Sunday, December 23, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Do You Hear What I Hear?
This is one of my favorite Christmas song sung by my favorite singer, the Carpenters.
Enjoy!!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Shots in the Dark
Be informed for the sake of your children.
Do not subject them to 46 different types of vaccines before they are 6 years old.
We grew up without vaccines in the old days, caught measles, chicken pox etc as part of the growing process and developed life-long immunities.
Now, kids are getting vaccinated for everything and you start seeing many of them developing autism, immunological problems, allergies and mental health problems.
As a parent, you need to be informed before you let others make the decision that affects your children's lives.
Benefits of Resveratrol
Here is the reason for the French paradox ... why they eat lots of rich food but does not get fat or heart disease
The Drugging of Children
Watch this documentary to know how to protect your own children from danger...
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Black and White
Even if things are grey, it too will pass and life will be revealed in all its glorious color...
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Saturday, September 1, 2012
A Mustard Seed...
In the era of the Buddha, there lived a woman, whose only child died of sickness and was deserted by her husband. She was very sad, and wanted to end her own life.
She believed that Sakyamuni Buddha had the mystic power to revive her child’s life, so she carried the child’s body to see the Buddha.
She pleaded with the Buddha to help her, otherwise she would not believe that Buddha had mystic power and she would have considered Buddha’s enlightenment a fake.
Sakyamuni Buddha asked her to find a family who has not experienced death. Then she had to obtain from the family a mustard seed before he could revive the child’s life.
The woman visited many families and knocked on many doors. Each time, the family inside would shake their head and said that they could not help her. She could not find one family who had not experienced death in the past.
At last the woman realized all human beings must die, for immortality does not exist. It is impossible to resurrect the dead.
The woman finally realized the impermanence and suffering of life and decided to become a nun.
Sakyamuni Buddha told her: “Sickness is unavoidable, so is death. Buddhism teaches us the truth of life, so that we can transcend sickness, death, and all other sufferings in life”.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Being Happy
Happiness is a state of mind.
If you think you are happy, you are.
Even in the midst of sufferings, you can find people who are happy.
Why? Because they know that a moment of happiness is like the light shining through the darkness of their days.
And in that brief moment, they lived fully and feel the most alive...
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The Medicine Buddhas
Many of us know the MEDICINE BUDDHA as the blue colored Buddha who specialises in curing those who are sick or dying.
But actually the Great Medicine Buddha accomplishes much more and he brings HUGE SUCCESS in all areas of life!
In fact, the Blue Medicine Buddha is actually the manifestation of the SEVEN SUGATA MEDICINE BUDDHAS who each are extremely powerful for healing every type of concern in your life that may be causing you sleepless nights!
When one chants the Mantra of the Medicine Buddha and says his name with reverence, one is engaging the help of ALL THE Seven Medicine Buddhas, who each provides a very unique brand of protection!
Let us introduce you to the seven Sugata Medicine Buddhas, and the magical blessings brought by each enlightened King:
1. The blue coloured King of Lapis Light is the most well-known Medicine Buddha, and he specialises in healing you of all kinds of terminal and temporary diseases, poisons and suffering brought by pains and aches. He is the number one King of all Doctors, and has the medicine for all ills!
2. The golden Glorious King of Excellent Signs brings protection from court cases, violence, robbery, kidnapping, vicious animals and harmful spirits. Essentially, this Buddha keeps you safe from a smorgasbord of problems!
3. The yellow coloured King of Melodious Sound, Adorned with Jewels, Sun and Moon brings WEALTH and DESCENDANTS. Saying his name daily protects you from reversals of misfortune and helps resolve financial problems. Those who wish for a child will get a child. Those who wish for wealth will receive wealth!
4. The golden coloured King of Stainless Excellent Gold grants Long Life and offers protection against untimely death caused by sudden illness, accidents or natural disasters. If one is involved in dangerous work or frequent strange places regularly, seek the protection of this Buddha.
5. The pink coloured King of Supreme Glory Released of Sorrow removes all your emotional worries and brings happiness. This Buddha specialises in removing despair and sadness, and bestows beauty, happiness and love. If one has marriage problems or difficulty finding love, request the help of this Buddha.
6. The pink coloured King of Melodious Ocean removes foolishness and brings wisdom and knowledge - perfect for those studying or embarking on new careers. Say his name daily for those who are sitting for exams, or needing to find new employment.
7. The coral coloured King of Clear Knowing protects you from jealousy, malice and anger towards you, or emanating from you. He grants freedom to those who are controlled by others in a negative way. If you are caught in a difficult power struggle at work, then request help from this Buddha.
- extracted from WOFS.com
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Scholar Monk and the Arahat
Once there were two men who entered the monkhood at the same time but who followed different aspirations. One studied the sacred doctrines until he attained such a proficiency in them that quite a number of admiring students gathered around him to hear him teach.
The other practised very hard and eventually became an arahat with great spiritual insights.
One day, the two bhikkhus happened to meet each other for they had gone to see the Buddha at the same time. The proud master of the sacred texts, however, had no idea that the monk he just met was already one of high spiritual attainments.
Treating him with disdain, as he did most monks, the scholar wanted to embarrass the arahat in front of everyone by asking him questions from the texts which he was sure the arahat would not be able to answer.
What the scholar did not know, however, was that whoever brought harm in any form upon an arahat would end up being reborn in a lower world.
To prevent that from happening, the Buddha decided to choose and ask the questions himself. He put questions concerning the higher states of meditation to the scholar monk who, of course, could not answer them because he had not practised what he had recited and preached.
