, B6, folate, and B12, and panthothenic acid of the egg. In addition, the yolks contain ALL of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in the egg, as well as ALL of the essential fatty acids.

And now the common objection I get all the time when I say that the yolks are the most nutritious part of the egg...
"But I heard that whole eggs will skyrocket my cholesterol through the roof"

No, this is FALSE!
First of all, when you eat a food that contains a high amount of dietary cholesterol such as eggs, your body down-regulates it's internal production of cholesterol to balance things out.

On the other hand, if you don't eat enough cholesterol, your body simply produces more since cholesterol has tons of important functions in the body.

And here's where it gets even more interesting...
There are indications that eating whole eggs actually raises your good HDL cholesterol to a higher degree than LDL cholesterol, thereby improving your overall cholesterol ratio and blood chemistry.

And 3rd... high cholesterol is NOT a disease! Heart disease is a disease...but high cholesterol is NOT. Cholesterol is actually a VERY important substance in your body and has vitally important functions... it is DEAD WRONG to try to "lower your cholesterol" just because of pharmaceutical companies propaganda that everyone on the planet should be on statin drugs.

You can read the following article about why trying to attack cholesterol is a mistake, and what the REAL deadly risk factors actually are... Cholesterol Myths

In addition, the yolks contain the antioxidant lutein as well as other antioxidants which can help protect you from inflammation within your body (the REAL culprit in heart disease, not dietary cholesterol!), giving yet another reason why the yolks are actually GOOD for you, and not detrimental.

To help bring even more proof that whole eggs are better for you than egg whites, I recently read a University of Connecticut study that showed that a group of men in the study that ate 3 eggs per day for 12 weeks while on a reduced carb, higher fat diet increased their HDL good cholesterol by 20%, while their LDL bad cholesterol stayed the same during the study. However, the group that ate egg substitutes (egg whites) saw no change in either and did not see the improvement in good cholesterol (remember that higher HDL levels are associated with lower risk of heart disease) that the whole egg eaters did.

So I hope we've established that whole eggs are not some evil food that will wreck your body... instead whole eggs are FAR superior to egg whites.

Also, your normal supermarket eggs coming from mass factory farming just don't compare nutritionally with organic free range eggs from healthy chickens that are allowed to roam freely and eat a more natural diet. Your typical cheap grocery store eggs will have lower nutrient levels and a higher omega-6 level and lower omega-3 level. On the other hand, the cage-free organic eggs from healthier chickens allowed to eat more natural feed and roam freely will have much higher vitamin and mineral levels and a more balanced healthier omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio.

I recently compared eggs I bought at the grocery store with a batch of eggs I got at a farm stand where the chickens were free roaming and healthy.

Most people don't realize that there's a major difference because they've never bought real eggs from healthy chickens... The eggs from the grocery store had pale yellow yolks and thin weak shells. On the other hand, the healthier free range eggs from the local farm had strong thick shells and deep orange colored yolks indicating much higher nutrition levels and carotenoids... and just a healthier egg in general.

So next time a health or fitness professional tells you that egg whites are superior, you can quietly ignore their advice knowing that you understand the REAL deal about egg yolks.

And can we all please STOP with this silliness about eating an omelet with 4-5 egg whites and only 1 egg yolk... If you want real taste and real health benefits, we'd all be better off eating ALL of our eggs with the yolks.

Another interesting thing about eggs...
I read a study recently that compared groups of people that ate egg breakfasts vs groups of people that ate cereal or bagel based breakfasts. The results of the study showed that the egg eaters lost or maintained a healthier body weight, while the cereal/bagel eaters gained weight.

It was hypothesized that the egg eaters actually ate less calories during the remainder of the day because their appetite was more satisfied compared to the cereal/bagel eaters who would have been more prone to wild blood sugar swings and food cravings.

Enjoy your eggs and get a leaner body!

Human’s Cruelty…

2010-08-26T17:33:00.004+08:00

I believe nothing in this world is more cruel than Human. According to the Buddha’s teachings, it is great merits to be born as a Human. We live in a World where we can work hard to achieve the type of life style we want, where we want to stay and who we want to live with. We have the intelligence to understand things that other living beings (those that you can see) cannot understand or have minimum understanding…however some of us are better described as in Chinese translated…”worst than animals”.

Animals kill for food and only when they are hungry. Animals have little brain but they know loyalty. Animals react when provoked. Animals lived in their own habitats and with their kinds but unfortunately some animals are branded as “PETS”. These are tame animals and therefore are brought into homes to serve as “entertainment” to their owners. Some owners are loving, some just need a pet around to boast of status, others…with the mentality that they are forced to take on because their kids discarded or their parents discarded and they have no feeling for these creatures.

Animals, like Human has a life. They are living things. Like Human they have feeling, they can feel pain, they are sensitive and they can feel what you feel. If you have fear so do they. If you are afraid of death, so do they. Does it mean that if they cannot talk or expressed themselves, Human has the right to demean them? When an animal attacked us, we said that they are ferocious, dangerous and they need to be killed or they need to be caged – so what happen to Human who were cruel to animals?

I am angered by what happened to a little helpless dog. This little thing was defenseless against Human. If you have no love for animals, do not take a pet. Pets need your attention. They are not cheap to keep, as like Human, they get sick and need a doctor and that is expenses. Dogs need food as Human need food and this is also expenses. Unfortunately dogs are not Human when they come to personal hygiene. Some dogs are well trained and they do their ‘’businesses’’ in allocated area but some are not so smart and they pee and pooh everywhere – you will have to clean it up. This small dog cannot be more irritating than another Human and what justify such inhuman, murderous act? The newspaper said that the dog was smashed against the wall again and again and probably died of fractured skull. Does it pain your heart to see such? What is going through that person’s mind while doing this act? It is unforgivable! If he picked someone of his own size and intelligent, he won’t stand a chance. If in the fit of anger he can kill an animal without refraining, do you think he can kill a human when provoked? So we have a murderer on the prowl.

The world is sick and I am sure there are many such people in every country and the amount of harm and abuse they did to both Human and Animals are worst than the devils. Some of the acts are unspeakable and no words could describe the notoriety. There are people who just enjoy torturing others – be it Human or Animals. The amount of violence, if you checked YouTube, Goggles, Yahoo…etc. you just have to swim around and you will find things that are unimaginable. We said that Human race have advance or are we going back to being barbaric?

The era of peace and harmony are slowly going. It is like a pendulum’s swing…from the start, to the middle and now we are nearing the end. Does it mean that everything needs to be destroyed and the world will start all over again?

What's the problem...???

2010-08-16T11:05:00.002+08:00

Many of us hide ourselves under a mask. It is like an ostrich hiding its head under the sand exposing it's butt and thinking that no one saw it. It has something to do with pride, it has something to do with privacy that we do not want others to know, it has something to do with not wanting to troubles others...and one can find many reasons to give. This is not a good thing. It is like a pressure cooker...the pressure increases and to an extend it will explode. The explosion either hurt someone or kill someone and that someone could be yourself.

Many times such pressure manifested in symptom like depression. The deeper the depression, the person become cuckoo 'lost in the head''. Others who do not know how to handle will hate the world, the people who deny them, the society and such that they take a knife/ gun and start killing innocent people.

A story goes that a guy was depressed because his family was broken up. His dad use to visit 'call girls' and it became an obsession that the parents fights and many times he saw his Dad hurt his mother. As he grew, he turned into a fine, good looking young man. Under the surface, the anger is building up as well. He viewed women as slut except his mother. He ditched girls like he is changing clothes. It became an obsession. The worst is this anger cannot subsides the hatred that was built up over the years. One day, he picked up a girl on the street, had sex with her and killed her. These goes on for years. He evaded the police and even his mother. Who would think that such a gentle, fine, good looking young man is the brutal killer. He was caught but he was not charged for murder. This is because he is not 'right' in the mind.

Never avoid problems. People who are the noise makers are the healthy one. People who talked about their problems will find ways out. People who seek help and help is everywhere...you just have to know how to find it. The easiest is to approach a police or go to a police station if you cannot handle your problem and let them refer to you an organization. Remember...YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Here is a story and I buy this story. I use to tell friends about this story...and now share it here.

Once there was a man and he had this pain in his leg. The pain at times were so sever and yet he bare with it. He knew that the pain is caused by this thorn in his sole and it got embedded deeper and deeper as he walked on it. He limped around and when people asked "what's the problem?", he said "Nothing is the problem". This went on and the wound started to be infected. He thought to himself "I am not suitable in this place, it is this place that caused me all the pain", he moved to another town. The new home did not make his pain go away and he thought "I will feel much better if I leave this country", he left on holidays. No matter how many countries he travelled, he is still miserable due to the pain in his leg. One day he met a monk. In casual talking, he mentioned about his pain. The monk looked at him and saw that he had mental pain which leads to him avoiding the fact and pretend everything is OK. He did not want to be weak as his girl friend left him by commenting he is weak. In a very gentle and practical way, the monk asked to see his leg and what caused the pain. The monk told him "my friend, there is a thorn in your sole, it has gone very deep and now it is infected. You need a doctor and you will be OK". The monk took him to a doctor. The thorn was removed and after a while the man recovered and was cheerful and thankful.

Sometime the problem is a very small one, do not make it into a mole hill. This body is precious as all Buddhist will tell you. Instead of letting your body rot because of any reason...use it to do good. If you feel the pain, you will know how others are going through pain. No one knows you better than yourself, you know where is the problem. Nothing in this world is permanent...do not take unhappiness with you to the next life.

Class...what???

2010-08-11T10:18:00.005+08:00

I read in the papers that a China reporter commented about the uniform of our Singapore Airline Air Stewardess. He said that our girls are wearing slippers with Kebaya and it is not classy enough. He went further to mention that the Airline Stewardess in China have uniforms that are far more classy!

Chey!...this reporter just shoot his mouth off. He has got nothing better to write or he ran out of ideas. Did he do a research of our background? Does he knows that Kebaya is worn with slippers or beaded slippers?

What is class or being classy? I think and many of us do...that our Singapore Girls' uniforms are both classy and representative of Singapore. You just have to look at the uniform in any country and anywhere and immediately it echoed in your mind "Singapore Airline". The uniforms are batik prints and are unique in design. The colors are vibrant too and slippers are matching. So what rubbish is he talking about class? Is he a fashion critic or what and what does he knows about fashion and identity...or does he has one???

I saw many airlines around the world and they all wear skirt, blouse, scraf...and that is their country dress code? If it is a National Airline, they should wear something that is of the country. Korean will look beautiful in their national outfit but it is clumsy. Japanese kimono are beautiful but their stewardess are wearing nothing but the skirt/ blouses thingy. Thai airlines stewardess is wearing their national outfits and that is what I call CLASS. So what class China air stewardess had? They don't wear cheong sam, they are wearing 'Kuai Low' fashions complete with high heels...where is the identity? It is copied fashion. Is this what you call class? Such class are but only skin deep! (Look at the China air stewardess in the picture, you called that Class? Which country does their uniform resamble...British Airline? or France Airline?)

Anyway kabaya with slippers are both practical and healthy. Imagine our girls got to walk about in heals in the turbulent sky. How many hours do they need to stand and serve all kinds of funny characters on board. What is going to happen to their legs...when they aged? Does that reporter knows? He should wear heels and stand and walk around in the aircraft and than he can shoot his mouth commenting about others without brain. It is so easy just to talk and talk and think that one is smart.

Anyway we Singaporean are 'stubborn' enough and we will not change such a beautiful representative uniform to trade in for CLASS. What if got CLASS and got no character?

I love our Singapore Girls' uniforms. They are a CLASS of its own and they represent the little island SINGAPORE!

Happy Birthday SINGAPORE

2010-08-06T17:31:00.005+08:00

Singapore is turning 45 on 9th August 2010. It is our National Day and I wish Singapore Happy Birthday. May the country be Safe and the People be well and happy!!!

Awake and Asleep....

2010-08-03T14:09:00.001+08:00

I have been giving thoughts to this issue and like to share it here with my readers. I have been pondering between what is Real and what is Fake. We draw a line…but who set the line?

Look at this world that we live in. Why do we say that this world is real? You will say we ‘exist’ here so it is real. We see, we feel, we touch, we sense, we smell…so how can this world be fake? You will say ‘Hey! I meet friends, I go to work, I live in a house, I drive a car. There is day time and night time. I feel hungry when I don’t eat, so how can it be not real?”

Let me ask you a question… You fall asleep at night, what happen to this world you call Real? Your mind shut out. You shut out your mind from all these worldly sensation and experience…so where is this real world? You will say “When I am asleep, the world still exist”. Of course it does, because you know you will wake up to it.

Can I give you another way to look at things. Give thought this way…”When I am asleep, I left this Real World and go into another dimension called the Dream World. In the Dream World I experienced all that I do in the Real World. In my Dream World, I go to work, I meet the same people I know, I meet people whom I have not met recently, I perform activities, I feel too and I sense because in my Dream World I am able to feel happiness and sadness. In my Dream World I can perform activities as the Real World or maybe even more. In my Dream World I go holidaying too. I have all the feeling and sensation when I am with my boyfriend/ girlfriend/ husband/ wife….so on and so forth”. Is the Dream World Real? Or is there really a Real World or a Dream World?

The YOU in the Real World will say this is real and the Dream World is fake. The YOU in the Dream World will tell you equally that the Dream World is also real!

This is an awesome feeling and realization. It breaks the chain bonding me to the Real and Fake World. In actual, there is no Real or Fake world, it is created by US. That all your virtual games on the Internet, you create all you wanted. I am recently into Farmville and I started building up my dream farm. I go in everyday to harvest, to plant, to buy, to visit neighbor and perform activities. I started to collect cash and exchanged them for all the goodies to make my farm nice. IS this real? Once you get obsessed, you will spend entire time doing the Farm…and it became real.

So in this so call REAL and FAKE world in actual fact there is NOTHING but our Mind activities. We are all here, in this REAL World because we all wanted the same thing, we share the same defilement and we share the same KARMA…the shared KARMA to create this world. We are so attached so we say this is Real. We are afraid of death because we felt that we are losing this Real world. There is nothing too lose. Subsequently all the other Worlds – heaven, hell, asuras, animal, human…are created by our Mind. Who send you to heaven or hell? It is you yourself and the Mind activities created by you. Therefore watch it my friends!

This Body is also a temporarily REAL world. This body rot as it is make up of the Earth Element. In us we have all the five elements. Whether it is internal or external, as long as these elements are in harmony, you will be safe or else, the external will wave havoc and the internal will also wave havoc. So what is REAL?

After explaining, did you get what I mean? What I am trying to tell you…that everything is FAKE. There is ‘nothing’ internally and externally but a world painted by our Mind accordingly to our Karma.

Sometimes I felt like I understand a little the emptiness theory but I need to see it clearer. So you work on it too. Since nothing is for real and permanent, there is nothing you cannot let go but because lives after lives we grasped, we are afraid to let go. Me too, but I am trying to let go because I know I will surely die one day. I will see the virtual world I created for myself and hopefully able to attain some wisdom from it and ‘wake up my Mind’. Cheers!

It's a long long journey...

2010-07-28T11:00:00.000+08:00

Life is a Journey I undertakes
Many a times along the way
I am confused and lost but
although the journey is long
at the end I will see
clear sky and rainbow

Life journey needs one to be strong
to believe and never give up
If I fall, I will pick up and go again
At times there are walls and
many a times I knocked against it
It is painful and
I bleed but not to death
I know I need to
drag this tired body
to live it to the fullest!

Although the Journey is empty
So am I, and
all these feelings, but I am
fool enough to think
this is all for real
I am dreaming in my slumber
and until I wake up
from this Journey.....

Here is the song JOURNEY. I like the lyrics, the music and the beautiful voice behind it. In this instant it is Angela Zhang but the original singer is Corrine May. Everyone loves a fairy tale and as you listen and watch the video, it tells you a love story about Dolphin Bay!

Attachment...

2010-07-26T15:43:00.003+08:00

Once we take form in our mother’s womb, the Attachment started. It is our first as we are attach to Mum by umbilical cord. We felt what Mum’s feel…hot, cold, hunger, happiness and sadness. It is important that Mum keep a balance mood, eat properly and have to be very careful as we are very fragile.

When we come into this World, the connection with Mum via the umbilical cord is served. This Attachment continues and it is even more intense. We need Mum and we are attached to Mum via her breast for milk, her loving care for warm and her attention to make sure we are well. Dad comes into the picture and he started rocking us, changed our diapers, together with Mum he bathe us…and additional Attachment. Now we have our own bed, bolster, pillow, milk bottle, pacifier, bowl, plates, tumblers..OURS…OURS…OURS. If we lost any of those, we will throw a tantrum.

As we grew, we are jealous when the family has additional member i.e brother and sisters. This is because of Attachment and siblings competition start. All these are because we need our parents’ attention. As we grew older, we start to have things we called our Own. Some, we willingly share, some we cannot share. The reason for not able to share is due to Attachment, because it is mine and why must I share. This so call MINE, change our relationship with our parents, siblings, friends, husbands, wives and people around us. Because of ATTACHMENT, we are short fused. You are stepping on my toes, you are crossing over to my turf, you are taking away what is MINE, we become emotional, we felt anger, we are confused and we get mad at everything and anything.

I believe you never think that the simple word – ATTACHMENT can give rise to both happiness and sadness. We are attached to a person, he became YOUR husband/wife. It is Attachment that what is YOURS cannot betray you, cannot do things that are not to your favor, or make you angry. If this Attachment changed, you become hysterical, you harm yourself or to the extend you take your own life.

You are so much in love, but love changes once you are married. It does not mean that the other party don’t love you anymore but because love have gone one level up – it is responsibilities and giving you a good and safe home. There are people who wants to hang on the love and complain about every little thing and like to compare with other couples around. Each Karma is not the same. DO not embarrasse your husbands/wives by talking bad about them, after all you pick them. There are also siblings who fight for parents, properties. Money is more important than blood. They forget they cannot bring money to the grave and what is the harm of sharing? It is because of all these Attachment that we are not aware of, we let it ruined our lives. There are people who are detached. Not that they do not have feelings but they know that things changes.

In this World, look around you, everything is Attachment. Can you give away, yes, only things that you don’t want. Will you give someone something that you felt you will have to spend money on it? Yes and No, it depends on that person standing with you. You will never give stranger anything worthy, even worst when it comes to money.

Recently I read in the newspaper about a maid who inherited S$6 millions from her employers, not including all his properties in areas like Orchard Road. I rejoice at the merit of this maid. She has taken good care of her employer and his mother and they have left her all their savings. You will wonder that the maid struck a pot of gold. NO, she have put in hard work and sincerely looked after her employers. Nothing comes free. It takes a big heart to give and it takes even a bigger heart to receive because if one becomes attached to what is given, it is no more a joy but a burden.

