Light of wisdom

Can I Borrow $25?

2009-07-01T21:30:00.000+08:00

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: 'Daddy, may I ask you a question?'

DAD: 'Yeah sure, what it is?' replied the man.

SON: 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the man said angrily.

SON: 'I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'If you must know, I make $50 an hour.'

SON: 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: 'Daddy, may I please borrow $25?'

The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don't work hard everyday for such childish frivolities.'

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down , and started to think:

Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he really didn't ask for money very often The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

'Are you asleep, son?' He asked.

'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.

'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the man. 'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $25 you asked for.'

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you daddy!' he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the father grumbled.

'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied.

'Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.'

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $50 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of hours. But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

Please don't break this even if you only send it to one person. Thanks.

Happy Living

2009-06-17T00:07:00.001+08:00

Living is a happy experience if u know how to live happily.

50 years later

2009-03-15T01:44:00.001+08:00

50 years later, all the pple & things around us will no longer be around...

actually, life got nothing to cling on so badly.

Maha-Mangala Sutta (吉祥经)

2009-01-03T11:54:00.002+08:00

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Exalted One was dwelling at Anathapindika's monastery, in Jeta's Grove, near Savatthi. Now when the night was far spent, a certain deity whose surpassing splendour illuminated the entire Jeta Grove, came to the presence of the Exalted One and, drawing near, respectfully saluted him and stood at one side. Standing thus, he addressed the Exalted One in verse:

"Many deities and men, yearning after good, have pondered on blessings. Pray, tell me the greatest blessing!"

"Not to associate with the foolish, but to associate with the wise; and to honour those who are worthy of honour — this is the greatest blessing.

To reside in a suitable locality, to have done meritorious actions in the past and to set oneself in the right course — this is the greatest blessing.

To have much learning, to be skillful in handicraft, well-trained in discipline, and to be of good speech — this is the greatest blessing.

To support mother and father, to cherish wife and children, and to be engaged in peaceful occupation — this is the greatest blessing.

To be generous in giving, to be righteous in conduct, to help one's relatives, and to be blameless in action — this is the greatest blessing.

To loathe more evil and abstain from it, to refrain from intoxicants, and to be steadfast in virtue — this is the greatest blessing.

To be respectful, humble, contented and grateful; and to listen to the Dhamma on due occasions — this is the greatest blessing.

To be patient and obedient, to associate with monks and to have religious discussions on due occasions — this is the greatest blessing.

Self-restraint, a holy and chaste life, the perception of the Noble Truths and the realisation of Nibbana — this is the greatest blessing.

A mind unruffled by the vagaries of fortune, from sorrow freed, from defilements cleansed, from fear liberated — this is the greatest blessing.

Those who thus abide, ever remain invincible, in happiness established. These are the greatest blessings."

Extracted from
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/ethics_m.htm

Keep Smiling

2008-12-18T13:41:00.002+08:00

"The person who is always smiling doesn't mean that he has no problems..

But the smile shows that he has ability to overcome all those problems.."

Keep Smiling and Have a lovely day ahead..!!

Note : Buddha is always smiling.

The answer to the dragon scroll is "Nothing". (back-dated 28 Jun 08)

2008-12-15T23:25:00.000+08:00

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
But today is a gift
That's why it is called "Present".

By Master 乌龟， in “Kungfu Panda".

Essence to the highest level of Kungfu
The answer to the dragon scroll is "Nothing".
The secret ingredient to the secret noodle is "Nothing".

The Dragon Warrior to beat "太郎”is to comtemplate, 空。

Great Inner Peace + the Wisdom of "空" will become the Dragon Warrior.

Saw a headless cat along the road. (back-dated 24 Jun 08)

2008-12-14T22:54:00.000+08:00

1. Saw a headless cat lying along the road.
2. Blood spill all over the road.
3. Another cat pondering nearby the dead body.

People walked by. Some notice. Some don't.
Cars drove pass. Some notice. Most don't.

猫是无常，人也无常。

同情这只无头猫。为何生来是只猫。

人出意外，可告车主。
猫出意外，无人理睬。

Om Mani Padme Hung.