On the other hand, the second bhikkhu had no problem with the questions, answering them humbly but yet with evident authority. When the questioning session was over, the Buddha praised the arahat generously, but made no mention of the learned scholar.
The other bhikkhus wondered why the Buddha praised the arahat and not the illustrous teacher. The Buddha explained to them that although the first bhikkhu was well versed in and knowledgeable of the sacred scriptures, he did not live in accordance with the Dhamma.
The Buddha compared him to a cowherd who tended somebody else’s cows only to earn money and so did not get to drink any of the cows’ milk, while the one who practised the Dhamma was like the owner who enjoyed not only his cows’ milk but all the dairy products that could be made from it as well.
Similarly, the scholar monk only enjoyed whatever services his pupils afforded him but not the benefits of sainthood. On the other hand, though the arahat could barely recite anything from the sacred scriptures, through his diligent practise he had come to understand the essence of the Dhamma and so no longer harbored any greed, hatred, or delusion in his mind. He thus truly reaped the benefits of sainthood.
Though a person recites much of the sacred texts, but is negligent and does not practise according to the Dhamma, he cannot share the blessings of the holy life, just as a cowherd, counting other people’s cows, cannot taste the milk that comes from them.
Though a person recites only a little of the sacred texts, but practises according to the Dhamma and becomes truly wise, thus forsaking lust, hatred, and delusion, and no longer clinging to anything of this or any other world, he indeed shares the benefits of the holy life.
Green Tara Mantra
The practice of Green Tara helps to overcome fear and anxiety, but devotees also believe that she can grant wishes, eliminate suffering of all kinds and bring happiness.
When called upon, she instantaneously saves us from eight specific calamities. (Another lineage describes 16.) The First Dalai Lama lists the 8, and interprets them as representative of corresponding defects, flaws, or obscurations: 1) lions and pride 2) wild elephants and delusions 3) forest fires and hatred 4) snakes and envy 5) robbers and fanatical views 6) prisons and avarice 7) floods and lust 8) demons and doubt
- http://www.khandro.net/deities_Tara1.htm
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA
OM represents Tara's sacred body, speech and mind.
TARE means liberating from all discontent.
TUTTARE means liberating from the eight fears, the external dangers, but mainly from the internal dangers, the delusions.
TURE means liberating from duality; it shows the true cessation of confusion.
SOHA means "may the meaning of the mantra take root in my mind."
- http://www.tibetan-mantra-art.com/green-tara.html
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Buddha's Perspective on "God"
If there is an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient and omnipresent 'creator' of all, all of 'his creation' should be similar to 'him'. As this is not so, this 'creator' does not exist.
- Stonepeace
The Buddha argued, 'If Brahma ['creator God', if he exists] is venerable, victorious, invincible and the father of them all from whom we are born; if that Brahma is permanent, constant, imperishable, unalterable and eternal, then why are we, whom Brahma has created, impermanent, alterable, unstable and ephemeral?'
No theist has any convincing reply to that.
The Buddha made another argument.
He said, 'If God is omnipotent and the absolute cause of creation, a man should not have a will to do anything. Nor would he have any resolve to try anything. If it is so, why did God create us at all?'
There is no convincing reply to the Buddha's argument.
The Buddha put up also an ethical argument.
He said, 'If God is propitious and gracious, why do men become killers, thieves, adulterers, liars, backbiters, babblers, greedy, malicious and wicked? Is it possible in the presence of a good, kind and propitious God?'
The Buddha put up another irrefutable argument.
He said, 'If there is a great creator who is also just and kind, why are there so many instances of injustice?'
Lord Buddha said, 'Could he, who has eyes, tolerate such an awful plight? Why does Brahma not ameliorate his creation? If he is almighty and cannot by stopped by anyone, why does he not use his hands to perform propitious deeds? Why is his creation suffering as it is? Why does falsehood prevail over truth? I consider your God unjust, who created this world only to shelter injustice.'
The Buddha said, 'If an almighty God permeates all the creatures and makes them happy or unhappy, and makes them do right or wrong, then such a God is also tainted with sin; and either man is not under God's command or God is not just and good, or God is blind.'…
The Buddha came out with an argument, which proved fatal for theism.
It comes under his theory of Dependent Origination, which argues: 'The prime question is not whether there is a God or not. The prime question is whether God created the world or not."
'The actual question is how the creator created the world. If we could correctly answer how the world was created, we could justify the doctrine of God's existence to some extent…'
'The important question is whether a God created something out of something or out of nothing. It is not possible to believe that something was created out of nothing.'
The Buddha also said, 'If God created something out of something, then that something out of which something new was created has been in existence before he created anything. Therefore, God cannot be called the creator of that something which existed before him.'
The Buddha argued that 'If something has been created by somebody out of something before God created anything, then he cannot be said to be the First Cause of creation.'
It was this last argument of the Buddha, which was absolutely fatal for the belief in God.It was an incontrovertible argument, and still is.
- Extracted from "Why Am I An Atheist? by Dr. Dharmakirti"
Friday, August 3, 2012
Pure Land and back
If there are sentient beings,
who hear of this teaching,
they should aspire,
to be born in that land.
- Amitabha Sutra(The Buddha)
Who has been to Amitabha's Pure Land (Amitabha Buddha's pure realm manifested from his perfect compassion and wisdom for guiding beings to liberation) and back?
How do we know if it really exists?
Well, if someone not particularly special in any way tells us he had been to Pure Land and back, we will tend to doubt him.
