At the suggestion of Crystal, an extract of what I had summarized from the Dharma talks given by His Eminence , the 12th Nubpa Rinpoche, ( also greatly appreciate the translator who did a great job translating from Mandarin to English ) during the Mani retreat 2009 shall be posted.
Pardon is sought if there is any wrong remembrance or misinterpretation.
25/12/09 MorningSadness is a nature of life where they appear & disappear, therefore, we should treat sadness as a form of practice.
We should develop a Renunciation mind. (Chu Li Xin)
It is important to recognize that nature of samsara is suffering and the root of samsara suffering is: our ignorance!
We see an “I” or ego, the clinging to the idea of “My” friend /foe gives rise to attachment, greed & hatred.
With karma & karmic results, cause & effect relationship gives rise to samsaric rebirth of the 6 realms.
We know the lower 3 realms consist of sufferings, even the 3 higher realms with human realm also facing suffering of Birth, death, sickness, and old age.
Look at our body, we have to take care of this body that gives us problem and trouble.
Our mind and body is constantly being tormented by suffering.
To eradicate suffering, we must find a way, similarly as finding a good doctor to heal the sick.
Sick is not just body pain but great illness of birth and death and who could be the doctor for that?--> The Buddha!
First of all, we need to take refuge in the Triple Gem.
The Buddha is the doctor; the Dharma (Teachings of the Buddha) is the appropriate medicine necessary to cure the illness. Taking refuge to Dharma is like taking medicine to liberate suffering. During treatment process, friends, nurses’ support help one to cure, hence, good companion (Sangha) to practise the Dharma is important too.
Refuge in the Triple Gem helps one to accomplish greatly.
Today we are here to visualize the 6 syllabuses & refuge is also important & inseparable.
Out of Compassion, Guanyin manifest as Bodhisattva form but He had already attained Buddhahood.
Taking refuge before Him is as good as taking refuge in the Buddha.
Reciting the 6 syllabuses is as good as taking refuge in the Dharma.
Understanding the Dharma helps to remove emotion and bad karma and allow inherent wisdom to arise.
By practicing together in this retreat, is as good as taking refuge in the Sangha (Community).
Therefore, in this practice today, we have incorporated taking refuge in the retreat.
Renunciation mind is important and Refuge naturally arise.
Be Relax & at ease with what you are doing and you will have a good experience. :-)
Continuing ~ part2
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Mani Recitation Retreat 2009
Part2
Below is extract of what I had summarized from the Dharma talks given by His Eminence , the 12th Nubpa Rinpoche, ( also greatly appreciate the translator who did a great job translating from Mandarin to English ) during the Mani retreat 2009.
Pardon is sought if there is any wrong remembrance or misinterpretation
25/12/09 EveningTo attain Buddhahood, it is necessary to generate Bodhicitta.
There is Relative Bodhicitta and Ultimate Bodhicitta.
Relative Bodhicitta requires training the mind to give rise to the thoughts of 4 Immeasurables.
All sentient beings are our fathers and mothers who protect us till we grow up.
We should develop Equanimity towards all beings, as they could be parents of our past lives.
We should think of sufferings of beings in lower realms & generate compassion towards them.
To save all sentient beings, we must become Buddha and this is Bodhicitta --> Bodhisattva.
26/12/09 MorningThe Ultimate meaning of all traditions is to be liberated from sufferings.
There are 2 kinds of accumulation: merits & wisdom.
We should practise the 6 Paramitas and Mahayana tradition has more methods:
1) Generation stage;
2) Completion stage.
Under generation stage, there are many methods but among all, easiest to visualize is Avalokiteshvara.
For ordinary beings, easiest way is to do Mani recitation.
It is the embodiment of all Buddhas.
Every sentient being has this inherent Buddha nature and through this recitation, it can bring out our Buddha nature.
State of emptiness - Our body is not physical but form of emptiness (rainbow like state of Avalokiteshvara).
We are sentient beings with karma and visualization could purify our karma.
Within our heart center, imagine light emit to all directions into all sorts of offerings to make to all the Buddhas.
When light returns & dissolves in us, we receive blessings from Buddhas of all directions& purify ourselves.
While reciting with great compassion, visualize with lights to all directions and purify all obscurations of all sentient beings who turn into Guanyin.
