Leslie Cheung and his songs…

Below is my tribute to the one and only, irreplaceable Leslie Cheung! I used most of the songs that I can remember to do a story...dedicated to all the undying fans of Leslie Cheung!

*An unbelievable six years has gone by and yet 'I Miss You Much’ from your fans did not subside. From an 'American Pie', you shot to fame and this gave you a chance to 'Start from Zero'(有零开始). You continued to 'Chase'(追) after your dreams and we, after you. As you became more and more popular, you laid your 'Naked Secrets'(赤裸的秘密) for all to see without fear.

*'Who Would Understand'(有誰共鳴)? Did it hinder your fans from loving you? No, we continue to scream for Leslie Cheung and we got to hear more and more of your romantic ballads. So when 'The Wind Starts Again'(风再起时), we knew that it is going to be 'The Unconventional Wind'(不羁的风). With that, 'Wind Continues to Blow'(风继续吹), it blew us to the magic land of 张国荣!

*When Leslie belted 'Monica', we cannot help but yelled along. So we all 'Stand Up' and dance. We 'Fall in Love with you'(为你钟情). Many 'Young Girl Thoughts'(少女心事) were of a Prince Charming. Dreams of 'Stolen Love'(偷情) grew into 'Deep Love'(儂本多情). We knew Leslie is a 'A Song at Midnight'(夜半歌声) that hooked us on.

*Now that you 'Refuse to Play Again'(拒绝再玩), we 'Lost You for Life'(一背子失去了你). We were heartbroken and we 'Blamed you for being too Beautiful'(怪你过分美丽). In the 'Dark Midnight'(黑色午夜), we left all our 'Previous Love'(当年情) behind. 'In this Lifetime'(今生今世), we 'Deeply Embrace'(深情相拥) only you. While you were singing 'Love in the Snow'(雪中情) we took a closer look at your 'Profile'(側面), it was unbearably beautiful. For this we became your 'Platonic Ones'(红颜白髪).

*Your 'Silence is Golden'(沉默是金) now. We are 'Afraid we won't meet Again'(只怕不在遇上). People asked: 'Who makes your heart goes crazy'(谁令你心痴)? It was your 'Sweet and Tenderness'(柔情蜜意) and the seductive 'Red'(红) roses that you sent to all of us.

*We have 'No intention to sleep'(无心睡眠) and keep 'Opening the Mail Box' (打开信箱). Trusting that we 'Bound to be Lucky'(始终会幸运), that all these are but a 'BAD Joke'. We 'Adore'(爱慕) you. Our wish is simple, we 'Don't need too much'(无需要太多) but we need 'Fate'(缘分) to bring us together again. Now, we no longer am able to move 'Forward to the days in the future'(奔向未来日子) with you, you chose to travel alone.

*'This Criss-Cross Love'(恋爱交叉) is 'Burning Hot'(热辣辣). Friends started to doubt our love for you. We can only say 'The Moon represents my Heart'(月亮代表我的心). When our 'Brows and Eyes meet'(眉来眼去) again, it brought out 'A Bit of Craziness'(一片痴) from 'People with Intentions'(有心人). You were a 'Big Heat'(大热), my Dear.

*Furthermore your 'Fragrant and Magnificent Distinction'(芳华绝代) made you a 'Celebrity'(明星). Is that 'Enough'(够了)? 'All Because of You'(全赖有你), our days of growing up were not so monotonous. Your news never fails to make us 'Drip Sweat'(滴汗).

*Have we lost you our 'Little Star'(小明星)? 'All These Years'(这些年来) effort of hoping to grow old with you is gone. 'When Love Became History'(当爱已成往事), we can only 'Hold on to Yesterday'(留住昨天). This is an 'Illusion'(幻影) but how do we stop 'Thinking of you'(想你)? We have even forgotten our 'Left and Right Hand'(左右手).

*'The Blues of Sadness'(蓝色憂郁) reminded us of 'Childhood days'(童年时). Will you be back as 'Lady Ghost'(倩女幽魂) Ning Cai Ceng? or Shi San Shao of 'Rouge'(艳脂扣). Maybe you should do 'Farewell my Concubine'(霸王别姬) again. 'Good if it is true'(当真就好).