If he describes Pure Land as it is already described in the sutras taught by the Buddha, we will wonder what is the point of listening to his repeated description.
However, if he describes Pure Land in ways not described in the sutras, we will doubt him all the more.
Yet, there are especially great masters, such as the 13th Pure Land Patriarch Master Yinguang, who expounded on the Pure Land teachings in detail… because he was indeed from Pure Land, being a manifestation of Dashizhi Pusa (Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva) from Pure Land.
The best proof of this identity, as revealed after his departure, are his great abilities and efforts to encourage countless to practise the Pure Land teachings effectively.
There are some who have direct visions of Pure Land when they practise well. Those who have been reborn in Pure Land and returned after training would be Bodhisattvas, who will never reveal their identities just for attention, but let their Dharma teachings and exemplary actions speak for their worth.
This is in line with Shakyamuni Buddha's strict instructions in the Surangama Sutra, as shown below, given out of great compassion and wisdom to avoid the prevalence of false claims for selfish gain in terms of fame and fortune, while confusing the masses with false 'Dharma' teachings -
'It is my command that after my parinirvana, in the time of the Dharma's ending [this period far from the Buddha's time], the Bodhisattvas and Arhats will appear before beings in whatever bodily [manifested] form may be appropriate for rescuing them from the cycle of death and rebirth.
The Bodhisattvas and Arhats may appear as elder monks or nuns, or as white-robed laity, or as kings, as high officials, as pure youths or maidens, or even as courtesans, widows, libertines, thieves, slaughterers, or traffickers in stolen goods.
Working side by side with these people, in order to lead them to enter samadhi, the Bodhisattvas and Arhats praise the Buddha's Vehicle [to Buddhahood], but they should never speak casually to people who have not yet studied the Dharma, saying, "I am actually a Bodhisattva," or "I am actually an Arhat," thus carelessly revealing the Buddha's hidden intent.
They can only reveal themselves at the end of their lives, and then only in private (to inspire them one "final" time).
Anyone who in any other way claims to be a Bodhisattva or an Arhat is deluding people with an egregious lie…
What I have said is what Buddhas teach. Mara, the Evil One, teaches otherwise.' (BTTS 2009)
Following this rule, when we look around in the 'spiritual marketplace' today, those who egoistically claim to be 'supreme' or 'true' 'masters' and 'Buddhas' are straightaway not even proper disciples of the Buddha, much less to say, qualified representatives of his teachings.
The limitless manifestations urged as skilful means for reaching out include any possible identity other than as enlightened beings.
Back to the opening questions, the truth is, even if there is no Pure Land, mindfulness of Buddha has to, by default, lead to the best rebirth as we ride upon his merits, as there is no safer or more meritorious subject for mindfulness of, especially on the deathbed, than a Buddha with perfect compassion and wisdom.
(Amituofo was spoken of by Shakyamuni Buddha in close to 300 sutras.)
Those who practise mindfulness of Buddha very well can depart for Pure Land at will before becoming old, sick and/or dying; when they are healthy, young and thus very much alive.
From ancient history to this modern day, there continues to be increase in already innumerable records of sincere practitioners who have done so. They manifest many classic auspicious signs of birth in Pure Land while departing very blissfully, joyfully citing the arrival of Amituofo or sight of Pure Land.
Such passing must karmically lead to the most blissful realm they aspire to reach – Pure Land. Some give way ahead yet accurate announcements of their departure dates and times too.
This is very powerful evidence for the efficacy of Pure Land practice because for ordinary beings, with the Three Poisons of strong attachment (to samsaric life), aversion (to dying) and delusion (of the afterlife), it is impossible to calmly and clearly know and say when they will depart, if not, as testified by them, due to having been personally informed by Amituofo of when he will arrive to guide them to his Pure Land. These advance notices are also Amituofo's skilful means to continually inspire us to have greater faith in him and his Pure Land!
If good men and good women hear [learn] of Amita Buddha [Amitabha Buddha; Amituofo], firmly upholds [practise mindfulness of] his name… single-mindedly [wholeheartedly] and without confusion [being scattered], for these persons, when approaching the end of life, Amita Buddha, with an assembly of noble [holy] beings, will appear before them. When their lives end, their minds will not be inverted, and they will immediately attain rebirth in Amita Buddha's Land of Ultimate Bliss.
- Amitabha Sutra (The Buddha)
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The Power Of Your Mind
It is your Mind that creates your Reality every day.
If you can imagine it, the mind will marshal all the resources from the Universe to make it happen.
Of course, if every day, you think of suffering, lack, being poor and not loved, that is exactly what you will get.
However, if your mind holds that you are loved, prosperous and enjoys abundance, that is exactly what will actualize.
So, be aware of how powerful your mind is. Train it to have good thoughts and good intentions and great things will just start flowing in your life.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
You Reap What You Sow
"Good morning," said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on ground. The man slowly looked up.
This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new.. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.
His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.. "Leave me alone," he growled....
To his amazement, the woman continued standing.
She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."
The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.
"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..
"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"
The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."
"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."
" This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it.."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...
The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"
"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.
"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business.."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled....... "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And do you make a godly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours?"
I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."
"Oh."
The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."
"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"
"Yes, maam. That would be very nice."
The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."
The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.
"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.. "Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."
"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."
"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."
Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said.. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."
"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.
"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet... If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus...... He led me to you."
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways....
"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.
"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And..And thank you for the coffee."