我等与众生，皆共成佛道

光，水，田。Light, Water, Field

2008-06-07T02:35:00.000+08:00

皈依佛，如皈依“光”
皈依法，如皈依“水”
皈依僧，如皈依“田”

Buddha is like "Light".
Dhamma is like "Water"
Sangha is like "Field".

Put a shark in your tank and see how far you can really go!

2008-05-21T23:53:00.002+08:00

Nice Story....

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the water close to Japan has not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring the fish. If the return trip took more time, the fish were not fresh. To solve this problem, fish companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer.

However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen fish. And they did not like the taste of frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So, fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little thrashing around, they were tired, dull, and lost their fresh-fish taste. The fishing industry faced an impending crisis! But today, they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan .

How did they manage? To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks but with a small shark. The fish are challenged and hence are constantly on the move. The challenge they face keeps them alive and fresh! Have you realized that some of us are also living in a pond but most of the time tired and dull?

Basically in our lives, sharks are new challenges to keep us active. If you are steadily conquering challenges, you are happy. Your challenges keep you energized. Don't create success and revel in it in a state of inertia. You have the resources, skills and abilities to make a difference. Put a shark in your tank and see how far you can really go!

4 best friends : 文殊，普贤，观音，地藏。

2008-04-16T23:02:00.000+08:00

4 best friends : 文殊，普贤，观音，地藏。

& every best friend will develop each of our qualities.

文殊 : develop 智慧。（出无明；一切看得很清楚）
普贤 : develop 意志力。（破釜沉舟）
观音 : develop 千手，千眼的能力。（眼看四方，耳听八方）
地藏 : develop 愿力。（大愿 = 大领导能力）

Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara

2008-03-18T21:54:00.004+08:00

Bodhisattva Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara, "He who holds the wheel and the wish-fulfilling jewel" sits in a royal posture upon a lotus throne.

Since the Tang Dynastry, statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara has been protrayed in woman form.

This manifestation of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara has six arms, with his first right hand supporting the head, pondering over the sufferings of mankind, while the second right hand is holding a pearl, which symbolises the power to fulfil any sentient wish. The third right hand is holding a string of prayer beads, symbolising the promise to end all sentient sufferings.

One the left, his first hand is pressing the ground, signifying granting
the wishes of mankind with a firm heart, while his second hand is holding a lotus flower, symbolising the purification of human deeds. Lastly, His third hand is holding a Dharma wheel, which symbolises the spreading of Dharma.

He has the power to help all sentient beings to achieve virtues blessing and wisdom, developing compassion as well as ending sufferings in their present of future life.

Buddha photos and images

2008-03-10T00:07:00.002+08:00

http://www.inmagine.com/searchterms/buddha.html

Job Quadrant

2008-01-16T23:36:00.000+08:00

Quadrant 1 : Wrong Company, Wrong Job : All Die Together
Quadrant 2 : Wrong Company, Right Job : Die Slowly
Quadrant 3 : Right Company, Wrong Job : No Growth
Quadrant 4 : Right Company, Right Job : Prosper

Why is He called the "Buddha"?

2008-01-02T02:25:00.000+08:00

He understands everything in this world

Perfected all the ten perfections

Eradicated all the fetters inside

Therefore He is called the Buddha

Penguins in Love

2007-12-20T11:51:00.001+08:00

When Penguin chooses a partner, he will stay with it for life.

Article for NTUBS Publication Team 2007

2007-12-09T12:07:00.000+08:00

What did you gain from the couple of years you spent in NTU Buddhist Society?

NTU Buddhist Society had developed my values of life. It is the meeting place of many kind-hearted & wise people. The life-time friendships, which were fostered in NTU Buddhist Society, continue even after graduated from NTU.

What does NTUBS mean to you and how NTUBS helps you in your life?

NTUBS is a place to learn Dharma & to develop friendships. My most distinctive transformation is that I have developed the qualities of Unconditional Love, Metta. This unique quality had enabled me to mingle openly with people from all walks of life. Even in my current work environment, it has helped me to develop strong rapport with colleagues from all departments. In many circumstances, this quality had enabled me to overcome adversities with a positive attitude & mindset.

Is there any deep impression during the time you were in the NTUBS, can you share with us some of your memorable moments in NTU Buddhist Society?

NTUBS family is the happiest part of my life.

