Sunday, December 26, 2010

Mani Recitation Retreat 2010



Initiated by the Late Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche, this is the 10th Annual Mani Retreat in Singapore! and the 3rd year being held at Suntec.

This year, it is led by
His Eminence Thritsab Rinpoche & Drikung Kagyu Lamas.
There is a change in the team of Sangha on stage leading the chant.
The same hugh picture of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.
(Somehow, on the 2nd day afternoon, there was a mixed feeling of touch moments when glancing at the picture that I just couldn't resist photographing the same picture again)
Quite a number of familar faces among the participants...

And no more red chanting books as they project the Tibetian, Mandarin and English translated chants and praises on screen
Which I somehow miss flipping of the physical pages:-p

Om retreat at Suntec convention hall 6 timetable
25-28Dec
8am Rinpoche teachg followed by Mani recitation (1st session)
10.30am Break
11am Mani recitation (2nd session)
12.30pm Lunch
1.30pm Mani recitation (3rd session)
3.30pm Break
4pm Mani recitation (4th session)
6pm Dinner
7pm Teaching by Rinpoche then Mani recitation (5th Session)
9.30pm Dedication of merits
10pm End of session

Partimers are welcome
More info at:
http://maniretreat.org/

Om Mani Padme Hum !
Another successful accomplishment of 100 million!
[From Participants during the retreat: 100,985,550
(after the deduction of 5 % due to sleepiness, missing, omissions, unclear chanting etc); and From Online pledged participants: 24,174,000: The total Mani count: 125,159,550 ]

A cake was baked in celebration of 10th Annual Retreat accomplishment. Wished we could have a piece of the cake to try...:P
Anyway, greatly appreciate the organiser, volunteers, Rinpoche & Venerables/Lamas who led us through another wonderful retreat.

We wish they could organise the 11th retreat back at Bright Hill Temple which many participants who started their retreats there spoken to, still prefered the energy there.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Celebration Day of Amitabha Buddha





Every 17th of Lunar month of November is the Celebration day of Amitabha Buddha.
Had a quick visit to S'pore Buddhist Lodge during lunch today.
I like the serene tall stature symbolising Amitabha Buddha welcoming beings.
Standing near to the tall Buddha stature near the right hand, one feels like been comforted and given a pat on the head by the Buddha. :-)
Amituofo! :-)

Received following sms:
今天是农历十一月十七,让我们庆祝 《 阿弥陀佛圣诞 》。

《阿弥陀佛》一句名号具足了无量光明无量寿命,圆满包括了一切诸佛的大功德,大智慧与大慈悲。


因此,若净心的念《阿弥陀佛》,就能帮我们消除业障,离苦得乐,福慧增长,往生极乐净土,圆满佛道。 

《 南无阿弥陀佛 》

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Playmobil


Had a rare relaxing weekend to visit Vivo City and at a Mega Toy store, saw great figurines of Playmobile. Couldn't resist taking a snapshot. :-) Seems like Playmobil has started its promotion efforts again as it can now be found in numerous toy sections of shopping centres & shops with increasing themes. Fond memories of childhood days... :-)

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Blues Chaser


Feeling Blues, stressed from work datelines that caused me to miss my weekly blues chaser Dharma talk sessions.
Perhaps I am really relying Too much on compassionate Venerables who often would highlite Words of Wisdom so relevance to help expel any displeasure thoughts developed.
Reflecting, I should rely more on myself to develop wholesome thoughts to counter unwholesome ones.:P

Anyway, went shopping with S but was still blues that I do not have the spirit uplifted until I chanced upon this shop at Chinatown Point that sells Burmese Scandal wood products.
The serene smile of the Buddha miniatures caught my attention.
The polite salesperson was very kind to show me several until I finally decided on one (per picture) and hopefully always seeing the serene smile, I could also develop the same in time.

May All Be Well, May All Be Happy...
Amituofo:-)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Dharma Master Heng Sure in Singapore


Attended his 20 Nov session, not disappointing to the audience, he slanged his Mandarin, played his guitar and sang Buddhist hymns.
Addressing the topic: he related Dukka to stress and gave brief illustrations on the 8 modes of stress.
Contentment was cited as one way to cope with stress as being able to wait and be patient, one's heart will be in peace.
" One who knows contentment is always happy, one who learns patience always know peace"

For those who loves his songs, he recommended the web: http://www.dharmaradio.org/,
click on Paramita/Acts of kindness and find out how to download his album for free.
Alternatively, you may pay & download from iTunes via search for his name. :-)

He also has his own blog: http://paramita.typepad.com/ (Dharma Forest)

Sunday, November 21, 2010

For the parents....

A Food for thought...from an email received ...

------------------------

Pencil: I'm sorry
Eraser: For what? You didn't do anything wrong.

Pencil: I'm sorry because you get hurt because of me. Whenever I made a mistake, you're always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes vanish, you lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.

Eraser: That's true. But I don't really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong. Even though one day, I know I'll be gone and you'll replace me with a new one, I'm actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad.
I found this conversation between the pencil and the eraser very inspirational. Parents are like the eraser whereas their children are the pencil. They're always there for their children, cleaning up their mistakes.
Sometimes along the way, they get hurt, and become smaller / older, and eventually pass on. Though their children will eventually find someone new (spouse), but parents are still happy with what they do for their children, and will always hate seeing their precious ones worrying,
or sad.

All my life, I've been the pencil. And it pains me to see the eraser that is my parents getting smaller and smaller each day. For I know that one day, all that I'm left with would be eraser shavings and memories of what I used to have.

This is to all the parents out there.

-------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Robe Offering Event 2010 at Foo Hai Monastery


Rejoicing to see the compassionate Venerable Hai Tao again at the Robe offering event held at Foo Hai Monastery. Caught a picture of him sitting beside the pillar with inscriptions of what I deemed as right description of his acts. Arrived late just in time after joining bro Benny's life liberation event at Marina Bay before Venerable is to give a Dharma talk on benefits of robe offering. The event is to allow devotee participation to offer 7500 robes to Venerables to India, Sri Lanka etc places.
Interested parties could still contact Buddhist Life Mission at 6836 9088 (after 12 pm) for more information.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Aspiration

I wonder if I have some karmic obstacles, I always fall ill when I took leave for the recent retreats.
The most recent one is a real test.
The nite before the retreat, I even developed high fever of 38.99 degree,
I think my heat tolerance was rather high:P,
However, deciding that I should not waste my hard-earned leave and recalling a recent article that our Willpower can overcome illness with positive mental thoughts, decided to give it a trial.

I took my favourite Chinese herbal cold remedy , Ge Gen Tang, & make sure I took lots of water as advised by friend, I went to bed recordly early but I decided to do some meditation which I had lazed on, yes, the meditation on the count of Amitabha Buddha.
I realised that maybe because when I am sick, my mind will be less active & more focused, meditation can be performed better.

Being mindful of the Buddha really helps, the breathe naturally gets regulated and is a natural healing remedy. If possible, also visualise warm lights radiate from the Buddha, from the 3 saints towards one and the universe to all those who are also suffering from illness.
I guess throughout the nite, when I sleep, my mind is still mindful of the Buddha.

Forcing myself to wake up every 2 hours or so, to take water to detox and repeating the meditation exercise before I sleep. I found my temperature dropping fast and by morning, I recovered to 37 degree. And despite constant waking up over the nite, I felt fresh.

I decided to continue with my original plan to attend the retreat and to break-off should my condition relapse.
Surprisingly, I felt good throughout the morning. During the lunch-break, I retook temperature, and everything is normal. Even after sneaking out from the retreat place during the long lunch-break & back, I was feeling fine but perhaps being in & out of the heat does play a part, and too much exercise for the day after recovering from illness, near the end of the day's retreat, I felt inflammation of the throat and lost my voice. :P
Other than the small discomfort, I am still fine but when I reach home, my headache arose and retaking my temperature shown it rising close to 38 degree. Okay, an early nite again and similar exercise and with blessing of Amitabha Buddha, it is normal again by the morning.

However, despite recovering, this imbalance of heat of the body does cause some mild side-effects of discomfort and my voice had not fully discovered. So, I decided to take it easy in the morning to skip the morning session to rest more and run some errands.

Meditation method on mindfulness of the Buddha does really help to regulate one's breath and recover. I was able to participate in last section of the retreat & fever did not come back in the evening.
However, as I did not watch my diet as I had some fried stuff, my voice did not recover well.
I repeat similar exercise though did not as frequent and I awoke early on 3rd day for my final retreat but a storm formed as a test of my determination, I gave way to stay at home to avoid getting drenched and falling sick again as despite mind over body won, I could feel the illness does cost one low immunity tolerance. I stayed at home to do some meditation to build up my immunity instead.
After a delicious home-cooked miso soup lunch, ensuring that temperature is right, I returned to the retreat. And having had a good rest and wanting to compensate what I had missed in morning, i was able to concentrate better and repent more.

As per Venerable's closing speech, taking good care of our body without attachment to it is really important for our daily lives and retreats.
This illness obstacles is a good learning lesson and 1 Aspiration arose:

May All Beings Who Wish to attend Dharma Retreats to be free from all discomforts and obstacles to attend the retreats wholeheartedly. :-)


I am thankful to my boss who allows me to take leave despite tight work schedule.
I believe if I had remained at work, i would likely have 2 days' MC for the high fever.
By having a short-break, despite weak in body, at least now mentally I am more able to return to the work challenges awaiting me...
感恩.
Amituofo.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Venerable Thubten Chodron's 2010 Teaching Program


We are really fortunate in Singapore to have so many Dharma events in 1 weekend that we are spoilt with choices. A delay in registration for another event & a change of mind when notified of of Ven. Chodron's retreat.
As Venerable put it, she used to have to travel half the Earth to India to seek Dharma in the 1970s as well as the ancient Chinese Masters risking lives in ancient times walking across deserts to seek Dharma from India & return to China, we are really fortunate to be in retreats within an hour's travel, however, we should not take such good karma for granted.