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Oneness with Life
When you are in harmony with the rhythms of life, all life around you is pulsing with the same drum beat... you just have to be still enough to hear it.
When you are at one with nature, everything comes naturally. There is no struggle, there is no suffering, there is only Oneness
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Always On My Mind
James Marsden - Always on my mind by magu1re
This version of "Always On My Mind", sung by James Marsden in Ally McBeal, is my favorite.
He is really so expressive in his emotion - he was singing for Ally but the birthday girl, Jenny, who was his ex-girlfriend, thought that he was singing the song for her...
And Ally could see that Jenny still have feelings for him...
Enjoy...
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Higgs Boson
Here is a clear explanation on what the Higgs Boson is...
A Joke : -
A Higgs Boson accidentally barge into a church that was in the middle of a service.
The Pastor exclaimed, "Hey, you cannot be here!! We are in the middle of a sermon."
The Higgs Boson replied, "If I am not here, how can you have mass?" :)
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Remove the Labels
It is time to remove all kinds of labels and celebrate the uniqueness and gifts in each of us
Monday, July 2, 2012
You Are Labeled
This is how pharmaceutical companies are making heaps of money by labeling you...
Do not just accept what your doctor say about you or attempt to place a label on you - get a second opinion, even a third one, do your research with Google and make your own decision.
Be empowered to be responsible for your own health...
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The Long Road
This Samsung advertisement, featuring James Magnussen, is awesome.
It shows the commitment of an Olympic competitor and the focus on the goal of winning an Olympic goal medal, despite all the distractions.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Giving With No Attachements
There is a Buddhist saying:
"You will be the Great Power [Strength] Bodhisattva [Mahasthamaprapta] if you show joy and unselfish giving to others; you will be the Great Compassion [Avalokiteshvara] Bodhisattva if you show kindness and compassion."
This means that every person can be a Bodhisattva.
When a person compassionately does good for others, he is the Great Compassion [Guanyin] Bodhisattva. When a person gives as much as he can and donates with resolution and brave zeal, he is [like] the Great Power Bodhisattva.
When donating our money, strength and time to help other people, we must also embrace the spirit of the Emptiness of the Three Entities – donors, recipients and alms.
None of the three should exist in our minds.
We must not keep thinking about the good deeds we have done. We must not feel we are particularly kind, nor should we keep in mind that we have donated valuable goods to other people. Moreover, we must not feel that the recipients of our generosity owe us any favor.
The essence of Emptiness of the Three Entities is that we try our best simply to help other people and not cling to the good deeds we have done. Then our deeds will bring boundless merit.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Mindful Eating
Mindful Eating
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Mindful eating is very pleasant. We sit beautifully. We are aware of the people that are sitting around us. We are aware of the food on our plates. This is a deep practice. Each morsel of food is an ambassador from the cosmos. When we pick up a piece of a vegetable, we look at it for half a second. We look mindfully to really recognize the piece of food, the piece of carrot or string bean. We should know that this is a piece of carrot or a string bean. We identify it with our mindfulness: "I know this is a piece of carrot. This is a piece of string bean." It only takes a fraction of a second.
When we are mindful, we recognize what we are picking up. When we put it into our mouth, we know what we are putting into our mouth. When we chew it, we know what we are chewing. It's very simple.
Some of us, while looking at a piece of carrot, can see the whole cosmos in it, can see the sunshine in it, can see the earth in it. It has come from the whole cosmos for our nourishment.
You may like to smile to it before you put it in your mouth. When you chew it, you are aware that you are chewing a piece of carrot. Don't put anything else into your mouth, like your projects, your worries, your fear, just put the carrot in.
And when you chew, chew only the carrot, not your projects or your ideas. You are capable of living in the present moment, in the here and the now. It is simple, but you need some training to just enjoy the piece of carrot. This is a miracle.
I often teach "orange meditation" to my students. We spend time sitting together, each enjoying an orange. Placing the orange on the palm of our hand, we look at it while breathing in and out, so that the orange becomes a reality. If we are not here, totally present, the orange isn't here either.
There are some people who eat an orange but don't really eat it. They eat their sorrow, fear, anger, past, and future. They are not really present, with body and mind united.
When you practice mindful breathing, you become truly present. If you are here, life is also here. The orange is the ambassador of life. When you look at the orange, you discover that it is nothing less than fruit growing, turning yellow, becoming orange, the acid becoming sugar. The orange tree took time to create this masterpiece.
When you are truly here, contemplating the orange, breathing and smiling, the orange becomes a miracle. It is enough to bring you a lot of happiness. You peel the orange, smell it, take a section, and put it in your mouth mindfully, fully aware of the juice on your tongue. This is eating an orange in mindfulness. It makes the miracle of life possible. It makes joy possible.
Friday, June 15, 2012
A Real Man
"If you want to be a real man, then you must know about etiquette and rites.
You must put humanity, justice and virtue as your utmost values.
When you achieve ambition or success, you have to pull the masses up with you.
When you are down, you do not resort to crass behaviour or fawning.
You should not allow wealth to dazzle and confuse you, nor should you allow poverty to take away your aspirations.
More important, you must not allow coercion and force to intimidate you and make you lose your integrity and moral courage.
If you can achieve these, then you can be considered to be a real man!”
- Mencius
The Chinese Sage, Mencius', observation is true during his time and it is still very relevant today.
With all the temptations, greed and evil-doers around, it is not easy to be a real man, someone with values and integrity.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Expect the Best
“It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”
- W. Somerset Maugham, English dramatist & novelist (1874 – 1965)
I truly subscribe wholeheartedly to the above statement by Somerset Maugham.
