Sunday, June 28, 2009

Gratitude

I and I believe many others are grateful for the packet dinner provided by the Bright Hill temple in kind consideration for most working adults who rushed from work for the weekday lessons.
Many of us would agree that it is tasty and one feels warmth while taking it, especially after a hectic work day and able to attend the spiritually enhancing lessons with a non-groaning stomach.
When I told my friends that for just $30 (a semester), the students enjoy not only spiritual food, but packet dinner & free transport to AMK MRT after the classes, all exclaim that that is very thoughtful arrangement by the temple.

We are indeed fortunate and really grateful for having a great environment to listen to the precious Dharma and attend various activities, all with the help of staff, volunteers and donors.
Greatly appreciate all in their contributions.
感恩 !

Sunday, June 14, 2009

《佛说疗痔病经》 Cancer Curing Sutra

Chanced upon this Sutra sometime ago & seems like quite good comments had been feedback if you type :
《佛说疗痔病经》
at yahoo search.

The Sutra text can be found here
and an extract from 《佛学文摘》
HERE
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<< 佛说疗痔病(癌症)经 >>
大唐三藏义净 奉制译

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  如是我闻,一时薄伽梵在王舍大城,竹林园中,与大比丘众五百人俱。时,有众多比丘身患痔病,形体羸瘦,痛苦萦缠,於日夜中,极受忧恼。时具寿阿难陀,见是事已,诣世尊所,顶礼双足,在一面立,白佛言:“世尊!今王舍城,多有比丘,身患痔病,形体羸瘦,痛苦萦缠,于日夜中,极受忧恼,世尊!此诸病苦,云何救疗?”

  尔时佛告阿难陀:“汝可听此疗痔病经,读诵受持,系心勿忘,亦于他人,广为宣说,此诸痔病,悉得除尔。所谓风痔、阴痔、三合痔、血痔、腹中痔、鼻内痔、齿痔、舌痔、眼痔、耳痔、顶痔、手足痔、脊背痔、粪门痔,遍身支节所生诸痔、如是痔瘘、悉皆干燥,堕落消灭,必瘥无疑。皆应诵持如是神咒。”

即说咒曰:“怛(da)侄(zhi)他(ta) 頞(an)兰(lan)帝(di) 頞(an)蓝(lan)谜(mi) 室(shi)利(li)(pa) 室(shi)里(li)室(shi)里(li) 磨(mo)羯(jie)失(shi)质(zhi) 三(san)婆(po)跋(ba)覩(du) 莎(sha)诃(he)”。

  “阿难陀!於此北方,有大雪山王,中有大婆罗树,名曰难胜,有三种华:一者初生、二者圆满、三者干枯。犹如彼华干燥落时,我诸比丘所患痔病,亦复如是,勿复血出,亦无脓流,永除苦痛,悉皆平复,即令干燥。又复若常诵此经者,得宿命住,智能忆过去七生之事,咒法成就,莎诃。”又说咒曰:

  “怛(da)姪(zhi)他(ta) 苫(shan)谜(mi)苫(shan)谜(mi) 捨(she)苫(shan)谜(mi) 捨(she)末(mo)泥(ni) 捨(she)苫(shan)泥(ni) 莎(sha)诃(he)”。

  佛说是经已,时具寿阿难陀,及诸大众,皆大欢喜,信受奉行。

                  摘自《中华大藏经》第一辑第五集(第16868页)

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Since it is quite short, may be recommendable to recite everyday as precaution measure too :-)

注意事项 Points to note:
1 每天至少念一遍经文二十一遍咒语,可以除病苦灾难。
Recommended to recite the Sutra Once & the Mantra 21 times on daily basis for protection.

2 如遇病痛时,须以一杯净水供于佛前,读诵受持一遍经文,随念一百零八遍咒语,再分成两杯,一杯喝下,另一杯擦病痛之处。
If you are in pain, offer a glass of clear water before the Buddha, recite the Sutra Once, followed immediately by the Mantra 108 times. Thereafter, divide the glass of water into 2 glasses, one for drinking and 1 for applying it to the pain area.

3 切记供奉佛祖之圣杯,凡人不可使用。
Pls do not drink directly from the glass or cup used to offer to the Buddha as a form of respect.