I have decided to quickly pen down some points to share and serves as a reminder of what's learnt from the talk/retreat before I forget & have no time later, just like retreat a month ago which is still in draft with no momentum to complete it.:P
Pardon is sought for any misinterpretation or incorrect remembrance.

22 Oct 2010 7.30pm At Tai Pei Buddhist Centre -
"Our Precious Human Life"

We seek to become Buddha for benefit of all beings.
Our Enlightenment depends on each & every being, if we leave anyone out, our Bodhisattva motivation is incomplete.
Our Enlightenment also depends on every person we don't like. we must learn to like them.
Who hurts most? Ourselves by bearing the thought of dislike.

What is meant by Precious Human Life?
What is Precious?
The human life is Precious because we have the intelligence and good opportunity to meet the Buddha's teaching and apply it to nurse our own spiritual hearts.

Venerable gave a few examples that we should not take our present circumstances for granted.
Relating to a visit in Denmark to a defective ability children's home, the children benefited from the country's welfare scheme that they have all the good environment and overwhelmed by colorful lively toys and environment but ....
During the Soviet union days or China in just after Cultural revolution, the people had much difficulties to get in touch with Dharma.
Hence, we should not take our current conditions to be in contact with Dharma for granted.

We also always have the mindset to demand Others to be Perfect and that meant they have to do what we want them to do but when defending ourselves to be imperfect, we have the excuse that we are still practising.

In comparison to others who may not have the right conditions, we have the precious human life and should be appreciative of what we have and practise towards path of Enlightenment.

There is an interesting Q&A that as Buddhists, we are always striving towards practising compassion, would that become a point that would be abused by people of other religion?
We should be wise in avoiding unnecessary advantage taken of and the fundamental decision to help should be is the act benefiting anyone positively?
Most religion teaches us to be good so what had been claimed as practitioner of another religion, that person may had misinterpreted the basis of the religion just as a lot of us pray-pray Buddhist may proclaim ourselves as Buddhist but may not have understood/practise the true Dharma.

23 & 24 Oct 2010 10am -5pm At Tai Pei Buddhist Centre -
Skies of Merit Retreat



Retreat is the time for us to reorient strong friendship with ourselves.
Dharma is the salvation of suffering from real life understanding.
The Buddha is the Perfect Excellent Teacher of Experience. He was once like us but figured how to cut root of confusion, ignorance in his own mind and gain Nirvana. His Teaching is reliable as He did not make up the path. For those who had been to India pilgrimage trip, we know that it is not easy to walk and teach Dharma in India for 49 years.
The way to practice is taught by Ven. Chodron via introduction to:
Seven Limb Prayer
Reverently I prostrate with my body, speech and mind,
And presents clouds of every type of offering, actual and mentally transformed.
I confess all my negative actions accumulated since beginningless time,
And rejoice in the virtues of all holy and ordinary beings.
Please remain until cyclic existence ends,
And turn the wheel of Dharma for sentient beings.
I dedicate all the virtues of myself and others to the great enlightenment



Brief reasons for the Seven limbs & detailed illustration via the 1st few paragraphs of King of Prayers: The Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra
Why bowing or prostration?
This act of Humble overcome our pride and train our minds to see good qualities of Triple Gem.
Ven. taught us Tibetan style of full prostration:
Put our hands together, the right hand represents compassion and the left hand represents Wisdom. The hands clasp with thumbs in hand symbolises holding the jewel of our Buddha nature and the space between our palms symbolises emptiness.

The hand will touch the 4 points:
Crown (one of the 32 signs of Buddha) to symbolise "I want to create merit";
Forehead, Throat, Heart (chest area) to symbolise purifying of our body, speech and mind.
Visualise
White light emit from the Buddha's forehead to ours & purifies our act of killing, stealing and sexual misconduct;
Red light emit from the Buddha's throat to ours & purifies our act of harmful speech;
Deep Blue light emit from the Buddha's heart to ours & purifies our mental negatives.
(A big poster of Amitabha Buddha was there to help us better visualise)


The prostration can be quick or slow with hands flat on ground & knees down , touch our head on the ground and push up quickly which symbolises coming out from Samsara quickly.

Why offering?
This act purifies our stinginess, creates merit & train our mind to give delight in giving.
Visualise the ordinary flowers transformed into Sparkling flowers and delicious food & fruits being offered to the Buddha.
A unique offering is to offer our loved ones to be under care of the Buddha versus one's care of attachment;
Offerings of protection helps beings who are lost or in danger;
Offerings of Love provides emotional support e.g. praise, encouragement or hug;
Offering of Dharma is the best as by guiding them to the path of liberation, they can practise & save themselves, one may also read the mantra & prayers aloud and pass Dharma books to friends;
It is important to offer irregardless of whether one is wealthy.
The motivation of giving & delight of giving...
Little bit with Big Heart example given where there was a king who imagined sand as gold dust & offered to Buddha and gained much merit.


Why confession?
This act of acknowledging our harmful actions, making repentance to not to repeat them reduces opportunities for bad karma to materialise.
Regret does not equate Guilt.
Regret is when one make a mistake , regret & move on (just like when one touches a hot surface, pain, regret the touch, and withdraw hand,
whereas guilt is when one makes mistakes & feel no one will forgive you... )

Remedial action e.g. making offerings to Buddha, prostration, meditation on Bodhicitta purifies and negates negative karma or reduces impact.
Harmful action arises because of overwhelm by attachment, anger & confusion.
Action is mistaken and need purification (just confusion) and not makes one an evil person.
Should have compassion fir yourself too.
Light from Buddha purifies one, cleans out fumes in one.
It is important to repent, to die without regrets and no fear.


Why rejoicing?

This reduces envy, jealousy and increases merit in delight of virtue of others.
See our good qualities and balance with confession.
Long term happiness depends on good karma.
Rejoicing increases more good karma & amplify virtue, counters jealous mind.


Why requesting Buddha to stay & teach?
We value all and do not take things for granted. There is usually practice of repeating the request to ask for teaching 3 times so as to show sincerity.
Why Dedication of merit?
Practice of generosity for sake of all sentient beings.


The more detailed form of the Seven Limb Prayers are being illustrated via the 1st few paragraphs of "King of Prayers":http://www.thubtenchodron.org/PrayersAndPractices/the_extraordinary_aspiration.html

I am really grateful for the compassion of Venerable to travel to S'pore to give the Teachings and the organisers and volunteers for organising the event in the comfort of an air-conditioned hall with good lunch provided. :-)

Friday, October 15, 2010

A Living Bodhisattva: Teresa Xu

Another touching person by the name of Teresa...story source from email fwded
===================================

111歲的年輕人______ 許哲

 第一次聽到許哲的故事大約是在七年前了,已經忘了是從那裡得到的一個錄音帶,標題是“一個101歲的年輕人!”,講的就是許哲的故事。錄音帶中講到了許哲的人生才是真正的大富大貴,因為她從不求自己的財富,生活卻從不缺乏。一年到頭,總有人往她那裏送油,送米,送錢。當然她又將錢米送出去給困難的人;她一生不求尊貴,卻受到大眾和社會的真正尊重和敬仰;一心只想如何服務他人,從不想被服務;生活十分的簡樸,卻擁有健康長壽。當時聽完她故事,心中好生歡喜和愛慕,從此101歲的年輕人便在我心中留下了深刻的影響。沒想到這麼多年過去了,許哲已是111歲,卻依然年輕。前段時間與一個朋友在電話中聊起生食和瑜伽的話題,又不由自主地想起了這位已經是“111歲的年輕人”。今匯集了這位年輕人的一部分文字和圖片資料,在新年之際以此自勉及共用。

 許哲居士,身材瘦小,行動敏捷;銀絲如雪、耳聰目明;心懷大愛,一生助人。一世紀的漫長歲月,她無私地奉獻,無條件地愛人,尤其是窮、病、老、苦的人,更是她心裡最關心的對象。她說:「我不是單獨來此世界,我有許多同伴,幫助他們是我的責任,我愛他們,沒有條件,因為我們都是一家人。」
 以下是許哲居士,於一九九九年一月二十九日應新加坡佛教居士林李木源林長之邀,為大家講述她的生活與修學理念。


我的飲食很簡單,早上喝一杯牛奶,中午吃一些青菜和水果。有時青菜用水燙過,不煮不炒,不加油、鹽,切了就吃。生吃能完全保持蔬菜的養分,水煮過養分就少了一半。晚餐喝一杯優酪乳(優酪乳),若不餓就不吃。我從小吃素。 (許哲的母親一生吃素,活到104歲,許哲是胎裡素)我覺得人不需要吃很多東西,吃東西很浪費時間,先要去買,還要煮、洗,吃完了又要洗碗。假如吃生的,只要洗乾淨,吃了就算了,節省的時間,可以看書,可以做有益他人的事情。
 淨空法師告訴我,阿羅漢心地清淨七天吃一餐,我聽到就說:「我來學學看。」淨空法師教我要慢慢的學,現在一天吃一餐,可以學兩天吃一餐,再一段時間,三天吃一餐,這樣時間就更多了。