When I participated as a freshman in CNS FOC 2000, I was over-whelmed by the enthusiasm of NTUBS seniors. It is an unforgettable experience which marks the starting point of a journey in NTUBS. Subsequently, I participated in CNS, Dharma Camps, Compassion-In-Actions, Dharma Talks etc. In 2001, I was elected to be part of NTUBS 19th Management Committee. This is a new chapter in my character development as a Buddhist Leader. It also shaped my organizational & inter-personal skills.

Even in 2007, all my close friends attended Dharma Talks & Buddhist events regularly.

And finally, what do you hope our big family to be in the future?

I hope that all the BS juniors will continue to develop wisdom & compassion. The virtues of the Buddha will continue to be imprinted in the hearts of all NTUBS members.

With metta,

Lim Kien Chuan.
NTUBS 19th Metta Secretary (a.k.a presently known as Metta Director)

Songs in Sequence

2007-11-07T01:24:00.000+08:00

Song 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI2quA14Tm0

Song 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjO_Tt7otkg

Song 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNgyHSc9Gtw

Enjoy!

Tour of NEWater Visitor Centre (18 Aug 07)

2007-08-17T02:23:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

I will be co-ordinating a visit to the NEWater Visitor Centre, which is a sponsor for the Vesak Dhamma Talks in Jun 2007.

Event : Tour of NEWater Visitor Centre
Date : 18 Aug 07 (Saturday)
Meeting Venue : Tanah Merah MRT Station
Time : 1.30 pm (Take a free 20-Seater Bus @ 2 pm to NEWater Visitor Centre)

Website : http://www.pub.gov.sg/NEWater_files/visitors/index.html

Tour Session : 4 (From 02:15 pm to 03:45 pm)

Concurrently, Wat Ananda Youth (WAY) is co-ordinating a visit.

Anyone is welcome to join us for this event.

Note : Bring Cameras

With metta,
Jian Chuan.

NTUBS Dhamma Talk (10 Aug 07)

2007-08-09T13:44:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

Topic: 自觉觉他；化世益人
Date: 10th of August, Friday
Venue: Meeting room 3, Student Activity Centre.
Time: 7.20pm-9pm
Speaker: Venerable Miao Tan (Fo Guang Shan)
Medium: Chinese

Website : http://clubs.ntu.edu.sg/buddhist/

With metta,
Jian Chuan.

年轻好修行

2007-07-23T01:14:00.000+08:00

年轻好修行，没病，没痛，没障碍。

一旦病，痛，障碍现前，哭都来不及。

到时，就凭真本事了。

Back from CNS 2007 finale night sharing session

2007-07-22T01:56:00.000+08:00

I'm back from the CNS 2007 finale night sharing session.

See pple like Li Huey, Jenny, Kai Chieh, Chen Zong, Guan Xiong, Li Yun, Huiping, ... Heard the sharings & the 感动到流泪的表白 by the organisers.

Really like 时光回到2000。 7 years ago, i'm a CNS freshie. & this marks a new chapter in my Life.

看到这么多人的成长，NTUBS 从2000 到 2007 的演变，自己从瘦变肥, =)

以感恩的心，回向给所有参与者。

AMTF.

The story of FNS Deer

2007-06-19T01:24:00.000+08:00

文殊菩萨 got lion, 普贤菩萨 got elephant, so NTUBS got CNS deer.

Father Deer, Mother Deer, & children Deers will come together to form FNS. (a family of deer)

Celebrating Enlightenment (Vesak Dhamma Talks)

2007-06-03T00:34:00.000+08:00

3 Steps 1 Bow @ PKS (31 May 07)

2007-06-01T01:13:00.000+08:00

This is the 3rd time that i took part in the 3 Steps 1 Bow @ PKS.

Meet at Bishan MRT @11.30 pm
Go PKS @ 12 mn.
Explore & chit chat till 4 am
Join in queue @4 am
Start the 3 Steps 1 Bow from 5 to 7 am.
Slept from 9 am till 7 pm. (睡饱)

During the bows (with my forehead touching the ground), suddenly got the insight that 1 day, our human body will return to the earth. It's part of the earth in the first place. Life is so transient. Once our breathing stops & our bodies fail to work, it will return to the soil

何必执著，何必烦恼，何必分你我。
来也空空，去也空空，一切本是空。

Happy Vesak Day! An day of enlightenment. _/\_

Highest Form of Human Cultivation is to develop as a Buddha

2007-05-28T00:30:00.000+08:00

The highest form of human cultivation is to develop as a Buddha (enlightened one).