May All Be Well & Happy!!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

嗡嗎呢唄美吽-南無觀世音菩薩


嗡嗎呢唄美吽南無觀世音菩薩。
無礙。
滅定業真言(童音集)

After a long search for a new tune of chanting "Om Mani Padme Hum with chanting of Guanyin Pusa" that I heard from a retreat, I finally found something similar from the 1st song of this album. Voices from the children ...very refreshing though I would still prefer that being sung by the Venerables (with more devotion put in from my fading memory of the retreat). Was told that for this tune of chanting, there wasn't the adult version and only sung in retreats (Fahui).
I do hope that the Venerables who had recently began participating in making of new albums for WSD for free distribution could have this in mind for their next album. :-)

This album comes in a series and can be found in most stores, but my favourite hunt for such Buddhist Cds is the 3rd level store at Spore Buddhist Lodge which opens only on Sundays, manned by a group of volunteers. The prices there are usually cheaper than what I see in the market, do visit it yourself to find the great discount you can get from there. :-)

And there is a new trolley cart stall near the main shrine that sells a variety of vegetarian tibits and biscuits. Do Look out for it...:-)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

"The Universal Door Of The Bodhisattva Who Listens To The Sounds Of All The World"

The Universal Door Chapter (Pu Men Pin 普門品)is a very popular sutra explaining why Guanyin is known as
Guanyin (The Bodhisattva Who Listens To The Sounds Of All The World).

Glad to read the blog by Rev. Heng Sure where the English version was introduced:

http://paramita.typepad.com/dharma_forest/2009/04/recite-the-universal-door-chapter-of-the-lotus-sutra.html

Happy Reading!!!!

Monday, May 11, 2009

S.M.Z.D.P.Y 生命中的朋友

LOOK OUT FOR THIS NEW ALBLUM:

生命中的朋友 S.M.Z.D.P.Y

"SMZDPY" 是"生命中的朋友", 汉语拼音的缩写 :-)

Passedby Awareness Place's stall during Vesak day, attracted by this album that they were playing, you could listen a demo here :-)
http://smzdpy.pigeonhouseproduction.com/videoClip/MV/36.html

Was told this is a new

Album by a group of Buddhist music lovers....

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Gratitude to Earth & Earthlings

Visited the exhibition on "Gratitude to Earth & Earthlings" at kmspks on Vesak Day as well. The posters were really quite loud & attractive to relay the messages.

Yes, it is really revolting, imaging carnivorous Giants treating humans just like what we thought of animals as food. :PPPP


Oh, I like this cartoon illustration of Gift & concept of Recycling since Buddha's time. A complete story could be viewed via this link... :-)
What we could do in modern days, playing our small role, contributing to the hugh concept of Saving the Earth...

A summary of the Buddhist Perspective of Vegetarianism exhibited section can be found here: http://www.moonpointer.com/vege/index.htm
May We All Be Well & Happy....not at the expense of other beings....

3 Steps 1 Bow Ceremony

Buddhist friends had always complimented the ceremony as very inspiring and they experience "Great Rejoice" after completing the event. The ceremony has been popular with devotees at Bright Hill Temple (kmspks), though the route could prove to be challenging.


According to what is explained at the poster found at kmspks, which is adapted from the book of "Be A Lamp Upon Yourself": "In this ceremony, the devotees usually line up before sunrise to meditatively circumambulate the perimeter of the temple, bowing once every 3 steps, while chanting mantras or the name of the Buddha in praise of Him.
Upon every prostration, the Buddha can be visualised to stand before one's palms, which open to receive His teachings.
The open palms also symbolises lotuses (our minds) blossoming into purity. (Though lotus flowers' roots are in the "mud of defilements", they blossom untainted.)

Every prostration is thus the paying of respects to the Buddha (or the countless buddhas & Bodhisattvas).

This practice helps to purify the mind, humble the ego, and lessen obstacles along the spiritual path as one repents past misdeeds and aspires towards spiritual improvement.

With mindfulness of one's body, speech, and mind during the practice, concentration and calmness can be attained.

As the ceremony is long, it reminds one of the long and difficult journey towards Enlightenment. But it also serves to remind us that as long as we are determined, all difficulties can be overcomed. Perseverance in completing the practice despite its difficulties also helps to strengthen our faith in the Buddha and His teachings to lead us towards Enlightenment.

The break of dawn at the end of the ceremony represents the light of wisdom dispelling the darkness of ignorance as one advances on the journey towards Enlightenment."

For past years, I had always attended the Light Transference Ceremony at Spore Buddhist Lodge , however, this year, I attended kmspks' which was held on a weekend, if that is similar route for 3 Steps 1 Bow Ceremony, it is really indeed challenging.
For the simplier ceremony of Light Transference, the feeling is already "great", I can now better appreciate if the right mindset could be adopted as per explained for the ceremony, the X-factor that attract people attend the ceremony year after year...Amituofo...