Visualization helps enhance our Bodhicitta.
It helps purify own body, speech & mind and all beings.
It enhances our practice. Even if short time using this method, every individual would have their own experience and it is a beneficial practice.
Below is extract of what I had summarized from the Dharma talks given by His Eminence , the 12th Nubpa Rinpoche, ( also greatly appreciate the translator who did a great job translating from Mandarin to English ) during the Mani retreat 2009.
Pardon is sought if there is any wrong remembrance or misinterpretation
25/12/09 EveningTo attain Buddhahood, it is necessary to generate Bodhicitta.
There is Relative Bodhicitta and Ultimate Bodhicitta.
Relative Bodhicitta requires training the mind to give rise to the thoughts of 4 Immeasurables.
All sentient beings are our fathers and mothers who protect us till we grow up.
We should develop Equanimity towards all beings, as they could be parents of our past lives.
We should think of sufferings of beings in lower realms & generate compassion towards them.
To save all sentient beings, we must become Buddha and this is Bodhicitta --> Bodhisattva.
26/12/09 MorningThe Ultimate meaning of all traditions is to be liberated from sufferings.
There are 2 kinds of accumulation: merits & wisdom.
We should practise the 6 Paramitas and Mahayana tradition has more methods:
1) Generation stage;
2) Completion stage.
Under generation stage, there are many methods but among all, easiest to visualize is Avalokiteshvara.
For ordinary beings, easiest way is to do Mani recitation.
It is the embodiment of all Buddhas.
Every sentient being has this inherent Buddha nature and through this recitation, it can bring out our Buddha nature.
State of emptiness - Our body is not physical but form of emptiness (rainbow like state of Avalokiteshvara).
We are sentient beings with karma and visualization could purify our karma.
Within our heart center, imagine light emit to all directions into all sorts of offerings to make to all the Buddhas.
When light returns & dissolves in us, we receive blessings from Buddhas of all directions& purify ourselves.
While reciting with great compassion, visualize with lights to all directions and purify all obscurations of all sentient beings who turn into Guanyin.
Visualization helps enhance our Bodhicitta.
It helps purify own body, speech & mind and all beings.
It enhances our practice. Even if short time using this method, every individual would have their own experience and it is a beneficial practice.
Mani Recitation Retreat 2009
Part 3
Below is extract of what I had summarized from the Dharma talks given by His Eminence , the 12th Nubpa Rinpoche, ( also greatly appreciate the translator who did a great job translating from Mandarin to English ) during the Mani retreat 2009.
Pardon is sought if there is any wrong remembrance or misinterpretation.
27/12/09 Morning
We are fortunate to be human among the 6 realms and have the opportunity to meet & have trust in the Dharma.
Few people have such opportunities to practice and fewer to gain attainment & achievement.
Especially in such a developed nation of Spore that we took time to practice in accordance of Dharma.
We are always working hard but when we are about to leave the world, what follows us?
The positive and negative karmic deeds follow us like shadows.
3 most important steps of practice (not quite sure if this 3 identification header is right)
1) Take Refuge & Motivation
As Buddhist, we take refuge; without good motivation, we could not label ourselves as Mahayana practitioner.
2) Generation of Avalokiteshvara: accumulation of merits & wisdom are the causes & conditions for Perfect Buddhahood.
When practicing, we see our body as Avalokiteshvara, our mind in terms of Loving-kindness, our speech into 6 syllabuses.
3) Purify Body, Speech & Mind.
While reciting, visualize the 6 Syllabus to all ten directions to make offerings to All Buddhas & also light to all sentient beings who convert to Avalokiteshvara. All beings are Avalokiteshvara and all our thoughts Bodhicitta.
Visualize oneself as Avalokiteshvara and on crown of our head:
Amitabha Buddha --> our Root Guru and visualize always having blessings.
We receive Guru’s blessings, progress on to recognize own nature of mind.
Methods: 1) Gather accumulation; 2) Guru’s blessings
Root Guru dissolve into light to our heart & hence mind of Guru and us is the same. As we rest in this state, Relative & Ultimate Bodhicitta is generated.
Today is 3rd day & best opportunity to accumulate merits and benefit all beings.