*We are 'Getting Through This Together'(共同渡过). When comes April every year, we are 'Not Afraid of Loneliness'(不怕寂寞) to once again open our wound, and love you all over again.

*I am sure we all have 'A Thousand Dreams of you'.... Leslie!!

我心痛'今生今世'...'只怕不在遇上'. 当'风再起时', 我想起 '当年情'. '全赖有你'...所以能'共同渡过'. 你的'芳华绝代'显示你是'明星'. 现在的你'沉默是金'选择'拒绝再玩'. '夜半歌声' 我 '为您钟情'....

寄..心爱的哥哥...张国荣!

Supporting Earth Hour

This once a year event is over. I did my part as a global citizen. I wish more people are aware of this campaign but looks like the ratio is still very low. I believe everything takes time. The most important is the support of the government. I wonder will the government consider switching off power for an hour?

Anyway I did switch off all the electricity in my home, including my fridge. No fancy, I just lighted T-lights, cheap and not too bad for ambient. What did I do, I read a few pages of a book I bought this afternoon under candle lights and did my prayers...and an hour is up!

Starting at 8.30pm....and Finishing at 9.30pm


The Neighbourhood

Blocks of apartment nearby!

Planning next year to do an hour of prayers recitation with a group of friends with each participant holding a candle dedicating to World Peace.

Therefore this posting is a closure... I took some pictures and sharing it here with all.

Cheers!

Earth Hour 2009

The day for Earth Hour Event is drawing nearer. As a reminder, it falls on 28th March 2009 at 8.30pm to 9.30pm Singapore Time. If you are elsewhere, do find out your country time and participate in this meaningful event.

I observed while driving along the roads that signage of this event is posted on Bus Stops. Suntec even have it displays as one of the advertisement on the big screen. You will not miss it when you stop at traffic lights along this stretch of roads leading to Marina and Nicoll Highway.

Singapore is playing her part in this Global Event. Going green is not new to us. This is a beautiful little island and well known for being green. If you have not been to Singapore, do come and visit us. It is our island, our home and I am proud of her.

So how can we spend our time this year to support this event? Well maybe the following can help....

1) Switch off all electricity at home.

2) This means your refrigerator too. You can take it that it is a 'switch-off' for you to clean your fridge.

3) Re-direct your home phone to your handphone as home phones need electricity for it to work. In this case you will not miss any incoming calls to your resident.

4) Plan a BBQ on the beach. Plan a bonfire camping. Plan an evening out with oil lamps and mahjong table at the seaside. You will love it with the sea breeze and family togetherness.

5) Plan a trip to Jek Jawa with your children. Teach them about nature and their natural habitats and what others are doing to save the environment.

6) Arrange for a Tree Top walk at Pierce Reservoir. Teach children about plants and trees and their names. You may even stumble upon some special animals or insects.

7) Book yourself and friends on a Kelong. On the Kelong you can drink beers, catch-up as well as star-gaze. With minimum lights, you will be able to see bigger and brighter stars.

8) Take your camping tents and camp at the seaside. You can swim, sleep and eat. This is a wonderful time to have a day out of the house. To get a better place, you will have to leave early to pick your favorite spots.

9) Go for nature walk and take with you a glove, a long stick and a garbage bag. Pick up plastic bottles, coke cans, broken glasses, pieces of papers etc. that are thrown around by irresponsible people. Clean up the place and the air.

10) For those that are driving, maybe for today you camp and not drive. Give your 'girl-friend' or 'wife' or whatever you call your car a break!

11) For those who do not wish to leave the house, buy scented candles, red wine, potato chips and cuddle on the sofa for one hour and whisper 'sweet nothing'!

12) This is also the best time to sit around without lights and tell spooky tales with a candle. The effect with be dramatic as it is also the All Souls month for the Chinese which begins on 27th March 2009.

9) For those that are afraid of heat, you can end up in a shopping center. I suppose there are places where the lights will still be on. So enjoy yourself.

To give back an hour to the Earth is not too much to ask. It is only an effort on our part. An hour out of the 365 days, we are talking about 0.000 fractions but when it is done together globally, it means a lot.

We have to start to take the Earth seriously. It is our only home. Have someone found some place in outer space where we can immigrate? The Moon? Even if we move there and not take care of it, the day will come when we have to have Moon Day as well.

