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...

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!

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! :-)

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

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! :-)

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...

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! :-)

Fish Liberation

Received sms from my India trip buddies that they are joining bro Benny's May Fish liberation and I gladly accepted the invitation to join them.

Weather in Singapore is getting unbearably hot in the afternoon & it is really Sunny this few days. This round, there is no boat ride but release of fishes at a sea-sports club with a man-made slide for the fishes to swim into liberty.

Pictures from left top:

Bro Benny giving speeches and leading in the chant under the hot sun to us in the shade:P

Long queues of people under the heat, excited for their turn to release the fishes personally

4 hugh cartons of fishes, hundreds of them waiting for their turns to liberty

Volunteers helping adults and children to release the fishes safely

Simple Man-made slide to liberty for the fishes.

Saving for the boat ride this round, Bro Benny is hoping to charter for the hugh cruise ships during future trips which would cost much more than the $12 per person boat fare that he is collecting so that the events would be affordable to more especially to those who wanted to attend with family.

Rejoice also that he had just published a book on QnA on Life liberation which will be good reference to clear the myths that people usually has on Life Liberation. Having attended his explaination of myth clearing during his events, I am sure his books would be beneficial to all.

Was impressed with the quality of book which is hardcover (limited edition) and really salute him for his effort to print such a wonderful book.

Amituofo! May All be Well & Happy! :-)

Let's appreciate life and enjoy what we have .....

Meaningful phrases on Contentment from email forwarded

Let's appreciate life and enjoy what we have .....

這條短信，實在很好 !

錢多錢少，夠吃就好
人醜人美，順眼就好
人老人少，健康就好
家窮家富，和氣就好
老公晚歸，回來就好
老婆嘮叨，顧家就好
孩子從小，就要教好
博士也好，賣菜也好
長大以后，乖乖就好
房屋大小，能住就好
名不名牌，能穿就好
兩輪四輪，能駕就好

老板不好，能忍就好
一切煩惱，能解就好
堅持執著，放下最好
人的一生，平安就好

不是有錢，一定會好
心好行好，命能改好
誰是誰非，天知就好
修福修慧，來世更好

天地萬物，隨緣就好
很多事情，看開就好
人人都好，日日都好
你好我好，世界更好
總而言之，知足最好

講這麼多，明白就好
這條短信，真的很好
不發給你，是我不好 :-)