Quote of the Day :

See like a Buddha,
Speak like a Buddha,
Contemplate like a Buddha,

& Live as a Buddha.

Q : What is a buddhist?
A : A buddhist is a Buddha-to-be.

Happy Wesak! May all be well & happy!

Nice Quotes

2007-03-18T12:32:00.000+08:00

"People who study others are wise, but those who study themselves are enlightened."

Dhammapada 183

2007-02-23T15:52:00.000+08:00

To avoid all evil,
to cultivate good,
and to purify one's mind-
this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

Dhammapada 183

Kalama Sutta

2007-02-18T21:39:00.000+08:00

1. Do not believe anything based on revelation.
2. Do not believe anything through tradition handed down from the past.
3. Do not believe anything through hearsay (gossip, rumour, etc.).
4. Do not believe anything because it accords with the holy scriptures.
5. Do not believe anything through logic.
6. Do not believe anything because it is a point of view.
7. Do not believe anything through having considered the reasons.
8. Do not believe anything because one is convinced of some theory.
9. Do not believe anything through the testimony of some reliable person.
10. Do not believe in anything thinking,"This person is a great preacher".

Song of Pureland (Song Album)

2007-02-17T16:19:00.000+08:00

01 极乐歌
02 愿
03 忆儿时
04 笑看人间
05 佛光永远照着您
06 弥陀天堂
07 梦
08 念佛
09 感恩
10 回向偈

Indian Elephant

2007-02-14T00:25:00.000+08:00

Received a nice Indian Elephant as a gift.
Flown from India.
Made of rose wood.

In Indian culture, elephant is regarded as a God, who can clear all obstacles.
In Buddhism, 普贤菩萨 rides an elephant & symbolise perseverance & diligence.

May i develop the spirtual strength to clear all obstacles in front of my spirtual path.

The swinging of the elephant's trunk to sweep all distractions & disillusion.

February Updates

2007-02-11T16:05:00.000+08:00

Sunday 04-Feb-07 : NTUBS Alumni 11th Election
Monday 05-Feb-07 : NTUBS Opening Ceremony
Tuesday 06-Feb-07 : NTUBS Vegetarian Session
Wednesday 07-Feb-07 : NTUBS TalenTime 2007

Meaningful week.

世界有你才会更美好。再创新奇迹，世界等着你。。。

What do people see in you?

2007-02-01T00:24:00.000+08:00

"You're warm, knowing and aren't afraid to go after your goals. You tend to be patient with people, too. And if that weren't enough, you pretty much set the standard for emotional health by being filled with positive feelings and energy - energy you radiate out onto those around you."

from http://www.lovehappens.com/home.html

拍佛像 - 与佛结缘

2007-01-31T00:34:00.000+08:00

Now, my mum is also picking up the habit of "拍佛像".

Like mother, like son.

与佛结缘。阿弥陀佛。

菩萨的“眼睛”

2007-01-26T00:49:00.000+08:00

Watched "Death Note 2" twice.

First time with ML. 2nd time with "女儿"s.

I really appreciate the story very much when i watched the 2nd time.

Got 1 part that strikes me very much. 死神的“眼睛”

It's abt having the ability to see another person's name & "time left" above his/her head.

At every moment, the "time left" is reducing sec by sec.

If i possess the “眼睛”, i will see :

1) For every good deed that a person does, the "time left" above his head can suddenly increase ;
For every bad deed that a person does, the "time left" above his head can suddenly decrease.

2) I can see the "time left" of all the people around me. Some are longer, Some are shorter.
The commonality is all are shortening sec by sec.

3) If there is one that is with very little "time left", yet still ignorance abt it, then when "time left" turns zero & he will just KO w/o any signs.
Tell him he also don't understand. Every day, still wasting his time away. Such scenarios, don't know whether should feel sorry for him or just 顺其自然。

PS : 死神的“眼睛”should be called 菩萨的“眼睛”instead. Becos, 菩萨s can see all of these...