I always remember I will die one day. I know that I cannot take all these with me. I need to give it away and yet I find it difficult to let go. I am trying and learning. I do not want to accumulate any more things. We buy things not that we need it, we simply collect and yet we find it so difficult to give it to charity. There are people who said …”this is my hard earn money, why should I give it to Charity?” The finer picture means we are attached to things we call our own.

The day that we will have no choice but to let go of Attachment is the day we die.

Wise saying…”You come with nothing, You go with nothing”.

Quiet your Thoughts....

2010-07-21T15:42:00.004+08:00

Recently I was watching my mind. I am amazed that although I am alone, my Mind actually is having conversation by itself. NO, I am not mad!

At time people pass remarks about friends who are quiet and do not talk much. These people are viewed as introverts. Are these people really quiet? You will be surprised if you can see their minds. Although they are quiet but many thoughts go through their ‘Heads’ and at such speed that you lost track. There is no sequence of thoughts and they jump around like monkey. For example you are driving and suddenly you asked yourself “Did I lock my home door?”, the next thing you will think “Oh! I have an appointment this evening, nearly forget about it”, and followed by “ I need to make a phone call to Mum”….it goes on and never ending and the most amazing…the Thoughts have no link to each other at all.

Look at it this way, you are alone with no one around you, who are you having a conversation with? You will say “ they are just my Thoughts”…which is true. BUT why are we so messy up there? Do you know your Mind is like your monitor Your monitor is a blank screen if you do not write on it…but if you do, all these are your Thoughts, right? Whether you write a business letter, send an email to a friend, talk on messenger – you can only do so when your Thoughts are formulated, and your Mind is the platform for it to manifest.

Thoughts, can be both good and bad. Good and Bad is a very fine line…and you cross over when provoke or you stay happy if it is pleasant to your senses. Therefore your Mind is a place where all your Thoughts take shapes. Movie Directors, where do they get ideas? Writers/ Authors, where do they get such interesting stories to tell that they become movies? People who lie, where are all these lies formulated…they give Thoughts as to how to lie so that it is convincing.

We give in to our thoughts most of the time. We do not control it and let it run loose. That is why people say “You one screw loose, iszit?” – meaning you have crazy Thoughts. People who are depressed hear voices in their heads, people who are stressed talk to themselves knowingly or unknowingly, lunatics has all kind of imaginations which are Thoughts and they get violent when the Thoughts get violent.

Do you know that you can use your Thoughts to manifest things that you want? People are writing books on positive thinking and make tons of monies, all the self-improvement books, self-motivation books – what are they telling you – they are actually telling you how to work your Thoughts to get what you wanted.

We get so complicated because we let our Thoughts run loose. When we are happy, when we are sad, when we are ditched, when we strike a lottery, when we see something we want – the Thought is never satisfied and in its vocabulary, there is no ‘STOP’! Thoughts also fueled all your EMOTIONS. When you see two person whispering to each other, the next minute you think “They are talking about Me”. Therefore do not let your Thoughts run WILD. So how to curb it?

MEDITATION…is the method but not without hard work. When you sit down, close your eyes and say you are meditating…are you? You start by staying FOCUS, very soon your Thoughts will run. You try to focus on your breathing, your Thoughts run…and worst, you run after it. What do I mean? Meaning your Thought say “I am free this evening”. It could have stopped there…but…you run after it by continuing …”I can invite Lian out for dinner and maybe catch a movie”…and…on…and…on…OH! Aren’t you suppose to focus and meditate? You see what I mean?

Quiet your Thoughts doesn’t mean you stop thinking or you don’t think. I don’t think anyone can stop the Thoughts. We have been gathering rubbish by the five senses and once captured is stored in an unlimited storage space and you cannot erase them. Believe me, all the unpleasant thoughts will pop up when you least expected it. However all the information, whether operating or information will pop up when you need it. Did you ever wonder why you know how to do certain thing, recite certain mantra and some you just have to do it a few times and you can rattle off without looking at the book?

Therefore the only method is to watch it, don’t follow…just watch. It will start with plenty of Thoughts flowing in and out your Head. When you acknowledge it and not follow, it will die down, it will get lesser. These Thoughts are SHY and when they know YOU are watching them, they become ‘tamed’.

I tried once by not allowing any thoughts into my Head and you know what happened? I cannot remember anything. It is frightening! I need to remember how to drive a car, I have to remember what I did just…and without THOUGHTS, one is like a zombie! SO, you need to have thoughts flows but DO NOT FOLLOW. Things happened because it needs two hands to clap, SO watch and know BUT don’t clap.

Remember Thoughts are past experiences. It has no foundation and it is History. We always let our Thoughts make things seems like it is real, it is not. When I say this WORLD is woven by our Thoughts, I am sure it is true...what say you?

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Wise Sayings...My Thoughts

2010-07-17T11:23:00.007+08:00

I have many visitors that dropped by and reading various postings about the said topics. It is both encouraging and giving thoughts to subject or topic which maybe troubling them at that point of time or serve as information. Here are some more to share. All these, may sounds familiar but it is the understanding of Lian at this point. It maybe superfluous as you may think, given time all these will manifest in deeper understanding. I can only grow one step at a time or I may stand still at a point...it depends on the arising of affinity.

Who Am I...

Did you ever think..."Who Am I"? You will probably say 'Lian'. So this physical mass standing in front of you is Lian. You notice her attributes, her appearance, her abilities, the way she dresses, she walks and talks and the way she carries herself. You either like her or dislike or remain indifferent.

BUT, again take a look at yourself..."who are you"? The above same apply. Lets put it this way...you start to take yourself apart...your hair, your skull, the skin of the skull, your eye balls, your whole body skin (take it out like a rubber suit), flesh, muscles, organs, blood, secretions, blood vessels...AND ask yourself "which part is ME". Is your hair you? Are your organs you? Is your skin you?. NO, they are only a part of you. There cannot be missing parts or you are dead or crippled and not the "Wholesome" Being running around partying. So when you lay out all these parts, they do not move on its own, so who moves them? Is it the Heart? You have taken out your heart as in that piece of flesh/organ so obviously it is not that piece of thing. If you call all these YOU, you should be able to control it - let it stay young and not age, stay beautiful/handsome and live a long long life - can you? NO, you can't. So you realized that all these parts that made you decay and once it stops functioning...where are YOU?

SO who controls all the these parts and make it useful? To me, all these parts are just APPLICATIONS and there is a MAIN somewhere that makes it works. On and off this MAIN malfunction and you fall sick. On and off the parts in this MAIN failed and no replacement can be found, so you get all kind of sickness and gradually die. SO, who is the MAIN? Can you make friend with it, bribe it or treat it like a King so that it stays the way you want to?

To me, this MAIN is CONDITION! Everything, good or bad take shapes when the CONDITION is right. Things happened for a reason. The YOU appear here in the Human Realm and not Animal, Hell or Hungry Ghosts because the CONDITION for YOU to be a Human arises. YOU will continue to transit to all the other unfavorable realms when the CONDITION arise. Everyone wants to be happy and only in the Human Realm than can you distinguish what are the various training that will give rise to a good and healthy CONDITION that will send you to a happy realm.

Unfortunately, we pay too much attention to our APPLICATIONS and think that it is ME. Using these APPLICATIONS we did lots of good or lots of bad or mixed Good/Bad and what fueled all these - EMOTIONS. In our life, we roller-coasters with our EMOTIONS. We have all these EMOTIONS because we did not curb it, we fan it and let it rages on.

There are people who believe - 'I do not believe in After Life, so make the most of it to feed my DESIRE and EGO'.

There are those who believe in an After Life but think 'I don't know what happen in the next life, so now I got the POWER, EGO and the ME, so why not fan it to the fullest. Going to Heaven or Hell is something beyond my VIEW'.

There are those that know and believe and therefore embrace a RELIGION. And again, not everyone that has a RELIGION is a holy man. Especially those who leads. They can be an ANGEL or a DEVIL is disguise. DO WE SEE? NO! WHY? because we have so many defilement in US...actually WE SEE WHAT WE WANT TO SEE. Even if Buddha stands in front of you now, do you believe?

Therefore, REJOICE that you have ABLE APPLICATIONS, a good MAIN because you have created GOOD CONDITION.

There is a wise saying

WHAT YOU ARE TODAY, IS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN THE PAST....AND...WHAT YOU DO TODAY, WILL SHOW YOU WHAT YOU WILL BE IN FUTURE. You have a choice!

HIT & RUN...Irresponsible motorist!

2010-07-14T09:40:00.004+08:00

Two days ago, there was a Hit & Run incident just outside my block of flat. I wondered what is the hurry for some motorists, why are they so impatience, so irresponsible and what are they trying to prove? Why can't they drive with care, why are they so careless about their own life and that of others? What do they get with a one minute different to destination. Did they think that they may not even get there at all?

The most unforgivable are HIT & RUN motorists. They knew they made a mistake and a darn grievance mistake. They sped and think that they are heroes...but when they hit someone and run...what sort of shit is that? It goes to see someone's character and I think the Law should not let these people off lightly. If they are scared like shit...in the first place why let the incident happened? Talking about considerate motorists, they aren't many. You just have to wait at any traffic lights, any filter lanes, any highways, any multi-storey car parks and you spot them any time. Did these idiots who hit others ever think that there are still chances of survival if they stopped, called the police or ambulance? They think they can run away? Too bad, the one that happened at my block got caught by motorcyclists who gave chase. This guy should go to jail, canned by rottan and band from driving forever! By the way, I learnt that the girl who was hit passed away yesterday and she was a university student. May she rest in peace (I felt pain for her parents).

Motorists have no patience for pedestrians; motorists have no patience for other motorists; motorists have no patience for motorcyclists and any other thing that get in their ways. The prominent KAISU attitude just spew everywhere in Singapore. The bigger vehicles bullied the smaller ones - big cement trucks dare you to hit them or you give way to them, the lorries dare you to hit them and die if you dare, the container trailers, any vehicles that are bigger than you...they challenge you to try and die. Well motorists and motorists are the same - first class cars like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes and anything that is FIRST...they have to run in front of you. People who cannot afford to drive first class cars, challenged others and see if you can zoom faster...careless about your life because he believes "I will never die and I can drive like Shoe Marker!'. Its all sucks! The motor cyclists...they think that they are slim and can squeezed any where. They zipped in and out and careless about you...and they challenged you to hit them as well and when you do, they surely die!

Pedestrians are also the worst of the lots too. Not that their mothers or teachers did not teach them "Look left, look right, look left again and when there are no cars, cross the road". I swear under my breath many times with people reading their hand phones, sending messages and crossing the roads like their grandfathers owned them. These people know no DANGER!, another group of idiots who think they live forever. They do not know what it meant to be 'TOO LATE'. They also forget that for their safety, there are traffic lights BUT again motorists and pedestrians are BLIND to traffic lights. Pedestrians forget what is a RED man and a GREEN man. Motorists?...once the light turns GREEN, I must 'chong' first...they forget that there maybe people still crossing the road.

OMG, I can go on forever. With a little patience, a little concern, a little respect for others lives...the road is a happier place. ARE YOU SUCH DRIVER? DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WITH REMORSE AND REGRET WHEN SOMEONE DIED UNDER YOUR WHEELS? If you are, my suggestion is "You Better Wake Up".

Here is a HIT & RUN caught on tape. It pains my heart to see it. DON'T be the one who HIT or the one who is DEAD, please!

Ole...ole...ole.e.ee....SPAIN

2010-07-12T15:05:00.005+08:00

The world long waited Football World Cup 2010 came to an end last night or should I say this morning - 12.7.10.

Many have been waiting, many speculated, many win monies and many more lost monies in betting. Football at national level is no more just a game but the winning is seen as National pride. Somehow I wonder why countries took it so serious that they need to band their teams from playing when they lost the game.

I am no football fan. I pay a little attention to this game during school days when my class boys who were divided into two groups - The Footballers and the Basketballers. I cannot understand why a bunch of boys running in the big field, chasing after a ball and everyone was so hysterical when someone kicked the ball into a net. Of course, the one who did was a star and girls went gaga over them. Then in school, this is not a gamble and we bet and in kind. It is gambling unknowingly because we have to buy treats for those who win.

When I started working and got a boy friend, I learnt a little more and took an interest. (It is so true that when you are near the black, you got stained as well.) I sat through games with him. He bet games with friends and won some, lost some but all for the fun of it. At times, he got so caught up and he became angry, moody and I cannot understand why he was so heated up because of a game. By the way, do you know who are the world top richest football clubs? According to FORBES, as per the chart, England had 7 clubs, followed by Germany and others…

My brother asked me last night before the game of whom do I thought would win. Actually I have not been following the game but kept an ear to the ground so that I know what was going on, after all it was a World Event. I normally picked the one that come to mind first…so when he asked…I said SPAIN! He said Spain never win the cup before. We were all geared up and excited…nothing serious just ‘makan’ betting between siblings and I WON!

Being Asian, we kudos all the Asian Teams that played in World Cup this year. The Koreans and Japanese were commendable in their techniques. We are waiting patiently to see when China will take the World Cup. Maybe a match played in China will command more spectators and will be more spectacular!

All the South American teams were out, even Brazil so no chance for all the beauties to run naked. As for SPAIN, congratulations! …but still I cannot imagine how Netherlands did not even get one ball. It is true, the ball is around and it was anybody games!

Accepting Buddhism....

2010-07-08T16:00:00.005+08:00

My selections of wise teachings. Maybe a little serious, however it is something I like to share and at the same time remind myself...Sadhu...Sadhu...Sadhu.

1) Before anyone can accept a teaching, the most important is RESPECT, respect for the Teacher.

2) Choosing a Teacher, I accord it to affinity. I picked Buddhism and nothing else. It is not this life time but many life times I have been doing this activity and will continue to do so in future life times until I reach Nirvana.

3) Listening to the Dharmma needs conditions :
a) The right time,
b) The right place,
c) The right Teacher,
d) The right Frame of Mind, and ready
e) To accept the Teachings.

4) People are divided by the following; using preambles of a vessel :
a) Even if it rains, no water enters the vessel – meaning even if Dharmma is just there, one will not see nor hear it.
b) Even if rain enters the vessel, the vessel is dirty – meaning even if one hears the Dharmma, but one’s mind is full of contamination and thus it is wasted.
c) Even if it rain and water enters a clean vessel, there are cracks and water sipped out – meaning although one hears the Dharmma, ones retain nothing and cannot remember what is taught.

5) Conditions to prepare one’s mind,
a) one must imagine one is sick,
b) That the Teacher is the right Doctor, someone one has chosen, trust and accepted without doubt.
c) That the Dharmma is like a medicine prescribed by the Teacher to cure ones illness.
d) Believes that the medicine will work and patience to wait for the medicine to take effect. Many give up hope or expect a miracle. If one constantly and persistently keep the routine of Prayers and asking and acknowledging one’s shortcomings, only then can one slowly clean up the mess one has created.
e) Since one have accepted the Dharmma, therefore Buddha is the Teacher/ Guru and one must have full respect and veneration in the heart.
f) One too must pray and wish that Dharmma remains in Samsara as long as Sentient Beings are around so that those who needs this Medicine can find it and cure themselves.

6) Before one can bring up Bodhicitta, one must first have compassion.

7) The Four Heavenly Virtues :
a) Loving Kindness
b) Compassion
c) Joy and
d) Equanimity

8) The correct Frame of Minds to practice the Dharmma:
a) The will power to succeed in ones practice
b) The will power to overcome one’s bodily shortcomings
d) The will power to overcome one’s shortcomings in thoughts
d) Unshakable Faith
e) Practice Meditation
f) Achieved Wisdom
g) To acknowledge the destroying power of Cravings, Hatred and Anger
h) Acknowledged the power of one’s obstacles and
i) Buddha is our Light, our Protector and the one who shows us the way out of Samsara.

9) One must watch one's EGO and break the chain of
a) jealousy of others achievements
b) delay in clearing ones doubts
c) laziness
d) Self-praise and picked on others shortcomings in Dharmma
e) Use Dharmma to check others
f) Over indulgence in materials needs.

11) Always think and rejoice when others shared Dharmma with one and think “May I wish him well and for his effort in sharing the Dharmma with me, may he achieved Enlightenment”.

12) You do not need plenty to accrue good merit - you do not need monies or power but just REJOICE at others good efforts!

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More blog entries: Something unique... Bloggers Unite - Empowering.... Withered affinity... A Class of its own..Columbarium

Something unique...

2010-07-05T15:00:00.010+08:00

I saw an article and this collage in the form of OUR Merlion's head. This is a symbolic animal...the hybrid of a mermaid and a lion. So if you asked me...what is uniquely Singapore, you start with the Merlion. For those who have been to Singapore, they must have taken pictures of this animals and took back souvenirs to say they have been here.

Actually what is Singapore? Singapore is a multi-culture, multi-religion, multi-race, multi-food, multi-behavior, multi-ethnics and many more. So what represent this little island (mind you we live in houses and not tree-dwellings as some of my western friends think so)?

1) Singlish, our unique style of English - its slang, the use of words, jargon and phrases. This is a hybrid of the Queen's English. Of course the better educated ones will want to speak "Good" English....'I beg your pardon'. You will find people here speaking English with Malay and Chinese dialects at the same time...like "today I am driving to work, that man like 'gila', he 'chong' traffic lights and kena hit"...unique right? What he meant was ''today I was driving to work, that man drove like crazy, he sped through traffic light and got hit''.

2) Dress style - We are getting from bad to worse. Some go to work with a tang top and 3/4 pant...as if they just got up from bed. Some overdressed - with all the blink blink sequins. We are a little island not far from the equator and we are hot...hot...and humid. You will sweat like a pig if you over dressed. In Singapore we are decently dressed and no over exposures or you will end up in the police station.

3) Food - we care more about food. Uniquely Singapore is it's Hainan Chicken rice. Initially I thought that Hainan Chicken rice is the speciality of the Hainanese...WRONG...you can't find this dish in Hainan, China. The next is our local salad. Talking about healthy salad with greens and olive oil. Ours is yew char keow, tau pok, cucumber, blue ginger flower, pineapple mixed in prawn paste with chilli and top with ground nuts bits. You eat it like a dessert or appetizer. It will surely fire your 'stomach' and made you hungry. Singapore is also known for its black pepper crabs and sweet sour crabs. Many Asian countries serve crabs, but not our style.

4) Attitude - The unique Singapore attitude- ''Kaisu and Kaisee", meaning cannot loose and scare to die. Everything must win and must be the first one. 'Q' for food, must beat the line and be the first one; drive on the road, must be in front of you and cannot be behind you - for this you will find 'blind' drivers, blind to the fact that your signal lights are blinking like crazy and no one seems to see it. Scared to die because anything that is classified against the law, they will make sure they keep within the line . Of course there are the daredevils, I DARE YOU! So they use all kind of vulgarity on the Internet talk line on the government, hiding behind pseudo names like Ah Beng, Ah Seng and Kopi Achek!