我從來不買衣服,穿的衣服都是從垃圾筒撿回來的。能穿的,洗一下就穿;不能穿的就修改。我看到世間還有很多窮人沒有飯吃,沒有衣穿,我要去買一件新衣服太浪費了,覺得對不起那些苦難的人。


我自己住一個房子,我除了在書桌及床頭櫃上放一張母親的相片,其他的什麽擺設都沒有。廚房多半是燒水用的。有些社會人士送紀念品表揚我,有的收起來,有的丟掉。有人跟我照相,照了就撕掉,留這個沒有用,這些東西是累贅。

運動
我每天早上四點鐘起床,第一件事是靜坐,其次做瑜珈運動,然後到外面散步,練腳力,下雨天就拿著雨傘行走,從不間斷。現在一星期有兩天出去教人靜坐,我的生活就是這樣簡而有序。

閱讀
我每天一定讀書,有時晚上看到一、兩點,或三點多,如果好看就忘了睡覺。我讀書是有取捨的,好的內容就留下來,不好的就當作陌生人走過一樣,完全不為所動。

修身
我從來不發脾氣,因為發脾氣,第一、傷害自己,第二、傷害對方,第三、其他人聽到也受影響,這個不好。生氣害自己,也害很多人,發一分鐘的脾氣,要三天才能恢復得過來,浪費時間,浪費精神,所以不要生氣。
在養老院裡,如果跟同事們處不好,我總認為是自己不會做人、不會做事,做得讓別人不歡喜。決不說別人的過失。
看到社會上有惡人惡事,就像平常在馬路上看到一些陌生人一樣,完全不落印象。看到好事善人,我會記住,向他學習。

服務
我常講我是一百零一歲的年輕人,我不帶眼鏡,眼不花,耳不聾。我們想老就會老,想年輕就會年輕。假如你腦筋不要想老,一百多歲還是可以做很多事情。我每天都在為眾生做事,我自己不需要照顧自己,我只要照顧別人,我相信老天會照顧我。我這個身體是為一切老人、病人、苦難人服務的工具,天天要利用這個工具。今年一百歲了,還是利用這個工具,這個工具還很好,還沒有壞。
有時人家會給我錢,我自己不需要錢,我就拿這些錢去做好事。我現在照顧二十幾個很窮的老人,每個月送一些米、油、糖和罐頭給他們。如果有人捐錢給我,我就拿這些錢,替這些老人付房租、電費、水費,甚至付醫藥費。我對待每一個窮人,就像對待總統一樣的恭敬。
他們送錢不是給我用的,送這些米、糧食也不是給我吃的,是叫我替他們幫助一些苦難的貧窮人、老人、病人,我是善心人的義工,我替他們送,替他們佈施。

慈善事業
我五十歲到英國去學護士,可是年齡太大了,我打了一次妄語,把年齡報小了十二歲。學成之後,幾十年來全心全力照顧病人、老人,把他們都看作是自己的父母,自己的親人。目前在南非、印度、馬來西亞及尼泊爾等地,已有十多所老人院。我目前希望辦一個家庭式的老人院,不是機關、醫院的性質。來到這裡的老人,我們照顧他,就像照顧自己的婆婆、母親、父親一樣,讓每個老人都感到像在自己家裡一樣的溫暖。

進修
我從小受英文教育,中文程度不是很好,但我仍堅持看中文佛經。我讀了佛經以後,認為佛的教誨很好,值得學習。目前正在看淨空法師講述的《認識佛教》。

信仰
我的宗教是「愛」的宗教,永遠愛世人,大家都是兄弟姊妹,這是我的宗教信仰。天主教的教友們,看到我看其他宗教的書,問我為什麽看魔鬼的東西?我說:「我看世界上所有的宗教都是一片光明」。

苦難的童年生活
清光緒二十四年,一八九八年,許哲誕生在在廣東汕頭的一個荒僻小鎮。中國彌天蓋地的戰火似乎延燒不到這個山野荒僻的小村落,小村莊的人們依然過著寧靜的農耕生活,日出而做,日落而息。
在這個務農維生的窮苦家庭,許哲的誕生並未帶來多少的歡樂氣氛,雖然增添一雙操作家務的手,卻也多了一張吃飯的嘴。她每天要幫忙做許多家務,清晨到河邊去洗衣服,洗完衣服再到山上野地採藥草,採好藥草回到家裡,還要幫忙做手工,賺取微薄的工資以貼補家用。乖巧、懂事的許哲雖然每天忙著做家事,依然不得父親的歡心,常常為了一點小事,就換來一頓責罵毒打。悲慘的童年印記,即使在一百年後,許哲仍感到不堪回首。
後來,因為家中發生變故,母親帶著她和姐、弟、妹四人離開廣州到馬來西亞檳城投靠親戚。

二十七歲念小學
當時,許哲已經二十幾歲,卻還是一個文盲。
一百多年前,中國社會的傳統觀念重男輕女,女孩子根本沒有地位,更別說受教育。沒有讀書的許哲,只能從事打掃的清潔工作,上進心強的她,一直在尋求就學的機會。
當時,檳城附近有一個天主教姑娘堂(修女會)辦的小學,每次經過學校,聽到小學生琅琅的讀書聲,她就不禁駐足,凝視著教室內那一張張童稚的臉龐,正專心聽老師講課。她心中十分羨慕:「我一定要讀書識字,我不能一輩子給人家掃地。」
 
有一天,她鼓足勇氣走進學校,告訴姑娘堂的修女們:「我想要讀書,可是我沒有錢,我可以幫你們打掃,洗衣服,請你們讓我讀書。」 
修女們很仁慈,答應許哲的要求,並且讓她住到教會後面的房子,每個月四塊錢的房租,則是以打掃、拖地、洗衣服,做家事來抵償。就這樣,許哲開始了她人生第一個階段的求學,當時她已經二十七歲。
盼了二十多年的求學夢,終於實現,許哲像一塊缺水的海綿大量吸取知識之洋,她每天認真地讀書,雖然放學後還得做許多事情,但是,她內心有著前所未有的充實與快樂。

在傳統的保守社會裡,女孩子到了二十多歲還沒結婚,就會被稱為是「老姑婆」。一般人認為,女孩子養大了,沒有男人來提親,只有兩個原因,不是脾氣太壞沒人要,就是身體有病才嫁不掉。
年屆三十的許哲,又是小姑獨處,不禁引來一些多事者的關心,每天都有人上門說媒,家裡的門檻被這些三姑六婆踏進踏出,都快踏平了。
「媽媽,下次這些人再來,我就把大門關起來。」看到母親為了應付這些人而煩惱,許哲也覺得十分心煩。
「這些人都是我們的親戚朋友,不能這樣子。」母親說。
「如果這樣,那我就只好逃走。」許哲這樣告訴母親。
母親以為她說說算了,沒想到,她為了逃避那些令人不勝其擾的事,真的一個人悄悄離開檳城來到香港。

初到香港,許哲依舊做清潔工作。有一天,她看在香港報紙上一則「徵聘啟示」,有人要徵一位能夠手寫速記的秘書。許哲一看到這消息,立即前往應徵。
她回憶說:「那次的應徵很特別,老闆是德國人並沒有給我考試,就叫我明天來上班。原來他是研究字體的,看應徵信就知道這個人能不能用。」
因為能流利地書寫中、英文,許哲順利地獲得了這份工作。
避難到重慶

一九三七年,二次世界大戰爆發,全球捲入一場野心掠奪的攻防之戰。一九三九年,日本攻打香港,許哲的老闆將香港的辦公室移到重慶,許哲也因此來到重慶。
避難到重慶,許哲依然得心應手地工作。當時,蔣介石的國民黨政府遷都重慶,因為老闆的關係,許哲還曾經替蔣介石和宋美齡發英文新聞稿給當時在重慶的英、美報館。那一段日子,許哲過著富足優越的生活,當時,一般人平均月薪是二十元,許哲卻已經領取一百五十元的高薪。
有一天,她和朋友到一家高級餐館吃飯,那是一家裝璜華麗的餐廳,柔美的燈光配上悠揚的古典音樂,晶瑩剔透的高腳杯盛著香醇美味的葡萄酒,使人的用餐情緒格外浪漫、愉悅。
吃完飯走出餐館,突然有一個人趨向前擋住她的去路。
「請你好心給我一分錢買麵包,我已經好幾天沒吃飯了。」那人伸出又黑又瘦的手,向許哲乞討。
當下,許哲心頭一震,「這世上,還有這麼可憐的人,餓好幾天沒飯吃。我剛剛那一餐飯,可以讓好多窮人吃好幾天了。」望著那可憐的人,許哲告訴自己:「從今以後,我不再多花一分錢在自己的吃喝穿著,如果我再多花一分錢在自己身上,我就是掠奪窮人的錢。」
 
