Extract from a sms received:
中国人的祖先很实在。
我们十二生肖两两相对，六道轮回，体现了我们祖先对我们的期望和要求。”
第一组是老鼠和牛。老鼠代表智慧，牛代表勤奋。
智慧和勤奋一定要紧紧结合在一起。如果光有智慧，不勤奋，那就变成小聪明；而光是勤奋，不动脑筋，那就变成愚蠢。这两者一定要结合。这是祖先对我们第一组的期望和要求，也是最重要的一组。
第二组是老虎和兔子。老虎代表勇猛，兔子代表谨慎。
勇猛和谨慎一定要紧紧结合在一起才能作到胆大心细。如果勇猛离开了谨慎，就变成了鲁莽，而没了勇猛，就变成了胆怯。
这一组也非常重要. 当我们表现出谨慎的时候，千万不要以为中国人没有勇敢的一面。
第三组是龙和蛇，龙代表猛，蛇代表柔韧。所谓刚者易折，太刚了容易折断，但是，如果只有柔的一面就易失去主见，所以，刚柔并济是我们的祖训。
接下来是马和羊，马代表勇往直前，羊 代表和顺。如果一个人只顾自己直奔目标，不顾及周围环境，必然会和周围不断磕碰，最后不见得能达到目标。但是，一个人光顾及和顺，他可能连方向都没有了。所以，勇往直前的秉性，一定要和和顺紧紧结合在一起，这是祖先对我们的第四组期望。
再接下来是猴子和鸡。猴子代表灵活，鸡定时打鸣，代表恒定。灵活和恒定一定要紧紧结合在一起。如果你光灵活，没有恒定，再好的政策也得不到收获。一方面具有稳定性，保持整体和谐和秩序，另一方面有能在变通中前进，这才是最根本的要旨。
最后是狗和猪。狗代表忠诚，猪代表随和。如果一个人太忠诚，不懂得随和，就会排斥他人。反过来，一个人太随和，没有忠诚，这个人就失去原则。无论是对一个民族的忠诚，还是对自己理想的忠诚，一定要与随和紧紧结合在一起，这样才容易保持内心深处的平衡。
惭愧的是，这也是第一次了解十二生肖的意义
Monday, February 24, 2014
Bodhgaya 2014
It is nice to be back to Home Sweet Home, Singapore, just in time for Chinese New Year. Yes I do miss Singapore after spending my New Year Eve & Day in Bodhgaya, the Buddhist Holy site.
It is my 3rd trip to India. The 1st 2 were packaged Pilgrim tours with Buddhist centres which we were so well-taken care of without worries. And this is my 1st Free & Easy trip to India amidst of a lot of negative feedbacks received on wanting to spend close to a month there. So it's like an achievement to be back safe & sound!
Bodhgaya, a Buddhist Holy site.
Non Buddhist friends ask why there again?
One friend who came back just before my departure from a pilgrim trip with PMT commented she don't know why people want to visit Bodhgaya till she personally been there. She understands now and will go back again if she could in future.
Many would have asked Why would Buddha want to choose to get enlightened at Bodhgaya, such a poor state with sorry sights of beggars on the street?
Answers received from practitioners;
1) Gaya is the centre of Universe (you may see Red lights radiate from the Stone statute at the Bodhi tree)
2) It is the Buddha's Great Compassion. If not for His Enlightenment there, there would not be economic benefits now with influx of tourists to help the state. Imagine the people who would be worse off without tourism there.
And the sorry sights on the way to the holy site actually is a good teaching to let one see the sufferings in life and be motivated to pursue on right path to ultimate happiness.
3) The beggars are spoilt by the foreigners and they may be rich "after work" with land and houses. You think they are suffering but they may be richer than you.
Main theme of this trip is to attend the Kagyu Monlam hosted by His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.
It is an eye-opener. It is an International event with participants from all over the world. And also a closer contact with the Vajrayana (Tibetan) tradition.
Despite his own tiredness and discomfort, His Holiness still tried His best to meet all in public or private audience.
