My visit to Borobudu 2016

This trip is an eye opener to me. It's amazing that Buddhism already entered Indonesia in the 8th// 9th Century. I  took many pictures during the trip. We eat like a king and drank coffee from civet cat's shit.

INDIA TRIP 2015 (1)

This is a much waited trip for me. The last time I was there was like so so long ago but I never forget that I was there with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Late Ribur Rinpoche, Late Lama Konchok and Dharma friends. I was then ignorant and did not place important significant to this visit.

However after so many years, once again it rekindled my wanting to visit the Land of Buddha, walked the ground he and all Bodhisattvas paced, remember the merits and greatness of Buddha and thank him for leaving behind a legacy - the Path to Enlightenment.

We left on 1st October and returned on 16th October 2015. We are grateful to Khenpola Ngwang Gylasten and Lama Tenzin (both from Sakya, Daradun India) for guiding us on this meaningful trip. In all there are only 8 of us, a small but cohesive group. We set foot on this journey which brings more meaning and awareness to me this time. Khenpola is not a tour agent so we just follow our hearts to where we want to go.

Upon arriving India, we were booked into WangDu Guest House in Delhi which is ran by a Tibetan family. A small setup but consist of a fantastic eatery. We were here for 2 days.

1) Our 1st visit - SANKISSA. It is a long journey which took us early before sunrise and returned late at 9pm. The journey is even further than Agra and not easy to find. We asked around and the drivers took us to our destination. The place where Buddha descended from Heaven after teaching to his Mother and Beings of the heavenly realms. We did our prayers, offerings and walked the ruined. There is nothing much here but a small shrine, an elephant monument but it has a meaning. Buddha taught us filial piety.

 

2) The next day we left for Bodhgaya. In Bodhgaya we stayed at Kriti Lodge, 5 minute walk to Mahabodhi Temple. We spent 4 days in this location. We managed to offer robe to the Buddha and also pearls.

 

Mahabodhi Temple and the Seat of Enlightenment

 

3) While in Bodhgaya, we visited Sujata Village and Mahakala Cave.

 

 

 

Tracing history and reliving and recalling the Buddha teachings - Remembering the Four Noble Truth and not forgetting our Bodhicitta. (jounery to be continued)



SABAH EARTHQUAKE...

Today Singapore is flying the National Flag at half mast in respect to those who perished in the Sabah Earthquake.

Now the Earthquake is moving closer to home. No one expect it will happened in Kota Kinabalu. These time it killed 8 Singaporean - one Teacher, one Guide and the remaining are 12 years-old students from Tajong Katong Primary School.

It is heartbreaking to the school, schoolmates, families and also Singaporean. There is still one teacher and one student missing and we pray for their safe return.

My prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved ones. These are young lives and they are going through a leadership program. They are the leaders of tomorrow but we lost them.

It is not the first time such program are held at Mount Kinabalu which is a favorite of people around the region. Its a nature reserved filled with flora and fauna. Unfortunately this place when boulders are hurled during the 6.1 quake provides no place to hide or avoid the meteor of stones because it is an opened barren area where there are no vegetation.

 



Actually my brother just came back in May from this same trekking. At times it is the timing and various factors that one has to be there at the specific point of time. Whatever, it is still heartbreaking to see the lost of young lives.

Thailand again....

Have been missing here partly due to work and time constraint. I could have blogged from home but am so lazy after a day's work, mentally exhausted and drained. It is no joke updating profiles and apps for the benefits of Users.

I took a trip again this time in late November 2013 to Thailand. Despite the mobs and protests going on, I supposed I am use to such of Thailand. It is part of their life and life goes on. Those who bothers joined the mob, those who need food go back to work - who bothers. Thailand depends on tourism and I can see the amount of tourists in the airport certainly did dipped. To the joy of those like me who wants to get good exchange rate, I have my wish fulfilled (S$1 = B25.04). Anyway all the monies that I changed goes back to Thailand when I did all that I need to do. Shopping is last on my list, it all goes to temple donations, robe offerings etc.