So there is no where to escape but be responsible and aware of our thoughts and actions and what is the results. So let’s join our hands together, give the Earth back an hour. After that, try to save as much electricity as possible, whether at home or at work, it will save $$$ for your pocket.

Cheers guys, JUST DO IT!

1,000 arms, 1000 eyes... Chenrezig

Namo Ratna Trayaya…Avalokitsvara....Yes, this is the starting line to the Great Compassionate Avalokitsvara’s Dharani – the 100 syllabus recitation of the 108 names of the manifestations of the Great Bodhisattva 1,000 arms, 1000 eyes Avalokitsvara (Chenrezig).

My affinity with this Bodhisattva started when I was born. Mum said she got me adopted by the Great Avalokitesvra. In this event, I become one of the many children of Avalokitesvra. Many referred to the Bodhisattva as ‘HIM’ but I prefer to think of the Bodhisattva as ‘HER’. Her great compassion and loving kindness are her vows that created a karmic link with all sentient beings as long as they call out to her. She vowed that as long as we call out and we need help, she will manifest in whatever form to fulfill our wish. Therefore such Great Beings have no form. They can be a Dog, a bridge, a woman, a man and even a medicine.

I do not know why but I was chosen with 4 others to learn and memorize the Dharani when I first started to learn Buddhism. We were asked to recite the whole Dharani without fail. I was obedient. I was ignorant enough not to ask the purpose and the benefits and why must I do it. It is follow the crowd attitude but I did not know that along the way, this Great Bodhisattva gave me a sister. Yes, Alice my eldest sister as she is the oldest and one of the four chosen ones. Today, with my parents gone and without any relatives but my two younger siblings, Alice became my mental support.

The Great Bodhisattva protected me from harm, both human and non-human. She protected me from death. She answered so many of my prayers. She appeared in dream to comfort me at time of sadness. She sees to it that I am always with good people and good companies. She sees to it that I do not deviate from Buddha’s teaching because I pray to her to close all unfavorable paths so that I do not go astray. Because of her loving kindness and compassion, I too develop these attributes. I am still far from perfect with lots of defilements but I have made the first step. So it is great to have the Great Bodhisattva Avalokitsvara as God Mother.

As I grow older, I learn more and more about her. You may say all stories are just legends but none has such great stories to tell. Many more laymen or Buddhist practioners will tell you even more mircale stories of what this Great Bodhisattva has done for countless beings. These are not make-up stories but true happenings to the individuals or to people around them.

I have been caught up in the web of Samsara. The daily mundane dealings really eroded my precepts. I got caught up with anger. Although I continue to do good, donate and follow good courses, do my daily prayers but all these are not good enough. I suppose it is my karma and my stubbornness. I have prayed for a Guru, someone who will guide me, someone who will hold my hand and teach me step by step of how to go about the right way to pray, the right way to do rituals, the right way to connect with my personal deity BUT years after years, I am all alone. I can hardly stick to any Gurus although I met many along the way. There are many good Gurus that I venerate and respect. It is a connection but never went deeper into it.

When I thought that I may have found a Guru that I may be able to associate with, that is Lama Konchog but he passed away. I watched Lama Konchog for some time. He had a fierce looking face, he speaks no English but there is something around him that attracted me. I rejoice that I had the opportunity to know him, confide in him and accepted his assistance to link me back to my past Guru. Maybe my link in the past is not strong enough, although in his presence but I am not able to get close to him. So every time when I saw him in my mind-eye, I will do my prostration with visualization.

Recently I attended a one day retreat at Genting, Chin Swee Temple. It is the Great Compassionate Avalokitesvra's Dharani Retreat organized by a Singapore group. I learnt about this from Vicki of Green Tara. It is also the ripening of opportunity that I am able to get leaves to attend such auspicious event. The other reason is of course Shangpa Rinpoche is presiding the event.