抄经 - 04

2007-01-23T00:12:00.000+08:00

The Great Compassion Mantra - 大悲咒

Meditation for Relaxation

2007-01-15T17:28:00.000+08:00

Wisdom springs from meditation;
Without meditation wisdom wanes.
Having known these
Two paths of progress and decline,
Let a man so conduct himself
That his wisdom may increase.

~ Dhammapada, verse 282 ~

由瑜伽生智，无瑜伽慧灭。
了知此二道，及其得与失，
当自努力行，增长於智慧。

Customer is the most important visitor on our premises

2007-01-13T03:51:00.000+08:00

07 Jan 07

2007-01-07T23:29:00.000+08:00

Today, finished watching "1 Litre of Tears".

Here is a summary :

1. If you love a person, u will stick with her till the very end.
2. The guy that loves when u r young & pretty, but abandan you when u r sick & dying is a CROOK.
3. Treasure ur health, family & friends.
4. It is scary to lose your abilities to live independently.
5. All parents love their children.
6. Rethink if u r spending too much time/effort making $ instead of developing a good-quality life.
7. Life is impermenant. What u have is only time left.

Today, there's a lot of "7"s. =)

Spiritual Countdown "06

2006-12-31T17:53:00.000+08:00

" http://www.kmspks.org/youth/scd.htm"

The Story of A Wood cutter…

2006-12-25T15:30:00.000+08:00

Once upon a time, there was a very strong woodcutter. He asked for a job from a timber merchant, and he got it. The pay was really good and so were the work conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work.

The first day, the woodcutter brought down 18 trees. The Boss was very much impressed and said, “Congratulations, go on that way!”

Very motivated by the words of the boss, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he only could bring down 15 trees.

The third day he tried even harder, but he only could bring down 10 trees. Day after day, he was bringing down less and less trees. “I must be losing my strength,” the woodcutter thought to himself.

He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.
“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut tress.”

The moral of the story: Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don’t take time to sharpen the axe. In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy than ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay sharp? There’s nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like our personal life, taking time to read etc. We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and grow. If we don’t take time to sharpen the axe, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness. So start from today, think about the ways by which you could do your job more effectively and add a lot of value to it.

Hope this story has given you some insight to life, may you be happy always!

Life - It's just like a cup of coffee

2006-12-23T03:57:00.000+08:00

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old University lecturer. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the lecturer went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal ; some plain looking and some expensive and exquisite, telling them to help themselves to hot coffee.

When all the ex- students had a cup of coffee in hand, the lecturer said:"If you noticed, all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that had become the source of your problems and stress. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the better cups and are eyeing each other's cups."

"Now, if Life is equated to coffee, then the jobs, money and position in society can be categorised as the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life. Hence, even if your material possession (cups) changes, the quality of Life does not."

"Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it." That is life.

The Art of Public Speaking

2006-12-18T20:59:00.000+08:00

"To be able to speak and present oneself with ease and grace is an art. While some people find speaking in the public intimidating, others love the attention they get from it."

"http://logo.jobsdb.com/sg/jobsdbfiles/newsletter/2006/PS/edm.htm"

Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives (Part 3)

2006-12-14T01:27:00.000+08:00

Extracted from
"Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives (Stories 1-50)"

Moral 11 : Wherever it is found, compassion is a sign of greatness.

Moral 12 : Infatuation leads to destruction.

Moral 13 : Cravings and desires can be dangerous to one's well-being.

Moral 14 : A student who plays truant will miss out on learning important skills and knowledge from his teacher.

Moral 15 : Well-learned lessons bring great rewards.

The Mouse Merchant

2006-12-11T23:13:00.000+08:00

Extracted from
"Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives Stories 1-50"

Once upon a time, a famous advisor was on his way to a meeting with the king and other advisers when he caught sight of a dead mouse by the roadside. "Even from such small beginnings as this dead mouse, a diligent young fellow could build a fortune. As long as he worked hard and used his intelligence, he could start a business and support a wife and family," he commented to those who were with him.

A passer-by heard the remarks. Knowing that this was an important adviser of the king, he decided to follow his words. He picked up the dead mouse by the tail and went off with it. Lady Luck must be smiling at him for he hadn't even gone a block, before a shopkeeper stopped him. "My cat has been pestering me all morning. I'll give you two copper coins for that mouse." he proposed. And a deal was made.