During Public Audience time, His Holiness stood up to facilitate the crowd to see Him as the "Throne seat" was placed just on sitting eye-level,
During Private Audience, I was so surprised to find Karmapa standing just in front of the audience hall, near the door to greet one and is swift to bless one and gives autographs for the books instead of sitting behind His "Throne seat".
He is compassionate to listen to tales of problems of the audience and give them blessings despite His own unwell. He meets hundreds of audience per day and inevitably His action has to be swift that before we can react to Thank Him, we were ushered out and next group moved in.
Actually our problems might be big to ourselves but minute in comparison to His own responsibilities.
He has Hugh responsibility to lead as well if not better than His previous reincarnations. He is humble to always apologize for not knowing better for His young age.
http://kagyuoffice.org/the-way-of-the-authentic-practitioner/
The dust in Gaya was cleansed by showers after the Lama Dance on the 10th Jan.
Finally, we can walk in the open without face mask for a short while.
However, Hugh showers continued for next 2 days and revealed the poor development management in this important tourist state. Bricks and cement for improving the road near Monlam Pavilion were ordered by Karmapa (according to what we heard).
On 16th Jan, night of Marme Monlam, though it is a warmer nite, Karmapa sat on stage throughout the night since start of the evening concert without His cloak and at end sang the song on "Lamp Prayer".
http://kagyuoffice.org/musical-offerings-to-the-buddha-the-marme-monlam/
He made efforts to give teachings and improve the status and education opportunities for nuns of Karma Kamtsang.
The 1st debate for Kagyu tradition nuns: Arya Kshema Winter Gathering for Nuns and gave teachings to them and the general public, promoting awareness and accomplishments of the nuns.
http://kagyuoffice.org/another-step-forward-for-the-nuns-of-the-karma-kamtsang-the-opening-ceremony-of-the-1st-annual-arya-kshema-winter-dharma-gathering/
http://www.aryakshema.com/
From the brief encounters with Him, I am impressed and fast becoming a 'fan' of His Holiness...😀🙏
Friends say He is good-looking, But I would think "Majestic" is a better word for him.
He is Charismatic despite sparing few smiles. (or so I thought during Monlam period )
He is compassionate, no fuss practical Noble Dharma Prince!!! 🙏🙏🙏
During the trip, we were also led by more experienced Vajrayana Buddhist friends to meet several great teachers or Rinpoches, especially the reincarnated Tulkus. My room-mate and I (who are newbies to the Tibetan tradition history despite attended a couple of the Tibetan chanting retreats) visited them without knowing how great they or their previous reincarnation were until later, so repent if we had not shown enough respect for them then. (One of them visited is reincarnation of Dilgo Rinpoche! It was later friend lent me the book "Brilliant Moon" for quick read then I know His accomplishments; Repent)
Accomplishments: Attended Kagyu Monlam for World peace, met Karmapa and various Rinpoches, received oral transmission for "Om Mani Padme Hum" and "Om Ami Dewa Hrih" from Karmapa!, made many butter lamp offerings, offered robes, 8 offerings (including a bell for better voice in future life) to the Buddha, participated in the flower offerings for the Tara and Stupas and circumbulated around the main shrine of Mahabodhi temple.
Oh also 3 days of 8 precepts! Surprisingly did not suffer as much hunger groans and discomfort as in Singapore. Friend said it is because of blessings in a holy place.:-)
Hopefully bad karma purified or neutralised.
Not to forget 1st encounter with Tibetan medicine ;-)
Similar to Chinese medicine treatment with pulse reading.
Given herbal tea, cough pills n precious pill!
To be Taken Half an hour Before breakfast, After lunch n dinner.
The timing verus the sequence seems to be more crucial so if missed the lunch portion just skip and take Dinner portion later...
Precious pill at 4am. Warmth throughout the body within an hour.
Well, really recovered within 10 days portion per predicted by the Tibetan doctor...
Just like Antibiotics, recommended to finish whole course medicine despite recovery before all consumed.
And tested my belief in Amitabha Buddha in helping me recover better just by simply chanting and praying to him.
Friends of Tibetan tradition will pray to H.H.Dalai Lama or Karmapa for help in times of distress instead of Buddha or Bodhisattva unlike our Chinese tradition. Interesting!
