Volunteering

Though volunteering at retreats generally requires one to wake up and leave the house earlier while returning later than for workplace;
jobs assigned may be no brain-teasers ones; 
one has to be humble to all at all times,
The Joy is Incomparable and Greater than job satisfaction. :-)

May I continue to bring with me the attitude and joy of volunteering to my workplace ...

Amituofo _/|\_

4th 100 million Ami Dewa Recitation Retreat 2014

At the 4th 100 million Ami Dewa Recitation retreat at MBS,  a gift of 初解脱 Initial liberation Mantra band was given.  It is believed whoever sees the mantra will have planted seeds for liberation and one who is touched by the person wearing the mantra band will also receive such blessing. 

( ~ 见此咒得解脱)

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2299385483406236&id=416809031663900

Gratitude to H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, Dorzin Dhondrup Rinpoche and lamas and all for organising the retreat.

Feeling Blessed…

Om Ami Dewa Hri 

AMITUOFO _/|\_ 

 Ref: http://www.amidewa-retreat.com/web/index.php

(1st encounter with H.E. Garchen Rinpoche was in 2007 when he came to lead the Mani retreat after H.E. Druwang Rinpoche entered into parinirvana in Singapore .
I find him very compassionate and that affinity drew me to attend another event led by him at a Clan hall. As like most other Tibetan events, it ended with a Blessing ceremony by Rinpoche. I was then carrying heavy bags and I put them down at a side when it was my turn. After blessings by him, I was surprised when he pointed at my bags to remind me of them. I was surprised at his attention to everyone.
When he held the 1st Ami Dewa Retreat in Singapore, since it is a chant of mantra of Amitabha Buddha, I decided to attend it despite lots of discouragement by Dharma friends of Chinese Mahayana tradition who were concerned. It turned out I made a right decision as Rinpoche gave many useful teachings that I could complement my Chinese Mahayana practice and the retreat was an enjoyable one that I mark it as an annual retreat to attend.
This is the 4th year and we are glad to have him again to lead us. During the retreat we can see signs of his discomfort but he persevered with coming down stage to give rounds of empowerment to all present. His wheel is always turning. He always put on a smiling face when he notices you are taking pictures of him. He blesses everyone with such attention. Friend said that he wiped her tears when he saw her tears during the blessing. And he gestures me back to take a photo with him when he saw my friend trying to help take a photo of us after his blessing. He is really so kind and attentive to everyone. To me, he is like a reassurance representative sent by Amitabha Buddha.
Oh Amitabha Buddha, may you bless Rinpoche with Good Health that he is able to lead and guide more beings.
Om Ami Dewa Hri _/|\_
Amituofo _/|\_ )

Meaningful day spent on Ullambana Day

A busy day with start of walk at Botanical garden with family .

Then visit to Spore Buddhist Lodge.

Followed by long missed enjoyable Mani practice session and respect paid to my first chanting teacher since 2004.
Then quick pop by to be glad to catch a view of Garchen Rinpoche.

Completed my final round of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra in evening which I  will miss their final week due to other commitments.
Dedication of whatever minute merits accumulated throughout the day to All beings.
May All Be Well & Happy!
Amituofo _/|\_

【你以為你是誰？】

A mistake we always make
====================
【你以為你是誰？】

一隻駱駝，辛辛苦苦穿過了沙漠，一隻蒼蠅趴在駱駝背上，一點力氣也不用，也過來了。蒼蠅譏笑說：“駱駝，謝謝你辛苦把我駝過來。再見！”駱駝看了一眼蒼蠅說：“你在我身上的時候，我根本就不知道，你走了，你也沒必要跟我打招呼，你根本就沒有什麼重量，你別把自己看太重，你以為你是誰？”

英國文學家蕭伯納一日閑著無事，同一個不認識的小女孩子玩耍談天，黃昏來臨時，蕭伯納對小女孩說，回去告訴你媽媽，說是蕭伯納先生和你玩了一下午，沒想到小女孩子馬上就回敬了一句：你也回去告訴你媽媽，就說瑪麗和你玩了一下午。後來，蕭伯納對他人講，人，切不可把自己看得過重。

著名表演藝術家英若誠曾講過一個故事。他生長在一個大家庭中，每次吃飯都是幾十個人坐在大餐廳中一起吃，有一次，他突發奇想，決定跟大家開個玩笑，吃飯前，他把自己藏在飯廳內一個不被注意的櫃子中，想等到大家遍尋不著時再跳出來。尷尬的是：大家絲毫沒有注意到他的缺席，酒足飯飽，大家離去，他才蔫蔫地走出來吃了些殘湯剩菜。從那以後,他就告訴自己：永遠不要把自己看得太重要，否則就會大失所望。

蘇東坡年輕的時候，是個傲氣十足的人。一日在田間小路上行走，忽然和一個村姑狹路相逢。村姑挑著一擔泥，兩個互不相讓。最後村姑提出她出一上聯，若蘇東坡能對上下聯，她就甘心讓路。村姑的上聯是：一擔重泥擋子路。蘇東坡一聽，這個上聯可生了得，一時竟想不出下聯。兩邊在水田裡插秧的農夫大聲笑。情急之下，蘇東坡竟然大聲回應：兩旁夫子笑顏回。然後，蘇東坡脫下鞋襪，為村姑讓了路。