捨棄高薪為助人
戰火蔓延到重慶,原本寧靜的山城,出現許多的流民傷兵。
當時,有一個英國的救傷隊來到重慶,這是一個反戰的和平組織,成員裏大都是一些十七八歲,正在服兵役的男孩。這些初次離家的大孩子置身在一個語言不通,人生地不熟的異國山區,生活相當不適應。因為許哲能說英語,他們便希望許哲能到救傷隊幫忙。
許哲瞭解到,這是一個反戰的救難組織,於是,毫不猶豫地辭去原有的高薪的工作,加入他們的行列。在救傷隊裡,許哲扮演起「母親」的角色,為那些離鄉背井的大孩子們充當翻譯,並且為他們打掃、煮飯、洗衣,照顧他們的生活起居。
抗戰結束後,在重慶住了四年的救傷隊返回英國。
一九四五年,許哲希望進入護校學習,因為,她的內心對貧苦、病弱的窮人有一份很深的牽掛,她希望自己能學會護理工作,將來才能為老人、窮人、病人服務。
當時,護校的學生的年齡限制是十七歲到二十五歲,許哲的年齡已經四十七歲,學校怎麼可能收她這個「老學生」。許哲並不氣餒,她寫信給護校校長,表明自己學護理的心意,信中提到:「我不是為自己,而是為了幫助更多的窮人。」這一句話感動了護校校長,破例准許她入學研習護理課程。
 
護校八年,許哲用心學習,她學習到從小孩至老人,從出生到死亡,從身體到心靈,各種不同層面的照顧與養護,她默默許下心願,要將所學的一切知識與技能,完全奉獻給需要的病人、老人與窮人。

前往巴拉圭
一九五三年,許哲自護校畢業。有一天,她收到一封寄自南美洲巴拉圭的信函,那是一個由二十一個國家成員(加上許哲是二十二個國家)所組成的「兄弟協會」。這個組織源自一九三三年,猶太人為逃避希特勒的迫害而來到了南美洲,在這片廣漠的土地上自力更生、自給自足,等他們生活安定,行有餘力,他們決定籌辦一個收容所,主要收容淪落他鄉的白人,後來也為當地貧病無依的人看病。這個組織裡的一位成員,曾在中國見過許哲,知道她發願要無條件為窮苦的病人奉獻,便寫信邀約她前往巴拉圭。
許哲得知這個「兄弟協會」是一個專門收容窮人的慈善機構,其秉持著「世界一家」的理念與自己的想法不謀而合,她便毅然前往巴拉圭。
「兄弟協會」很簡陋,裡面只有三位醫生,卻要照顧很多病人。許哲的到來成了收容所裡唯一的護士,因此,她的工作格外繁重。在收容所工作,是沒有薪資的發給,雖然忙、累,但她內心始終是愉快的,能將自己所學奉獻在窮人身上,為他們減輕病苦,她感到很安慰。
一九六一年,已離開母親三十多年的許哲,突然收到母親的來信。
八十四歲的母親在信中說到:「世界各地,到處都有窮人,媽媽只有一個,我老了,你回來吧!」就這樣一句話,把遠在巴拉圭的許哲拉回到檳城。
 
自離開檳城到香港,輾轉到了重慶、英國、巴拉圭,闊別三十餘年,許哲又回到母親的懷抱,母親幾十年來思女之情終於獲得了慰藉。
在檳城待了兩年,因為妹妹罹患心髒病,要到英國就醫,許哲便帶著母親到新加坡與姊姊同住。
 
一心照顧窮人
來到新加坡,許哲從姊姊口中得知有一個窮人醫院,從一九一O年創辦至當年,沒有一個護士。當時裡面三百八十個病人,因為醫療人員不足,無法得到適當的照料,她便自己推薦到醫院來照顧病人。
 
許哲這一生,除了為當秘書那段時間有領薪資之外,其餘工作都是無薪職。
「我之所以到那個醫院是因為他們沒有錢,請不到護士,這正是我要去的條件。」這是許哲異於常人的思考模式。
許哲的想法是,如果一家醫院有錢,可以很輕易地花錢請到護士來照顧病人,可是這家窮人醫院,因為沒有錢,沒有人要去,所以她去。
「並不是我特別喜歡照顧窮人,而是他們需要,窮人也需要照顧,需要有人愛他們。」許哲說。
 
在醫院服務了兩年七個月又19天,許哲決定自己辦「老人院」,其中一個重要的原因是,不忍老人受飢餓。
在那所醫院的老人,一日只進食兩餐。早晨七點一杯咖啡,十二點吃午餐,下午一點兩塊餅乾,下午四點吃晚餐,晚上八點再給一杯咖啡。從下午四點到隔日中午十二點,整整二十個鐘頭,對那些身體病弱、行動不便的老人們來說,漫漫長夜裡,躺在床上沒有別的事,就是想著肚子餓。
 
許哲看了非常不忍,她為老人們向院方爭取多一餐飯,得到的答復卻是:「他們在這裡,已經比他們在自己家裡好多了。」 
經過多次溝通,得不到院方善意回應,許哲感到很失望。當時她得到姐姐財務上的支援,每天買麵包給三百八十位病人吃,親手派送,樓上樓下的跑。姐姐深受感動,決定支持許哲辦老人院。
 
創辦「養老病院」
「我的姐姐是新加坡的一所學校的教長,她有一點積蓄,當我把辦老人院的想法告訴她,她馬上將自己存款提領出來,買下一塊地,準備建造老人院。」
一九六八年,許哲的「養老病院」成立,完全免費地收容了兩百五十位的貧病老人。
 
初期,養老病院的一切開銷,都由姐姐承擔。許哲說:「姐姐的生活非常節儉,對我的想法相當支援,只要我需要錢,她二話不說就拿錢給我。」
其實,許哲姐妹照顧窮人的心,是來自童年時期母親的身教。當時,雖然家裡很窮,但是,只要有窮人到家裡來要飯,母親總是會想辦法分一些給他們。耳濡目染下,母親的慈悲善行深深影響許哲姐妹,使她們擁有一顆仁慈博愛、歡喜佈施的心,無我無私地去幫助真正需要幫助的人。
後來,姐姐去世,她把所有遺產都給了許哲,許哲拿這些錢,幫助窮人購買房子。
「有一天,我夢見姐姐在天上,穿了一身白衣,全身發光,對著我微笑。我告訴她,『姐姐,我也要上去。』姐姐說:『不行不行,你還有很多事情要做』。我知道,她一定很高興,我把她的錢都花光光了。」許哲笑著說。
許哲對老人的照顧無微不至,待自己,卻過著如修行人般的「安貧」生活。她的飲食極為簡單,一天只吃一餐,通常是一份生果蔬菜或是一杯鮮奶。她說:「我從小就吃素,因為我對魚、肉過敏。」她也不曾花錢在自己的衣著上,她都是穿別人不要的衣服,有時從垃圾堆裡撿來,洗乾淨再穿。許哲認為,「穿衣服是為了保暖和蔽體,無所謂好看不好看。」
許哲照顧窮病老人的善行,漸漸被社會大眾所肯定。
 
「我的工作,有很多很多好心的人在幫忙。」許哲說,「常常,一些好心的人載了一大堆的米和蔬菜來,有時多到吃不完。我就問他們,我可不可以把這些米和菜,分送給其他的窮苦人家?」
 
在徵求贊助者的同意,許哲把多餘的米糧分贈給其他貧窮家庭,最高紀錄曾同時照顧二十六戶人家。
許哲不僅在新加坡蓋養老病院,她還到馬來西亞、泰國、緬甸去協助當地的慈善機構設立養老院。她的時間、精神完全給了世間苦難的人,忘了自身,忘了今夕是何年。
六十九歲學瑜珈
111歲的許哲,從外貌上看來像是六七十歲,她一頭銀白短髮,皮膚光滑、耳聰目明、手腳俐落,每天靜坐、閱讀、運動、佈施、做瑜珈,她的精神、體力不輸一般年輕人,尤其她柔軟的肢體示範著瑜珈動作時,令人屏氣稱嘆。
 
她透露她的長壽之道是,今天起來今天做工,不停地做工,做人間的義工。同時,她不惡口、不生煩惱心、不猛火煮食、不吃肉、不沾咖啡、茶、酒。所以,身心能常保平靜、喜悅。
六十九歲才學瑜珈的許哲,提到學瑜珈那一段「心想事成」的奇妙經歷。
有一天,喜歡讀書的許哲,在書中讀到學瑜珈的好處,但什麼是瑜珈?她卻是一知半解。 「哎呀!真希望有個人來解釋瑜珈給我聽,而且教我學瑜珈。」她在心裡發出這樣的祈求。
奇妙的事發生了。當她發願要學瑜珈,過幾天有一個人來參觀她的養老病院,那人身著橙色長衫,頭上戴著橙色帽子。 
「你是出家人嗎?」許哲問。
「是的。」 
許哲又問:「你教瑜珈嗎?」
「是的,我的工作就是教瑜珈。」
彷彿是上天聽到了許哲的祈求,特地派這位瑜珈老師來到她面前。就這樣,許哲開始跟著老師學習瑜珈和靜坐。
原本身體就相當硬朗的她,學了瑜珈之後,精神體力更好。當然,她將身心奉獻給貧病老人的無畏佈施,自然能得到健康長壽的果報。