5) Education - Of course we are very stressed. Some parents said "I want to send my child overseas. Very hard to cope with study here leh. Must know Chinese and grades must be good to go JC or cannot go Uni. My poor son, study like xiao". However I think we have the best education systems compared to many Asian Countries.

6) Go to Army - Our boys here must go to army when they are 18 years of age. Some have to break in between study to do so. They have to learn how to defend the country...so we march and go into the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police Force. This is when our boys are toughen up to be young men. NOT A BAD Idea...but parents felt that their sons are going into some hardship postings.

7) For a little island, we are not bad as we are nicely mapped out. Our locations are classified into Financial district, Business districts, Shopping Districts, Industrial Districts. We have high class residential area and neighborhood blocks.

8) We are also a 'Fine Fine' country. Be careful if you are a smoker, there are certain areas for smoking and if you defied the law, your fine will range from S$300.00 to S$2,000.00. Don't think you can get away by vandalizing public places unless you have money and a 'tough backside' because the punishment can be fine in cash as well as canning. DRUGS paddling is a DEAD SENTENCE in Merlion City. If you don't want to die in a foreign land and hang by the neck, don't try. Please don't think you can appeal...it don't work and why should you be pardon when you endangered others lives?

9) We are a clean clean country. We are also a safe safe country. The environment and pollution level is low with the exception when Indonesia starts burning their forests. Crimes do happen but most of the time you are safe here because our laws do not take lightly to such undertakings. Religious harmony is another issue which we take very seriously here. Don't try to create disharmony...keep your believe to yourself.

10) For a small island, we have too many highways and ERP gantries. OMG, every morning I pay and pay to go through ERP gantries to get to work. With so many highways, we are still packed with cars and impatience drivers driving close to each other's Á** and that is when accident happened in chain reactions. Even if the Traffic Police indicates speed limit, you will see drivers DARE the limit and take a chance. Most of the time they get away that is why they do it again and again.

This is a good country and a kind country. Small as we are, we donate to neighbor countries when they are hit by disasters. We are also very torrent of our neighbors as long as it will not cause any riot here.

The unique thing about Singapore... most of the people own a resident. Yes, their very own, paid up by themselves monthly by CPF. As long as you work, you have CPF contributed monthly by the company and one self. The government help the people to plan for old age as to how they want to spend their CPF.

The next thing, you don't see beggars on the streets and you won't find squatters as well. Everyone has a roof above their heads.

This is also a green, green country!

Bloggers Unite - Empowering....

2010-07-01T10:48:00.007+08:00

As we moved into the month of July 2010, the next event at Bloggers Unite is Empowering People with Disabilities. We were invited to write about stories and people we know, or our self who are handicapped. ‘Handicapped’ is something we all have, it is not just physical but mentally too. This season, I want to share a story of a colleague.

Teck is a Mechanical Engineer. He moved to the position of Project Manager and he took his job very seriously. He had a pleasant personality and was very helpful to other Project Managers when they were in need of manpower.

One faithful May morning, he fell from a container. He was off duty but went back to check on work progress because of the dateline. This fall was critical because he hit his back against a steel pipe when falling. This injured his spine.

When he woke up at intensive, we were all very happy for him. However, we all knew the grievance consequent but we were in no position to tell him. As he moved to normal ward, he was still cheerful but he soon came to sense that he had no feeling on his legs or hip downwards. As Doctor explained that he had to go through therapy and that he needs to moved on wheelchair, we saw the pain on his face. He was angry, he rejected the facts, he threw temper at his wife, he refused to see any of his colleagues except for the few of us. He struggled to come to terms.

“Teck, you are handicapped hip downwards but you are not totally unable to move. You can still work with your hands. You are a mechanical engineer, you can still do projects from home. You can attend to Tenders, do calculations, do drafting, attend meetings and you don’t need to be at site to climb high and low supervising. You have supervisors and other engineers and staff”, I tried to make him see that he was not hopeless. The company bore all his medical expenses and promised to give him a job as I said. They maintained his salary, all his benefits and was very humane over the whole matter.

Teck tried. We sent works to him, pushed him to sites so that he can see the progress of work. We sent him for meetings and supervisors worked with him from home. We all did our best to help him to adapt to a new life style. We knew that it was not easy for him, from an able man to a handicapped. Other than work, there are many social issues and emotional issues he needs to adjust and faced. He started to reject his wife who has been supportive and patience. He felt that he has widowed her and by keeping her was cruel. He asked for a divorced. When none of us were around, emotions got better of him. He became bad-temper and at time violent. His wife had no choice but accepted the divorce. She did not leave him as she continued to stay in the house, taking care of his daily meals and needs. Teck was also a sportsman and not able to tennis, run and kick football was depriving him of his life as well. Computer games, movies and all indoor activities were not good enough for him. He started to be impatient with his supervisors, his staff, his brothers and sisters. As we saw him roller coasters with emotion, some time high, many times low…we went through the process with him. It became so bad that he needed a Psychiatrist treatment.

From an able man to a handicapped was a really painful and depriving process. If you had not known freedom of limbs, not known physical needs…and you have never experience life as a wholesome person…you will not know what Teck was going through. He felt that he failed his parents, his wife, his company, his friends and the society. Teck and Sue planned to have kids but now all hope was gone. We went through his treatment with him. From Doctor, to Psychiatrist, Chinese Sensei and Religious healing. I realized the struggle to heal oneself is the only medicine available and a super hard self willed challenge.

Teck decided to leave Singapore. He decided to go back to his hometown in Penang. He decided that he will go back and be with his parents and help out in a little provision shop. He decided to leave all his colleagues whom he felt he had burdened. He was retreating into a self-pity shell.

Therefore, when I saw this Bloggers Unite event of Empowering the Disabled, I fully support the good course because I saw how a friend went through all these to make himself useful again.

I learnt that Teck broke away from all those that know him. He started afresh where no one knows that he was a wholesome person before. He learnt how to go around in his mechanical wheelchair. He took on part time assignments. He lived alone, cooked and since he loves to read, people saw him at public libraries. His wife still visits him. She is a good woman and she did not marry but remarry to Teck again. Talking about true love…this is the LOVE that went through trials and pain. She lives in Singapore as she is an architect. She had adjusted to a new life, keep her dream, do the thing she likes and goes back to Teck when she needs his love.

KUDOS! to all the disabled. Life does not just stop there. You have to find your footing and adjust yourself back to society. Society is not so bad after all … Singapore is a kind country and we care about our fellow citizens…wholesome or handicapped.

Withered affinity...

2010-06-28T13:45:00.002+08:00

Recently some friends asked me.."Lian, why did you not get married, have kids and let someone's shoulders be a sanctuary." I know for a long time that I will remain single not because I am a gay but people are speculating. Some friends said "You deserve a nice man." I just smiled and said nothing. Being single is a choice, not a must.

Nice men are plentiful but of what that interest me or they are interested in me that makes the different. Not all nice man remains nice because you never know until you live with him. This category is vague. I supposed she meant someone who loves me and adores me and kowtow to me, at my back and call, only have eye for me, listen only to me...like what she had. I will not consider a puppet. I believe love is not like that.

Many were all lovey dovey and oblivious to people around them. The bliss and happiness then were all washed down after years of struggling to keep a family, make things work and the killing factors are lack of communication, understanding, give and take and keep the anger. The shoulder turned into rock when one looses jobs, with bills to meet, mortgage to service, car to upkeep and all the fees for the kids to attend to all kinds of activities and not to mention some pocket monies for both sides parents.

I realized that the tolerance of my parents era are gone. To them marriage was made to keep - today marriage is for convenient - happy stay together, not happy "call it a day". Reputation was the utmost importance then but today, being a Divorcee is nothing. No one will call you names, throw stones at you and brand you a taboo. You can continue to marry until you find the right guy.

Most girls love to be loved, pampered, marry Prince Charming and live happily ever after. The facts in reality is not like that. It is human to be dissatisfied. We may be loved, pampered and marry our Prince but after years of toils, can the love stand the test? Therefore I will only marry if I will die without that person...such person is hardly to be found on earth.

How can I make it possible
to meet you
when my life is at its full bloom of youth
beautiful and tender
Because of this I prayed to the Buddha
I prayed for 500 years
"Please Buddha, please let me
meet this special person"
For my wishes,
Buddha turned me into a tree
I grew along the path
that you strolled every morning
Under warm sunshine
I started to flower
The sweet scent filled the path
so that it enhances the way
and you will notice me
To fill your sight with my fresh blooms
and rustling of my leaves in the wind
whispering to you when you walk by
I prayed for your attention
BUT
you strolled pass
not looking at the beautiful blooms
nor did you hear my whisper
your indifference turned
my heart cold
So cold until it died
As the wind blew my withered
flower petals and leaves
around your feet
you walked on it and you
walked on
my bleeding heart....

A Class of its own..Columbarium

2010-06-25T15:13:00.006+08:00

When Cindy was talking about robot solemnizing a marriage, it is indeed distinctive. However people always love to do things their own style. People jumped from plane and got married in the sky; people dived into the ocean and declared their undying love; hopefully the robot one day turned human and said “Hey! I married you guys".

In Singapore, I now talk about death and resting in style. I am a bit slow but I still learnt that buying a niche when one dies to put ones ashes is getting very expensive. A normal niche will cost at least S$3,000 or more. Those that consider 'good place' , meaning eye level where you can easily see one's ancestors without squatting or need a ladder to climb to the top is consider good place.

Now, things are getting so advance that you can have a Rock Concert service for the dead. Imagine all friends come to a attend an ashes retrieving ceremony with a Bon Jovi Style Theme and the song "It's my Life" comes blasting from all the speakers, with friends hanging around with a bottle of Vodka, chewing peanuts. Cool!

NO!, of course not. I stumbled upon this privatized "six-star" columbarium (talking about being ill-informed). It is really dying in style. This is 'the' special resting place - Nirvana in Singapore. Look at all the designs - from floor to ceiling, what do you say? This is far more modern, clean, stylish, bright and colorful. It really is Nirvana. Not only the dead rest here, I am sure the 'alive' will also find solace in such a peaceful place. Unlike those in the temples whereby it is dark and ashes are stacks all the way up the wall ceiling

Looking at the prices, it is not that expensive. A normal niche is around S$2,000.00 and it goes up to S$30,000 and more for a family niche. A family niche as it indicates can take 30 nos of ashes urns...so? I find the family one a little lavish. For me I will not buy a family niche. I do not know how many of my family members will remain Buddhist and whether they want to be buried with me. Paying up front is too much when it cannot be guaranteed that it will be fully utilized. However this is good for people with enough extras monies and wanted privacy, not that they need to place 30 nos of urns into the niche. This place is too far and for those without a car can be a hassle. To take a cab is costly and to take a bus takes ages to reach destination.

Dying is a private affair. During my grandpa's time, it is prestige to die with many friends, family members, business associates paying respect. This shows the person's status in the society. This particular place boost of a stylish Dinning Hall, big meet Hall, private lounges, Reception area and well lighted walkways and carpark.

The Six-Star columbarium don't even need monks to do chanting and prayers, no need to light incense and all the ceremonial offerings? So away with all the superstitious that incense is food to the dead, all the food offered are eaten by the dead and all the paper monies, paper accessories and clothes, big houses are needed. Although some called themselves Buddhist but they still go with the Chinese culture of respecting the dead with all these and Nirvana do not need all these. Once one passed away into Amitaba's Pureland, one will never be short of anything.

We come alone and when we leave the earth, we walk alone as well. No amount of money, power, authority, richness can we take with us. You cannot take your mansion, your Lexus, your fat Bank account, your powerful influential friends and whatever to prep yourself so that you are well received on the other side. The only thing you can take with you is your merits -both good and bad.

All pictures here are credited back to Nirvana Memorial Garden, Singapore.

Sounds familiar...tat's a woman

2010-06-21T17:15:00.014+08:00

Credit goes to the cartoonist who knows women so well. Walau!, I saw myself in this sketch.

Great Men of Singapore…

2010-06-19T09:00:00.002+08:00

When everyone was at it, I decided to pay my tribute at my own time.

“Thank you Dr Goh, for everything you have done for Singapore. “ I believed many said the same line. Actually a simple ‘thank you’ meant a lot and it contained all those unsaid.

The Late Dr Goh to me is an example. As a person, I saw a man who is not after name or fame and least of all acknowledgment and credits. He did so much for Singapore and he faded into the background around 1984. Whether Singapore knows him or not, thank him or not, give due credit to him or not, it is immaterial. If a CREDIT is there, nothing can erase them.

“He is a rare person”, my brother said. “During my army days, we all respected Dr Goh”. I never heard him said anything like that. It is difficult when you are in politic to really called for such respect. There will be unpopular decisions and not all were well accepted but yet the respect was there.

I respected MM Lee and all his old guards. They have done so much for Singapore. The road to where we are today is not an easy path. I recalled seeing the separation from Malaysia, how helpless and how to go from there….? I saw the tears and we should be proud of what we are today. Like I said, a credit due is a credit, no matter how…these are/ were Great Men. Will we have another MM Lee, Dr Goh , Mr Rajaratnam and all?

Some of my Malaysia and Indonesia friends said…” if we have your Mr Lee KY as our leader, our country will be different today”. Did Singapore see it? I think most did, the old timers. The young and educated…? If it is not the guts and strong leaderships of these Great Men, where will this tiny dot be in the World?

Singapore, My Country, My Home and where my heart is…may you be well, be strong, be harmonious, be safe and always have good government, good people…my wish, this year for 2010 National Day in advance.

Cries of the dolphins...

2010-06-17T12:05:00.003+08:00

Did you ever thought for once when you were at Ocean World, Aquarium World and all the aqua shows around the world that the cute dolphins acrobatic for your amusement barely escape the butchers knives?

When the people in the world are shouting for Green, protect the environment, protect the animals, protect Mother Gaia...there are equal or even more damages done than we ever care to admit.

These pictures sicken me and my heart ached painfully. When we killed for food, it is to keep us alive. We long know that eating vegetables are healthy and we won't die from it BUT meat tasted better, isn't it? Animals killed only when they are hungry, Human killed for all kind of absurd reasons. Look at this sea of blood. I am not going to hide it...the country is Denmark! This is Dolphins Killing Festival. The purpose, the Killers are young men and they have to kill dolphins to prove that they have come of age. What a way to come of age...to show that one is grown up, the first lesson is to learn how to kill. Start by killing animals...and later human. What is the Denmark Government doing? If this is a tradition, why can't they do it some other way?

Did you hear the dolphins cries? These are the intelligent Calderon Dolphins' fate...or you may say it is their Karma...that they had to die for some human proof of manhood. How ironical.

I bet you, the people who have fun now...will cry later. What goes around comes around and he who laugh last, laugh best! I have given up sashimi for sure. Ohm Mani Padme Hum!

What rubbish...

2010-06-16T11:49:00.004+08:00

I read with concern on the remark passed by Dr M about Malays in Singapore. What utter rubbish was he talking about "Malays in Singapore is not supported by the Government". No wonder Malaysia is chaotic in the sense of politics.

I think Dr M should keep his mouth shut if he had nothing better to do. If I want to comment, I think our Singapore Malays are smarter and hard working. Look at their education, so many now are intelligent and hold high positions in various private sectors and even in government - not that they are Bumis. They are there at their own credits. They live in better homes and are opened to various ethnic groups around them. I have neighbors' children that play along the corridor with others and they speak Mandarin. These Malay children are one up against other children because others do not speak Malay. Parents are more open and the Singapore Malays got STYLE.

Our Government works so hard to achieve racial harmony and here is someone who should be retired and happily ''grand-fathering'' to shoot his mouth without thinking what he spewed carelessly can cause uneasiness among others. Dr M, you should go sit in the backyard, smoke a pipe, watch your grand children ran around, eat your favorite nasi, watch TV and now World Cup is on and enjoy life while you still have it.

POWER...POWER...POWER... once one enter the grave, what power? By the way, not everyone is power crazy. It is all these unhealthy careless remarks and fanning of disharmony that's where all the terrorists started. People think that they are victimized and others used religion and dissatisfaction and a group of people run amok, loosing their minds and judgement.

I have watch our Government and I really think that our leaders are GENTLEMEN! Many issues from railway station, to water to whatever insults hurled at Singapore, we lied low. No one bother to retaliate except for me here and maybe some more because we felt the itch bitten by a mite and need to scratch.

Chinese or whatever ethnic groups have Malay neighbors and friends in Singapore and Malaysia. We never think that we need to be more powerful than our Malay counterparts. If there is anything to do with politics, leave it to the people who are interested in politics...please don't go around shooting at large and generalized everyone.

I do not mean to be disrespectful to an elderly man. Respect is earned and not commanded!

God bless you, Dr M!

Driving and Safety...

2010-06-14T13:31:00.011+08:00

A friend send me this clip and the message "Lian, if anyone wants to die, they should go to China." I think the people in China do not know what is "watch where you are driving". The people are not taught safety on the road, both to cars, cyclists and pedestrians. This is a common problem in Singapore too, people stand around the corner of a road, oblivious that they are putting their life in danger. After finishing the video, I am amused, shocked and wondering whether traffic lights will help. Fortunately we do not have so many bicycles on the road, unlike China. Enjoy and have a good laugh and bit your finger nails as well.

Rude Singaporean

2010-06-07T23:55:00.007+08:00

Today while I was scanning through the newspaper, something strikes me and I broke out in boisterous laughter. I cannot help and I cannot stop. Well, this is because of a news report from an Australian writer about the rudeness of Singaporean and about ethics on MRT Train. I had no complaint when I am referred to as a ‘chin chin’ by Australian, meaning small eye, yellow skin Chinese.

First of all KUDOS to the guy with a good sense of humor. The MRT in Singapore has nothing by the name of Tuen Mun Station, and when I read the reply that Mong Kok Station is one station before Tanah Merah, my chuckle was even louder ( I am still laughing while typing this).

I wonder whether we all Chinese looks alike to Westerners and Australian. Probably we are all ‘chin chin’ and maybe even got all the countries mixed up. Is Singapore and Hong Kong alike? Geographically we are not at the same location, therefore Tuen Mun and Tanah Merah are ways....ways apart and no connections at all.

It is so easy to pull spider webs over the eyes of ignorant, but than before a reporter reports, don’t she needs to get all her facts right? I agree Singaporean can be rude but there are rude people everywhere. Are Australian exception? Do you expect all culture are the same and behave the same way? Blast the people who invented hand phones, make it so easy to be connected and obsession in connecting from voice to everything multi-media. Wait for the World Cup Football to start, it will even be worst.