It is really when you expect the best of everything, the best outcome and the best result, that you really see how the Universe is manifesting in all its glory.
When you expect the best, you put out your intentions to the Universe that you are not going to settle for less than the best. And because of this intention, the Universe will deliver exactly what you expect.
If you expect bad results, you will get what you expect. If your expectations are one of excellence, that is what you will receive.
So, which would you want in your expectations - the best or the worst.
It is your choice...
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Beauty Unfolding
Flottille (detail) from Etienne Cliquet on Vimeo.
You can fall into a meditative state watching the unfolding of this origami sculptures due to the capillary action of the water.
Such simple beauty to enjoy...
What a Wonderful World
What a wonderful world indeed!!
The world is a miraculous marvel with all its beauty.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The Dreamslide
Check out this video about the Dreamslide, invented by a French man, Jean-Marc Gobilliard.
It seems to be very fun to ride - it does not have a bicycle seat and you move the Dreamslide like you are walking.
It costs about US$1,500 and you can order it at their web-site : - www.dreamslide.com
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Ellen DeGeneres and JC Penny Flash Mob
This is so much fun when people come together to dance spontaneously in a flash mob.
Enjoy!! Hope it bring a smile to your day...
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
The Power of Mindfulness of the Buddha
There was once an old man who wanted to leave home (renunciation). Although he was about seventy or eighty years old, couldn't get around well, and was aware of his impending death, he thought he could easily leave home and be a High Master of Buddhism.
When he arrived at the Garden of the Benefactor of Orphans and the Solitary, he found that Shakyamuni Buddha had gone out to receive offerings.
His disciples, the Arhat, opened their heavenly eyes and took a look at this man's past causes. Seeing that he hadn't done a single good deed in the past eighty-thousand great aeons, they told him he couldn't leave home.
When he heard this, the old man's heart turned cold and he ran, thinking, 'If I can't leave home, I'll kill myself,'
Just as he was about to throw himself into the ocean, Shakyamuni Buddha caught him and said, 'What are you doing?'
'I wanted to leave home,' cried the man, 'but the Buddha wasn't at the Garden, and the great Bhikshus told me that I couldn't because I have no good roots. My life is meaningless. I'm too old to work, and no one takes care of me. I might as well die.'
Shakyamuni Buddha said, 'Don't throw yourself into the ocean. I'll accept you.'
'You will?' said the man. 'Who are you? Do you have the authority?'
Shakyamuni Buddha said, 'I am the Buddha, and those Bhikshus are my disciples; none of them will object.'
The old man wiped his eyes and blew his nose. 'There's hope for me,' he said.
The old man's head was shaved. He became a monk and immediately certified to the first stage of Arhatship.
Why? When he heard that he couldn't leave home, he had decided to drown himself; although he didn't really die, he was as good as dead. 'I've already thrown myself into the sea,' he said, and relinquished all his attachment to life.
He saw right through everything, won his independence, and certified to the first stage of Arhatship.
This bothered the Bhikshus. 'How strange,' they murmured, 'the man has no good roots. We wouldn't let him leave home, but the Buddha accepted him and now he's certified to Arhatship. People without good roots can't do that. Such a contradiction in the Teaching will never do! Let's go ask the Buddha.'
Then they went before the Buddha, bowed reverently, and asked, 'We are basically clear-minded. How could that old man without good roots certify to Arhatship? How can the Buddhadharma be so inconsistent?'
Shakyamuni Buddha said, 'As Arhats, you see only the events of the past eighty thousand aeons ago.'
'More than eighty thousand aeons ago, the old man was a firewood gatherer. One day in the mountains he was attacked by a tiger and quickly climbed a tree. The tiger leaped and snapped his jaws, but missed. This tiger, however, was smarter than the average tiger, "I'll show you," it said. 'I'll chew through the trunk of the tree and when it falls I'll eat you.
Now, if a mouse can gnaw through wood, how much the more so can a tiger. Tigers can make powder out of human bones. It chewed half way through the tree and terrified the old man whose life was hanging by a thread.
Then he remembered, "In times of danger, people recite the Buddha's name," and he called out, "Namo Buddha!" which scared the tiger away and saved his life.
After that, the old man forgot to recite, and so on this side of eighty thousand great aeons, he failed to plant good roots.
However, the one cry of "Namo Buddha" was the good seed which has now ripened and allowed him to leave home and certify to the fruit.'
Therefore, reciting the Buddha's name establishes a firm foundation and plants good roots. Even just reciting the Buddha's name 1 time sincerely would generate a lot of good merits for your subsequent lives.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Machine Against 10 Men
This is funny...
It just shows how helpless men can some times be - they can run around like head-less chickens. Enjoy!!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Suffering Within Suffering
An example of Suffering within Suffering is to be penniless and also without any food to eat or any place to live.
This suffering is experienced by poor people. Lacking the very necessities of life, they cannot even find work. This kind of suffering is not easy to bear.
But wealthy people suffer even more. They experience the Suffering of Decay.
Having money, they have to continuously calculate about it. "I'll put this much in the bank. I'll take this much out and put it into a business venture. I'll take that much…" and on it goes like that all day long. They keep on counting their money until their hair turns white, their teeth fall out, their eyes stop working, and their ears go deaf.
But then trouble comes. The robbers get their number. They break in at night and pick the safe clean. [Editor: Wealth can lead to welfare of one and many too, but becomes problematic when clung to without generosity or used without wisdom.]