她的手心有我的溫暖 
除了照顧養老病院的老人,她隨時隨地都在關心周圍需要關心的人。
一九九四年,許哲已經九十六歲。
有一天,她經過一位她曾經照顧過的106歲的老婆婆的家。那是黃昏時刻,天色已暗,許哲看到老婆婆家的門扉半掩,她覺得很奇怪。心想,如果人不在家,門應該是關上的;如果有人在家,門應該會打開,為什麼會半開半關? 
於是,她推門進去,看見老婆婆躺在地上。
「婆婆,你怎麼躺在地上?」許哲趨前,關心地問。
「我三天前跌倒,不能起來。」老婆婆說。
許哲趕緊扶起老婆婆,倒水餵她喝下。因為老婆婆已經受傷三天,動彈不得、無法梳洗,身上發出異味。許哲幫老婆婆洗淨身子,換上乾淨的衣服,然後到外面買了一碗稀飯餵老婆婆吃。
隨後,許哲聯絡紅十字會的救護車,送老婆婆到醫院。許哲幫老婆婆辦好住院手續,老婆婆不讓她走,她便留在醫院陪伴老婆婆,一直到夜晚十點半才回去。
第二天一早,許哲又趕到醫院探望老婆婆,護士小姐告訴她:「老婆婆昨天半夜兩點已經去世了,她走得很平靜、很安詳。」
許哲一聽,心裡感到很欣慰,因為,婆婆走時幹乾淨淨,而且吃過了稀飯。許哲很感恩地說:「婆婆給我最好的「禮物」,就是她在臨終前讓我握著她的手兩分鐘。 」
那真誠的愛,透過手心的溫暖,陪伴著老婆婆平平靜靜地離開人間。

無條件愛人
許哲的關懷之心不僅限於老人,她希望開辦一個不分種族,不分老少,不分男女的家庭式的「心連心之家」收容中心。
「許多獨居老人,沒有親人或是被遺棄的,他們的食品缺乏營養,三餐不繼,沒有家庭的溫暖關懷。還有一些帶著孩子的棄婦,她們的丈夫或男友,有些在坐牢,有些在戒毒所,有些移情別戀。她們沒有家可以回,被人遺忘在某些角落。我們希望提供他們一個溫暖家,好好的,恭恭敬敬地愛他們,照顧他們。」

[心連心之家」也將收容一些離家的青少年,許哲認為,沒有壞的孩子,只有需要愛的孩子,孩子因為沒有愛才會變壞,所以,對於那些需要愛的孩子, 「心連心之家」也將會給予他們真心的溫暖與照顧。許哲說:「我不是單獨來此世界,我有許多同伴,幫助他們是我的責任,我愛他們,沒有條件,因為我們都是一家人。」
未來,「心連心之家」將為那些被遺棄的老人、棄婦、兒童提供一個中途站,給予他們家庭成員般的關愛,以恭敬心對待,建立他們的自信心和尊嚴。
每當有人將許哲與德雷莎修女相提並論,她總是謙卑地說:「我只是一個會掃地,喜歡做工的女人。我來到這個世界沒有別的責任,就是愛,時時刻刻都去愛人。只要我們的心中有愛,這個世界就是一個愛的世界。」

當有人問她是什麼秘訣讓她活這麼久,又這麼有生氣有活力!她說:“太陽照給我看,小鳥唱歌很好聽,樹葉跳舞很好看,所以我想多呆會兒!” 有人說她的牙齒很好,聽說都是自己的真牙沒有假牙,問她是真的還是假的?她說這個沒辦法都是媽媽給的!

一百年來,這個默默為貧病困苦奉獻心力的善女人,無私無我地付出,那愛的能量彷彿來自天地之間,以源源不絕的慈悲心念去愛每一個需要愛的人。

Monday, August 9, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! SINGAPORE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Thanks to all who contribute to make Singapore a conducive environment to stay.
I am always glad to return to Home Sweet Home Singapore
when I am back from abroad, whether from a more modern or rural country. :-)

With gratitude and I hope Singapore will continue to be or become an even better nation to live in! :-)

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Natural ways to handle insects 不杀生又能驱赶蚂蚁、蚊子、蟑螂的妙法

央视推荐驱赶蚂蚁、蟑螂而不杀生的方法

蚂蚁怕酸,蚊子怕辣,蟑螂怕香。夏天来了,小生命们马上就要出洞了,供养给师兄们一个不杀生又能驱赶蚂蚁、蚊子、蟑螂的妙法。

(Ants are afraid of sourness, mosquitoes of spiciness, cockroaches of fragrance, following are great ways to dispel the insects)

蚂蚁怕酸味

家里的甜食摆没几分钟,蚂蚁大军立即来袭,让人又气又厌,以我以从事糕饼业的经验,献给各位一项无毒无污染又安全有效的妙招--整粒的新鲜柠檬,对切成两半,在看得到蚂蚁的地方及其动线,挤出柠檬汁,并拿着切半有果肉的那一面,沿途涂抹,神奇效果让您再一次验证大自然的奥妙!

(Cut a fresh whole lemon into half, squeeze the juices at where the ants and their trails are,
use the half with meat & rub around the area, you will find workings of Nature miracle!)


蚊子怕辣味,蒜头呛退

花多蚊子也多,叮咬得我肿包累累。一天,友人送了一袋蒜头,妈妈留下够用的量,其余的分植于花坛四周,其特殊的辛辣味隐隐飘散。令人讶异的是,平日凶猛的蚊子不见了,连下雨过后会出现的超大只蚊子,也销声匿迹了!所以,驱蚊除了打扫环境、清除枯枝烂叶,试植蒜头绝对是上上之策!

(Flowers attract mosquitoes, plant some garlic around the flower plants, with its unique choking spiciness' smell, one will find mosquitoes disappearing:P)



蟑螂怕香味

神出鬼没的蟑螂,最爱隐身于掌管我们民生大计的厨房里。面对「打不死的蟑螂」我的办法是--将一块浴用香皂切成数小块,置于容器内注入清水,摆放在蟑螂出没的橱柜内,不出数日,打开橱柜将令您讶异于蟑螂的无影无踪,橱柜内还多了怡人的香味。想要效果持续,仅须定期补充香皂容器内的清水。

(Cockroaches are afraid of Fragrance
Use a bathing soap & cut it into tiny pieces, put them into a container with clear water and place it into the cupboards where the cockroaches frequent. Within a few days, you will only find an enticing fragrance but no traces of the cockroaches. To maintain the effect, one needs to regularly refill the clear water.)


不用打杀蚊子的办法

一:把几粒维生素C和维生素B2泡在水里, 将药水涂抹在皮肤上, 会产生一种让蚊子不敢接近的气味.

(Try puting a few Vitamin C & B2 tablets in water & apply the dissolved solution on your skin. The developed smell of the solution is a good mosquitoes repellant)


二:在室内挂上橘色的窗帘 ,或在灯罩上罩上橘色的玻璃纸 ,由于蚊子害怕橘红色的光线, 能产生很好的驱蚊效果.
(Mosquitoes are afraid of Orange Red lightings hence it is advisable to put put up Orange colored curtains in-house or cover the light bulbs with orange colored paper)


三:在灯下挂一把葱 ,或用纱布包几根葱段 ,各种蚊虫都不会飞来 ;或在房内摆放一两盆茉莉花, 米兰, 玫瑰, 夜来香等花卉,也可以驱除蚊虫 .
( 由于葱为五荤中的一类如果有三宝弟子或者是受戒弟子请勿用)


当你不想与蟑螂共处时

蟑螂不喜欢黄瓜的味道 ,当你不想与蟑螂共处时 ,不妨将一两段掰断的黄瓜放在它们经常出没的地方 .
(Cockroaches do not like the smell of cucumbers so you may try putting a few sliced cucumbers at their frequent hideouts.)

以上是如何躯赶蚊子及蟑螂的办法大家可以去试一下 .很管用的 .以免造成不必要的杀生。

CCTV提供的驱赶蚂蚁、蟑螂而不杀生的方法!央视里曾经讲过的方法,供大家参考:

蚂蚁是很讲规矩的,如果是其他动物已经占领的地盘,蚂蚁是不会侵入的。拿柠檬切片挤汁,把汁液撒在蚂蚁经常出没的地方,这样蚂蚁闻到柠檬汁,就会误以为是其他动物胃液消化的东西,就会撤退,而不再来。

蟑螂的腹部有一层油脂,最忌讳肥皂这类去除油脂的东西。用肥皂切块,和水拌成汁,撒在蟑螂经常出没的地方。这样蟑螂别说是碰到,就是闻到肥皂的味道就会逃走了。

以上方法简单易行,还不杀生,大家可以试试。不过既是这类小生命打搅,必有其因果,别忘了诵经念咒!(笔者以为用心念佛、回向即可)

不杀生赶蟑螂的办法

在拖地的水中加入几滴熏衣草精油,做两三回之后,蚂蚁就会在家中绝迹。30平方米以下的房子(以上就2倍的份量)用四颗马铃薯和半包硼酸(到药房买),马铃薯煮熟压成泥,和半包硼酸和匀在一起,捏成樟脑丸大小,放置在蟑螂出没处即可。成分不具毒性(比例很重要),但蟑螂就是不喜欢那个味道,所以会远离。此法一年炮制一次即可。大约春天来临时就是好时机了。朋友说她用了十年,家中非常非常偶尔看到一、两只,但也很快就不再来,那是一个医生朋友告诉她的,家有蟑螂者不妨试试。

不杀生赶蚊子的办法

夏天蚊子很多,只要在阳台上养几盆夜来香,蚊子的数量就会大大减少。因为夜来香浓郁的花香味是蚊子讨厌的。另外,水沟中最好不要有积水,这是蚊虫孳生的温床。

(This is quite effective & worth trying,
Try soaking raw pepper in warm water, use it to wet a cloth & wipe it around the ant prominent area. Talk to the ants like giving them grace period of 2 days to move over the weekend. The combination of the pepper & communication method worked well. :-))


The Chinese version is extracted from 佛教在线 http://fjbbs.fjnet.com/hb/200906/t20090601_122923.html
A big Thank you to Venerable Chun Qing to provide above article to class for reference during discussion on Precept on not killing and providing reference to this link.
Apology for poor Chinese to English translation.:P


Saturday, July 10, 2010

Art at HDB Hub

When you passby the Coffee bean to POSB bank at Toa Payoh HDB Hub, do you notice these art pieces?
Calligraphy with very appropriate Chinese poem to be hung on the wall of HDB Hub.