I met Shangpa Rinpoche when I attended services at KKBC. I saw him many times, had audience with him a few times but being me, I really do not know how to ask or communicate with Rinpoche. However, I found that I can connect with him. I somehow know that I can reach out to him for assistance and I did. I thank Shangpa Rinpoche for his unfailing attention when I SMS him when my late mother was sick and was sent to hospital. I would call him and he never failed to answer the phone. I have no thoughts as to whether he is busy or he may not be in Singapore, I just called. How ignorant can a girl be and how compassionate is a Guru. I deeply appreciate the support he has given me. I never forget his kindness to me at time when I feel the most helpless and hopeless and do not know which spiritual teacher I can turn to. Shangpa Rinpoche did many prayers for my late mother. He did it for a girl who did not even appear in front of him to ask for favor but just through handphone. How rude can I be? It is at the back of my mind that I want to reconnect with Rinpoche again. I can go to KKBC to look for him, to attend his teachings or take part in the events the Center organized but I do not know why I did not move forward. Buddhism talks about the rising and falling of conditions, probably I am waiting for the rising of a condition. It did arise.

It was a one day retreat and the sitting down cross legged from 6.30am in the morning to 9.30pm at night was a true testing. We observed the Eight Precepts for one day and actually it is a layman's monk practice. If it is practiced correctly, the accumulated merits is immeasurable let alone observing the Eight Precepts with the continuous recitation of Great Compassionate Avalokitsvara's Dharani and Mantra. Although there were breaks in between, with this sitting, I realized how fragile is our body, how great is the arising of such conditions to practice and to practice under a great teacher. We managed to complete 15,000 times recitations of the Dharani and Mantra. I rejoice for all Sentient Beings.

It was a simple and yet grand retreat in it's own way. We had the closing ceremony with Incense Offerings and flying of prayers. We released birds and tortoises which is a practice for long lives and good luck. At time like this, we truly need all the blessings we can get from the Divines.

NAMO RATNA TRAYAYA, NAMO ARYA JNANA SAGARA BEROTSANA
BYU HARADZAYA,TATAGATAYA, ARHATE SAMYAK SAM BUDDHAYA
NAMO SARWA TATAGATE BHE ARHATA BHE
SAM YAK SAM BUDDHE BHE
NAMO ARYA AVALOKITE, SVRAYA, BODHI SATOYA, MAHA SATOYA
MAHA KARUNIKAYA,
TEYATA OM, DHARA DHARA ,DHIRI DHIRI ,DHURU DHURU
ITTE WIT TE,
TSALE TSALE, PRATSALE PRATSALE
KUSUME, KUSUMA WA RE, ILI MILI
TSI TI DZOLA MAPANAYA SOHA

With this Dharani, I pray for the safety of all Sentient Beings. May all those who lay their eyes on this Dharani be safe from all untimely death and adversities. May all Gurus live long to spread Buddha's teachings to benefit all Sentient Beings. May my parents of past, present and future be blessed by the Buddha in following the Path and never fall into any lower realms. May all suffering beings be alleviated from wherever they are and be freed when they see or hear this Dharani. May my wishes be fulfilled and that I am always in good company. May I follow the footsteps of All the Buddha and Great Bodhisattvas for the sake of Sentient Beings.

With this note, I thank Shangpa Rinpoche for instilling back in me my faith and this Dharani for making all my broken vows good again. May Vicki and Stephen of Green Tara be blessed with many more great thoughts and abilities to organize such good activities to benefit all Sentient Beings. May all Beings be well and happy!!

Qing Ming Festival...

Festival is around the corner. It falls on the Chinese Lunar 3rd Month. This year it falls on 27th March 2009. To the Chinese, this is All Souls Day. Family with ancestors will gathered at temples to pray for the departed. Children will visit ancestors' graves in the cemeteries. Others will visit temples where ancestors’ tablets and ashes are kept.

This is also a picnic day as families will bring with them lots of food, drinks, incense papers, incense, paper monies, paper clothes and what they believe the deceased will like. Many wondered whether the dead will receive or use such paper items burnt for their benefit. To me, it is Chinese Culture. It is to show filial piety to departed parents and ancestors. They are our roots and without them we are not here today. It is also family gathering day as all members, relatives from far and near will surely make it to "Sweep the Grave".

Children whose parents are buried will bring with them red/ gold paint to touch up the words on the tombstone if the colors faded. This is possible because of the rain, shine and the work of the elements will also erode the mud around the grave. Feng Shui believes that ancestor's grave must be in good conditions because it reflects the future of the living generations. So people will patch up holes with mud, laid out food and drinks and at the same time have a feast at the grave. The most important aspect is to ask for 4-digits lottery numbers. Of course some do strike it rich and they will say that their ancestors are blessing them with fortune.