Knew more International friends such as Vi, from the Monlam retreat...
Memories of butter tea, bread and oat drinks served during tea-breaks of Monlam; Tibetan Then-Thuk (Mee Hoon Kuai), Tibetan Spring Roll at Om Café , Indian Fried Noodles, Bhutanese rice with creamy mushrooms...
(http://vegefoodhunt.blogspot.sg/search/label/Oversea%20Delights-India-Gaya)
Oh exciting rides on Trishaw & Tutu (Tricycles)...
Early wake up to queue for Monlam and early sleep before 12pm bec no entertainment. Healthy lifestyle... haha...
(Grateful especially to sis A & CH for such a Rejoice trip 💖🙏💖)
(sources of most pictures from internet...)
It is my 3rd trip to India. The 1st 2 were packaged Pilgrim tours with Buddhist centres which we were so well-taken care of without worries. And this is my 1st Free & Easy trip to India amidst of a lot of negative feedbacks received on wanting to spend close to a month there. So it's like an achievement to be back safe & sound!
Bodhgaya, a Buddhist Holy site.
Non Buddhist friends ask why there again?
One friend who came back just before my departure from a pilgrim trip with PMT commented she don't know why people want to visit Bodhgaya till she personally been there. She understands now and will go back again if she could in future.
Many would have asked Why would Buddha want to choose to get enlightened at Bodhgaya, such a poor state with sorry sights of beggars on the street?
Answers received from practitioners;
1) Gaya is the centre of Universe (you may see Red lights radiate from the Stone statute at the Bodhi tree)
2) It is the Buddha's Great Compassion. If not for His Enlightenment there, there would not be economic benefits now with influx of tourists to help the state. Imagine the people who would be worse off without tourism there.
And the sorry sights on the way to the holy site actually is a good teaching to let one see the sufferings in life and be motivated to pursue on right path to ultimate happiness.
3) The beggars are spoilt by the foreigners and they may be rich "after work" with land and houses. You think they are suffering but they may be richer than you.
Main theme of this trip is to attend the Kagyu Monlam hosted by His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.
It is an eye-opener. It is an International event with participants from all over the world. And also a closer contact with the Vajrayana (Tibetan) tradition.
During Public Audience time, His Holiness stood up to facilitate the crowd to see Him as the "Throne seat" was placed just on sitting eye-level,
During Private Audience, I was so surprised to find Karmapa standing just in front of the audience hall, near the door to greet one and is swift to bless one and gives autographs for the books instead of sitting behind His "Throne seat".
He is compassionate to listen to tales of problems of the audience and give them blessings despite His own unwell. He meets hundreds of audience per day and inevitably His action has to be swift that before we can react to Thank Him, we were ushered out and next group moved in.
Actually our problems might be big to ourselves but minute in comparison to His own responsibilities.
He has Hugh responsibility to lead as well if not better than His previous reincarnations. He is humble to always apologize for not knowing better for His young age.
http://kagyuoffice.org/the-way-of-the-authentic-practitioner/
Finally, we can walk in the open without face mask for a short while.
However, Hugh showers continued for next 2 days and revealed the poor development management in this important tourist state. Bricks and cement for improving the road near Monlam Pavilion were ordered by Karmapa (according to what we heard).
http://kagyuoffice.org/musical-offerings-to-the-buddha-the-marme-monlam/
The 1st debate for Kagyu tradition nuns: Arya Kshema Winter Gathering for Nuns and gave teachings to them and the general public, promoting awareness and accomplishments of the nuns.
http://kagyuoffice.org/another-step-forward-for-the-nuns-of-the-karma-kamtsang-the-opening-ceremony-of-the-1st-annual-arya-kshema-winter-dharma-gathering/
http://www.aryakshema.com/
Friends say He is good-looking, But I would think "Majestic" is a better word for him.