Singapore now is made up of more foreigners. We have given so many countries the rights to come here and we have a flux of Chinese from Mainland China whose behaviors even we Singaporean cannot take it. They came here prostituting themselves with the pretext that they are here for school. You just have to walk around Geylang and those that drives around there swear under their breath. Their couldn’t careless attitude and that the roads belongs to them, test your patience and driving skills. The way they talk and behave… I wonder BUT we have to be nice, that’s what the government wants us to do, accept them into our society since they were given citizenship. There goes our reputations as well.

The next lots of people are from India. As this group of people are more workers, Little India will see these people crossing the roads by ‘dashing’ here and there. I was told by a friend that is why they are called ‘Blangadash’. However these are nice people and I admired them for hard work. Some of the boys work extra at night by washing cars at multi-storey carpark. We have a few boys that took care of the flats around our area by sweeping the place, washing the walkway and they always said “good morning, madam”. Not for the Chinese.

Singapore of course is an affluent country. Thanks to the government we are well taken care off until we forget how to be polite. From the sales girls in the shops, to even Singapore girls…what’s wrong with us? The worst are the drivers on the roads…I sometime wonder is the Traffic Police around. See the way people drive, they are blind to filtering lights, they never give way and they are oblivious to the facts that you need a parking space while they sit and chitchat…even in eating place.

Well after so many years or hard work, our lion toy Singa is dead. I do not know what it implicates – means we are so good manners that we don’t need Singa anymore; or it is pointless to have a Singa because it never works, or Singa makes way for the lion mascot for YOG. Whatever!

Thank you Australian for criticizing us “Singaporean”. I will not be too defensive about such issue. Will it makes us better or it will be gone with the wind is left to be seen. Don’t worry we will still visit Australia, although my last visit, one of my boy friend nearly got strips down to his brief…talking about rudeness. When we asked is he a suspect, they said it is random. Ha.a.a.a.a…..

Wonder EGG....

2010-06-03T00:17:00.002+08:00

Yes, my favorite food. I am an egg idiot and my family and friends all knew about it.

1) I love egg and consumed it fresh from the chicken "backside" when it is laid and still warm.

2) I love it hard boiled. The egg smells yummy when you peel off the shell. I like to do it when it is hot, burnt my fingers and felt the sting. However, people put hard boiled eggs straight away into ice water and when they peel the shell, the egg is perfect, white and inviting.

3) Poach egg in clear soup when the yolk is soft and yellowy. Yumm…m.m..m.m. This is a good way to eat an egg too. You have to make sure the water is boiling before you crack the egg into the pot or it will stick to the bottom. This needs a bit of skill or the egg white will not contain together and spread all over the soup.

4) Steam egg is good for lunch, dinner and supper. You crack as many eggs as you like, beat it up by adding some water and salt until the white and yolk blend together. The longer you beat the eggs, you will see the color turns from yellow to off white or light yellow.

I love steam egg with minced meat in it. It is a wonder dish to have on the table for both the young, old and aged because it is soft and nutritious, most people love it.

I also love steaming three types of eggs together….fresh eggs, salted eggs and century eggs. You beat up 3 fresh eggs, one salted egg and cut up the egg yolk into 3 sections and add 1 century egg by cutting it up. Mixed the 3 types of eggs together and steam it…hum.m.m.m… I am hungry!

Here is a medicinal formula from my Mum. Many tried it and it works wonder. If you are coughing badly or burping badly, take an egg, beat it, take a piece of ginger, crush it, squeeze the juice and add it into the beaten egg, add in rock sugar, depending how sweet you want it to be and steam the egg until it is custard in form. Eat it hot before you got to bed. NO food or water after eating the egg custard so that it have time to take effect in your stomach. Well, whether it works for you but it has no harm even if it did not cure your symptom instantly because Chinese also eat this before they sleep as a supper/ dessert to warm their lungs and keep their skin subtle.

5) Sunny side up is a breakfast dish? No, it is not…it is lunch and dinner and anytime when you are hungry and do not want a too heavy meal. I am very fussy over such egg. If it is badly fried with the yolk broken, I will scream and make a fuss.

We all know that International Buffet Breakfast serves sunny side up and so does American Breakfast. Add a dash of table salt and pepper on the egg and it brings out the fragrant of the egg white and yolk. You grow fat with the sausage, mash potatoes, tomato, bacon, and french toasts on the plate.

When we were young, Mum used to fry a sunny side up and put it on top of white steamed rice, add a dash of black soya sauce and light soya sauce and we were the happiest kids in the World. It is a meal and a healthy one too and saved Mum the trouble of cracking her head as to what is for lunch or dinner.

6) Egg Omelets come in different style. Westerners fried it in a pancake form and add ham bits, capsicum bits, tomato bits and cheese. Chinese fried it and break it up into pieces of different sizes. This is a good dish to have for both lunch and dinner. You can also add it into your morning breakfast breads and you have an egg sandwich, Chinese style. This dish can also go with plain congee. Eat it with light soya sauce and add green onion bits…you will love it.

I used to ask for egg white omelets for my breakfast when I travel. It is nice and healthy and taste good too BUT who is going to eat all the yolks? I never asked but probably it ended up in the pastry chef table and turned into cakes.

After talking so much about this wonder Egg, do you know how to tell…

a) A fresh egg from a stale egg? Crack it up and the pungent smell tells you that you have a bad egg. Another easy way is to take a cup of water, fill it to the brim and drop the egg gently into it. If the egg floats, you better throw it away…you can still eat it if you want and you can taste the stale smell and get food poisoning. However if it is fresh, the egg will sink to the bottom. If the egg sink to the bottom and bop a little, it is about a few weeks old.

b) How to preserve eggs. I know some people are health and cleanliness conscious but please do not wash your eggs before putting them into the fridge. There is a membrane that protects the egg and the shell is pores. Washing will damaged the life span of the eggs. Another thing you should know is to check the date of the eggs. Mostly no one will bother, they just buy but if the eggs has been around for a long time, it means you need to consume it sooner or it will stale. You can check on the side of the eggs holder, there should be a date indicated somewhere. However remember eggs are perishable items and you should not eat or buy cracked egg because of bacteria and you will surely have a ‘bad stomach’.

c) I used to see different colors eggs in the market and wonder what is the different….Do you know? White eggs are laid by white feathers chicken and brown eggs are laid by brown feathers chicken. There are also green shell eggs and blue shell eggs which are uncommon in Asia. The color of the shell is actually due to genetic and pigmentation. They are the same…an egg is an egg. I wonder whether I can stomach a ‘green’ or ‘blue’ egg?

d) Do you know how to tell a Hen from a Rooster? Well they tell us that males are vain and they want to attract, so for a Rooster you will tell it by the bigger comb on top of its head, the brighter color of the feathers and of course bigger in size. If you keep a chicken and if it did not lay an egg at all, it is definitely a Male!

e) Talking about that eggs are evil, well everything should be taken moderately. Eating an egg or two a few times a week won’t kill. Eggs contain protein and unsaturated fat…so what so evil about it? The body takes care of the cholesterol and produces lesser if there is intake to balance up.

So much for beloved EGG…and the evil myth!

Work until die…

2010-06-01T00:28:00.001+08:00

It was in the newspapers and TV of a man committing suicide due to work pressure. Is this new? We are lucky in Singapore that we work by the law. There are so many hours of work, so many hours of rest, public holidays, shift work, part-time work, contract work and in between all the perks. However we still have people who collapsed at work of heart failure and died. You can say that the person deserved to die because she strives so hard but again, the pressure comes from the Management.

It was unfortunate to end one’s life by jumping off the roof. I believe the man had no choice. He wrote a last message to his parents apologizing for such action. When he was pressurized, who can he turns to…do Human Resource listens? NO! HR is for the Management…not worker nor staff. I was told this by Management. I was invited to sit on 'THE' HR chair if I get rid of this person subtly. The Management wanted him out and yet save their face and so I was asked to do it. Yes, I am to do it but with one condition attached… "if he walks in and say that it is either you or him, I am sorry it will have to be you" to leave. So you see how politic this is and I will be the scarifying lamb or the hero. I decided I do not want the job. I do not see why I need to do all these ugly things.

This factory in China owned by a rich and famous Taiwanese tycoon, is in the limelight for the wrong reason recently and the saga is not over yet. People grow their businesses so big, employed monkeys by paying them peanuts and let them loose. Main interest of a business man is to make money, the more the merrier because he can stand as social elite, have money to party, buy women around him, got power…and how those money break up with blood, they are blind to it. The tycoon stood up and say that he is not running an inhumane operations. He has to face the media and the public and probably because he is sitting on the fire now.

It is sad. I know production have time schedule to meet but human is human after all. Our body and mind have their limits. Some people are stronger and the stress thresholds are stronger but some are timid. Someone told me "In this world, if you do not work faster, work smarter, be with the right people, or join the gang…you are a gone-na". It is ever so true. I saw this with my own eyes. If you do not suck up to those who are the 'little people' in the company, all the worst and dirty jobs are done by you. Whether you like it or not, you perform, keep your mouth shut or you get the ‘boot’. The most mystifying thing…."Management believe in all these 'little people' and no matter how hard working you are, you will never get any where". The next most mystifying thing…”Management believes that anyone who holds a Degree, a Masters, a PHD are the brains”. These are the people that draw that highest pay, get the best benefits…does the least work…and get all the CREDITS! One reason…”because they have the gift of gap”. At a lower level we saw the effectiveness of these people, ONLY the Management are blind. Don’t jump the gun, I am talking about the people I know and not everyone is like that. Anyway Management never admit their faults…how can they admit they employed the wrong person? Loosing face is the utmost disgrace and after all it is not their company or it is public money, lose money just blame it on everything but themselves.

If there were 13 people committing suicides within a year or two, how can the Management be so numb that they did not realized something is not right? This happened in China’s Apple’s IPod factory . The Chinese are shouting not to support Apple IPod. Too bad Apple contracted their productions to such unscrupulous people. Yesterday in the news, the factory caught fire. I was wondering did this happened to redirect people’s attention…talk about the fire and not suicides?

Anyway, we are all out to make a decent living. Owner or Management just have to provide a decent job, decent pay, decent work hour, decent break time, decent housing, decent food canteen, decent recreation and decent overtime pay...so that we make money for them. I just wonder why anyone can be so proud of themselves, that they are better educated, holds a higher position, live in a bigger house, drive a bigger car and treated people who made money for them like dirt? Is this world logical?

Do we blame it on the people, no we blame it on the society. It is how to stand apart and be the elite.

Happy Vesak 2010

2010-05-26T00:30:00.001+08:00

BEST WISHES
FOR A BENEFICIAL AND HAPPY VESAK 2010

...Lian 2010

Sawadee-Kar ...Thailand

2010-05-22T01:00:00.005+08:00

As we moved into the holy week of Vesak, the political situation in Thailand worsen. Countries around the world scrutinize this upheaval but there is nothing they can do.

I stayed and worked in Thailand before. I love this country, the people, the food and the culture. Although there are class differences in this country but it is the 'not so class' that makes the mass. I love the people I met on the streets when I asked for directions, they were so helpful. It is not so difficult because most do speak English or we can also get by with a few Thai words.

The food is fantastic and I ate around the road sides which we are not able to find in clean Singapore. Although I know that it is not healthy with all the pollutions, dust, fumes etc. but since I am out of Singapore, I decided I want to be rebellious. I allowed my immune system to rough it out. Other than a few 'bad stomach' incidents, I am still intact. The incidents were not because of bad food but because I over test my limit of ‘spicy’ level.

As I watched this beautiful country going into chaos, it saddens me. Thailand loves their King and what he said is well honored and respected. As I watch his frail body and seeing him on a wheelchair, I realized that is maybe the reason why he is quiet over this violence. Thailand loves the King but they are fighting for what they believe in, at no cost, even with their lives and will what the King says now affect their change of mind? I believe such movements and hurts that the citizens suffer pain the King’s heart as well. I have watch how the Thai people respect the King, Queen and the Royal Princess. I saw how much effort the Royal family put in to help the agriculture and people of the country. I love the Queen’s project at Narathiwat, all those beautiful hand-woven baskets and because of religion clashes, I am not able to see them in my regular shop anymore.

I was in Bangkok end last year despite friends said better not go because if they close the airport when violence breaks out, we will be stranded. I still want to do my yearly pilgrimage to Thailand…it is always Loykatong time. I will travel a week before the festival to provinces like Saratburi, Suphan Buri, Buriram, Kolak , Loburi and Ayutthaya. I always ended my tour at Wat Tong at Saraburi because my Luangpo is a monk here although he resides in Singapore now spreading the Dharma.

I read the papers, the internet and saw pictures of the breakage of violence with the shooting and killing of a general, when will all this end? I am sure the country’s economy suffers and people too. What are they fighting for…’’The Return of ….”or they are fighting for better livelihood? What is all this red shirt and yellow shirt…they are fighting for someone’s else political power?

It is humane in nature. We cannot be complacent for too long. It only takes someone to fan all the pent up frustrations and the fire will roar burning everyone and everything as it goes. In the end…? The Chinese saying “ When something turned into 3ft of ice, it did not happen in a day”.

Today I saw in the papers that CentralWorld was burnt down because the mob threw bombs into the building. People have stood so low that they do not care about taking others lives. I love the supermarket in CentralWorld and also its food court, what a waste.

Thailand is a beautiful country and I pray that peace comes back quickly for them.

Stay focus...

2010-05-18T07:11:00.000+08:00

Buddha attained Enlightenment during meditation. Therefore it is crucial that we meditate. It is during meditation that we are able to see the activities of our mind. We can only do so when we are focus and once we do, we are able to tame it. The ability to stay focus is called “awareness”.

There are many ways to meditation and many subjects to meditate on. In my earlier years I took meditation under a Master. He was a very good guide. He took me from concentrating to a point on my nose to enter into the various stages of Jhana. It is something I never thought I could achieved. He pointed out that we should be mindful when we enter into Jhana. When we get too engrossed in the bliss of each stage, we will be caught up in desire. During meditation people said they saw lights, Buddhas, Bodhisattva and frightening images. These are tricks played by the mind. The mind is able to manifest things of desire as well as things that you are afraid off.

Not every one is able to concentrate. For some, the time of concentration is very short but the more discipline ones, they can sit for hours or days. Some guys friends said that they find it difficult to sit as their crossed legs were painful and thus lost focus. Some said they have visions of all the lustful “applications” that they find it disturbing and felt that it is wrong. Others, their mind flickers around like monkey. I am amazed how our mind changes “channels” faster than we say “ABC”.

All the thoughts that came to our mind are the activities that we performed daily and throughout many life times. Do not say that you will not remember what you have said about another persons, or the bad you have done to another person, or some secrets which you do not like others to know and will forget after some time… it is not true, it will return to haunt you for sure.

For different type of people, the meditation subjects varies. For a starter, it is Breathing. It is focusing the taking of air into one nostril and come out by the other nostril. Just keep your mind on it. I guarantee that your mind will stray, it’s OK…just come back once you realized that you have ‘gone’ off to somewhere else. Keep on it and nothing can be achieved without perseverance. Once you are able to tame your mind, you can move on to other topics like Rising and Falling; Cause and Effect; Walking or Sensory feelings that you have with your 5 Senses or simply watch the mind.

There are many gurus on the nets telling you how you can meditate or what you should meditate. To me is simply be aware of what you are doing. If you speak cheerfully, note it; if you become angry, note it…simply note what is going on without being judgemental. Be aware so that you do not create further negative Karma for yourself. The Mind is like a child, once the Mind knows that you are watching her, she will quiet down and behave. As time goes by, you will be able to control your mind more and more.

Whether you are praying silently, chanting loudly, bowing full body on the ground, sitting cross-legged, walking, talking, sleeping…it all boiled down to being aware of yourself and your surrounding. Note that nothing is permanent. Things change every minutes and so is our mind. The true nature of oneself is actually as it is. No need to think of the past, what will happen the next minute or what will the future be. Live NOW.

I will not go into details on step to step meditation. However I learnt one thing for sure…Taming the Mind…is not an easy task. Do not be fooled by others who look composed, or people who said they are so good and they can see Buddha etc. These are misleading and that is not our ultimate goal…our ultimate goal is Enlightenment and not physic power which come naturally to one if one purifies one’s mind.

May those who are searching for Enlightenment achieve it for the benefits of all Sentient Beings.

Happy Vesak 2010.

Holy week...SAGA DAWA

2010-05-15T00:05:00.003+08:00

Once again it is into the month of May where Buddhists all over the world will celebrate Vesak Day,

To Tibetans Buddhists, 27th May is known as Saga Dawa Day and it is the holiest time of the Tiebtan calendar. This is the time as recorded that Buddha was born, attained Enlightenment and Parnibana. However people observed starting from New Moon (14th May) day and follow through to Full Moon (27 May) as a holy period. It is an auspicious time to do all good deeds as it multiplies by 100,000 but not forgetting that all bad deeds will have the same effect. Remember DO GOOD and DO NO EVIL, during this period and all the time too.

Many temples are gearing up for the celebrations. Prayer schedules are set, Lives releasing schedule are set, getting ready necessary offerings and getting ready candles and other items that will help people create positive merits on the day.

In Singapore, different traditions of Buddhists have their own way of celebrating. The common one will be bathing the Baby Buddha. On this day in ancient time, it was said that Lady Maya gave birth under a tree when she held on to a branch. The Baby than walked seven little steps and with each step, a lotus flower sprung to hold his little feet. On the seven steps, the Baby pointed a finger to the sky and said..."Of Heaven and Of Earth, I am the King".

Many devotees undertake vegetarian vows for this period to cleanse their negative actions. Others look forward to tasting vegetarian meals prepared by each temple which differs from each other. It is a 'makan day', a holy day for positive activities and meeting up friends and temples visiting day too.

Many years back I undertook the 'Three steps, One bow' in different temples. It is an exercise of the body and mind plus devotion to Buddha, cleansing accumulated negative karma and at the same time remember this great Teacher who showed us the way out of Samsara.

This day is also a declared World wide public holiday. Especially in the Eastern countries, this day is taken very seriously. Vesak is like Christmas to the Christian.

All great teachers have their own legend behind them. Buddhism is way before Christianity. As Buddha was born under a tree, Chris was born in a shed. Both taught Compassion and Love, however Buddha emphasized on Cause and Effect. Buddhism is about self salvation.

So on Saga Dawa week, I pray that all beings be well, be happy, be safe, be healthy and may all good deeds multiply in merits and dedicate to all Beings and the world so that there will be lesser calamities.

Happy Saga Dawa and Happy Vesak to All.

Tropical Herbs...'Seven Star Needle'

2010-05-10T09:33:00.002+08:00

Someone gave me a plant and said that the name as translated in Chinese is 'Seven Star Needle'. She told me that the leaves of this plant has medicinal value. By eating 7 pieces of the leaves, it will clear toxic in the intestine. This will relief all bad toxic and therefore avoid Cancer.