With the two copper coins, he got some sweet cakes and water and waited by the roadside. As he expected, flower pickers were returning home from work. Hungry and thirsty, all of them agreed to exchange a bunch of flowers each for some sweet cakes and water. In the evening, the man sold the flowers in the city. He bought more sweet cakes using part of the earnings and returned the next day to trade them with the flower pickers.

This went on for a while, until one day a terrible storm blew. While walking by the king's pleasure garden, he noticed that many branches had been ripped off the trees by the storm and were lying all around. So he went to the king's gardener and offered to clear them away for him provided that he gets to keep the branches. The lazy gardener quickly agreed.

The man found some children playing in a park across the street. They were only too glad to gather all the scattered branches in exchange for one sweet cake per child.

When the children were done, the king's potter happened to walk by. He was always on the lookout for firewood for his glazing oven. When he saw the piles of wood the children had just collected, he paid the man a handsome sum of money for them. He also gave the man some of his pots.

With the profits he earned from selling flowers and firewood, the man opened a refreshment shop. One day, he treated all the local grass mowers, who were on their way to town, to some sweet cakes and drinks. They were surprised by his generosity. "What can we do for you?" they asked. He said there was nothing for them to do now, but he would let them know in the future.

A week later, he heard that a horse dealer was coming to the city with 500 horses to sell. He got in touch with the grass mowers and told each one to give him a bundle of grass. He also requested them not to sell any grass to the horse dealer until he had sold his. And so, he made another handsome profit.

Time passed until one day, some customers in his refreshment shop told him of a new foreign ship that had just docked in the harbour. He felt this was too good an opportunity to miss. He thought long and hard until he came up with a good business plan.

First, he went to a jeweller friend of his and paid a low price for a very valuable gold ring with a beautiful sparkling ruby. He knew that the ship came from a foreign country which had no rubies of its own, and where gold was expensive. Next, he gave the magnificent ring to the captain of the ship as an advance on his commission. To earn this commission, the captain agreed to send all the passengers to him. He would then take them to the finest ships in the city. In return, the man received commissions from the merchants for bringing customers to them.

The man soon became very rich after several ships had docked into port. Pleased with the scale of his success, he remembered it all started with the words of the king's wise advisor. Grateful, he decided to give him a gift of 100,000 gold coins which was half of his entire wealth. After making the proper arrangements, he met up with the king's advisor and gave him the present along with his humble thanks.

The advisor was amazed. "How did you earn so much money to afford such a generous gift?" he asked curiously. The man then narrated all that had happened, how it all started with the advisor's own words not so long ago about the dead mouse, which finally led to a large fortune.

After hearing his story, the royal advisor thought: "It would not be good to lose the talents of such a diligent man. I'm also very rich and my only beloved daughter is still unmarried. As this man is single, he deserves to marry her. Then he can inherit my wealth in addition to his own, and my daughter will be well cared for."

The man married the advisor's daughter, and after the wise adviser died, he became the richest man in the city. The king appointed him as the new adviser, and throughout the rest of his life, he gave generously for the happiness and well-being of many people.

The moral is :
With energy and ability, great wealth comes even from small insignificant beginnings

阳光。雨 (2002)

2006-12-02T23:07:00.000+08:00

Song Titles

01 方向
02 慈航
03 一盏小小的灯
04 阳光，雨水，小幼苗
05 我们是佛教青年
06 献出你真挚热忱的心
07 尘世点灯
08 原谅
09 祝福歌
10 阳光, 雨水, 小幼苗 (友情版)

Yellow Ribbon Project

2006-12-01T22:57:00.000+08:00

Help Unlock The Second Prison.

Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives (Part 2)

2006-11-30T22:48:00.000+08:00

Extracted from
"Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives (Stories 1-50)"

Moral 6 : Unwholesome actions bring shame and fear, while wholesome actions bring self-respect and peace to one.

Moral 7 : The truth is always stronger than a lie.

Moral 8 : One is rewarded a hundred times more for following the advice of a wise teacher.

Moral 9 : Even a long life is too short to waste.

Moral 10 : Non-attachment to wealth and power increases one's happiness.