He is Charismatic despite sparing few smiles. (or so I thought during Monlam period )
He is compassionate, no fuss practical Noble Dharma Prince!!! 🙏🙏🙏
During the trip, we were also led by more experienced Vajrayana Buddhist friends to meet several great teachers or Rinpoches, especially the reincarnated Tulkus. My room-mate and I (who are newbies to the Tibetan tradition history despite attended a couple of the Tibetan chanting retreats) visited them without knowing how great they or their previous reincarnation were until later, so repent if we had not shown enough respect for them then. (One of them visited is reincarnation of Dilgo Rinpoche! It was later friend lent me the book "Brilliant Moon" for quick read then I know His accomplishments; Repent)
Accomplishments: Attended Kagyu Monlam for World peace, met Karmapa and various Rinpoches, received oral transmission for "Om Mani Padme Hum" and "Om Ami Dewa Hrih" from Karmapa!, made many butter lamp offerings, offered robes, 8 offerings (including a bell for better voice in future life) to the Buddha, participated in the flower offerings for the Tara and Stupas and circumbulated around the main shrine of Mahabodhi temple.
Oh also 3 days of 8 precepts! Surprisingly did not suffer as much hunger groans and discomfort as in Singapore. Friend said it is because of blessings in a holy place.:-)
Hopefully bad karma purified or neutralised.
Not to forget 1st encounter with Tibetan medicine ;-)
Similar to Chinese medicine treatment with pulse reading.
Given herbal tea, cough pills n precious pill!
To be Taken Half an hour Before breakfast, After lunch n dinner.
The timing verus the sequence seems to be more crucial so if missed the lunch portion just skip and take Dinner portion later...
Precious pill at 4am. Warmth throughout the body within an hour.
Well, really recovered within 10 days portion per predicted by the Tibetan doctor...
Just like Antibiotics, recommended to finish whole course medicine despite recovery before all consumed.
And tested my belief in Amitabha Buddha in helping me recover better just by simply chanting and praying to him.
Friends of Tibetan tradition will pray to H.H.Dalai Lama or Karmapa for help in times of distress instead of Buddha or Bodhisattva unlike our Chinese tradition. Interesting!
Knew more International friends such as Vi, from the Monlam retreat...
Memories of butter tea, bread and oat drinks served during tea-breaks of Monlam; Tibetan Then-Thuk (Mee Hoon Kuai), Tibetan Spring Roll at Om Café , Indian Fried Noodles, Bhutanese rice with creamy mushrooms...
(http://vegefoodhunt.blogspot.sg/search/label/Oversea%20Delights-India-Gaya)
Oh exciting rides on Trishaw & Tutu (Tricycles)...
Early wake up to queue for Monlam and early sleep before 12pm bec no entertainment. Healthy lifestyle... haha...
(Grateful especially to sis A & CH for such a Rejoice trip 💖🙏💖)
(sources of most pictures from internet...)
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Playground for adults too
Safer also for toddlers to sit or sleep comfortably.
A temporary fun land for visitors to this playground located just at side of Marymount MRT.
Swing Swing troubles swing away for a moment...
Oh, if anyone knows of any places that has Merry-go-round (horses) for adults and in clock-wise directions, do let me know...miss it too...
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Liang Huang Repentence Liturgy
So fast, another year has arrived !
28/03-31/03/2014
Some past reference on the event: http://sunnyslove.blogspot.sg/2013/04/liang-huang-repentence-liturgy.html
(Smokey, Sweaty, Breathless, Tiredness, Pain are physical words.
AGE caught up : -p
APPLAUSE again to the Leading Venerables...)
The abbess encouraged us to continue more than treating the prostrations as an exercise but repenting our past bad actions with the physical discomfort as cleansing process.
Cause and effects ~ Karma...
We have created many past bad actions (known and unknown/forgotten) over present and past lives. Acknowledgement and vowing not to repeat, the repentance puja will help us greatly.
(Every year is a different experience to the different chapters. And as only read it once a year at the puja, always enchanted by the wordings. Some of which pace being too fast may not had completely comprehend the meaning which could be more than what one literally read and some beautiful paragraphs really Need guidance to really appreciate context.
Wish is for the texts of Liang Huang Repentance Liturgy to be taught and explained before next puja for participants to better and really appreciate the compilation of repentance phrases and the praises.