After doing some research, I realized the scientific name of this plant is Pereskia Bleo. Its flower comes in orangy red. I was given a stem to plant and after 7 months, it started to flower.

There are many herbal plants around us and we do not know them and therefore missed the chance of better health. As this plant grows by the fence, it naturally needs it as a support. However because it is a herb and it is used locally, people have been eating it and getting results from it. As I mentioned before Prevention is better than cure and it is good if you have this plant in your backyard and eat the leave occasionally or make drinks with it so that the family can also benefit.

This is how it can be taken

1) Pluck 7 pieces of leaves, wash and chew it. Do it once or twice a week (A word to pregnant women that you should not try anything as your body may not be able to take it with a baby.)

2) Pluck 7 pieces of leaves and boil it with one bowl of water until it is one cup and drink it like tea. This is good for clearing toxic in the intestine.

3) Pluck 7 pieces of leave and boil it like a soup, add pork ribs and a little salt. It is a good soup for the family.

4) Pluck 7 pieces of leave and stir fry with other vegetables.

It not only counteract Cancer, it lower blood pressure, cholesterol, migraine and many more.

I ate the leaves from this plant myself every time I do my gardening. I plucked and chewed it. It is crunchy and give out a nice smell. Since it is cactus family, the leaves are a little gummy but acceptable. However its flowers and fruits can also be eaten, cooked or raw. The needle thorns are used by Chinese Doctors to cure skin disease.

Here is some facts about this plant...

"Pereskia is a genus of about 25 tropical species and varieties of cacti that do not look much like other types of cacti, having substantial leaves and thin stems. They originate from the region between Brazil and Mexico. They can be classified as shrubs, climbing plants or slightly succulent trees.Most of the species are found in dry forests or thorny scrub, in tropical climates..."

Apparently from the net, I also found that Malaysian Doctors have recorded about the benefits of this plant. You can search by typing "Pereskia Bleo".

Quote...
"Both Pereskia bleo and Pereskia grandifolia have been used as natural remedies in cancer-related diseases, either eaten raw or taken as a concoction brewed from fresh plants. Both are believed to have anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-rheumatic, anti-ulcer, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are also used as remedies for the relief of headache, gastric pain, ulcers, hemorrhoids, atopic dermatitis, and for revitalizing the body. [3],[4],[5] In Panama, the locals use the whole plant of Pereskia bleo to treat gastrointestinal problems, [6] while in India, Pereskia grandifolia is used to reduce swelling. [7],[8]"

For those reading Chinese, you can also try searching for "七星针草药".

This plant is easily found in Malaysia and Singapore. I was told that the Purple Flower Pereskia Grandifolia is also widely search for its medicinal abilities. I had one stem growing and will share the flower picture once it blooms.

Hope this article is helpful and beneficial for those reading here.

Being accused...

2010-05-03T16:24:00.002+08:00

Some years ago, a Boss told me 'Lian, you don't need friends'. I was thinking to myself why she said that. Is she having difficulties in getting friends? Or she is not able to find friends. That was back than when I did not understand the meaning of friends.

There are different types of people in the world. Some are loners, some could not keep a friend, some have friends everywhere, some wanted true friends. Being friends need good affinity. Some friends come by when you are in trouble, see you through your troubles and disappeared. Some become your friends for life.

I got a message from someone who is very special to me, someone I call friend. However I believe our friendship would have been a life time but it takes a big heart to keep a friend. A friend is not infallible, a friend is not one who will not make mistake, a friend is not one who is forever cordial and congenial, a friend is not one who dare not behave or show her feelings when she is bitten by it. A friend dare to behave like this because a friend thought that a friend would understand.

Today when I am being accused of being in the 'mood' for two to three years amused me. NO, how can the facts be so wrong?

I do not want to explain myself to her. People forget why they behave that way so the finger points at another party. It is OK. I can accept this accusation because I accepted the fact that 'nothing is forever'.

When I am down and need a ear, where are you? When I behave like an idiot, did you find out why? When I called you, you were cold. When I emailed you, you were not encouraging. When I dated you, you turned me down and I understand. Now that when I turned you down, you accused me for being in the 'mood' for two to three years now?

Did you know I need someone to listen when I decided to quit my job? Did you know I lost my dearest brother in a car accident and he died so violently a week or so ago. You did not bother to find out why I turned you down and accused me for being in the 'mood'? Yes, I am in a 'mood'...a sad mood.

Yes, you would say that 'Hey, aren't you practicing Buddhism? Why are you behaving this way?' A practising Buddhist understand impermanence and the Law of Cause and Effect. This does not mean that person is a stone without feeling and compassion. If I am not able to feel for the death of a love one, what conditions do I have to practice compassion and Bodhicitta? I do not want to show the world that I had lots of compassion for sentient beings when I cannot even feel for my lost of a brother.

I know I will need to let him go and I have to let him go. How can I make merry when I am in the mood of mourning? Therefore I think the older people are wise when they said 'You will feel pain only when the needle pricks you.'

I am sorry and I think I have the right to choose to say Yes or No to a meeting. I have the right to choose who I want to see.

Now I know why my Boss said I don't need friends. Do you know?

It is not a nice feeling for being rejected, but this is just a meeting for a meal. If you lost track with your friend and did not keep in touch for too long, you will not know what happened. Your friend will also not tell you because you are disinterested.

To people who have friends, value your friends, forgive if you think that person is worth the friendship and everything that happened is a mirror effect.

I expect too much from a friend. After 20 years, I realized I had a friend.

Wise sayings n Karma...

2010-04-28T13:03:00.001+08:00

Recently I lost my eldest brother and I have been wondering why people died so violently. The Cause and Effect is not something we can mess with. Whether you believe or not, the saying goes "what goes around, comes around".

** Happiness cannot be bought by money but you can rent it for a while.

** Yesterday was the deadline on all complaints...today you complaint no more.

** Love means telling you why you're sorry, did you get it?

** I don't know, I don't care, and does it matter?...but it does make a different with who goes to Heaven.

** Why did we see the hole in front and yet think that we can avoid it?

** You can bargain with money to buy life...but you cannot bargain with Karma...Karma won't take under table bargaining.

** Karma is the unseen hands that mould the World, you chose...Heaven or Hell.

** Don't blame Karma when you are down, you make a choice to be down there.

** How do you explain that people are better than you...or worst than you?

** For every bad thing done, there is an unseen hand that make sure it balance up.

** How people treated you is how you treated people...the effect will come sooner or later.

** Drop a stone into the pond and cause ripples...but it will hit you when after it hits the bank.

** You can only win Karma when you know where she is.

** Know yourself and you will know Karma.

** We saw people paying up their Karma but we chose to say it is coincident.

** How people treated you is their Karma, your reaction to them is your own Karma.

** People are pathetic because they go around doing things and am totally blind to Karma.

** What makes you think that all the evil you have done will not come back and claim their rights?

** Remember to do good, do no evil...it is better to sleep peacefully...than fretfully.

** You can lie to the public with the evil you have done, you cannot lie to your own consciousness.

** What you are today is a reflection of the Karma you did.

** People are stubborn, they believe in the now and do not worry about what after...reason, they are shortsighted.

** Everyone desires happiness, but they do nothing to help themselves gain happiness. They waited for happiness to fall from Heaven.

** There are people who believe happiness is only possible for certain people and not themselves...they are right because they do nothing to create it.

** I always tell myself..."Lian, be at peace with yourself and with the surroundings". How can I be happy if I am not happy with everything around.

** No one owns the rights to Happiness, we all can be happy if we want to be happy. It cannot be given, it is already there with you and you just have to discover it.

** Cause and Effect have nothing to do with God, it is the natural Law and Order of the Universe. It has no religion preference either - what you sow, you reap.

** Do you have to wait for Karma to fall on you for you to believe? Than I wish you Good Karma...

A Diamond that cuts through Illusions

2010-04-19T12:08:00.005+08:00

'A Diamond that cuts through Illusions' or in short 'Diamond Sutra. This classic 'Sutra' or 'Prayer' contains all the essence of Buddha's teachings.

Recently I ran into a Nun and this was the first time I met her. She looked at me with compassion and said "the 6th Patriarch, Ven Hui Neng attained Enlightenment just by realizing this Sutra. I am giving you a book, read it until it illuminates". She handed me a copy and I said I will try to read it daily. I have been doing so.

'Diamond Sutra' contains all the Wisdom of Buddha. In the whole Sutra, it also explained how to go about cutting through all illusions we have created to imprison our Self (if ever there is a Self).

In any Buddhist Text or Sutra, it is important to state the time, place and people who attended the sermon to prove that it had been delivered correctly. Buddha resided in Jetavana Monastery for 25 Rainy Seasons and it was here that this Wonderful Diamond was delivered. It was after lunch because the text mentioned that Buddha washed his alms bowl and legs and sat focus. It also mentioned that at that point there were 1250 monks listening to this teaching. This Diamond came about as a request for teaching from Ven Subuti and Buddha answered and explained to Ven Subuti the true meaning of Self.

Ven Subuti venerated the Buddha by bearing his right shoulder with his right knee kneeling on the ground. Ven Subuti requested for the benefits of lay people as to how to go about practicing Supreme Wisdom from the Buddha. Buddha explained that regardless whether beings are egg-born, womb-born, moist-born or spontaneously born; regardless whether such beings can be seen or is invisible, whether such beings have a mind or mindless; or mindlessly with mind or mindlessly without mind - Buddha will show them the way to Enlightenment, in actual fact after all beings attained supreme happiness, there is actually no beings, why? because if a Boddhisattva hangs on forms, than that person is not a Bodhisattva.

Diamond Sutra explained Non-Self, so hanging on form is hanging on Self. All words or names are just like a vessel - it helps one to cross the river of Samsara and discard after crossing. You will not carry a vessel on your back and walk everywhere, is that right? Therefore to grasp the true meaning, such words and descriptions and examples need to be given.

In Chapter 8, it truly stated that all the Supreme Wisdom of Buddhas arrived from realizing this Sutra. Its profoundness is immeasurable and it is like a Diamond, it cuts through anything and in this case, even stubborn illusions, something that we have embraced life after life.

The Sutra also mentioned that by reading, spreading, reciting 4 stanza or explaining the meaning of this Diamond to any beings creates boundless merits even Buddha himself cannot measure. Any physical generosity is nothing compare by giving the Truth because the Truth gives beings eternal happiness and it is the Truth.

The favorite Stanzas that I picked are the followings :

1)
过去心不可得(guo qu xin bu ke de)
All past thoughts are gone and cannot be retained

现在心不可得(xian zai xin bu ke de)
All present thoughts cannot be cling onto, it will pass

未来心不可的(wei lai xin bu ke de)
All future thoughts cannot be predicted

(No Mind can be predictable. Everything is created by the Mind. What is gone is gone, what is now will pass and what in the future has yet to come.)

2)
若以色见我(ruo yi se jian wo)
Anyone who wish to see the Buddha in form

以音声求我(yi sheng yin qiu wo)
Anyone who clings on and worship me

是人行邪道(shi ren xing xie dao)
This person is walking the wrong Path

不能见如来(bu neng jian ru lai)
He will never see the true nature of Buddha

(The Buddha has no form. All forms are but temporary. If one clings to Buddha's form and worship him than one does not understand his teaching. Thus one will never be able to understand the true nature of Buddhahood.)

3)
一切有为法(yi que you wei fa)
All the Truth about Form

如梦幻泡影(ru meng huan pao ying)
Should be treated like a dream or a bubble

如露亦如电(ru lu yi ru dian)
Should be treated like a dew drop or lighting

应作如是观(ying zuo ru shi guan)
All should be view as such

(Form is like a dream, it is not reality; it is also like a bubble, easily burst and disappeared; it is like a dew drop that when the sun comes up, it leaves no trace; it is also like lighting, flash and gone. This is the correct way to Truth.)

I do not say I have totally understand this Diamond. I will fall into wrong views if I do. All words are just words. I am putting it here to see how much I have understand and for those who are interested to know about this Diamond. We have been searching everywhere for ways and means to Enlightenment. In actual fact just from one vessel, one can see one's true nature.

Please treat Sutras with respect. Where there is a Sutra, it is a sacred place. It has the blessings of the Buddhas and Devas and all beings will come by to pay their respect, both seen and unseen. It is a blessed place and a holy shrine.

My Teacher taught me...if there is a torn page or a small corner of a torn prayer book or Sutra, I should pick it up and respectfully put it at a high place because it is the Truth taught by Buddha and should not be under the feet of anyone.

With this...May all Beings be well and happy and be free from Sufferings.

Alamak...I got Tagged

2010-04-15T07:00:00.006+08:00

Ha.a.a.a Thanks Cindy. I am honored that you always think of me. I saw this game on others sites but because I do not really link myself so I am always an outsider. Since I got tagged, I will do my part but I may not be able to tag 8 friends...

The rules of this little tag game:

1) Go to your photo files, select the 8th photo folder.

2) Select the 8th photo in that folder.

3) Post that photo along with the story behind it.

4) Then challenge 8 blogging friends to do the same!

So, I will tag the following people...and that's all I have got.

1) Sathira - Breaking Mindset

2) Robin Chan - Robin's Karma

3) Small - Reduced Footprint

Above is the 8th pictures on my 8th Picture Folder. It is a picture of a gigantic fern growing on the top of a tree. I was amazed that it is able to support itself without breaking and I find it beautiful. It is Staghorn Ferns and took the form of a nest. It makes me want to climb up the tree to look what is in it. The scientific name for this fern is Platycerium superbum.

There are around 20,000 species of ferns and Staghorns grow high up on trees and in tropical jungles. Such plants can be found in Asia and in South America. I realized this fern can be replanted. I saw people growing them on coconut husks and tied them to the trunk of a tree and viola! a nice fern decor.

True to its name, they are unique and take the shape of a stag's horns. I am not sure but to me it looks like it is a parasite plant that grows on others and yet they are charming.

This picture is taken by me. I do not know of anyone else who has a nicer picture than this one and I love it. I took it on a jungle walk in Malaysia.

I love nature and I love plants and therefore sharing with you here. We have to thank Cindy for making me do this or else I will not put up this picture to share because I do not know how to write about it.

Hope those that I have tagged will contiue this game with others and it is one way of making friends and sharing.

A little about Buddhism...

2010-04-11T01:38:00.005+08:00

Recently I have gone into a 'mode', religious mode. You will see a few more postings on this subject. Put aside personal preferences, a close-hearted attitude and religious differences. Look at the attributes, aspect, quality and the purity each of these postings represent. Read it like you are reading a story if you are a non-Buddhist.

Avaloketishvara or Chenrizig is my teacher and protector. Every person whose heart is moved by love and compassion, who deeply and sincerely act for the benefit of others without concern for fame, profit, social position, or recognition, expresses the activity of Chenrezig. Love and compassion are the true signs revealing the presence of Chenrezig. The six syllabus heart mantra 'Ohm Mani Padme Hum' is something I remember daily. I love this calligraphy and am sharing it here with people who are like-minded.

Here are some basic understanding to Buddhism. I am not here to preach nor am I qualify to do so. I wish to share with those who are interested to know a little about this religion.

Buddha is not God. Buddha does not eliminate all wrong doings. Buddha does not forgive us for wrong doings either. He who sows will reap what he sows. Buddha does not carry our sins for us. He is our Teacher. He was human like us. This shows us that we can attain enlightenment if Buddha can. Out of compassion he found the Path and taught us how to go about it. Buddha did not want us to worship his form. Buddha has no form. It is devotees who created the form as a reminder of a Great Teacher. The form serves as a reminder to practice and achieve enlightenment. It is not something far way, it is reachable. All the teachings and methods are but 'vessels'. It helps us to cross the ocean of Samsara. The 'vessels' won't move if we just sit there. We need to put in effort to paddle the 'vessels'. How one wants to paddle is up to one. Some put in a motor, some use the oars, some use wooden planks and others may use their hands. Whichever way, Enlightenment is the Goal and we will reach there if we keep our focus and not lost sight of it. The basic requirement one needs is to have 'Bodhicitta', a compassionate heart. You need not be rich and famous and if you are poor, you are not kept outside the door. For laymen, we need to observe the 5 Precepts, understand the 8-Fold Path, keep our Faith and grow our Bodhicitta. We are taught the basic conditions of being a Human :

1) Abstain from killing - Buddhist believes in Karma. Don't do onto others if you don't want others to do onto you. If one kills, one will be killed. You will say 'Yes', to Human but anything with a life that you kill, is killing.

2) Abstain from stealing. How do you like people taking your things without telling you? It ruined reputations. Grievous punishment is to go into jail. Actually we all steal - by just taking something from your colleagues work table without asking is stealing. By doing what is not supposed to be done without permission is also stealing. Stealing in a broad sense range from things to Human.

3) Abstain from committing sexual misconduct. This is to protect the integrity of another Human. How do you like your love ones committing this behind your back? Is it OK when you commit such to another party? Consequences - jail and ‘rotan’, bad reputation and despised by people who knew about it. Only animals are not able to distinguish what is right and wrong. We are Human.

4) Abstain from lying - We all lie in one way or another. Whether it is an intended lie, 'black or white' lie, it is a lie. Lie has hidden message and guilty properties in it. Many argued that I don't say doesn't mean I lie. Well, my Mum told me 'There is nothing people cannot know if it was already committed'. Tell one lie, and you need 1000 lies to cover that one you started. It also ruined one's reputation.

This part of 'Lie' also covers 'harsh speech', 'accusing speech' and anything spews from the mouth that is unkind.

Lie also covers ‘speaking to cause split in relationship’. Many of us are guilty of this too. People sow discords intentionally or unintentionally. There are people who are very good at this. Example : 'I do not know why Lian did this, maybe she has a point in doing so...BUT I will not do it.....subtle right? Sound likes she is supporting Lian but indirectly she is saying 'Lian is bad, if it is me, I won't do it'. At time of anger, we speak badly about a person because we are vexed.

5) Abstain from intoxication. Aha! this is the killer. Many loves to drink - beer, wine, hard liquor and mixed. After drinking the mind went DULL. In this dull stage, the HEART becomes daring - one will steal, kill, commit sexual misconduct, lie and in the end, ended up in jail or worst in the hangman's room. Many sins are committed in this stage – DULL mind. If the item is for medicinal purpose to cure a sickness, it is alright but it needs to be taken moderately.

Intoxication includes cigarettes, drugs etc ... anything that may cause one to lose the power of reasoning.

Therefore, the word is 'Abstain'. If you know you have wronged, you rectify it yourself. We call these 5 Precepts or in Sanskrit 'Panca Sila'. If you have a tinted character, how can your Heart be peaceful and pure enough to do Divine's works?