1 coin each day

2006-11-29T21:56:00.000+08:00

firefly mission...
together we light up the world
Website: www.fireflymission.org

化烦恼为菩提，乃至将来成就佛道。

2006-11-27T22:29:00.000+08:00

菩萨之所以会有烦恼，是因为众生给他的压力！然因为有压力，菩萨才能不断的成长，才能化烦恼为菩提，乃至将来成就佛道。

如维摩诘经：“一切烦恼为如来种，比如不入大海，即不能得无价宝珠，如是不入烦恼大海，即不能得无价智宝！”

所以当我们烦恼来时，赶快以般若智慧观照一下，谁在烦恼啊？烦恼是谁？

五蕴和合的“我”都是空无自性了，那还有谁在烦恼！所谓“万法本开, 唯人自关”即是此意！

希望大家都能具有般若智慧，来断除自己的无明烦恼，度一切苦厄！

BL Funfair 2006

2006-11-26T21:33:00.000+08:00

Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives (Part 1)

2006-11-26T00:11:00.000+08:00

Extracted from
"Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives (Stories 1-50)"

Moral 1 : One must always be wise enough not to be fooled by tricky talk and false appearances.

Moral 2 : Don't give up too easily. Keep on trying until you reach your goal.

Moral 3 : Honesty is the best policy.

Moral 4 : With energy and ability, great wealth comes even from small insignificant beginnings.

Moral 5 : A fool in high office can bring shame even to a king.

Developing Ourselves

2006-11-11T13:41:00.000+08:00

Buddhism is abt developing ourselves to be better & better.

As we develop, we share it out too. Ü

The best investment

2006-11-01T21:46:00.000+08:00

The best investment is to invest in yourselves.

Not properties, not companies, but in yourselves.

Your abilities, your cultivation, your edurance, your loving-kindness,

Once you develop these attributes, everywhere is your playground.

Some people take "donkey years", some chase the wrong things in life.

You determine your own pace.

If u can live a cultivated & blissful life, why not?

Life is a choice!

Want to Get Ahead? Get Hitched

2006-10-22T02:40:00.000+08:00

http://insidehighered.com/news/2006/10/20/marriage

When a guy gets married, the behaviour will change.

Ajahn Brahm Dhamma Talks @ Metta Building

2006-10-19T01:08:00.000+08:00

三法印

2006-10-15T20:47:00.000+08:00

1. 诸行无常：一切人事物都是变化，不是永恒的。
2. 诸法无我：一切人事物都没有固定不变的实体。
3. 涅磐寂静：清净安乐的境界，这才是真正的幸福。

"Meditation for Corporate Success" by Ajahn Brahm

2006-10-10T11:23:00.000+08:00

Ajahn Brahm had wrote a new book, "Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond".

With metta,

Kathina Ceremony 2006 @ Santi Forest Monastry (Johor)

2006-10-08T23:18:00.000+08:00

First time going to Johor thru the Causeway. Ü

"Loving Someone" by Angie Monksfield

2006-10-06T04:22:00.000+08:00

Questions from Angie :
1. Will u still marry her if she is terminally ill & had 3 more years to live? Yes.
2. Will u still marry her if she will leave u for someone after 3 years? Need to think.

Questions from me :
1. Will i still marry her if I'm terminally ill & had 3 more years to live? No.
2. Will i still marry her if i will leave u for someone after 3 years? No.

Falling in love takes no effort. Loving someone is an art.

Contentment is the only time you have enough.

2006-10-02T00:13:00.000+08:00

"Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung? : Inspiring Stories for Welcoming Life's Difficulties"
by Ajahn Brahm

In my tradition, monks aren't allowed to accept, own, or handle any money, whatever its kind. We are so poor that we mess up government statistics. We live frugally on the unsolicited, simple gifts from our lay supporters. However, infrequently, we may be offered something special.

I had helped a Thai man with a personal problem. Out of gratitude, he said to me: "Sir, I would like to give you something for your personal use. What can I get you for the amount of five hundred baht?" It was usual to quote the amount when making such an offering, to avoid any misunderstanding. Since I wouldn't think what I wanted straight away and he was in a hurry, we agreed that I could tell him the next day when he returned.