Take a closer look! This mural art piece that presents a historical showcase of HDB developments, portraying the evolvement of design of HDB flats over the decade, are actually made up by these personalised clay tiles by HDB staff (as shown below). How interesting!

Search for them next time you visit the Hub, you could had passed by many atimes & just missed them!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

普贤菩萨行愿品 The Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra

Rejoice, found the chinese version at Amituofo Yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Amituofo/message/112) to share with more

<普贤菩萨行愿品>

尔时,普贤菩萨摩诃萨,欲重宣此义,普观十方,而说偈言:

'所有十方世界中,三世一切人师子,我以清净身语意,一切遍礼尽无余。

普贤行愿威神力,普现一切如来前,一身复现刹尘身,一一遍礼刹尘佛。

于一尘中尘数佛,各处菩萨众会中,无尽法界尘亦然,深信诸佛皆充满。

各以一切音声海,普出无尽妙言辞,尽于未来一切劫,赞佛甚深功德海。

以诸最胜妙华鬘,伎乐涂香及伞盖,如是最胜庄严具,我以供养诸如来。

最胜衣服最胜香,末香烧香与灯烛,一一皆如妙高聚,我悉供养诸如来。

我以广大胜解心,深信一切三世佛,悉以普贤行愿力,普遍供养诸如来。

我昔所造诸恶业,皆由无始贪嗔痴,从身语意之所生,一切我今皆忏悔。

十方一切诸众生,二乘有学及无学,一切如来与菩萨,所有功德皆随喜。

十方所有世间灯,最初成就菩提者,我今一切皆劝请,转于无上妙法轮。

诸佛若欲示涅槃,我悉至诚而劝请,唯愿久住刹尘劫,利乐一切诸众生。

所有礼赞供养福,请佛住世转法轮,随喜忏悔诸善根,回向众生及佛道。

我随一切如来学,修习普贤圆满行,供养一切诸如来,及与现在十方佛。

未来一切天人师,一切意乐皆圆满,我愿普随三世学,速得成就大菩提。

所有十方三世刹,广大清净妙庄严,众会围绕诸如来,悉在菩提树王下。

十方所有诸众生,愿离忧患常安乐,获得甚深正法利,灭除烦恼尽无余。

我为菩提修行时,一切趣中成宿命,常得出家修净戒,无垢无破无穿漏。

天龙夜叉鸠槃茶,乃至人与非人等,所有一切众生语,悉以诸音而说法。

勤修清净波罗密,恒不忘失菩提心,灭除障垢无有余,一切妙行皆成就。

于诸惑业及魔境,世间道中得解脱,犹如莲华不着水,亦如日月不住空。

悉除一切恶道苦,等与一切群生乐,如是经于刹尘劫,十方利益恒无尽。

我常随顺诸众生,尽于未来一切劫,恒修普贤广大行,圆满无上大菩提。

所有与我同行者,于一切处同集会,身口意业皆同等,一切行愿同修学。

所有益我善知识,为我显示普贤行,常愿与我同集会,于我常生欢喜心。

愿常面见诸如来,及诸佛子众围绕,于彼皆兴广大供,尽未来劫无疲厌。

愿持诸佛微妙法,光显一切菩提行,究竟清净普贤道,尽未来劫常修习。

我于一切诸有中,所修福智恒无尽,定慧方便及解脱,获诸无尽功德藏。

一尘中有尘数刹,一一刹有难思佛,一一佛处众会中,我见恒演菩提行。

普尽十方诸刹海,一一毛端三世海,佛海及与国土海,我遍修行经劫海。

一切如来语清净,一言具众音声海,随诸众生意乐音,一一流佛辩才海。

三世一切诸如来,于彼无尽语言海,恒转理趣妙法轮,我深智力普能入。

我能深入于未来,尽一切劫为一念,三世所有一切劫,为一念际我皆入。

我于一念见三世,所有一切人师子,亦常入佛境界中,如幻解脱及威力。

于一毛端极微中,出现三世庄严刹,十方尘刹诸毛端,我皆深入而严净。

所有未来照世灯,成道转法悟群有,究竟佛事示涅槃,我皆往诣而亲近。

速疾周遍神通力,普门遍入大乘力,智行普修功德力,威神普覆大慈力。

遍净庄严胜福力,无著无依智慧力,定慧方便威神力,普能积集菩提力,

清净一切善业力,摧灭一切烦恼力,降服一切诸魔力,圆满普贤诸行力。

普能严净诸刹海,解脱一切众生海。善能分别诸法海,能甚深入智慧海。

普能清净诸行海,圆满一切诸愿海,亲近供养诸佛海,修行无倦经劫海。

三世一切诸如来,最胜菩提诸行愿,我皆供养圆满修,以普贤行悟菩提。

一切如来有长子,彼名号曰普贤尊,我今回向诸善根,愿诸智行悉同彼。

愿身口意恒清净,诸行刹土亦复然,如是智慧号普贤,愿我与彼皆同等。

我为遍净普贤行,文殊师利诸大愿,满彼事业尽无余,未来际劫恒无倦。

我所修行无有量,获得无量诸功德,安住无量诸行中,了达一切神通力。

文殊师利勇猛智,普贤慧行亦复然,我今回向诸善根,随彼一切常修学。

三世诸佛所称叹,如是最胜诸大愿,我今回向诸善根,为得普贤殊胜行。

愿我临欲命终时,尽除一切诸障碍,面见彼佛阿弥陀,即得往生安乐刹。

我既往生彼国已,现前成就此大愿,一切圆满尽无余,利乐一切众生界。

彼佛众会咸清净,我时于胜莲华生,亲睹如来无量光,现前授我菩提记。

蒙彼如来授记已,化身无数百俱胝,智力广大遍十方,普利一切众生界。

乃至虚空世界尽,众生及业烦恼尽,如是一切无尽时,我愿究竟恒无尽。

十方所有无边刹,庄严众宝供如来,最胜安乐施天人,经一切刹微尘劫。

若人于此胜愿王,一经于耳能生信,求胜菩提心渴仰,获胜功德过于彼。

即常远离恶知识,永离一切诸恶道,速见如来无量光,具此普贤最胜愿。

此人善得胜寿命,此人善来人中生,此人不久当成就,如彼普贤菩萨行。

往昔由无智慧力,所造极恶五无间,诵此普贤大愿王,一念速疾皆消灭。

族姓种类及容色,相好智慧咸圆满,诸魔外道不能摧,堪为三界所应供。

速诣菩提大树王,坐已降服诸魔众,成等正觉转法轮,普利一切诸含识。

若人于此普贤愿,读诵受持及演说,果报唯佛能证知,决定获胜菩提道。

若人诵持普贤愿,我说少分之善根,一念一切悉皆圆,成就众生清净愿。

我此普贤殊胜行,无边胜福皆回向,普愿沉溺诸众生,速往无量光佛刹。'

-----------------------------------------------

无量光佛刹: Amitabha Buddha's Pureland!
Amituofo! :-)

More related articles can also be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Amituofo/message/110

Saturday, June 12, 2010

The Extraordinary Aspiration Of The Practice of Samantabhdra

My first encounter with this "The King Of Prayers" was years ago in a retreat, introduced by Venerable Thubten Chodron. Personally, I feel that it is very well written/translated & Inspiring in both the Chinese & English language version (the blue booklet being distributed to us in the retreat contain both version). Via the internet, I was glad to be able to find it in Internet site well initiated by the Buddhist Action Team: http://www.thubtenchodron.org/PrayersAndPractices/the_extraordinary_aspiration.html

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I bow down to the youthful Arya Manjushri.
You lions among humans,
Gone to freedom in the present, past and future
In the worlds of ten directions,
To all of you, with body, speech and sincere mind I bow down.

With the energy of aspiration for the Bodhisattva way,
With a sense of deep respect,
And with as many bodies as atoms of the world,
To all you Buddhas visualized as real, I bow down.

On every atom are Buddhas numberless as atoms,
Each amidst a host of Bodhisattvas,
And I am confident the sphere of all phenomena
Is entirely filled with Buddhas in this way.

With infinite oceans of praise for you,
And oceans of sound from the aspects of my voice,
I sing the breathtaking excellence of Buddhas,
And celebrate all of you Gone to Bliss.

Beautiful flowers and regal garlands,
Sweet music, scented oils and parasols,
Sparkling lights and sublime incense,
I offer to you Victorious Ones.

Fine dress and fragrant perfumes,
Sandalwood powder heaped high as Mount Meru,
All wondrous offerings in spectacular array,
I offer to you Victorious Ones.

With transcendent offerings peerless and vast,
With profound admiration for all the Buddhas,
With strength of conviction in the Bodhisattva way,
I offer and bow down to all Victorious Ones.

Every harmful action I have done
With my body, speech and mind
Overwhelmed by attachment, anger and confusion,
All these I openly lay bare before you.

I lift up my heart and rejoice in all positive potential
Of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in ten directions,
Of solitary realizers, hearers still training and those beyond,
And of all ordinary beings.

You who are the bright lights of worlds in ten directions,
Who have attained a Buddha's omniscience through the stages of awakening,
All you who are my guides,
Please turn the supreme wheel of Dharma.

With palms together I earnestly request:
You who may actualize parinirvana,
Please stay with us for eons numberless as atoms of the world,
For the happiness and well-being of all wanderers in samsara.