Practice is long run.
From now on, we should try all ways & means to generate Bodhicitta.
It is only with Bodhicitta that we can truly practise & not make mistakes in our practice.
27/12/09 Evening Closing SpeechDedication is important. Why we had not become Buddha?
It is because we do not know how to dedicate our merits.
When practise along the path, we gathered good deeds and accumulation but because we do not dedicate enough, merits exhausted & greed, jealousy, etc generated affect the merit.
Therefore, while dedicating merits, we need to have a goal & having done good deeds we should be dedicating to all sentient beings (past parents). This helps generate Bodhi & accumulate merits to Buddhahood. This way to dedicate with goal is with Form.
What goal? The Goal to liberate all sentient beings to Buddhahood.
Ways to dedicate from Ultimate Bodhicitta ---> Emptiness of 3 Spheres.
Concept of “I” & “Others” not existing --> Dedicate
Finally, Rinpoche wishes all of us Good Health, Progress in Practice, Always watch our mind, develop Loving-kindness & Compassion within us, and open up our personal wisdom.
Wisdom and Compassion is together. (Like bird with 2 wings)
Wisdom is knowing what to do & not to do, and then one will not lose direction..
----------------------------------------------
Amituofo
May All Beings Be Well & Happy
May All Progress along the Right Path
Om Mani Padme Hung
Below is extract of what I had summarized from the Dharma talks given by His Eminence , the 12th Nubpa Rinpoche, ( also greatly appreciate the translator who did a great job translating from Mandarin to English ) during the Mani retreat 2009.
Pardon is sought if there is any wrong remembrance or misinterpretation.
27/12/09 Morning
We are fortunate to be human among the 6 realms and have the opportunity to meet & have trust in the Dharma.
Few people have such opportunities to practice and fewer to gain attainment & achievement.
Especially in such a developed nation of Spore that we took time to practice in accordance of Dharma.
We are always working hard but when we are about to leave the world, what follows us?
The positive and negative karmic deeds follow us like shadows.
3 most important steps of practice (not quite sure if this 3 identification header is right)
1) Take Refuge & Motivation
As Buddhist, we take refuge; without good motivation, we could not label ourselves as Mahayana practitioner.
2) Generation of Avalokiteshvara: accumulation of merits & wisdom are the causes & conditions for Perfect Buddhahood.
When practicing, we see our body as Avalokiteshvara, our mind in terms of Loving-kindness, our speech into 6 syllabuses.
3) Purify Body, Speech & Mind.
While reciting, visualize the 6 Syllabus to all ten directions to make offerings to All Buddhas & also light to all sentient beings who convert to Avalokiteshvara. All beings are Avalokiteshvara and all our thoughts Bodhicitta.
Visualize oneself as Avalokiteshvara and on crown of our head:
Amitabha Buddha --> our Root Guru and visualize always having blessings.
We receive Guru’s blessings, progress on to recognize own nature of mind.
Methods: 1) Gather accumulation; 2) Guru’s blessings
Root Guru dissolve into light to our heart & hence mind of Guru and us is the same. As we rest in this state, Relative & Ultimate Bodhicitta is generated.
Today is 3rd day & best opportunity to accumulate merits and benefit all beings.
Practice is long run.
From now on, we should try all ways & means to generate Bodhicitta.
It is only with Bodhicitta that we can truly practise & not make mistakes in our practice.
27/12/09 Evening Closing SpeechDedication is important. Why we had not become Buddha?
It is because we do not know how to dedicate our merits.
When practise along the path, we gathered good deeds and accumulation but because we do not dedicate enough, merits exhausted & greed, jealousy, etc generated affect the merit.
Therefore, while dedicating merits, we need to have a goal & having done good deeds we should be dedicating to all sentient beings (past parents). This helps generate Bodhi & accumulate merits to Buddhahood. This way to dedicate with goal is with Form.
What goal? The Goal to liberate all sentient beings to Buddhahood.
Ways to dedicate from Ultimate Bodhicitta ---> Emptiness of 3 Spheres.
Concept of “I” & “Others” not existing --> Dedicate
Finally, Rinpoche wishes all of us Good Health, Progress in Practice, Always watch our mind, develop Loving-kindness & Compassion within us, and open up our personal wisdom.