My parents are cremated and their ashes and tablets were placed in a temple. When I booked the place for Dad, Mum said she wanted hers booked in advance and now both of them are together again side by side. I am not a superstitious Buddhist. I remember my parents and visit them as and when I wanted to. I do not wait for Qing Ming to do so. However on these 15 days, there are prayers and chanting by monks for the departed and people contributed to these activities to elevate ancestors to Pureland.

Normally after the prayers, families will leave behind some fruits, food and drinks on the grave. The remaining will be taken home for every one's consumption. My parents told me a story about a young boy who makes part time money during this festival by cutting overgrown grasses for graves when families of the departed pay them for it. These boys spent the whole day at the graveyard and they normally ate the food left behind on the grave. The law is that you can eat food that was left behind on the grave but you cannot make fun of it.

One day two boys after consuming some food were left with fruits on their hands. Instead of consuming them, they threw the fruits at each other like a Hit and Run game. As they ran along, they picked up more fruits from all the graves around and threw at each other. Of course they had fun. The not so good news was both of the boys fell sick. They were down with fever and doctors' medicines cannot bring it down. They were not able to neither stand up nor walk because they their limbs were wobbly. Parents were worried but they knew these boys were making extra monies cutting grasses for graves. The boys must have offended the 'spirits'. After checking the Almac, it truly indicated such happenings and both boys admitted that they took fruits and threw at each other. The boys’ family brought with them food, fruits, flowers, incense and incense papers and prayed to all these 'spirits' asking for their forgiveness. Say what you like, after praying, the boys were up and running again the next day. All fever and wobbly legs were gone.

My uncle was buried in one of the cemetery. Months before that, Mum dreamt about Uncle (Dad's eldest brother). Mum saw him looking up at the roof and water was leaking down. The hole was quite big. When Qing Ming came, we visited his grave and we saw a big hole by the side of the grave. The mud eroded creating the tomb curving in with a hole. Mum immediately recalled her dream. Dad quickly got the boys nearby to sell us mud to patch up the hole and filled up the curved-in and the grave looks like new again. Therefore, days like this are not to be taken lightly. Behaviors and respect have to be appropriate.

This year as usual, we have joined a prayer session in a temple for this purpose. It is a marked of respect to Dad and Mum and the Wong Family ancestors. It is a duty and responsibility to one's parents even though they are no longer around. My parents live in my heart always!

Papa and Mum, I love you both....

Somewhere In Time.....

I usually travel alone and most of the time is work related. Moving alone can be lonely but it gave me lots of freedom to move around, shop around, admire nature, be with myself and enjoy solitude. I love nature and discovered that Mother Gaia is beautiful. She is simple and from the least expected places, I find joy! I realized that happiness is actually within. These elements are nothing new and you see them everywhere....did you notice them? I took the pictures on my trip in 2007. Hope you enjoy "Somewhere in Time"......



A moment of Breath....
A moment of Sight....
A moment in Life....
How many saw the beauty?
How many realize?
How many is aware?
That she silently passes by?

Han Shan and Shi De

I read this article written in Chinese. I did not put in much effort in my second language which is Chinese while I was in school. It was hard for me to understand some of the meaning of the Chinese characters therein, however I like this article so much that I decided to copy and keep it.

As I mature and go deeper into Buddha’s teachings, I realize the profoundness in his words. The two monks in conversation were two great Bodhisattvas - Manjusri Bodhisattva (Wisdom) and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (Energy). This was when they both took human forms in this world. Due to our defilement, none recognized them until they passed away.

Therefore in any holy places, be aware because you will run into people and you do not know who they are. It could be an angel or Bodhisattva you are talking to. Do you believe?

Many of us in our life journey met adversities at certain point of time. Did you ever wonder why at that point there is someone there to help you? That person could be a stranger, could be someone you met at a function, could be the regular face you met in the market but when you get out of your difficulties, these people also moved out of your life. You remember them but you do not meet them anymore. Ring a bell???