Whatever slight positive potential I may have created,
By paying homage, offering, and acknowledging my faults,
Rejoicing, and requesting that the Buddhas stay and teach,
I now dedicate all this for full awakening.

May you Buddhas now living in the worlds of ten directions,
And all you gone to freedom in the past, accept my offerings.
May those not yet arisen quickly perfect their minds,
Awakening as fully enlightened ones.

May all worlds in ten directions,
Be entirely pure and vast.
May they be filled with Bodhisattvas
Surrounding Buddhas gathered beneath a bodhi tree.

May as many beings as exist in ten directions
Be always well and happy.
May all samsaric beings live in accord with the Dharma,
And may their every Dharma wish be fulfilled.

Remembering my past lives in all varieties of existence,
May I practice the Bodhisattva way,
And thus, in each cycle of death, migration and birth,
May I always abandon the householder's life.

Then, following in the footsteps of all the Buddhas,
And perfecting the practice of a Bodhisattva,
May I always act without error or compromise,
With ethical discipline faultless and pure.

May I teach the Dharma in the language of gods,
In every language of spirits and nagas,
Of humans and of demons,
And in the voice of every form of being.

May I be gentle-minded, cultivating the six paramitas,
And never forget bodhicitta.
May I completely cleanse without omission
Every negativity and all that obscures this awakening mind.

May I traverse all my lives in the world,
Free of karma, afflictions and interfering forces,
Just as the lotus blossom is undisturbed by the water's wave,
Just as the sun and moon move unhindered through the sky.

May I ease the suffering in the lower realms
And in the many directions and dimensions of the universe.
May I guide all wanderers in samsara to the pure bliss of awakening
And be of worldly benefit to them as well.

May I practice constantly for eons to come,
Perfecting the activities of awakening,
Acting in harmony with the various dispositions of beings,
Showing the ways of a Bodhisattva.

May I always have the friendship
Of those whose path is like mine,
And with body, words and also mind,
May we practice together the same aspirations and activities.

May I always meet a spiritual mentor
And never displease that excellent friend,
Who deeply wishes to help me
And expertly teaches the Bodhisattva way.

May I always directly see the Buddhas,
Masters encircled by Bodhisattvas,
And without pause or discouragement for eons to come,
May I make extensive offerings to them.

May I hold within me the Buddha's genuine Dharma,
Illuminate everywhere the teachings that awaken,
Embody the realizations of a Bodhisattva,
And practice ardently in all future eons.

While circling through all states of existence,
May I become an endless treasure of good qualities -
Skillful means, wisdom, samadhi and liberating stabilizations-
Gathering limitless pristine wisdom and positive potential.

On one atom I shall see
Buddha fields numberless as atoms,
Inconceivable Buddhas among Bodhisattvas in every field,
Practicing the activities of awakening.

Perceiving this in all directions,
I dive into an ocean of Buddha fields,
Each an ocean of three times Buddhas in the space of a wisp of hair.
So I, too, will practice for an ocean of eons.

Thus I am continually immersed in the speech of the Buddhas,
Expression that reveals an ocean of qualities in one word,
The completely pure eloquence of all the Buddhas,
Communication suited to the varied tendencies of beings.

With strength of understanding I plunge
Into the infinite enlightened speech of the Dharma
Of all Buddhas in three times gone to freedom,
Who continually turn the wheel of Dharma methods.

I shall experience in one moment
Such vast activity of all future eons,
And I will enter into all eons of the three times,
In but a fraction of a second.

In one instant I shall see all those awakened beings,
Past, present and future lions among humans,
And with the power of the illusion-like stabilization
I will constantly engage in their inconceivable activity.

I shall manifest upon one single atom
The array of pure lands present, past and future.
Likewise, I shall enter the array of pure Buddha fields
In every direction without exception.

I shall enter the very presence of all my guides,
Those lights of this world who are yet to appear,
Those sequentially turning the wheels of complete awakening,
Those who reveal nirvana - final, perfect peace.

May I achieve the power of swift, magical emanation,
The power to lead to the great vehicle through every approach,
The power of always beneficial activity,
The power of love pervading all realms,
The power of all surpassing positive potential,
The power of supreme knowledge unobstructed by discrimination,
And through the powers of wisdom, skillful means and samadhi,
May I achieve the perfect power of awakening.

Purifying the power of all contaminated actions,
Crushing the power of disturbing emotions at their root,
Defusing the power of interfering forces,
I shall perfect the power of the Bodhisattva practice.

May I purify an ocean of worlds,
May I free an ocean of beings,
May I clearly see an ocean of Dharma,
May I realize an ocean of pristine wisdom.

May I purify an ocean of activities,
May I fulfill an ocean of aspirations,
May I make offerings to an ocean of Buddhas,
May I practice without discouragement for an ocean of eons.

To awaken fully through this Bodhisattva way,
I shall fulfill without exception
All the diverse aspirations of the awakening practice
Of all Buddhas gone to freedom in the three times everywhere.

In order to practice exactly as the wise one
Called Samantabhadra, 'All Embracing Good',
The elder brother of the sons and daughters of the Buddhas,
I completely dedicate all this goodness.

Likewise may I dedicate
Just as the skillful Samantabhadra,
With pure body, speech and mind,
Pure actions and pure Buddha fields.

I shall give rise to the aspirations of Manjushri
For this Bodhisattva practice of all embracing good,
To perfect these practices
Without discouragement or pause in all future eons.

May my pure activities be endless,
My good qualities boundless,
And through abiding in immeasurable activity,
May I actualize infinite emanations.

Limitless is the end of space,
Likewise, limitless are living beings,
Thus, limitless are karma and afflictions.
May my aspiration's reach be limitless as well.

One may offer to the Buddhas
All wealth and adornments of infinite worlds in ten directions,
And one may offer during eons numberless as atoms of the world
Even the greatest happiness of gods and humans;

But whoever hears this extraordinary aspiration,
And longing for highest awakening
Gives rise to faith just once,
Creates far more precious positive potential.

Those who make this heartfelt aspiration for the Bodhisattva way
Will be free of all lower rebirths,
Free of harmful companions,
And will quickly see Amitabha, Infinite Light.

And even in this very human life,
They will be nourished by happiness and have all conducive circumstances.
Without waiting long,
They will become like Samantabhadra himself.

Those who give voice to this extraordinary aspiration
Will quickly and completely purify
The five boundless harmful actions
Created under the power of ignorance.

Blessed with supreme knowledge,
Excellent body, family, attributes, and appearance,
They will be invincible to vast interfering forces and misleading teachers,
And all the three worlds will make offerings.

Going quickly to the noble bodhi tree,
And sitting there to benefit sentient beings,
Subduing all interfering forces,
They will fully awaken and turn the great wheel of Dharma

Have no doubt that complete awakening
Is the fully ripened result - comprehended only by a Buddha -
Of holding in mind by teaching, reading or reciting
This aspiration of the Bodhisattva practice.

In order to train just like
The hero Manjushri who knows reality as it is
And just like Samantabhadra as well,
I completely dedicate all this goodness, just as they did.

With that dedication which is praised as greatest
By all the Buddhas gone to freedom in the three times,
I, too, dedicate all my roots of goodness
For the attainments of the Bodhisattva practice.

When the moment of my death arrives,
By eliminating all obscurations
And directly perceiving Amitabha,
May I go immediately to Sukhavati, Pure Land of Great Joy.

Having gone to Sukhavati,
May I actualize the meaning of these aspirations,
Fulfilling them all without exception,
For the benefit of beings for as long as this world endures.

Born from an extremely beautiful, superlative lotus
In this joyful land, the Buddha's magnificent mandala,
May I receive a prediction of my awakening
Directly from the Buddha Amitabha.

Having received a prediction there,
May I create vast benefit
For beings throughout the ten directions,
With a billion emanations by the power of wisdom.

Through even the small virtue I have accumulated
By offering this prayer of the Bodhisattva practice,
May all the positive aspirations of beings
Be fulfilled in an instant.

Through creating limitless positive potential
By dedicating this prayer of Samantabhadra's deeds,
May all beings drowning in this torrent of suffering,
Enter the presence of Amitabha.

Through this king of aspirations, which is the greatest of the sublime,
Helping infinite wanderers in samsara,
Through the accomplishment of this scripture dazzling with Samantabhadra's practice,
May suffering realms be utterly emptied of all beings.

Thus, The Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra, also known as The King of Prayers,
from the Gandavyuha chapter of the Avatamsaka sutra
(translated by Jinamitra, Surendrabodhi and Yeshes-sde circa 900c.e.), is complete.


-------------------------------------------------------
A big Thank you to Sister Jesse for an excellent translation!
It's always refreshing & aspiring to read & recite, especially when one feels down. :-)

And I am also impressed with the well created website where more English translated prayers and practice could be found:
http://www.thubtenchodron.org/PrayersAndPractices/index.html :-)

Ven. Chodron is likely to visit Singapore during 15-26 Oct 2010! :-)

May All Be Well & Happy!

Life

More from email received...



IF AN EGG IS BROKEN BY AN OUTSIDE FORCE..A LIFE ENDS.
IF AN EGG BREAKS FROM WITHIN...... LIFE BEGINS.
GREAT THINGS ALWAYS BEGIN FROM WITHIN.


IT'S BETTER TO LOSE YOUR EGO TO THE ONE YOU LOVE.
THAN TO LOSE THE ONE YOU LOVE ....... BECAUSE OF EGO


WHY WE HAVE SO MANY TEMPLES , IF GOD IS EVERYWHERE ?