Wisdom and Compassion is together. (Like bird with 2 wings)
Wisdom is knowing what to do & not to do, and then one will not lose direction..
----------------------------------------------
Amituofo
May All Beings Be Well & Happy
May All Progress along the Right Path
Om Mani Padme Hung
Monday, December 28, 2009
Mani Recitation Retreat 2009
OM MANI PADME HUNG
Thanks to all, we made it again! :-)
>100 million recitation :-)
Why 100 Million??? (Pls Click on question or here for answer) :-)
3days of chanting which from it, one can understand oneself better.
Really appreciative of the leading Rinpoches and Lamas on stage. Comparing to them who sit throughout the chanting sessions on stage, I was fidgeting all the way, swaying from side to side, having own self-declared toilet breaks:P, trying hard to fight my restlessness especially after an hour... :P
Also thanks to the volunteers who had help make the event a success, and to the Perfect who tour around the hall to wake us up. :-)
The wonderful lunches which the portion being much more than last year's that gave me no excuse to have 2nd round at the foodcourt. :P
Om Mani Padme Hung
May we all purified our body, speech & mind through the retreat & see you in Pureland...:-)
Friday, December 25, 2009
Mani Recitation Retreat 2009
OM MANI PADME HUNG
Yes, it is the time of the year again. At Suntec City again, similar setup with a small difference: the addition of special effect of rays of light emitting from the Bodhisattva.
This year, the retreat is led by His Eminence, the 12th Nubpa Rinpoche and Rabsang Rinpoche. it is held from 25-27 Dec09 8.30am-10pm at Suntec City Conventional Hall 603.
Part-timers are welcome, may just register and attend any session on the spot.
Details, pls refer to
http://maniretreat.org/
Hope to see you there... :-)
oh, though we will experience spiritual warmth there, the protection for the body is still required as the hall is real cooling so strongly encouraged to bring a jacket along and wear long pants & socks...:-)
Some nice Om Mani Padme Hum recitation tunes found for reference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ5cJLWyuIU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJX0S3m1om0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG_lNuNUVd4&feature=related
Thursday, December 24, 2009
天然了不起的食物 Amazing Natural Food Nutritions!
More Health tips received from email...