事實上，一個人的輕與重，貴與賤，決不是自己能訂下標準的，那只是輪回業力的緣起在世間的一種虛幻顯現而已，平靜謙和，不事張揚，才是最重的分量。

俄國文學家列夫托爾斯泰曾被一個貴婦人當作搬運工搬箱子，托爾斯泰十分愉快的完成了這項工作，並且得到了一盧布的報酬，當貴婦人得知這個搬運工是托爾斯泰時，羞得滿臉通紅，想要索回那一盧布，托爾斯泰卻高興的說，不，這是我勞動所得，和稿費同樣重要。

總統雷根，雖貴為總統，卻能夠把自己“看輕”。一個叫比利的男孩子，身患重病，不久于人世，聽說這個孩子最大的願望是做總統，於是雷根把他請到白宮，讓他坐在橢圓形辦公室裡，親自給這個孩子做助手，幫他處理公務，直到這一天結束。

大學開學的日子，一個新生攔住了一個看門的大爺，讓他照顧一下箱子。第二天才發現，這個看門的大爺，竟然是北京大學副校長，著名學者季羨林。這位學貫中西的學者，竟然能夠如此看輕自己，也許，正是他成為當代學人榜樣的原因之一。

馬俑坑至今已出土清理各種陶俑1000多尊，除跪射俑外，皆有不同程度的損壞，需要人工修復。而這尊跪射俑是保存最完整的、惟一一尊未經人工修復的。仔細觀察，就連衣紋、髮絲都還清晰可見。跪射俑何以能保存得如此完整？這得益於它的低姿態。兵馬俑坑都是地下道式土木結構建築，當棚頂塌陷、土木俱下時，高大的立姿俑首當其衝，低姿的跪射俑受損害就小一些。跪射俑作蹲跪姿，右膝、右足、左足三個支點呈等腰三角形支撐著上體，重心在下，增強了穩定性，與兩足站立的立姿俑相比，不容易傾倒、破碎。因此，在經歷了兩千年的歲月風霜後，它依然能完整地呈現在我們面前。

被稱為美國人之父的佛蘭克林，年輕時曾去拜訪一位德高望重的老前輩。那時他年輕氣盛，挺胸抬頭邁著大步，一進門，他的頭就狠狠地撞在門框上，疼得他一邊不住地用手揉搓，一邊看著比他的身子矮去一大截的門。出來迎接他的前輩看到他這副樣子，笑笑說：“很痛吧！可是，這將是你今天訪問我的最大收穫。一個人要想平安無事地活在世上，就必須時刻記住：該低頭時就低頭。這也是我要教你的事情。”

一對夫妻因為一點瑣事吵架。為了殺殺丈夫的銳氣，妻子決定以離婚相要脅。於是，一向霸道的她自擬離婚協議書，所有的一切財產歸丈夫，孩子歸丈夫，自己每年支付孩子五百元生活費，以示離婚的決心。不依不饒的她本以為丈夫不會同意。未曾想到丈夫很爽快地同意了。一周之後，妻子主動找丈夫要求重婚，被丈夫拒絕了。她對他說：“給你半年時間，如果你還不同意重婚,那我就嫁人了!”她太高估了自己，以為丈夫會非她不娶呢！期待著眼前已經變得有點陌生的丈夫聽到最後通牒能有所觸動。然而，丈夫脫口而出，“我早就受夠你了，隨你的便!”後來，他們也就真的沒有重婚。

這個故事真實而簡單，但是它告訴我們，一定要學會認識自己，千萬不要把自己看得太重。這個世界上，每個人都很重要，但是離了誰地球都照樣地轉。一個人可以自信，但不要自大；可以狂放，但決不能狂妄；可以健康長壽，但不可能萬壽無疆；能夠力挽狂瀾，但決不可能再造乾坤。

不把自己看得太重，修到極致，其實就是佛祖在金剛經中所雲的“無我相，無人相”，這是一種修養，一種風度，一種高尚的境界，一種達觀的處世姿態，是心態上的一種成熟，是心志上的一種淡泊。用這種心態做人，可以使自己更健康，更大度；用這種心態做事，可以使生活更輕鬆，更踏實，更空靈；用這種心態處世，可以使社會更和祥和。

从禪、淨、密のHome转載
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=718701018194186&substory_index=0&id=465660333498257

Story of Appreciation

Another inspiring story received
———
Story of Appreciation

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.

He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision.

The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, 
from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not score good grades.
The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school ?" the youth answered "None."
The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school fees ?" 
The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees."
The director asked, "Where did your mother work?" 
The youth answered, "My mother worked as clothes cleaner." 
The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

The director asked, " Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before ?"

The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me."

The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning."

 The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high.  When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid.
The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. 
His tear fell as he did that.

It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands.  Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.
This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.

After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.
That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.
Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: "Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"

 The youth answered, "I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes."

 The Director asked, "Please tell me your feelings."

The youth said,
Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not be the successful me today. 
    Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done. 
    Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.

 The director said, "This is what I am looking for to be my manager."

I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of
others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are hired.

Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.

Lessons to be Learnt:

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?

 You can let your kid live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV.  But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. 
It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in a right way. 
You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow grey, same as the mother of that young person. 
The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.