People in poverty get accustomed to their suffering, but when the Suffering of Decay hits wealthy people, they can't take it. It's very bitter.
Well, then, if you're neither rich nor poor, there's no suffering, right? There's still suffering: the Suffering of Process. Everyone goes through the process of ageing.
From youth, people pass into middle age, and then become old. Once they're old, they die. This process never stops. It continues with every passing thought.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The Power of Prayers
The Buddha is the greatest among all doctors,
able to cure all diseases of afflictions,
able to relieve people from all the great sufferings
of birth and death.
- Avatamsaka Sutra
Yes, Buddhists firmly believe in the efficacy of prayer.
When someone prays, his faith engenders a mental state of super normal, unified concentration, by which he can stimulate or arouse (gan) the compassionate vow-energy of the beings (such as Buddhas or Bodhisattvas) to whom he prays, and thereby receive a response. That is, the mental energy resulting from the supplicant's concentration tallies and interacts with the energy of a Buddha's or Bodhisattva's vows. This interaction, in turn, gives rise to an inconceivable extraordinary power, which produces the special experiences and efficacious results of prayer.
In Chinese societies, where Mahayana practice prevails, praying to the Bodhisattva Guanyin (Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara) [for example], brings about… miraculous results.
However, a benevolent deity or spirit actually already protects a reverent devotee of the Three Jewels [Buddha, Dharma, Sangha]. If she suddenly encounters misfortune, even if she doesn't pray at that very moment, her ill 'luck' [karma] will be averted, provided that she has firm faith. Prayer works because of firm conviction. If someone has unyielding faith, she is constantly under the protection of prayers.
Although Buddhists believe in the power of prayer, they do not emphasize that praying can solve every problem.
For example, if a Buddhist becomes ill, prayer is very important, and if she has confidence, then in certain cases, through pious, sincere prayers she can induce a sympathetic response and be cured. Therefore, we find Buddhists scriptures mentioning cases of people being cured through expounding or hearing the Dharma. But if the sick person lacks conviction and experience in (successful results from) prayer, she should see a physician.
So even during the time of the Sakyamuni Buddha, when a bhiksu became sick, he was normally treated with medicine. Therefore, it is generally believed that the Dharma is primarily for treating the spiritual illness of birth and death. For physical illness, one should use medicine. The ill should pray but also seek medical treatment: this is the view of an orthodox Buddhist.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Facebook Obsession
Statistics about FaceBook...
It is amazing how many of us are spending so much time on Facebook.
I too have a Facebook page but I have not updated it for more than 6 months. I just do not have the time and energy to do the updates.
However, I am really surprised at the way many of my friends update their Facebook with so much mundane and stupid things that you just wondered who they really are.
Don't they know that whatever is published on Facebook is there for the eternity? With Google search, you can find out anything you want about someone and the kinds of things that they have written in the Web.
And you have clueless parents posting all their babies/children photos, open to everyone on Facebook, oblivious to the dangers of pedophiles trolling on-line for kids. Don't these stupid people know that there have been many cases of kidnappings or assaults happening because the criminals got the info from their Facebook postings?
I have started to "Unfriend" many of those on my lists as I just could no longer stand their endless, mindless babbling about mundane things in their lives.
Please, "GET A LIFE"!! Seriously...
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Fear and The Lady
“Fear of imprisonment, fear of torture, fear of death, fear of losing friends, family, property or means of livelihood, fear of poverty, fear of isolation, fear of failure. A most insidious form of fear is that which masquerade as common sense or even wisdom, condemning as foolish, reckless, insignificant or futile the small, daily acts of courage which help to preserve man’s self-respect and inherent human dignity. It is not easy for a people conditioned by fear under the iron rule of the principle that might is right to free themselves from the enervating miasma of fear. Yet even under the most crushing state machinery courage rises up again and again, for fear is not the natural state of civilised man.”
- Aung San Suu Syi
The Lady is truly a courageous worrier who knows what the value of life is about. She has suffered much over the years with so much dignity and grace.
The world is truly blessed to have such a beautiful soul living in our midst. She is serving like a beacon of hope to all the people who have lost sight of hope and defeated by the evil that exists everywhere.
So, do not be afraid - overcome the fear! It is better to live a courageous, short life than to cling to a meaningless and cowardice one.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Widow's Mite
Today is Easter - Happy Easter to everybody.
Easter is a good time to reflect on Sunday School stories.
One in particular, The Widow's Mite, tells of a widow who donates two small coins (a mite being the least valuable coin available at the time), which was everything she had to her name.
Another woman, who is very rich, gives only a small portion of their own wealth. And she goes around boasting about how generous she was to all her friends and family.
Who do you think is more generous, in the eyes of God, and have acquired more merits?
The traditional interpretation of the morality tale is that the value of a gift is not accounted by how much is given, but by how much is kept back.
And whether one makes a song and dance about the "act of generosity".
Monday, March 19, 2012
Removing Evil With Compassion
Dalai Lama: In a Buddhist text called the Four Hundred Verses by Aryadeva, an Indian pandit, there is a verse which says that the Buddha sees the afflictive emotions as the faults, not the person who possesses them. It's more or less the case that there's no such thing as justified anger directed toward the person. There are no authentic grounds for being angry toward a person.
Yearley: Could one's anger toward a quality one thought had to be eliminated lead one to destroy the quality if it might involve destroying the person? For example, as I saw the concentration camp guard in Nazi Germany whose furious hatred was leading him to kill a person, I also realized he was a good father and a person who deserved to live. However I understood that the only way his hatred could be destroyed was to destroy the person.
