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...