A WISE MAN SAID :
AIR IS EVERYWHERE,
BUT WE STILL NEED A FAN TO FEEL IT.


WHEN YOU TRUST SOMEONE TRUST HIM COMPLETELY WITHOUT
ANY DOUBT....... AT THE END YOU WOULD GET ONE OF THE TWO :
EITHER A LESSON FOR YOUR LIFE OR A VERY GOOD PERSON



LIFE IS NOT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ACT TRUE TO YOUR FACE ........
IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO REMAIN TRUE BEHIND YOUR BACK



SOLDIER : SIR, WE ARE SURROUNDED FROM ALL SIDES BY ENEMIES,
MAJOR : EXCELLENT ! WE CAN ATTACK IN ANY DIRECTION.



THE WORST IN LIFE IS "ATTACHMENT" IT HURTS WHEN YOU LOSE IT. THE BEST THING IN LIFE IS "LONELINESS"
BECAUSE IT TEACHES YOU EVERYTHING AND, WHEN YOU LOSE IT, YOU GET EVERYTHING.



“I HEAR AND I FORGET.
I SEE AND I REMEMBER.
I DO AND I UNDERSTAND.”
- Chinese proverb


Every moment, every situation, every issue and every concern has a positive side……. Find it and bring it to life. :-)

Saturday, June 5, 2010

A smile that brightens up both's day

During Lunch hour, when I passed by the traffic light near 313 Somerset before crossing opposite to Centrepoint, there was a girl on a wheelchair promoting something.
I walked nearer & realised that she was selling a $2 Donation Draw ticket for Handicaps Welfare Association.
She was kind of shy but one can see that she is putting on her courage, trying her best to market the tickets.
There was quite a traffic of people moving past her but not much people had paid attention to her.
When I approached her, she was smiley & really broke into Sunflower smile when she realise that I intended to buy a ticket from her.
Her smile brighten up my day too & I would say the scene then was just like those stories often read, a small act brighten up both the giver & recipent's day.

If you do pass by Orchard to 313 Somerset, do look up for the girl & with $2, you not only get a chance to win the cash prizes from the HWA donation draw, a free coffee from Delifrance with minimum purchase of $10 but also giving hope to the girl and other recipients who benefit from the services provided by the Handicaps Welfare Association. :-)
(She and fellow fundraisers could be found in different parts of Spore too)

For more details on the draw & society, you may click on the link:
http://www.hwa.org.sg/content/hwa-all-cash-dd-2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

Chinese Book Fair 2010

The Chinese Book Fair at Suntec Convention Hall level 4. From now until 6 Jun 2010.

Located near the entrance is the Commercial Press PL (Shang Wu ). It has a good variety of books, all neatly organised. It has a good section on children's book. The range below is along the theme that I am looking for, teaching young children safety via colourful characters and stories.
It also has a good range of pocket-sized motivational books with 60 meaningful short stories grouped into various themes like above. Attractive to catch my attention & successful in making me become a buyer!:P (hey, also available on-line: Story60.mysinablog.com)
Most shops are now offering ave of at least 20% discount. So, don't wait lah...

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Kungfu Panda with Dharma strokes in action!

Wow, always amazed with their effort to make Dharma interesting!
It's not easy to have to keep updated with latest trend but also technology !

Using animations and adding captions to attract & enhance Aspirations!
Kungfu Panda with Dharma strokes in action!









Friday, May 28, 2010

Light Transference Ceremony 传灯 2010

This year, I changed venue again for the Light Transference Ceremony. :-)
Every temple has its own culture of conducting the ceremony.
To cool the excited lot, Venerable Bodhi wanted us to start the ceremony with 3 deep breathe to settle down our mind &
Yes, we were led by the Venerables to sing the all favourite tune of Om Mani Padme Hum & Namo Shakyamuni Buddha using the Liang Huang Bao Chan's lively tune. :-)

Next, Venerable explained the meaning of the ceremony (Pardon is sought for any incompleteness or wrong recall) :
Besides what we always know that Light represents Wisdom that dispels darkness of ignorance, a lighted lamp also gives out Warmth just like Warmth that we experience from the Compassion of the Buddha.

Light & Warmth from the Lamp/candle radiates just like Wisdom & Compassion of the Buddha.

They remind us of the qualities of Buddha & again, we are to learn from Him & apply in our daily lives.
How? One with wisdom & compassion will try to achieve Win-Win situation in our daily tasks.

Without wisdom, we may just always think that our views are always the best & ignore others';
Without compassion, we do not put ourselves in others' situation & may just carry out things only to our advantage & harm others to achieve our objectives.

However, it doesn't mean we have to be submissive & give way everytime without thought as that is just suppressing ourselves and unhappiness will eventually erupt.

A person with wisdom & compassion will strive to always review the situation and be receptive to ideas for evaluation & to put oneself in another 's shoes to evaluate what's the best way that objectives are achieved & both sides are happy.

Another valuable lesson learnt!
May All have the Wisdom & Compassion to live our daily lives.
May All Be Well & Happy! :-)

Monday, May 24, 2010

More Dharma Animations from ABS!

Another good Dharma Publication model of Buddhist societies is Amitabha Buddhist Society (ABS) which had also quite a number of Educational Animation DVDs produced for the young. One of which is on the "Codes of Conduct Expected from a Student (弟子规)" and another I had come by previously but forgotten the title name that also emphasis on teaching of ethics and etiquette for the young.
I went ABS in search of the title I had forgotten as my colleagues are looking for something educational that teaches moral education for their kids & I recall watching the unrecalled title and remembered it being publicated from ABS. That was not found but I found the new animation 弟子规 which has quite good quality drawings & examples though I would had preferred the pace taught to be faster.

Another surprise is this drama animation about a teenager : "Jane's enlightenment of the six perfections". Strongly recommended to watch! Good story-line! Just pick up from the society & watch it & you will know why!


ABS is located at Lor 35 Geylang,
Map could be found here:
http://www.amtb.org.sg/amtb/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14&Itemid=15

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Dharma in Comics for Adults too!



With Gratitude! (Gan En!)

I had a few questions in mind recently and they were resolved and my faith reinforced after reading... yes, the FaHuaJing in comics form.

It is with rekindled interest to visit the Buddhist Life Mission, Venerable Hai Tao's Dharma Centre in Singapore after getting a Buddhist story-book published by the Chung Hua Sutra Printing Association from Taiwan during a recent retreat.

It must be with much blessings that I was given this set by the volunteer during the visit to the centre.
I was told that this was just returned to the centre and most likely the volunteer must had noticed my excitement in discovering the other story-book/comics Gems at the centre that he offered them to me amongst other visitors.:P
With good and easier to understand explanation of the Sutra (I believe is just parts of it) incorporated into comics, I found the answers to a couple of queries that I had and appreciate this introduction to FaHuaJing as a sutra recommendable to all by the Buddha. I pray for the opportunity to be able to appreciate the actual text in the near future.
May more sutras be re-translated into easier to understand mode to reach out to more and printing of more such publications could be supported by all.
Amituofo!

The Buddhist Life Mission is located at 19-B Lorong Bachok (Off Geylang Lor 19) Singapore 387788.
It often organises life release activities and if you are interested, you may call their centre at 6836 9088 (after 12pm) for more details of their activities.
And just discovered they have a blog: http://buddhistlife2006.blogspot.com/ :-)

The Common Endeavor of Buddhists

Visited Dharma Drum Singapore recently and found some additions in their Free Book Distribution Shelves.
I like their new card (right bottom of picture) with the Buddha on the background with following phrases:




The Common Endeavor of Buddhists
Have Faith in the Buddha, Follow the Dharma, Respect the Sangha;
The Three Jewels are a bright lamp shining throughout eternity.

Uplift the character of humanity
And build a pure land on earth.

Being grateful, repaying kindness,: this is first;
Benefit others and you benefit yourself.

Foremost is to exert your wholehearted effort
Without measuring more or less.

Kindness and compassion have no enemies,
And wisdom engenders no vexations.
The busy make the most of time;
The diligent enjoy the best of health.
In broadly sowing the fields of merit,
Why fear any any hardship or rebuke?
Those who give selflessly are blessed;
Those who do good deeds are happy.
In every moment feel the joy of the Dharma,
And abide in the bliss of meditation.
Recite "Guanyin Bodhisattva" everywhere
And chant "Amitabha Buddha" without end.
Amituofo! :-)

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Vesak@Orchard 2010 Leshan Buddha


During the last trip to Leshan, I was at quite a distance away from the actual Leshan Buddha in China so I couldn't really see the facial features. But the miniature of the Leshan Buddha at this year's Orchard@Vesak against the building seems to give a strange contrast.




The look of the Eyes??? do visit and let me know what's your feel...

Saturday, May 8, 2010

VESAK@ORCHARD 2010

Some Snapshots of Vesak@Orchard 2010 (http://vesakcelebrations.sg/)





Above are some miniatures of the replicated Famous Buddhist sites around the world.
Concerts for the music lovers...

Lastly, crowd drew by the Delicious Vegetarian Food Fair :-)


Don't wait any more, join the crowd in the Vesak Celebration @ Orchard 2010 , just outside Ngee Ann City , Orchard Rd: 8-9May 2010 ! (Sun to 5pm only!)

And Don't forget to visit the every year popular Free Book Distribution Booth located just beside the Leshan Buddha this year to get new priceless Gems! And Always be prepared to bring your own recycled bags to carry the Gems back!:-)

Cheers! :-)