I found this article again when packing my place for renovation and it evoked my feeling that I must share it with readers. To the Buddhists, especially Chinese speaking and reading Buddhists, this article is a famous piece written about the conversation between Cold Mountain and Renounced. Cold Mountain was asking Renounced how to look at life. It is common that people look down on others who are less educated, less intelligent and poorer fellow beings. Some even abused less fortunate in term of verbal attack or even physical attack. In this intelligent conversation, Renounced cited the loving Maitriya Bodhisattva thoughts and actions when facing such obstacles. In a way, it is also educating all of us about ‘voidness’ and ‘impermanence’. It teaches us how we should look at our own Ego and letting go of it. The Chinese has a saying ‘Go back one step and you will see how wide and spacious is the sky and sea’.

I tried my best to translate this piece for the benefits of my English readers who wish to know or who happened to stumble here. May you be blessed with wisdom in your daily life and be safe where you are.

The Conversation between Cold Mountain (Manjusri Bodhisattva) and Renounced (Samantabhadra Bodhisattva) - 寒山问拾得

One day Cold Mountain asked Renounced :
If someone slanders me, bully me, laugh at me, look down on me, treat me lowly, loathe me, lie to me, how shall I manage this?

Renounced said :
Endure it, yield to it, let it be, stay away, bear it, respect it, ignore it and look at it again a few years later.

Cold Mountain asked again:
Is there any other way to avoid it?

Renounced said:
I read a poem written for Maitreya Bodhisattva. I shall recite it here for you.

(Below is the gist of my summary)

Old man (Maitriya Bodhisattva) wears a robe，He is happy with a stomach filled with simple meals. His robe is torn and tattered and he patched it up to protect himself from cold. There is nothing to worry about because everything is predestined.

If someone scold old man, old man just say 'Good'. If someone hit old man, old man just fall to the ground. Tears and mucus on my face，no need to bother as it will dry by itself，I save my energy，and he saves his anger，Paramita such as this, is a treasure to apply. If you know how to use it, you will find the Way out.

A person can be weak but not weak in courage. A person can be poor but not poor in spirit，If you decide to follow the Path, than you should use the Path as a guide. Sentient beings loves richness and fame but such things are nothing in my eyes. Name and fame are but emptiness, I do not craved for them，One may accumulate wealth like a mountain，but one cannot buy infinite with it. Sentient beings craved for tributes and gifts，Gods crave for power，Kong Ming had great wisdom and yet he could not save his master. HanXin had great merits, he died by a swing of the sword. So from past to present, how many live to a thousand? One wants to be a hero，another wants to be a great man, look at your grey hair and the wrinkled face as years go by.

Night and day shuttle by quickly, times fly by swiftly. Sickness will appear gradually and by than you will sigh, 'why did I not make use of my youth to cultivate the Path?'. When sickness comes knocking on my door, I wish I could turn back the clock. Unfortunately my time is running out and Death is at the door step. Once I lost my life force, what else can I do. I will not be able to hear gossips nor can I recognize my home. I no longer can compete with others and I cannot be the great man I wanted to be. When scolded I am not able to retaliate, when asked I am like a dumb man. When beaten I cannot hit back, when pushed I roll around. I no longer am bothered that others will laugh at me, neither am I worry about others jeering at me. I no longer worry about my reputation. When my children cried and sobbed, I no longer see them. So I struggle for name and fame what did I get but buried on a piece of land.

I looked at Sentient beings, they are good at providing lip service. I urged all to turn back and cultivate the Path. Be a Man and cut all illusions. Jump out of the fire and be a free man. If you understand the true Teachings, the Sun and Moon will always be your friends.

* End*

My translation may not do credit to this piece of profound teaching. You need to know a little about Buddha's teaching to understand this piece. It is about humility, letting go, compassion, loving-kindness, voidness, impermanence, wisdom and energy to do so. The practice here or The Way is not just the teaching of Buddhism, it is also in the teachings of many other religions as well. If someone slapped your right face, give your left face to be slapped as well. You will ask WHY? Crazy or what?! It is not an easy practice and to many of us, the Ego is bigger than 'SPACE'. What will happen if you slapped back? You will fight, probably one got kill and...one ended in the hangman's room. Is it worth it? Therefore in this profound teaching, there is not boundary. Look at it without being bias and use your own "TEACHINGS"...you will see a new perspective. That is why I wanted to share...HanShan and ShiDe wise's conversation.

May all Sentient Beings be well and happy!