Nothing lor.....

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

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!

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

Naga Vase

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...

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

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...

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'