Like to share some photos here. This is a Temple built by a Thai Actor...don't remember his name. It is a massive landscape and the Temple that house a giant Somdej Phra Buddhacara Toh Phramarangsi statue in gold. Not sure where is this place, Kohlak or at Nakhon Ratchasima. Most devotees are after amulets from Wat Rakhang and they are collectors'items.

This beautiful temple boast super clean restrooms. You have to take off your shoes and wear a house slipper to the toilet. This place also boast free food, from appetizer papaya salads to main dish chicken rice, kao phat, phat thai, and dessert like chandol. My brother and the group settled for the noodle soup. The Q is much shorter and it is always 2 helpings. Of course we donate to the money box so that such activities can go on and benefits others.

Because it is a place of worship, the people who came in buses are Thai. I hardly see foreigners like Singaporean. Singaporean is only interest in shopping and eating and so they are settled in the main city of Bangkok.

Do visit this place and enjoy the beautiful landscape and food. Thumb up to this Thai Actor who activate this place and the massive people who maintain and cook for people visiting here. Whether you are Thai or Foreigners, help to keep this place clean as it is now. 

KUDOS!

Co-Retreat 2013 - Bintan

 

We had our company yearly retreat and chose to stay at Angsana Hotel, Bintan. This is a sister hotel of Banyan Tree and therefore we expected good service and they did delivered. The concept is different from some family hotels where you have so many kids running around and the noise pollution of screaming kids and adults can be annoying. We took some beautiful photos of the group, scenery, food and the team building training that when on for 3 days 2 nights. We also did not missed the famous Banyan Tree Spa but it did not delivered to our expectation. However the Angsana Spa had a nicer, vibrant ambient and the therapists were engaging, friendly and warm. The Jamu treatment is highly recommended if anyone is going to stay at this hotel.

 

It is true that a picture speaks a thousand words and therefore I have many pictures to share here. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buddha's Birthday...

VESAK Day celebrates the Birthday, Enlightenment and the Parinirvana of Sakyamuni Buddha. Today is Buddha Birthday, Chinese Lunar Fourth Month Eight Day which Buddhist acknowledged as the Million Buddhas Birthday! Today is also my birthday.

Because it is a holy day, holy in the heart to those who believes. I believe in the teaching of the Buddhas, the Dharma which is the Truth and the Sangha who spread and carry on the Teachings. May I and all Sentient Beings benefits from the merits of the Triple Gems.

Above is a Birthday Greeting from Khenpo Dorje. Thank you Khenpola.

Wat Manao - Suphan Buri

Wat Manao ( Manao in Thai means Lime) is situated in Suphan Buri. The Temple is more than 100 years old. The current Abbot is Luangpo Chuchat. He is also the head monk for Suphan Buri District.

I met Luangpo Chuchat went he came to Singapore to celebrate ChaoKun's of Wat Ananda's 80th birthday. It is affinity and we connected. From than on, I will visit Luangpo Chuchat whenever I go to Bangkok.

The Buddha in Wat Manao is slightly different in design as compared to most temple. This particular Buddha was placed near a riverside. The giant Buddha's statue was moved into the Temple with a roof above it by Luangpo Boi (he passed away 119 years ago).

When we visited this time, there were some constructions going on. Luangpo Chuchat showed us the place where he is building a museum to house all the old Buddha statues and amulets given to the Temple. He is also building a place where lay people can stay over doing retreat.

To farm this project, Luangpo Chuchat  commissioned a set of 5 Buddha's amulets which is unique to Wat Manao for sales. He only made 5000 sets and by the time we were there, it was left with only slightly more than 80 sets. These amulets are unusual and it became collectors' items.

I was very fortunate as Luangpo is my Master and he gave me 2 different types and 1 to my brother. The amulets are retailing to raise fund so it is Bht 1,000 per pc. The set of 5 is Bht 5,000.

Phra Maha Chedi Tripod Trimongkol

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.

Out for a ride...

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!