Ching Ming Festival ...4.4.10

2010-04-02T12:45:00.008+08:00

Ching Ming Festival is an All Souls Day for the Chinese. Traditionally we call it 'Sweep Grave Day' and it literally means sweeping the grave for those that were buried. Activities include cutting grass, clearing debris, filling up with mud, retouch faded words with red or gold paint on the tombstone and offering food and necessities for the departed.

It is also a day where we remember dearly of the departed love ones, some maybe parents, siblings, relatives and friends. So it is a set aside day in the 365 days of a year to go back to our roots. This is also a Thanksgiving Day to all those that are gone, that they have given us life, nature us and making us to be what we are today. To some, Ching Ming Festival is a big thingy. They will prepare food, drinks and gathered paper monies, paper cars, paper house, paper clothes, paper handphone etc. Actually when I was younger, I was wondering how all these will work in the neither world. However as I grew, I realized it is a mark of respect and filial piety. Different Chinese people of different religion activate this day differently.

It is a big party day at the grave, as in group visit and merry making. This is a day that all members of the family gathered and given the hectic lifestyle, people actually hardly meet unless there is a wedding, a wake or on days like this. For those whose love ones are cremated, they will visit the columbarium or temples and preparation is the same as all those visiting the grave...plenty of makan. Many will bring food that the departed liked during their life time. Actually it is heartwarming to see all these people. It is culture and not superstitions. People who have lost their culture are rootless.

Therefore no matter where you are, spare some time to think of your love ones. Even if you are far away from home but when you think of your departed love ones, they are as near to you as where you are. People working around Asia will find time to go home eg. like Malaysian working in Singapore will apply leave and go back to Malaysia; people working in HongKong will fly back to Singapore etc. Given the cheap air-tickets, it is possible to go home.

I remembered a poem written by a famous poet, Du Mu(杜牧)

清明时节雨纷纷 Ching Ming shi jie yu fen fen
(Ching Ming brought in the rain)

路上行人欲断魂 Lu shang xing ren yu duan hun
(All those on the road were soaking wet)

借问酒家何处有？Jie wen jiu jia he chu you?
(May I ask 'where can I find a wine shop?)

牧童遥指杏花村 Mu tong yao zhi Xing Hua Cun
(The Shepperd pointed to a far away Xing Hua Village)

Ching Ming is a raining season and rain always gives one the feeling of missing home or missing a love one. Therefore in olden China there is no cars and most travelling were done by walking. In such heavy downpours, all alone, walking on a road where no one is at sight...the feeling is forlorn. So it is best to find a place where there is wine to warm the body and a shelter from the rain.

I like this poem very much.

Retreat @ Lucky Valley

2010-03-29T12:26:00.015+08:00

Never in any retreat did I cry and cried so much. This retreat I took was a cleansing process for me. I did not know what program was planned and what I need to do until I arrived at destination.

I heard Shangpa Rinpoche sang this song as gratitude and tribute to all mothers. He probably did this for his own Mum. However the CD did not bring out much feeling in me until I sang it, read the text and understand the meaning.

From the Pagoda, we started too sing this prayer. Many started to tear. We were so immersed into the singing until we probably moved the Devas. We felt sprinkle of water. Initially it was a little here and there but subsequently it was like sprinkling from an outlet. We felt heavy sprinkling and yet we were not wet. These were blessing water from the Devas. No, it was not rain drops. If it was we will be wet and have droplets on our face and hands but there was none.

Because we brought the rain therefore we did not go back to the Pagoda for prayers. We have to move into the Pyramid. This pyramid structure is very unique and the energy field is very strong. When I started to meditate and pray, I am able to focus and concentrate. The singing of the text here was perfect. All our voices unified as one. The feeling was awesome and wonderful. I believed we all felt it and so did Shangpa Rinpoche.

The energy fields and magnetic fields around the Pagoda and Pyramid was magnificent. This setting is with nature and therefore it is healing as well. We have been walking up and down and never felt tired. I took some shots of the place and one picture turned out that molecules were seen. Again these molecules are different from that of what we saw in spiritual places. Spiritual molecules has no colors in it and mostly we can fadely see Dharma Wheel. However these magnetic molecules do not have Dharma Wheel but are specks of colors if I magnified it. Again there is no superstition and neither am I talking about some high and mighty attainment. These are common and many people have pictures of such.

Back to the prayers. It took us back to giving gratitude to our mothers, remember our mothers and reflecting on our self. As I was a given away child, I do not have much caring for the mother that conceived me. She was distant and I knew her as 'Aunty'. However by reciting this prayer, all the more I appreciate my natural mother. I thank her for giving me life, thus giving me chance to practice the Dharma. I thank her for giving me away to parents who love me and I grew up with parents who did not stop me from practicing Dharma and instead following me to do so.

I have never been a mother and I do not know the pain, danger and joy in conceiving a 'life'. After that, the guiding, looking after, worrying, naturing, feeding and many things that a Mum worried about her child which I have not experienced. Now by reciting this prayer, I see clearly that the becoming of ME actually are the fruits of both Mums and what they have done for me. Even if I carry them on my shoulder and run around the Universe a million times, I am not able to pay back my gratitude to them.

Thus I thank Shangpa Rinpoche for guiding us and showing us this prayer. I thank him for teaching us how to sing this prayer. It was a tune created by Rinpoche so we have to sing it a few times before we got the rhythms.

Thank you to the third Karmapa for this wonderful, meaningful and well wishes text to our mothers. It reminds us to go back to think of our 'being' and the process of our coming and growth to what we will be. Many people choose their Path of Life, and I have chosen Buddhism as my guiding Light.

Ohm Mani Padme Hum ...

Hiking...

2010-03-24T18:50:00.005+08:00

The retreat that we took with Shangpa Rinpoche included an early morning hiking program. We gathered at 6am before sunrise and set out for a 4 hours mountain hike.

The group of people were around 60. When we started we were walking one after another. As we proceed, the group started to break off. Those that were fit and full of energy followed Rinpoches. As for us, we fell behind. This was due to my sister Judy who had a leg surgery not too long ago and she was not able to walk as fast.

We knew nothing of the terrains and started a walk which we never expected to be slippery, dangerous and some of the slopes was like about 90 degree. We made our way up and down, waded across small streams and hoping to make it fast to ending destination. However, we realized that we were falling more and more behind. Initially we were able to see some people in front of us but subsequently, we were all alone.

This walk and hike made me reflect about life. When you started life journey, there is no turning back. You do not know what is ahead of you but you have to push on until you reach destination. The up slopes and down slopes are like all the ups and downs in life. Some of them are dangerous and you have to walk carefully. However you know, you are not alone because there will be some Bodhisattva who will walk with you, encourage you along the way, hold out to you when you come to a dangerous crossing so that you do not fall and hurt yourself. They stopped to give you a slip of water, they picked up dried leaf to fan you and took out tissues to clean off the sweat on your brow.

When we knew that we will never be able to catch up with those that have gone ahead, we started to relax and walked at our own pace. Isn't this like our spiritual journey? Some walk so fast and some fall behind...but...the destination is the same and we will surely reach the same goal.

As we walked along, we started to make merry instead of worrying what was ahead. We started to look at all the vegetation around us. We took pictures of durian flowers, leaves that we use to wrap our carrot cake, we saw wild jackfruits, we admire wild flowers... I saw a lizard basking in the morning sun. We looked at the opposite terrain with rolls and rolls of palm oil plantation. We stopped under shade to rest and carry on walking.

We laughed at our jokes. We started singing 'Lama Cheno'...calling of the Guru from afar. I am sure all the mountain animals and spirits must have heard these. We sang the Heart Sutra. We sang love songs and all these made our hike so meaningful and gratifying.

I wondered those who walked so fast, did they have the time to look and admire the landscapes? Did they saw what we did? I am sure they saw different things. Isn't it like our lives? We looked at the same thing but the understanding and perception were different.

We came to a junction after 3 hours and the guide said there was a shortcut back to camp. We decided against it. We wanted to walk the path that Rinpoches walked. As Rinpoches walked along, we were sure they made prayers along the way. We do not want to deviate from the Gurus. In real life, we pray we do not deviate from the Gurus' teachings. So we happily walked on.

Reaching destination was a joy. Another 100m to Canteen. One Bodhisattva waited with a car along the road to pick us up just in case we can't walk anymore. Instead, we decided we have walked thus far, what is another 100m? As we walked, we sang 'Lama Cheno'.

What a meaningful hike. We live in the now, experience the now and be with each other now. What is past is gone...what in future is yet to come.

The beauty was...we all reached our destination without casualties.

Sadhu...Sadhu...Sadhu

Back to basic....

2010-03-23T01:10:00.007+08:00

Left for retreat in Pahang, Malaysia with the VISION Group to a place named Lucky Valley. We were told that it is a resort. Being Singaporean and spoilt, I expected it to be like one with proper hotel standards set-up. I also expected it will have a Mama Shop or a basic coffee house but I was very wrong. Ha.a.a...it is really back to basic. This place is in the middle of nowhere and I doubt whether Malaysian knows of its existence.

This particular place is a 500 acres of fruits, vegetables and herbs gardens. There is no place for R & R except for the Pyramid and the Pagoda. There is only the canteen and your meals are basic vegetarian - meaning no frills. You can forget about all those fancy-named dishes and fake meat and fishballs etc...it is just vegetables fried with vegetables, beancurd in soya sauce and the only luxury is egg omelette.

Because the setting is with nature, so I expected mosquitoes. I brought with me spray, stick-on, cream, mosquito coils and think that I am equipped. NO, I am wrong. There are ants and because rain was coming and they were 'moving house' into our bedrooms and toilets, walk-ways and fortunately they did not climbed onto the bed. I, as Buddhist avoid killing but they were every where and I probably have to sit on the bed and not walk at all. I have to comfort myself by thinking 'No, I am not killing with a purpose. It is the ants' Karma and pray they take better rebirth.'

The next insect that did not even occurred in my mind is...Bed Bugs. Goodness, how in any home can we tolerate these 'blood suckers' that caused many patches of bites on my back, sides, legs etc and caused me to scratch and it itched. These insects are so smart, I got bitten and there were no trace of them. So I have to think 'I owe them blood last time, so now is pay back time'.

If you are looking for luxury, this is not the place for you BUT why did we chose this place? It is actually renowned for its magnetic fields, energy fields and oxygen molecules. Who will love this place... people practicing Yoga, Taichi, Qiqong and spiritual groups like us.

I realized that the group basically has very simple needs. They fell into the routine lifestyle of waking up early, set time for breakfast, lunch, teatime and dinner. All the pre-planned programs were changed due to heavy rainfall. The road was muddy and we have to walk from one place to another for teachings. Some carried umbrella and lazy me shared umbrella or 'tompang' Malaysian friends who came in cars.

Electricity here is ran by generators. You can forget about air-condition but there are ceiling fans. There were a few instances we were left in the dark because the generator was out of fuel. DARK means you cannot even see your hands in front of you. There were those who carried torchlight and I benefited. However, with such pitch darkness, the night sky was so beautiful. There were so many stars, big and small and they were like hanging just above your heads. It mesmerized me.

We were gathered here for a spiritual retreat. We were happy just to have Shangpa Rinpoche, Tempei Niyma Rinpoche, two lamas and two anis with us. This was surely a cleansing spiritual journey with Shangpa Rinpoche. We cried a lot these few days. We experienced a lot these few days. We shared a lot of food, drinks, tidbits and care with each other.

Spiritual journey is not an easy path. There are lots of internal cleaning to be done. Over lives we have accumulated bags full of rubbish, holding it dearly and all these weigh heavily on our back. We are learning to acknowledge, throw and see the beauty of Buddha's Teachings of Compassion and Bodhicitta.

So you ask me..."What spiritual journey did you undertook these few days?". I will tell you the next round, part by part.

One's Health...

2010-03-17T10:27:00.003+08:00

Lately I was busy running around in and out of hospital because my brother was taken ill. It happened all of a sudden after his trip to Malaysia. He came back and vomited and everything that came out was black in color. He also had bad stomach and all that came out was also black. He looked pale and was breathless. With the little medical knowledge that I had, I knew it must be internal bleeding. He went to see a GP and later when it did not get better, he saw a Chinese Physician. In the middle of the night he woke me and I saw that he was really bad. I rushed him to hospital. He can hardly walked and was breathless even for that few steps he took.

Doctor was not sure what was it but took some blood for testing and made him rest in the Observation Ward. However I gave a thumb-up for the Doctor who took care of him. He was decisive and fast. He gave my brother blood transfusion and immediately sent him for Endoscopy. He allowed me to follow him to the Operating Room where Endoscopy was performed to wait for my brother.

Sitting in the waiting lounge area, I looked around me. The lights were off, no one was working and the whole place was silent. I can hear my heartbeats. Thoughts rushed through my mind. What will the Doctor find? Doctor confirmed it was internal bleeding and anything to do with blood internally can be life threatening. What will the diagnosis be?

I sat and prayed. Fortunately I did not panicked and thanks to the faith I had in my Religion and my Guru. I had faith in my brother who is always kind and compassionate. I understand the law of Karma. If anything bad is to come, I will have to face it. I am prepared for the worst. The half hour wait was like centuries. I continued to chant Ohm Mani Padme Hum.

The Senior Medical Officer came to see me. He said it was stomach ulcer and had caused internal bleeding. The did the scan but because there were still food in the stomach, they were not able to see the whole stomach. They stopped the bleeding but my brother needs to be warded. They will perform another Endoscopy for him in the morning to make sure that there was nothing else. I was relieved it was not cancer but still internal bleeding is not something to be taken lightly. The Doctor who took care of my brother came to see me. He told me the same thing and he was very reassuring. I thanked him for putting me at ease and yet told me the seriousness. I sent my brother to ward, saw him settled down and left him in the good hands of the nurses on duty.

By the time I reached home, it was 3.30am in the morning. As I entered the house, the place was dark and the house was quiet. I showered and sat on the sofa all by myself. I wished I could call somebody but I knew that everyone is sleeping. I did not want to call any friends, as a matter of fact I did not call my sister, Judy too. Why do I need to alarm her when everything was settled.

I realized that in time like this, I can only fall back on my religion, the teachings I had from the Buddha, the goodness I had done...not denying I had done bad as well. Others may not have the time for me and by calling them at wee hours is like disturbing them. I shouldered all these and it is my problem and not others. Moreover we are not family and I do not know what will they think. People are so complicated and I learnt it the hard way.

I realized now why there are so many suicide cases. There are people out there who need help but WHO, WHOM and WHERE? Instead of calling all the help lines which you may not have the numbers on hand, you will call the first person that comes into your mind. I am surprised, my mind is blank. There is no one I wanted to call.

Therefore health is very important. You must know your body. Do not take your body for granted. Do not take any symptom of feeling sick lightly. Eat properly...it is not the size nor the beauty...it is the health.

Take care.

Growing Up...

2010-03-10T13:36:00.002+08:00

How time flies. I ran into an old secondary classmate and the whole story came flooding back into my memory.

I remembered my Mum told me in my growing up years as well as when I started working. She said that if I misbehaved and got myself pregnant, she will not allow me to walk out of the house. She will make sure I crawl out of the house. She said I do not deserve to be treated with respect since I do not know how to respect myself, my body and my family.

Young kids now a day do not know the consequences and seriousness of ‘SEX’ and got themselves into deep water. It brought them tremendous mental stress, shame and guilt. Abortion is a no joke process. I saw an educational video. It showed how abortion was done and I can feel the pain in my lower abdomen. I cried when I saw the fetus being torn apart.. it is a life…it was gruesome..it is murder. I told myself if I am ‘not careful’ and landed in this situation, I will not abort the baby!

I recalled my secondary school days. There were three of us who were best friends and classmates. One Chinese (Me), one Malay (Ani) and one Panjabi (Kuldip). It was ‘hip’ to have a boyfriend so two of us did. Ani with Mus from another class and me with Johnny. Kuldip is Panjabi and her parents were strict on issue like 'boyfriend' so she was the good one among us.

On birthdays, Valentine Days and Christmas Days, we got presents, chocolates and roses from these boys. I recalled we went for a concert arranged by the school. It was late after the show and our boyfriends saw us home.

A few months passed and we realized Ani has put on some weight. She had a tummy and we laughed at her saying she ate too much. One day we were called into the principal’s office. We were asked where did we go after the concert? That was a few months ago but we remembered we went home. Ani was there too and we looked at her with inquiring eyes like “What happened?". We were asked to leave after the interrogations. We waited outside school and when Ani appeared, we rushed up to her and asked “Hey! What’s wrong?”. Ani was silent and we walked home together. Deep in me I knew we were in trouble..but WHAT trouble? Kuldip went home when we reached the crossroad because we all lived in different directions. I continued to walk with Ani. I intended to walk her to her house but halfway to her house, she said “Honey, I am in trouble!. I am telling you but you got to keep it a secret. I will be leaving school soon. My parents will be sending me overseas. I will not be able to contact you and Kuldip again because my parents do not want anyone to know where I am. I am having a baby..and it is his!”. I was overwhelmed! Tears were rolling in my eyes . The thought of losing a friend was a shocked...and she was having a baby. We hugged each other and cried. We bid good-bye and I walked home. Instead, I turned and ran all the way to Kuldip’s house. Her Mum invited me in for a drink and gave me ‘chapatti’ for lunch. We made polite conversation but I was dying to speak to Kuldip alone. Quickly I finished my food and we both went into her bedroom. I told Kuldip what happened! We both sat on the floor speechless and Kuldip was crying. It was too much to just ‘pluck’ a friend away.

The next day we went back to school, Ani did not turn up for class. We knew she was gone. During recess, Mus and Johnny came to see us. Mus was shocked when Ani told him she was leaving school and did not tell him why. In my heart I was thinking ‘Don’t you know what you have done...walau? ‘. Now when I think back, he probably doesn’t. Probably it did not occur to him that he fathered a baby.

After 9 months or more, one day Mus and Johnny came to see me and Kuldip again. We were at different schools because we went on to ’A’ level. Mus said that Ani’s Mum sent a baby to his home and told his parents that the baby was his. They did not want to keep the baby and Ani was not coming back. It turned his whole family chaotic! His Mum and Dad were so upset. They begged to talk to Ani and apologize. They wanted the two kids to get married but Ani’s Mum was adamant about it. Mus searched for Ani high and low and everywhere. He tried all kind of means but he did not reach her. Mus's family has no choice so his Mum took the baby and said that it was hers….instead of father and son, they were brothers! Ani’s Mum did not tell us where was Ani. She just said that Ani will be getting married in a month’s time.

Today, I am in Singapore. Kuldip is married and followed her husband to Australia. Where is Ani?

In life, along the way, we lost things…we lost friends…but we did not lose our memories…of our young days and the happy time we shared! We blundered along the way, hopefully the mistakes we made is a learning point. I pray that life for Ani is a happy one....my dearest friend.