蘆筍了不起
天熱來盤蘆筍沙拉、蘆筍手捲，恭喜你，不僅嘗到蘆筍的清甜多汁，還吞下了比一般蔬菜多2至
5倍的營養素，且這些養分有助提高免疫力以抵抗病菌等。女生更要多吃，蘆筍可以補充鐵質，想生寶寶的太太也可藉其所含的葉酸，防止生出畸型兒。但有痛風的老爸老媽請節制。
●自製蘆筍汁：纖維質多、不太好嚼的蘆筍頭，全部切下來，丟進一鍋水中，放進電鍋燉煮約 20 至 30 分鍾， 待水色轉綠，以蜂蜜或冰糖調味即可。
芋頭了不起
「嗯嗯」不太順，請多吃芋頭！它的纖維素含量是白飯的七倍，它還能讓老爸的膽固醇及高血壓都往下掉，制服老媽亂飆的血糖。夏天想減肥，也可拿芋頭當減肥餐，中醫師補充：芋頭有美白效果哦。
●福肉甜芋：芋頭削皮洗淨，切成小塊，丟進煮滾的一鍋水中，熬煮約 25 分鍾， 再加入龍眼乾，煮 5 分鍾或 至香味釋出，再以糖調味即成。
蒜頭了不起
蒜頭是「土生土長的抗生素」，連老外醫師都把它列做「最具抗癌潛力的蔬菜」，提高免疫力、降低膽固醇、防治心血管疾病、抑制腫瘤，功效族繁不及備載，而且每天吃飯時吃一瓣生蒜、或幾瓣熟蒜即
山藥了不起
SARS 當 道，很多餐廳的「提升免疫力料理」便拿山藥當主角，醫學還證明它對防治高血壓、糖尿病、抑制癌症都有益處，它黏黏的汁液，則能補中益氣助消化，號稱「窮人補品」，但吃多不會胖，小孩轉大人、老人補元氣，吃它準沒錯。還是沒興趣？嗯，山藥還是種天然植物荷爾蒙，養顏美容勝過
SKⅡ，又別名「天然威而鋼」，要不要多吃？嘿、嘿、嘿。
● 山藥沙拉：山藥削皮洗淨，用稀釋的檸檬水泡 2 至 3 分鍾，
取出以保鮮膜包好，冷藏透涼後，切成細條，放在生菜葉上，灑上松子、芝麻、海苔絲、枸杞子與原味優酪乳即可。
番茄了不起
茄紅素可抗癌防癌，保護心血管系統，也能中和人體內易致病的自由基，抗氧化、防老化，淡斑瘦身、緊實肌膚。不過吃前請注意，傳統醫學認為番茄較寒，腸胃不好的不宜空腹吃；而且吃煮過的番茄料理，會比生吃番茄收到更多的茄紅素。
●番茄湯：番茄洗淨切塊，用果汁機打成汁備用。起油鍋炒香去皮的馬鈴薯塊、芹菜段、洋蔥，再倒入番茄汁，熬煮 20 至 30 分鍾，至熟爛濃稠即可。
菇類了不起
不論是大朵小朵、胖的圓的菇，只要是能吃下去的菇、就是對健康有益的好菇。菇類普遍含有多量維生素、蛋白質、礦物質，豐富到被營養師視為「蔬菜牛排」，還有抗癌、預防腫瘤生成的作用。以最家常的香菇為例，就是降血壓血脂、防骨質疏鬆及防癌的神奇食物。
●白灼杏鮑菇：選較粗壯的杏鮑菇，放在微波器皿上，淋一小匙沙拉油，用保鮮膜包好，放入微波爐以強微波 4 分鍾，取出放稍涼後切成薄片，沾沙拉醬或山葵醬油，口感媲美鮑魚。
絲瓜了不起
美白、消炎、保濕、退斑……這不是推銷美容保養品，這是絲瓜的能耐。研究也顯示，絲瓜黏液有豐富養分，可提升免疫力。所以除了絲瓜肉，吃絲瓜葉可補充維他命Ｃ，絲瓜藤煮茶可去熱止渴清肝，炸絲瓜花美味退火，轉成黑色的絲瓜子、炒過磨粉食用，則據說有助減肥。
● 絲瓜粥：起油鍋，炒香油蔥酥，再放入去皮洗淨的絲瓜片，煮到呈透明狀，再加入乾飯、適量的水，改小火滾煮 10 分鍾即可。
蘆筍了不起
天熱來盤蘆筍沙拉、蘆筍手捲，恭喜你，不僅嘗到蘆筍的清甜多汁，還吞下了比一般蔬菜多2至
5倍的營養素，且這些養分有助提高免疫力以抵抗病菌等。女生更要多吃，蘆筍可以補充鐵質，想生寶寶的太太也可藉其所含的葉酸，防止生出畸型兒。但有痛風的老爸老媽請節制。
●自製蘆筍汁：纖維質多、不太好嚼的蘆筍頭，全部切下來，丟進一鍋水中，放進電鍋燉煮約 20 至 30 分鍾， 待水色轉綠，以蜂蜜或冰糖調味即可。
芋頭了不起
「嗯嗯」不太順，請多吃芋頭！它的纖維素含量是白飯的七倍，它還能讓老爸的膽固醇及高血壓都往下掉，制服老媽亂飆的血糖。夏天想減肥，也可拿芋頭當減肥餐，中醫師補充：芋頭有美白效果哦。
●福肉甜芋：芋頭削皮洗淨，切成小塊，丟進煮滾的一鍋水中，熬煮約 25 分鍾， 再加入龍眼乾，煮 5 分鍾或 至香味釋出，再以糖調味即成。
蒜頭了不起
蒜頭是「土生土長的抗生素」，連老外醫師都把它列做「最具抗癌潛力的蔬菜」，提高免疫力、降低膽固醇、防治心血管疾病、抑制腫瘤，功效族繁不及備載，而且每天吃飯時吃一瓣生蒜、或幾瓣熟蒜即
山藥了不起
SARS 當 道，很多餐廳的「提升免疫力料理」便拿山藥當主角，醫學還證明它對防治高血壓、糖尿病、抑制癌症都有益處，它黏黏的汁液，則能補中益氣助消化，號稱「窮人補品」，但吃多不會胖，小孩轉大人、老人補元氣，吃它準沒錯。還是沒興趣？嗯，山藥還是種天然植物荷爾蒙，養顏美容勝過
SKⅡ，又別名「天然威而鋼」，要不要多吃？嘿、嘿、嘿。
● 山藥沙拉：山藥削皮洗淨，用稀釋的檸檬水泡 2 至 3 分鍾，
取出以保鮮膜包好，冷藏透涼後，切成細條，放在生菜葉上，灑上松子、芝麻、海苔絲、枸杞子與原味優酪乳即可。
番茄了不起
茄紅素可抗癌防癌，保護心血管系統，也能中和人體內易致病的自由基，抗氧化、防老化，淡斑瘦身、緊實肌膚。不過吃前請注意，傳統醫學認為番茄較寒，腸胃不好的不宜空腹吃；而且吃煮過的番茄料理，會比生吃番茄收到更多的茄紅素。
●番茄湯：番茄洗淨切塊，用果汁機打成汁備用。起油鍋炒香去皮的馬鈴薯塊、芹菜段、洋蔥，再倒入番茄汁，熬煮 20 至 30 分鍾，至熟爛濃稠即可。
菇類了不起
不論是大朵小朵、胖的圓的菇，只要是能吃下去的菇、就是對健康有益的好菇。菇類普遍含有多量維生素、蛋白質、礦物質，豐富到被營養師視為「蔬菜牛排」，還有抗癌、預防腫瘤生成的作用。以最家常的香菇為例，就是降血壓血脂、防骨質疏鬆及防癌的神奇食物。
●白灼杏鮑菇：選較粗壯的杏鮑菇，放在微波器皿上，淋一小匙沙拉油，用保鮮膜包好，放入微波爐以強微波 4 分鍾，取出放稍涼後切成薄片，沾沙拉醬或山葵醬油，口感媲美鮑魚。