With my deteriorating comprehension of Chinese, it is already a masterpiece , I am sure it will be more appreciated by all if such classes are available and well explained...)
Mandarin Pureland Class at Singapore Buddhist Lodge
4月05日 莲池大师（一）
4月12日 莲池大师（二）
4月19日 莲池大师（三）3pm-5pm
蕅益大师（一）7:30pm-9:30pm
4月26日 蕅益大师（二）3pm-5pm
蕅益大师（三）7:30pm-9:30pm
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Amituofo
One incident that again strengthened my faith of Amitabha Buddha as the Curer King.
While at Bodhgaya, I caught a flu that when at night when the cold air creeps into our room, my running nose became blocked nose (maybe too cold that my mucus hardens) that I cannot breathe normally that I have to use my mouth to breathe which then irritated my infected throat and I coughed badly. So I have to keep blowing my nose to clear my airway for hours.
Well, usually in Singapore, I will sit up to meditate and visualise lights from Amitabha Buddha to bring warmth to cure my illness but I felt lazy and cold at Bodhgaya to sit up and do so. So I recalled, why don't I try the always advocated method of just simply chanting Amitabha Buddha's name. So, a silent prayer for Amitabha Buddha to help me for existing condition was made and I recall by count after 3rd "Amituofo", I fell asleep till day-break! which I believe my suffering could have dragged through the night if I had not prayed for Amitabha Buddha's help.
The same blocked nose situation happened the next nite and similarly after 3rd count, I managed to fall asleep. Well, I believe I prayed to find good medicine too so next day, I decided to entrust myself to a Tibetan doctor to give me some good medicine to ease the problem and it worked. Interestingly Tibetan doctors also take pulse like Traditional Chinese doctors but with instant round pill medicine.
(And diagnosis quite accurate.)
Namo Amituofo!
While at Bodhgaya, I caught a flu that when at night when the cold air creeps into our room, my running nose became blocked nose (maybe too cold that my mucus hardens) that I cannot breathe normally that I have to use my mouth to breathe which then irritated my infected throat and I coughed badly. So I have to keep blowing my nose to clear my airway for hours.
Well, usually in Singapore, I will sit up to meditate and visualise lights from Amitabha Buddha to bring warmth to cure my illness but I felt lazy and cold at Bodhgaya to sit up and do so. So I recalled, why don't I try the always advocated method of just simply chanting Amitabha Buddha's name. So, a silent prayer for Amitabha Buddha to help me for existing condition was made and I recall by count after 3rd "Amituofo", I fell asleep till day-break! which I believe my suffering could have dragged through the night if I had not prayed for Amitabha Buddha's help.
The same blocked nose situation happened the next nite and similarly after 3rd count, I managed to fall asleep. Well, I believe I prayed to find good medicine too so next day, I decided to entrust myself to a Tibetan doctor to give me some good medicine to ease the problem and it worked. Interestingly Tibetan doctors also take pulse like Traditional Chinese doctors but with instant round pill medicine.
(And diagnosis quite accurate.)
Namo Amituofo!
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Welcoming 2014
Oh it's so good to be back to Home Sweet Home in time for Lunar New Year after spending my New Year Eve & Day at Gaya, India.
Annual visit to Spore Buddhist Lodge on 1st day of Lunar New Year.
In time to join friend for their DaBeiChan at 4pm. Though rhythm is slightly different from my usual practice place, so glad to be able to chant one of my favourite Chinese Repentence puja on first day of New Year, especially after a month's break from Chinese pujas. Rejoice!
May All be able to meet more good Dharma teachers and friends to guide one along the Right Path.
Amituofo _/|\_
Annual visit to Spore Buddhist Lodge on 1st day of Lunar New Year.
In time to join friend for their DaBeiChan at 4pm. Though rhythm is slightly different from my usual practice place, so glad to be able to chant one of my favourite Chinese Repentence puja on first day of New Year, especially after a month's break from Chinese pujas. Rejoice!
May All be able to meet more good Dharma teachers and friends to guide one along the Right Path.
Amituofo _/|\_
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