Nothing lor.....

2010-03-06T18:02:00.002+08:00

Actually I am one person that finds it very difficult to conform to a certain routine type of activity. I tried and do my best to faithfully follow but I feel tied down. There are many ways to Buddhism to suit one's ability. Some are very devotional and they can follow a master, serves him and do every little thing for him. Some are very intellectual and they study all the Sutras and Teachings by Great Teachers and Buddha.

Being devotional is wonderful and I rejoice at those who are selflessly serving the master. However in the long run, one tends to associate and got carried away. If the master is someone of highly venerated status, one thinks one is the chosen one. One began to see others as inferior. Nothing is wrong with this because we are human after all. It happens if one happened to have some people of higher, richer and influential status within one's master circle. However to me, all these 'Big Guns' or 'Millionaires' has nothing to do with me. They are useful to propagate the Dharma but not for my enlightenment. I stay in the background. Another thing is... even if I get near to my master...what do I want from him? I rather sit far away, watch him, rejoice at all the blessings he transferred to all the devotees, rejoice at him selflessly giving himself and his time to all those running to him for every little problem and seeing them going away happy and blessed. He is doing Buddha's job when we don't have a physical Buddha during this time.

In actual fact, I do not know what to ask of my master. Talk to him about Dharma? He is so busy with so many activities for the benefits of sentient beings. I realized that...I have to work on my enlightenment myself. I felt that everything asked and said to me...is but words if I do not understand.

As for the intellectuals, they read and think they understand everything that is in the books. Some became proud. Some think that they are intellectual and therefore they are higher than those who are less educated and devotional. Intellectuals may know all those that are in the books but again, all the books are just books if one do not have wisdom to understand the teachings. When one knows the books and still go around acting like any other beings with anger, jealousy, pride, unfeeling towards others...so what good are all the books? To me the books are like a boat, it helps one to understand and give one directions BUT if one gets on the boat and forget why one is on it...in no time one just go for a tour and end up in the wrong destination.

Because I am a free spirit, I like to ponder and think. I like to think about the verses in the Sutra, and why it was written that way. I rather not read any books on these...NO!...I am not smart or what...but what is in the books is someone else's wisdom and understanding, it is not mine.

I think I am also more Zen than anything. Zen has no words to it. When Buddha pick a flower and Maha Kaspa smiled and others just watch on not knowing what transpired. Therefore in the crowd, such understanding and energy flows between Buddha and Maha Kasapa are only for this group of people.

There is Buddha's teachings in a cup of tea and the tea leaves floating in the cuppa. There is Buddha's teachings when you touch the flowers, hugged the tree, smell the air etc. There is Buddha's teachings when you know that you are alive. There is Buddha's teachings in both happy time and adverse time.

Truth...is Universal. It needs no words. Just like compassion and loving-kindness, it is acted out and captured, knowing it is there and yet it is not there. Bodhicitta as well. If you asked 'what is Bodhicitta' and I said "it is the seed of enlightenment" and it is all wrong. Bodhicitta is not a tree so where is the seed?

I still have a lot to work on (mada mada dane!)... I am still gross.

Wise saying....more

2010-03-01T22:45:00.008+08:00

More wisdom to ponder..

If a person do not understand what is Life, Life to him is suffering more than joy.

If you intend to change someone, it is easier to change one self.

Wisdom is richness, Richness is not just material things.

People who always forgive themselves will never get forgiveness from Heaven...you know why?

Human are funny, they do not know oneself But always think they know others.

When you are suffering, you know you are chasing the wrong thing.

Good look is but skin deep.

When looking at desirable objects, asked yourself what will it be when it is dead.

Ordinary people are really the extraordinary ones...not those who make themselves look extraordinary.

To the sleepless, the night is long. To the tired, the road is long. To the unwise, the solution is always wrong.

Wrong views, wrong way.

If you think that others is always right, and you are always wrong...will you be unhappy?

If you think you are right, you need not say 'sorry'. If you know you are wrong, why do it in the first place.

A chipped bowl cannot be whole again, but it still can be used unless you discard it.

If there is 'nothingness', so why are people fighting for 'greatness'?

The most precious thing you can have in this world is a good fried, most of the time we doubt our good friend.

We are always being deceived by outlook...and yet we still go for it.

When you pray to Buddha to bless you, it is faster if you blessed yourself with goodness.

People always doubt what they have and the other pasture is always greener.

To Buddha, Sentient Beings are Buddha...so work on it.

I am not keen to be born into the lower realms, I am not keen to be born into Heaven...I just want to be born as a Human so that I can achieve Enlightenment.

Those who laugh last, laugh best.

Watch your heart, it is ever changing. It gives you more pictures than you can capture with a camera. Be it the pictures in your heart or the pictures in the camera - they are illusion.

The Me, You and I...are merely words...so what are we?

Wisdom is acquired over time... it is not inborn.

You can only change people who are ready to change... you cannot force changes.

Ha...a.a.a.a...It's a JOKE!

2010-02-25T13:54:00.005+08:00

You ask, 'Why is your header "ha.a.a.a.a" - because I am tickled. Recently I received many emails on the famous or infamous Pastor Rony Tan of Lighthouse Church in Singapore. If I am not wrong, I met this person in one of the wake at a friend's place.

I have never shown disrespect for other religion and being a leader, what did Rony Tan do? Bad example because of what he did, bullets were shot at him and he had to apologise publicly. I admire his guts - when Singapore Government is preaching religious harmony, and here is one person who thinks he can change the World by ridiculing Buddhism. Naive!

Buddhism is one of the major religion in the World and it is not there and being followed and acknowledged for FUN! Rony Tan, whether he ridiculed Buddha by putting on a show and acting as one...he has the merit of being one. In the far future, he will be Buddha.

There are many retaliations on this issue from various religions and people from various walks of life. However I view it with amusement. Rony Tan did not do his homework properly and that is why it backfired. He thought that he can hide behind his church and within his compound to laugh at Buddhist, laugh at Buddha, laugh at Buddhism and GOD is great! I have to admit... GOD is great because his monkey act was being put into light by some unknown person. How can he be so ignorant that anybody attending his sermon is totally to his advantage? There are people searching for a religion and not yet a Lighthouse member, what makes him so sure that he can win them over? WISDOM some time really is something acquired over time. INTELLIGENT does not mean you are wise.

Of course Rony Tan is very noble, he wanted to 'recruit' more members into 'God's Family' and I respect that - method is wrong, what a pity. He lacks wisdom, he lacks humility, he lacks compassion and he lacks the minimum requirement of a basic intelligent human - RESPECT.

Buddha is a self taught teacher. Buddhism bases on Kindness, Compassion, Tolerant and 'non' recruitment exercise. We accept all those that had affinity with Buddha and wanted to find the Truth from his Teachings. Although every religion have their 'Baa Baa Black Sheep', but there are more white ones than black; there are also True ones and Fake ones...you know what is the motivation? MONEY and POWER!

I hope Rony Tan feels that GOD is proud of him for calling others Devil, that he ridiculed others to enhance his own believe. I felt compassion towards him and if there are people who know what is the 'right' way and what is a 'cult'...I wish them good luck.

As for Buddhist, Buddha and Buddhism, life goes on. This Rony Tan's issue is not even an ant's bite. Because we are all coming to the end of the Golden Age of Religion, Devil with sheep skins are plentiful. Because life is so stressful, we seek for solace in whatever that we think gives us light. It is like a drowning man, he will grab anything to stay afloat. You will find plenty of such people in every religion. These are the people that follow the tide but for those who understand Buddha Teachings and know the fundamental, they will stay 'rock on'.

I remember a story from Buddha's parables.....

A layman and a monk were meditating one day. The layman asked 'Do I look like a Buddha?', the monk smiled and said 'Yes, you look like a Buddha'. The layman was very happy. On a separate day, this time the monk asked the layman, 'Do I look like a Buddha?'. The layman wanting to win over the monk thinking he is wiser of the two said 'No, you look like a pile of shit!'. The monk smiled and did not reply. The layman was very happy with his victory and was congratulating himself when he ran into his sister. She asked him what made him so happy and the layman repeated the incident. 'OH NO!, you lose Big Time', said the sister. 'WHY?' the layman asked. 'The monk has Buddha in his heart, therefore he saw the Buddha in you. YOU had shit in your heart and that his why you spilled dirt!', said the wise sister.

This story very well relate - you see what you are!

I invite no to and fro argument on religion... I vote for 'Tolerant'! I stay 'Rock On' a Buddhist and I thank Buddha for his Teachings that 'I at least did not do him discredit'.

A Mi Tou Fo...may all Beings be Well and Happy!

P/s

We all fall into this trap...by visiting Youtube. We are giving him free publicity and listen to his ever so eloquent 'speeches' and you have to have the 'gift of the gap' to do such tricks.

He had to do so to the homosexual as well...well target group. More free publicity and blastings from this group to Youtube to see what spewed. Hey! look at the hits he gets...he is probably hugging himself with Joy of his Intelligence. I find his clowning feat amazing.

Ha.a.a.a.....a

Naga Vase

2010-02-22T18:05:00.002+08:00

Today, 22nd Feb 2010 is an auspicious day for all of us at the Center. This is the much look forward day as we all will be offering Naga Vases to the Sea Nagas.

After many days of preparation under the strict scrutiny of Tachung Rinpoche and Tempei Ningma Rinpocher, devotees of the center started to gathered all auspicious items, prayers scrolls, colored strings and very meticulously completed the vases. Rinpoches did prayers and we were told to go on vegetarian diet a day before the offering. We were also told to dress in white and nothing of leather or whatsoever that had something to do with animal skins should be brought along.

The purpose of offering Naga Vases to the sea is to ...

1) pacify illnesses caused by spirits,
2) clear obstacles, poverty, war, violence, grudges,
3) purify all nagas and diseases
4) increase life span, merit, fame, fortune, power, grain, possessions
5) and gain all excellence of the world and its inhabitants.
6) it is also for harmony and peace from family units to national scale.

Therefore from above you can see the merits of offering this auspicious vase and it is something we should do not just for our self but for all other beings as well.

This is the first time I offered Naga Vase to the sea nagas. We all intended to do this because of calamities happenings around the world. With compassion and Bodhicitta, we pray that there will be peace and may all of us have a good year free of such adversities and sufferings.

We also took this opportunity to release 'Life'. The Center in charge together with devotees went to purchase live stocks from nearby Kelongs. To fulfill our 'eating' desires, we have eaten many live stocks and it is time that we do goodness by releasing live stocks for good karma.

As we ushered in the Tiger Year, many are apprehensive of this animal. It is known to be ferocious but if you go about doing your routine with compassion, kindness and always have kind thoughts for other beings - you should be protected by your own good merits.

With this merits, may all beings be well and happy !

H2O...

2010-02-15T23:35:00.004+08:00

Water ...is

crucial to the body. Yes, not only human but animals and plants as well. Imagine there is no water, not even water of the ocean...what will happen? There will be no lives on this planet.

So how much water do you need to drink a day to make you healthy? Experts and water fanatics will tell you all the measurements you need to know. However a friend made it simple for me...

Two glasses of water - 30 minutes before meal and it will help you with your digestion. It will also make you full so you eat less. Good for those who wants to look good, slim and attractive.

One glass of water after waking up from a sleep to help activate your internal organs.

One glass of water before you go to bed sleep. The purpose is to avoid stroke or heart attack...and

One glass of water before taking a bath to help lower blood pressure.

Cool! Actually there are more water in our body than blood. I know the experts said so BUT I saw it with my own eyes when I saw an embalming taking place.

There were times when I drink only COKE and not water. It went on for 4 to 5 years. I count myself lucky that I did not get diabetic. The nightmare is I might not have blood but COKE in my blood vessels. I stopped and.....I lost weight!

H2O = Water = Sky Juice is healthy for the body. Beauties will tell you that it keeps their skin glowing and it keeps out the 'fats' and the 'sugar'.

Long ago Chinese Physician used Rain Water to boil their medicine. Don't get me wrong...it had to be 'Rootless Water'. This mean water falling from the sky and have not touch the ground. Now we give the magical, indispensable H2O names like Aqua, Mineral Water, Distill Water and New Water (recycled water from the....)

I learnt of a story...

A few men set sails to see the World. Along the journey they finished all the drinking water and had to drink sea water. Sea water is salty and did not quench their thirst but instead made them even more thirsty. Thinking they were going to die, they kneel and pray for rain. A Sea God appeared and said..."If you can answer my question, you shall have all the drinking water you want. Which do you want...oceans of water or a pail of drinking water?". The most crew were silent, some were debating and the Captain said..."I want the pail of drinking water! Oceans of sea water will not quench thirst BUT a small pail of pure drinking water can save lives!".

It is human to want and hesitate when it comes to making decisions of 'having more' or 'having less'...but how many have the wisdom to see the Truth?

Water is like Air...it is necessary if you want to stay alive. SO, please drink enough water and at the same time please do not waste water.

Golden Tiger 2010

2010-02-10T07:00:00.002+08:00

Chinese New Year is around the corner. Every Chinese family is busy spring cleaning to welcome the Golden Tiger Year which falls on 14th February 2010. This is the busiest part of the month as everyone is shopping for new clothes, shoes, accessories...everything, if possible have to be new so usher in good luck for the rest of the year. This is also the time families shop for goodies for visiting friends. Mothers are busy buying good food for the auspicious reunion dinners. For those who can afford, reunion dinners are eaten in Restaurants. In cold countries, families will gather around for hot steamboat, merry making and toasting for a good year ahead.

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is a big event for the Chinese. No matter where you are, in whatever part of the world, whether you celebrate in a big crowd or with a few friends, you will never or should you forget your roots. I take this opportunity to wish all who visit here, be it you are a Chinese or a Foreigner,

MAY THE GOLDEN TIGER YEAR 2010 USHERS IN GOOD LUCK, GOOD HEALTH, PEACE AND PROSPERITY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY....!!!

For laugh...

2010-02-06T08:37:00.001+08:00

Teacher: History is a very interesting subject. It tells you about what had happened in the past.
Student: Please teacher, I don't think I want to study history.
Teacher: Why?
Student: There is no future in it.

Teacher : Beng, if your father has $10 and you ask him for $6, how much would your father still have?
Beng : $10.
Teacher : You don't know maths.
Beng: You don't know my father!

Mother : David, come here.
David : Yes, mum?
Mother : You really disappoint me. Your results are getting worse.
David : But I will only get my report book tomorrow.
Mother : I know that. But I am going to Hong Kong tomorrow, so I am scolding you now.

Father : Why did you fail your mathematics test?
Son : On Monday, teacher said 3+5=8
Father : So?
Son : On Tuesday, she said 4+4=8 and on Wednesday, she said 6+2=8. If she can't make up her mind, how do I know the right answer?

A mother and son were doing dishes while the father and daughter were watching TV in the living room. Suddenly, there was a loud crash of breaking plates, then complete silence. The daughter turned to look at her father.
Daughter : It's mummy!
Father : How do you know?
Daughter : She didn't say anything.

Girl: Do you love me?
Boy: Yes Dear
Girl: Would you die for me?
Boy: No, mine is undying love

Man: How old is your father?
Boy: As old as me
Man: How can that be?
Boy: He became a father only when I was born

Waiter: I've stewed liver, boiled tongue and frog's leg.
Customer: Don't tell me your problems. Give me the menu card.

Teacher : Simon, your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did copy his?
Simon : No, teacher, it's the same dog!

Father : Your teacher says she finds it impossible to teach you anything!
Son : That's why I say she's no good!

Teacher: Where were you born?
Student: Singapore, Sir.
Teacher: Which part?
Student: All of me, Sir.

A teacher was asking her class: 'What is the difference between 'unlawful' and 'illegal'?'
Only one hand shot up.
'Ok, answer, Joan' said the teacher.
'unlawful' is when you do something the law doesn't allow and 'illegal' is a sick eagle.'

Teacher: How come you do not comb your hair?
Ah Kow: No comb, Sir
Teacher: Use your dad's then
Ah Kow: No hair, Sir

A boy came home from school with his exam results.
'What did you get?' asked his father.
'My marks are under water,' said the boy.
'What do you mean 'under water'?'
'They are all below 'C' (sea) level'

A Good Story to Share....

2010-02-03T09:42:00.007+08:00

One day a Blindman and his dog was crossing the street. A big lorry lost control and hit the Blindman. The dog trained to protect its master died with him too.

The Blindman and dog came to Heaven's Gate. An Angel Gatekeeper looked at them and said "I am sorry we only have one place left and only one of you can go into Heaven and the other have to go to Hell".

The Blindman said "My dog does not know what is Heaven and what is Hell, can I decide who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hell?".

The Angel Gatekeeper felt disgusted. Raising an eye brow, he said " I am sorry sir, every soul have an equal right to Heaven. Both of you have to compete to see who enters Heaven's Gate". The Blindman was disappointed and yet he asked "So how shall we compete?".

The Angel Gatekeeper said "It is easy, the both of you just have to run from here to Heaven's Gate and the winner has the right to Heaven. Anyway you need not worry since you are dead and therefore you are no longer blind. You are much lighter without the grossness of the body...the purer your spirit, the faster you shall run." The Blindman agreed.

"On your mart, get set...GO!", the Angel Gatekeeper shouted. He thought that the Blindman will run as fast as he can to reach Heaven's Gate. Instead the Blindman took his time. The Angel Gatekeeper was surprised that the dog, instead of racing ahead was running beside its master. The dog did not run faster nor lacked behind but keeping pace with it's master. The Angel Gatekeeper realized that the dog was trained to lead the blind and it is an in depth habit that the dog will forever be with it's master and protect him. The Angel Gatekeeper thought to himself "So the Blindman is using this point to beat the dog to Heaven. Upon reaching Heaven's gate, he can always tell the dog to 'sit' and he can enter Heaven's Gate himself. How selfish!"

The Angel Gatekeeper watched with deep sympathy at the faithful dog and he said with sadness "You have sacrificed your life for your master and now that your master is no longer blind, you need not lead the way, ran fast and enter Heaven's Gate!" No matter what the Angel Gatekeeper said, the dog continued to ran next to it's master like they were going for a run.

True enough like what the Angel Gatekeeper thought, upon reaching Heaven's Gate, the Blindman told the dog to stop and sit. The Angel Gatekeeper looked at the Blindman with contempt. The Blindman turned, smiled at the Angel Gatekeeper and said " I finally sent my dog to Heaven's Gate. I was afraid that he could not find the way and wanted to be with me, so I thought of this way to lead him here. Please take good care of him, thank you." The Angel Gatekeeper was shocked.

The Blindman looked at his dog fondly and said " This is a good way to decide the winner because when I tell him to go, he just have to run into Heaven. This dog is my companion, my friend, my walking stick and this is the first time I saw him with my own eyes. This is also the reason why I took my own pace to run to Heaven's Gate. I wanted to spend a little more time with him. If possible I will like to see him enter Heaven with my own eyes. This should be the place for him." Once again, the Blindman said "Please take good care of him."