Dalai Lama: This is justified in the following case: You recognize this evil propensity, or vice; you know it must be dispelled because of the ensuing harm that it would bring about; and – this is an extremely important point – out of great compassion arising from the wish to avert the great harm, you see that you must dispel the vice. Recognizing that there is no way to dispel that vice other than through an act of violence, then you may take the life of the person who bears that vice, without ever losing compassion for that person, and while being willing to take that act yourself.
What the above statements from the Dalai Lama mean is that when there is evil existing in the world, it is our responsibilities to confront it and resolve it with compassion.
So, if you have the opportunity to kill Adolf Hitler, it is justified to do that, out of compassion, to ensure that millions of people do not suffer due to his actions. Of course, there are consequences, from the karmic perspective, of killing someone but on the other hand, you also generate a lot of good karma and merits because of your act of removing this evil.
So, if you see evil, please do not turn the other cheek. You have to face up to it, with compassion and with equanimity for the good of your fellow human beings.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
FaceBook Parenting
Children today are so spoiled by their parents today.
If you think that by sheltering them from the realities of life, you are being a good parent, you are dead wrong. In fact, you are killing your children!!
How?
You are slowly killing your children by not equipping them with the necessary life skills to live independently. You are showing them the path to a miserable life by not letting them face adversity and teaching them an attitude of entitlement, that everything that they want, they can get without having to work for it.
You are killing your children by not showing them what actual life is about, with all the mundane things like doing laundry, housework, cooking and other day-to-day things that you need to do. There is no genie that just shows up and everything is done!!
Many famous people have died young because they have not been taught to live with adversity, to face the realities of life, the ugly side of daily living. It is because of this that many of them become deluded and try to run away from it and turn to crack and other drugs to mask the sufferings.
A little hard work and a adversity will not kill anyone. It is a challenge to develop the skills necessary to live a more fulfilled life.
God will not give you a challenge that He does not think that you can overcome and learn from it.
So, parents - think about how you are slowly killing your children with your indulgence, stupidity and laziness.
I applaud the courage of the father above, who knows what are the important things in life.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
We Are Young - Glee
Be bold - you are only young once.
Be bold to pursue your dreams,
Be courageous in the face of adversity,
Be compassionate in the midst of all the suffering,
Be grateful for being the one and only you...
Another version - live and acoustic by the original singer Fun
The official video : -
Another beautifully sung version in the studio : -
I Will Always Love You - Glee
What a beautiful song... and sung so beautifully.
RIP, Whitney Houston. You will always be loved.
Another version sung by Alex in Glee Project.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Joy Of Books
At night, when nobody is around, the books in a book-store stage their own dance party.
What a beautiful symphony of joy!!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Whitney Houston - A Gift to the World
Whitney Houston is such a shining light in this world. Her awesome and wonderful voice can lift your spirits when you feel down.
There is now another beautiful angel singing in God's choir in Heaven.
RIP...
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Living in a Grateful World
Be grateful to those who have hurt or harmed you,
For they have reinforced your determination.
Be grateful to those who have deceived you,
For they have deepened your insight.
Be grateful to those who have hit you,
For they have reduced your karmic obstacles.
Be grateful to those who have abandoned you,
For they have taught you to be independent.
Be grateful tot hose who have made you stumble,
For they have strengthened your ability.
Be grateful to those who have denounced you,
For they have increased your wisdom and concentration.
Be grateful to those who have made you firm and resolute
And helped in your achievements.
- from the Teachings of Ven. Master Chin Kung
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Flying Men Over Manhattan
Watch this video and be astounded to see 3 people flying over Mnahattan, New York.
What looked to be three people were spotted flying around the skies of lower Manhattan last Friday, causing a lot of double-takes and dropped jaws from onlookers.
But while it appeared to be a sight straight out of a comic book, it was actually a clever bit of viral marketing for this week's upcoming film "Chronicle."
Those aren't people in the air, but some very intricately designed radio-controlled airplanes.
Awesome!!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
A Single Breath
The Buddha asked a Shramana [monastic], ‘How long is the human life span?’
He replied, ‘A few days.’
The Buddha said,‘You have not yet understood the way.’
He asked another Shramana, ‘How long is the human life span?’
The reply was, ‘The space of a meal.’
The Buddha said, ‘You have not yet understood the way.’
He asked another Shramana, ‘How long is the human life span?’
He replied, ‘The length of a single breath.’
The Buddha said, ‘Excellent. You have understood the way.’
- The Buddha
(Section 38 of ‘The Sutra in 42 Sections’)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Beautiful Yosemite
Yosemite HD from Project Yosemite on Vimeo.
This video is a collaboration between Sheldon Neill and Colin Delehanty. All timelapses were shot on the Canon 5D Mark II with a variety of Canon L and Zeiss CP.2 Lenses. Project Yosemite Website: http://projectyose.com/ Contact info: info@projectyose.com
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Gong Xi Fatt Chye
Wishing everyone a prosperous and happy 2012, filled with an abundance of blessings, good health, luck and opportunities.
May the Year of the Dragon bring you everything that you hope for.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Somebody That I Used To Know - Walk Off The Earth
These group is so talented. They don't let the limitation of just 1 guitar to stop them from making beautiful music
Monday, January 16, 2012
Warren Buffett : Integrity
"In looking for someone to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy," said Warren Buffet.
"But the most important is integrity, because if they don't have that, the other two qualities, intelligence and energy, are going to kill you."