絲瓜了不起
美白、消炎、保濕、退斑……這不是推銷美容保養品，這是絲瓜的能耐。研究也顯示，絲瓜黏液有豐富養分，可提升免疫力。所以除了絲瓜肉，吃絲瓜葉可補充維他命Ｃ，絲瓜藤煮茶可去熱止渴清肝，炸絲瓜花美味退火，轉成黑色的絲瓜子、炒過磨粉食用，則據說有助減肥。
● 絲瓜粥：起油鍋，炒香油蔥酥，再放入去皮洗淨的絲瓜片，煮到呈透明狀，再加入乾飯、適量的水，改小火滾煮 10 分鍾即可。
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Animal Paradise
Next Animal liberation related event is today's tour of the Animal Protection farm, Animal Paradise, started by ex-Mediacorp actor, Xie Shao Guang, in JB, Pekan Nanas, . I think it started with a place for abandoned/ill-treated cats & dogs to today's operation to include horses, cows, goats, pigs, monkeys, guinea pigs, porcupines and even deers is impressive.I was surprised that mum was interested in the trip when I just briefly mentioned about the activity organised by the temple as mum is not one who will encourage her children to touch animals. I believe it must be with blessings of Buddha & Bodhisattvas that my parents were interested and hopefully with brief contact of the Dharma teachings involved, that will lead them to more future Dharma events and also subconsciously reduce their intake of meat.
Guanyin at entrance of farm.
I was originally expecting the farm to be like a safari with all animals roaming freely but the animals are in enclosed area depending on their nature and receptiveness to human.
All the saved animals there have a story of their own.
Turkeys saved from being served on dining table during Christmas
Although the facilities are primitive, the liberated/saved animals are at least in a home under the love and care of the compassionate care-takers.
The farm does not accept just any animals but has their criteria of entry, hence the animals are there, each with a story of their own. It is still not easy to maintain the farm by one's own effort hence Donations are always welcome to support the operations of the animal protection farm and you may also opt to support any species of animals you like. :-) The farm is not open to public except on special/pre-arrangement so pls do not venture on your own without informing them of your visit. :P
More info can be found at
http://www.noahsarklodge.com/
http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com/
http://www.noahsarklodge.com/
http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com/
May All Be Well & Happy....Amituofo.
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