With this, the Blindman told the dog 'GO!'. The dog ran towards Heaven's Gate and the Blindman fell towards Hell like a feather. With just one more step to enter Heaven, the dog turned and saw his master falling. The dog immediately turned and ran after its master. The Angel Gatekeeper regretted his decision and hope to catch the dog but because the Blindman and the dog both have pure spirits, their speed were even faster than an Angel. Whether Heaven or Hell, the dog just wanted to be with its master and no where else.

The Angel Gatekeeper stood at Hell's Gate and thought to himself "I am wrong in the first place. These two pure spirits are actually one and how can I forced them to be separated?"

The morale of the story .....

In this world, there is only one Truth. However people always have their own perception and they are not able to distinguish the Truth. Do you know why? Because we are always subjective, we always stand on our ground and more or less take sides or use our past experiences or hurts to measure others goodness. Please do not 'type-set' others characters as you maybe wrong.

Wise sharing...Happiness

2010-01-29T22:12:00.003+08:00

Happiness is within oneself. Seeking it outside is like a fish in water. It is there and yet you do not see.

Happiness bought with money is only temporary.

Some time we do not feel happy but still we can give happiness to others.

How can you be happy when you keep thinking you are unhappy?

Simple thing makes simple people happy.

Happiness is not money but without money you can be unhappy.

If you built your happiness on others sorrows, how long can your happiness last?

We always say we want to be happy but when we are blessed with happiness, we do not know how to keep it.

You think happiness is fame and fortune but when you have fame and fortune, you will still feel unhappy because you want more.

Some think that Happiness is Love...it is not.

Happiness cannot be given, you owned it and you decide whether you want to let it surfaced.

Fools go around begging people to give them happiness. How can someone give you something that is inside you?

To me...

Happiness is sleep to 10am in the morning and not to worry about getting up to go to work.
Happiness is to curl up on a sofa with a cup of coffee and reading a book.
Happiness is humming a tune while trimming my plants.
Happiness is meeting friends and enjoying a meal together.
Happiness is being with myself.

I was at Pattaya in Thailand. After arriving it was 5pm in the evening. I took a stroll along the beach and realized that there was no one else there but me alone. I sat down and look out at the sea. I thought I saw a few sailboats racing around but they were no where to be seen. When I focus on the serenity around me and the peaceful sea, suddenly I was hit with a weird feeling. It was very deep, a little frightening but slowly this feeling turned into bliss. I realized that I just experienced SOLITUDE. I had the beach and the whole wide sea in front of me to myself. I am alone and yet I am not lonely. I was smiling and I am not aware of it. Friends said I have happiness written all over my face. They were curious what happened. I realized I can only show them happiness expressed on my face but I am not able to explain. Will they know when I tell them about SOLITUDE and BLISS? SOLITUDE is a very powerful feeling and BLISS starts from deep inside you. You have to experience it to know. So with these two feelings, HAPPINESS surfaced. Such feelings lasted for a long , long...time.

So HAPPINESS comes when you least expected it to.

Pain...

2010-01-23T14:22:00.004+08:00

A few years had passed but I did not forget the pain a friend had experienced. She is no longer around. I know she did not want to leave. She was only 35.

Pain...
was the day we broke up
It was the day I knew I had cancer
and
I was waiting for death
You were like cancer cells
spreading all over me
In every cells and every part of me

Pain...
was nothing that you can imagine
that I had to leave you
and
I am unwilling to do so
can you imagine every cells
experienced pain
when I thought of you ?

Pain...
every second, every minute
I reminded myself
that whatever there was between us
was over
the immense pain made me wish
that I had the courage to
expire immediately

Pain...
because I did not want to be
a burden to you
and
I can only drugged myself with
liquor to numb myself
temporarily
but
only temporally

Pain...
was to leave you with pain
Many years after
when you remember me
Will you still feel the
heart stinging pain?
Maybe
because I am someone of the past

Pain...
to me was 'I only live Once'
and
'I only love once'
Like a rainbow
it was over in seconds
with pain spreading all
over my body like
cancer cells....

There was no past
no present
and no future....

Good-bye!

First diaster of 2010

2010-01-19T19:40:00.006+08:00

As we moved into 2010, I said earlier that I am afraid that Mother Nature will be expressing more of her anger. In recent years we saw Tsunami that hit Asia, Cyclone that hit Myanmar, Earthquake that hit Sizchuan and now Earthquake that hit Haiti.

Reports said that a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti took an estimated 200,000 lives. Again an unexpected event shook the world. This earthquake took away so many precious lives and love ones from the surface of the earth, leaving so many homeless and heartbroken.

While countries stepped up to the calls for assistance with monies and assistance, there are those that work tirelessly to recover as many lives as they can. While the seconds and minutes tickle away, chances of recovering the people caught beneath all the rambles get lesser and lesser. I salute the people, organizations and medical people that work at the fastest and best speed to save as many lives as possible. I saw with heart warming joy when the rescue team pulled out a little child. I read with pain that because of the earthquake, the hospital is down with electricity. I sigh because people became frantic and irrational when rushing for food and water. There are more casualties. Looters took opportunities of the diaster and started looting when the military and police are busy saving lives. I cannot imagine people's hearts are so selfish that they took such ruthless way to get rich.

As I watched the news update, it brought tears to my eyes. People need help and so many places were affected and everything is in a mess, how to help all at once. No matter how desperate, help can only be available with limited hands.

We are so helpless against Mother Nature. When she wields her anger, wind howls, sea roars,earth cracked and people die. Only the recent years that all these are becoming more apparent. Has all these got something to do with all the harm we did to Mother Nature? Mother Nature is changing herself. The landscape is changing, weather changes, plants changed, animals extinct and some funny animals will appear (as it did after Tsunami because some new seas creatures and fishes surfaced), people are changing too. I read with much regret that some big power do not care much about the calls for Green.

Buddha taught impermanence. If the world need to change, it will. If the world need to clean up, she will. It is just something which is gradually happening. I am no psychic. Look around us. Sadden by the event, I can only direct my prayers to those unfortunate that they rest in peace. To those alive, may they have the strengthen to go on living, and now living with meaning and love.

I got an email from Blogger Unite however there are no collection of funds by any organization here in Singapore for Haiti. I wanted to donate to Doctors without Boarder but they do not accept direct donations from Singapore. I will have to assist in some other way.

Ohm Mani Padme Hum

Life journey...

2010-01-15T18:30:00.003+08:00

Where did I come from?
Who am i?
How is it that there is me?
What make the start of me?

Since I first became
I started a journey
I travelled far and wide
I experienced good and bad
I wondered in the Realms of
God and Man
Hungry ghost and animals
And did I roast in Hell?

To have this precious perfect body
Complete with full faculties
Living in the time and the land
Where a Buddha had arrived
To drink his nectar of Teachings
To know HIM, listen to HIM
Ponder on HIS words,
Bathe in HIS compassion

I have myself to thank
With HIS guidance
I know where I want to go
My final destination
But
Not my final resting place
When HE relentlessly give us a GPS
There are the Bodhisattva who
Work tirelessly, unselfishly showing
Us the WAY

I have wondered in Samsara
And dust and dirt
have thicken my mirror
I no longer remember how I look like
But my ears are not deaf
Therefore
now I take a piece of cloth
Diligently rubbing the mirror
Knowing one day I will
See the real ME

From now to than
I will still stray when
Encountering Samsaric landscapes
They are alluring,
hypnotically beautiful
But they are not real
I may wondered off

BUT I must not lose my VIEW,
my GPS and my Bodhicitta
or else I will lost my way
Oh! Lotus Borned,
show me the way
Oh! the Compassionate Ones
Pull me back when I strayed

Until I reach my final destination
May my wondering in Samsara be
In the Human Realm
Born into Good family
and in a blessed land where
Buddha’s Dharma is easily available
True Buddha ‘s Sangha is easily available
Place of Practice is easily available

I wish and pray, not just for myself
But for all Sentient, Infinite beings too
That we reach the shore of liberation
And suffer no more

Ohm Benzra Guru Padma Siddhi Hung

...Lian/ 2010

Words of the Teachers...

2010-01-13T17:55:00.003+08:00

I am reading a book "The Words of my Perfect Teacher" from Patrul Rinpoche. This book is important to practising student as we always forget how be a student. We always have our own perception as to what we understand and it may not be right. Many twist the Teacher's teachings to their own advantage. Therefore I want to share some excerpts as a reminder to myself.

1) Five Wrong Ways of Remembering
Avoid remembering the words but forgetting the meaning.
Or remembering the meaning but forgetting the words.
Avoid remembering both but with no understanding.
Remembering them out of order, or remembering them incorrectly.

2) The Six Stains
Pride, lack of faith and lack of effort;
Outward distraction, inward tension and discouragement.

3) Triple Gems
Teacher is the Buddha, the Teacher is the Dharma,
The Teacher is also the Sangha.
The Teacher is the one who accomplishes everything.
The Teacher is Glorious Vajradhara.

4) Listening to Teachings
Take the lowest seat.
Cultivate the dignified bearing of thorough discipline.
With your eyes brimming with Joy.
Drink in the (Teacher) words like nectar.
And be completely concentrated.

5) The Teacher
In the beginning, skillfully examine the Teacher;
In the middle, skillfully follow him;
In the end, skillfully emulate his realization and action.
A disciple who does that is on the authentic path.

6) Death & Karma
When the moment comes to leave, O King
Neither possessions, friends nor family can follow.
But wherever beings come from, wherever they go
Their actions follows them like their own shadow.

These are some of the wisdom to contemplate on. To know more, probably have to read the whole book.

Beginning of the year 2010

2010-01-04T15:45:00.001+08:00

I have been wondering what to post for the start of a decade. I am very laid back now that I have resigned from my job. Not that I am rich, I do need to survive but again enough is enough.

I was talking to some friends and we agreed that an ending of a decade will surely brings about unfortunate happenings. Many people felt that crossing a decade is like a 'walk-over', simple as that. For all that, they did not realized that it needs merits to be able to walk-over. Many did not 'walk-over', their lives ended in 2009.

2009 is an eventful year. The unexpected happened. The Earthquake in Sichuan carved-in swallowed thousands of families, homes and love ones...buried alive. Is there an incident like this one before? And again because of this incident, you saw the 'humane' side of people, people have not lost the pure side of themselves totally...they still have it and that is COMPASSION. You saw people helping children which is not their own but lost their own children in the disaster. You saw teachers, rushing children to safety and lost their own lives, you saw parent scarifying their own lives by using their bodies to shelter their child from falling stones and collapsing ground, you saw the World responds to this...is there a different in skin colors?, in religion?, in countries? NO, because all our blood are red and it is warm.

In India, we saw the Mumbai shooting. Again we saw the 'humane' side of people. Hotel staff trying to save the lives of their guests hide them but they themselves lost their lives. These are the heroes, not the people who are out to take people lives. I really do not know what is it that these Mad people wanted out of the World. Justice? Fairness? Religion? How can all these evil acts win anyone over to their sides? How can we trust ourselves to a group of mad people who used cruelty. The World is such a big place, Gaia had her own cleaning system. Those who killed others will be killed. Killing innocent people can go to Heaven? That must be a pretty chaotic Heaven. I don't want to be there.

We saw the passing of Michael Jackson. Unfortunate but real. Many of us grow up with his music. His dances and songs bring comfort to million, it even gives livelihood to many. His love and support for the unfortunate and nature, can all these be fake? People are cruel and selfish. When he is down, who is besides him? Where is his family? Where are his friends? What do people want from him....MONEY! When he passed on, everyone come together to pay their respect...to me it is pretty fake. Said all the nice things about him...to be frank, I watch the whole telecast with disgust. People calling him a fake, pick all the faults they can find in him, call him all kind of names...so who is fake? The saga will not end here. I pity his children. I think MJ cares most is his children, they are his comfort in time of adversities. It is a pity but MJ is no longer around to protect them from this fake World.

The crushed of the financial market caused so many people to be out of jobs. Who suffers? The people at the top? NO, of course the lower level staff. If anyone is to be axed, it had to be the staff, the people on top will not axed themselves. I think my parents will never imagine that the World can go bankrupt. How did it happened? People spent money before they can even make them...all the old schools of 'spend within your means' are shear old-fashioned. Now people are in debt, banks continue to create more opportunities for people to own credit cards and more borrowing, more debts. Spending is the only way to revoke the economy, but no job how to spend?

2010 is the start again of a new decade. What is in stored? The World is what we make it to be and we will see more mad people going around taking innocent lives and we will see more disasters, Global warming? some think it is too far away for now and others think that it is the job of some others. By end of 2010, we will see our scores. Meantime I will continue to pray, and many others too are praying for World peace and the safety of all Beings.

Have a Safe 2010.

Best Wishes.....

2009-12-31T14:10:00.001+08:00

WISHING ALL VISITING HERE

SUCCESSFUL, PEACEFUL & SAFE

2010

Connections....

2009-12-29T20:50:00.004+08:00

This time, again I am so blessed that I have the opportunity to meet H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche in Singapore. He is the 12 Lineage holder of the Payul Linage. Again I called this 'connection', my connection with the Payul Lineage. I suppose this connection started when I met the late H.H Penor Rinpoche in Bodhigaya, India. When my mother passed away, it was the Payul Rinpoche who did her Powa..... and now, without any pre arrangement, I met H.H. Kuchen Rinpoche, blessed by him and took Avalokiteśvara's initiation from him directly. I pray that Rinpoche lives long so that we all can benefit from his teaching.

I recalled it was during a Ningma Monlam celebration in Bohdigaya that I had the good connection to meet up with the late H.H. Penor Rinpoche. It was affinity and even after a hard day, the late H.H Penor Rinpoche was so kind to give us audience. Six of us met him and spent a few short moments with him. Because of this connection, the late H.H. Penor Rinpoche gave me a sliver bracelet. I valued it and kept it with care. Although I am not under the Payul Lineage, but Buddhism have no boundaries. The practices and basic are the same. I am grateful to the late H.H. Penor Rinpoche for instilling positive feelings in my heart. I will always remember him fondly.

The late H.H. Penor Rinpoche passing was a sad affair to all his monasteries monks, devotees, followers and other lineages too felt the lost. I heard of his passing unintentionally when I saw his CD and the shop assistant said that he passed away last night. I called this 'connection' because I came to hear it a few hours after his passing. All the more I rejoiced at the significant he left behind. During his passing, rainbows were seen all over the monastery and thousands have seen it. The butter lamps offered and petals like that of lotus appreared by itself. All these was wonderful, meaningful and gave so many hopes, joy and faith to ones' practices. Friends sent me the video clips on the holy appearances of rainbows and many others auspicious signs of an enlightened being. I pray for Penor Rinpoche swift return so that at this difficult times, beings will be able to be embraced by his compassion and teachings.

SADHU...SADHU...SADHU

Solstice...22nd December

2009-12-20T12:51:00.009+08:00

Winter Solstice falls on 22nd December yearly. This is the time when Chinese people must pay back all the favors asked from Gods and Deities when the year started. People will rush to temples, offer incense and oil to show their gratitude for a peaceful and safe year. This must be done before 22nd December or on 22nd December, or else they are late in giving Thanks. After 22nd December, all Gods and Deities will return to Heaven. They will give a report of all the goodness and evils done by each household. Every household will receive blessings or being punished for badness done. So to avoid bad luck, Thanksgivings must be done for a good start when the new year begins.

This is also the day that Chinese families will eat rice balls boiled in sweet soup. Mum used to make these little balls in pink and white. The significant is to show that we will be one year older.

It is also family reunion day. This is a tradition as Solstice marked the start of Winter. Winter is cold, and families gathered around fire and warmed their bodies by eating warm food from hot pot or steamboat and have children, relatives, grand children, and friends with them.

We are fast losing this culture and the younger generations are not bother with traditions. Because we live in a non homogeneous country, we started following others culture, making them stronger but weakening ours, as in Chinese. I admire and envy the Malays and Indians for holding on to their culture.....

Losing a tradition is like losing bonds...and losing our identity. People are colder and they have no time to care about their folks, let alone others and become more self-centered.

This is much regretted!

Something to PONDER...

2009-12-14T12:46:00.009+08:00

More thoughts from me...

A flower bloomed and faded, next year a flower blooms again…the look, the color, the size is exactly alike, is it the same flower?

A flower blooms, vibrant, colorful…standing with her face facing the sun and dances with the wind, do you see impermanence?

Live the moment, not worry about tomorrow and what will happen in the future. Tomorrow will take care of itself, the future is planned ahead…and if you lost this moment, you will never relive it again.

Appreciate your friends, they are here to keep you company, encourage you on the way, cry with you, laugh with you and standby you.

Accept your enemies. If they are not around, you will not know the sufferings of your enemies as well as yourself.

Others faults should be your mirror. You should check yourself with their mistakes and not criticizes their mistakes.

One’s faults, One’s Karma…what has that got to do with others?

Everyone wants happiness, so why are we adding our happiness to others unhappiness?

Live your life like a human; not like an animal. You will not survive in the animal world because there are even more ferocious animals than you.

You only live once. If you believe in reincarnation, plan what you want to be in your next life – a lowly person or someone with high-esteem?

Make hay while the sun shines, it may not shine for you tomorrow.

We have endless greed, so much anger…and bundles of ignorance. If we have lesser greed, curbed our anger and learn to be wise…life will be happier.

Happiness is inside you, it is yours, it is not given, no one can take it away from you BUT we always look for happiness externally, begging others to give us a little happiness, and blind to the fact that we owned happiness – how pathetic!

A man had a thorn embedded in his feet. He blamed the land he is standing on that it caused him so much pain. A friend offered him another piece of land to stand on, and yet he still feels the pain. So he flew off to another country, hopping that the pain will go away BUT he still feels the same pain? WHAT is the problem? The problem is not the land, the problem is the thorn – sounds familiar right? We always avoid the problem and putting blame on something else.

The lesser needs you have, a better person you are. Do you know why?

I rather be a WISE person, than an INTELLIGENT idiot!

Human works so hard for the money, fame as well as recognition. They spend all their times in chasing after materials gains – never have time to enjoy them. When they fell sick, they realized that they have neglected their health, their family and loved ones. When they die, none of the accumulated materials gains can they bring with them.

No matter how rich or how poor – the ONLY treasure you can bring with you when you die is your spiritual practices. It is a passport to THE OTHER SHORE.

A 2,500 years ago Teaching, live through Time and yet it is like it is written today. It is Timeless even for another 2,500 years because it is the Teaching of the Wise Teacher, My Teacher – the BUDDHA.

Hope the above sharing brings you Peace and Happiness.

REJOICE!!!