"When you hire someone to run your business, you are entrusting him or her with the piggy bank," according to Buffett.
"If these people are smart and hardworking, they are going to make you a lot of money, but if they aren't honest, they will find lots of clever way to make all your money theirs."
The rule is simple: People with integrity are predisposed to perform; people without integrity are predisposed not to perform.
The lesson is simple: Having integrity is more important than being good at what you do.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Karmic Affinities
One day, when the Buddha entered a village with his assistant Ananda, he approached a poor woman to share his teachings with her.
However, the woman disliked the Buddha so much, that despite his magnificent and pleasing appearance, she could not even stand the sight of him. Wherever the Buddha went, she would turn away. When he went to her right, she would look left. When he went to her left, she would look right… Even when the Buddha used his supernormal power to levitate above to catch her attention, she looked down and refused to look up.
However, when she saw Ananda, her attitude became the reversed. She was naturally drawn to him, and happily listened to the Buddha's teachings related by him, which she found to be beneficial. This is very interesting as though Ananda almost resembled the Buddha in form, he was still not his equal, and especially not the same in compassion, wisdom and skilful means. How is this outcome possible then?
In a distant previous life, the woman once lost her child and was consumed by much grief. A spiritual practitioner passed by and enquired after her. After hearing about her misfortune, he replied somewhat 'indifferently', that there was no need to grieve as death is natural. As he seemed detached, his words felt cold and hurting, which gave rise to her aversion.
When another practitioner came by and enquired similarly, he kindly offered his condolences, before sharing about the truth of death.
The first practitioner was the Buddha-to-be and the latter Ananda-to-be. Due to these karmic affinities formed, the woman developed a 'natural' disdain for 'the Buddha' and a 'natural' attraction to 'Ananda'.
As such,positive and negative karmic affinities can be carried not only from one moment to the next in this life, but also from one life to the next. This is a crucial reason why we ought to be mindful of the impact of our fewest words and slightest gestures, or even the lack of them, as they can affect present and future relationships for better or worse.
Although the Buddha, with his great wisdom, already knew the outcome of his approaches to the woman, what he demonstrated was the importance of doing our best in connecting to others, with as many skilful means as possible, before deciding the next skilful means is to step back, to let the 'next better player' try.
The inexplicable 'first' impressions we have towards total or near strangers are often due to affinities formed in past lives. As these perceptions are not always rational, and often result from emotional bias, as in the case above, we should learn to manage all relationships anew, to form updated and thus truer perceptions of people as they are now. Feel-good vibes might not always turn out good, just like feel-bad vibes might turn out unjustified. Unless proven 'hopeless' for the time being, all deserve second chances – including ourselves. Remember, if you believe any affinity to be beyond hope, you are fatalistic with dishttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifbelief in the dynamic nature of karma, whose power you always hold!
For true skilful means to arise,
true compassion and wisdom must arise
to create skilful karmic affinities too.
- extracted from The Daily Enlightenment
Monday, January 2, 2012
Three Levels of Suffering
The practice here is to meditate on the three expressions of suffering and to experience their nature.
The Buddha said there is one word that can describe the meaning of suffering, and that is fear. Fear is what suffering means.
But what is this fear? It is the fear of losing something that is pleasant, something that is very dear and beloved, something to which you have become attached. It is also the fear of gaining something that is unpleasant that you don't want.
Overall, you always get what you don't want, and you don't get what you really want. Therefore, we have three levels of suffering, which we call the suffering of suffering, the suffering of change, and all-pervasive suffering.
All pervasive suffering is the fundamental fear that exists whether we are happy or down. All of our feelings are pervaded by this fundamental fear, which is why it is called all-pervasive suffering. It's compared in traditional Buddhist literature to developing a fatal disease that has not fully ripened. You haven't really experienced it yet, but its presence is there all of the time, growing every minute. That kind of fundamental situation is known as all-pervasive suffering.
The traditional metaphor for the suffering of change is a very delicious cookie baked with poison. When you eat that cookie, it's very pleasurable – but it is deadly poisonous.
In order to show that more dramatically, Shantideva, in the Bodhicharyavatara, said the suffering of change is like honey on a razor blade. When we lick this honey, it's very sweet, and because of our desire and attachment, we want more and more all the time. With our poverty mentality, we lick the honey harder each time we experience its sweetness, and the harder we lick the honey, the deeper we cut our tongue on the razor blade. So the suffering or change is experienced initially as a pleasurable, pleasing feeling, but it leads us to suffering.
The suffering of change leads us to the suffering of suffering, which is the most obvious level of suffering. This simply means that, in addition to our fundamental fear, we accumulate further sufferings, one on top of the other. For example, after experiencing the delicious honey, we notice that we have cut off our tongue. When we notice that our tongue is gone, not only do we feel the pain of our wound, we also realize we won't be able to taste the sweetness of the honey again in this lifetime.
As we work with and examine the three levels of experience – pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral – we can see they are related with the three sufferings. Pleasurable feelings are connected to the suffering of change, unpleasant feelings connected to the suffering of suffering, and the neutral state of mind is connected to fundamental suffering, all-pervasive suffering. So mindfulness of feeling is being totally watchful and present with every level of fear.
This is the mindfulness of feeling from the perspective of the general Buddhist approach.
- Extracted from "The Best Buddhist Writing" by Melvin McLeod
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Sydney New Year 2012 Fireworks
Happy New Year!!
Wishing all of us a joyous, happy and prosperous New Year!!
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