Before this occured, I was a happy little monk. Now I started to contemplate what I wanted. I made a list. The list grew. Soon, five hundred baht wasn't enough. But it was so difficult to take anything off the list. Wants had appeared out of nowhere and solidified into absolute necessities. And the list kept growing. Now, five thousand baht wasn't sufficient!

Seeing what was happening, I threw my wish list away. The next day, I told my benefactor to give five hundred baht to the monastery building fund or to some other good cause. I didn't want it. What I wanted most of all was to regain the rare contenment I had had the day before. When I had no money, nor the means to get anything, that was the time when all my wishes were fulfilled. Wanting has no end to it. Even one billion baht isn't enough, nor a billion dollars. But freedom from wanting has an end. It is when you want nothing.

Contentment is the only time you have enough.

无牵无挂

2006-10-01T22:47:00.000+08:00

最开心的时候是当我 “一无所有"...

那种“无牵无挂” 的感觉。

Italian colleague is ROMing on Sunday

2006-09-29T23:32:00.000+08:00

My Italian Colleague, a very nice & honest chap, is marrying a lovely Singapore Gal on this Sun.

He asked me on the ROM procedure in Singapore, etc.

Italian way of marriage & Singapore way is so different. I think Italian way is more romantic. Singapore way is like signing a legal contract.

I was recommending to him that there are pre-marital courses available which are to prepare young couples for marriage. It should be quite beneficial.

He says he is still calm, but i think he is nervous.

I really feel so much joy for him. This is called "appreciative joy". As if i'm the one getting ROM this Sun.

越变越好，或越变越坏？

2006-09-28T23:02:00.000+08:00

When I'm always thinking of doing good things, there's no chance of turning bad.

不进则退。

T-Dimension

2006-09-26T21:47:00.000+08:00

When we see every form with respect to time, then we will understand why things are impermenant.

Then why do form exists? It exists becos of 缘起。

Becos of 缘起, forms will exist.

H2 + O = H2O
H2O molecules + H2O molecules = water.
Water + Heat = Stream
Stream + Generator = Electricity
Electricity + Electronics = PC
PC + Cable = Internet
Internet + <... infinite forms ...>

The importance of dressing well, looking good.

2006-09-24T22:55:00.000+08:00

Recently, an CNS 2000 FOC friend commented, "How come i have never seen u wearing long sleeves?"

To satisfy her curiosity, I put on long sleeves, long pants & a pair of black leather shoe.

I think she got a shock!

Well, when a guy starts to pick up in age, his value will appreciate. 越来越吸引人。

When a guy turns 30, career is established. Thoughts are mature & wise. Furthermore, if his character is endorsed by Buddha, that will be even more charming. Even his looks also starts to develop. Financially, he is capable of taking care of his partner too.

She was remarking that a gal start to "depreciate" when she turns 30.

I was explaining to her, "gal at 20 is attractive becos of her youth. woman at 30 will be attractive becos of her 思维." Ü

I received my driving license!

2006-09-23T23:55:00.000+08:00

Singapore works in such an efficient way.

After i passed my driving test 5 days ago, i received my card-size license today.

18 Sep is a special day
: Date of my driving test.
: Date of a friend's bday.

23 Sep is a special day.
: Date that i receive my driving license.
: Date that i start to drive on the road.
: 9 mth into my 成熟男人 Conversion.

Visited my "女儿” last night. i made a pact that i show her "some results" when she graduate in 2008.

Let's see ... Ü

Is it better to make a one-time big donation or do a regular small donations?

2006-09-21T23:00:00.000+08:00

Of course regular small donations. Why?

Do u eat all the food for few months at a single go? or we eat simple meals every day?

In the terms of donation, it is not the amount that matters. But it is the frequency that generate the merits.

Out of the Samsara of Driving Centre

2006-09-19T23:49:00.000+08:00

Finally, i'm out of the Samsara of Driving Centre. (What relief!)

It's really a Samsara.

Pay $ > Learn lessons > Take Test > Fail > (Endless Loop)

First Test (Oct 05) : 42 pts
2nd Test (Jun 06) : 36 pts
3rd Test (Sep 06) : 14 pts.

Tips :
1. Wear Long Sleeves, Appear Decent.
2. Speak Gently & Act like Mature-Thinking Working Professional.
3. Take 1 lesson per day (consecutive for 3 days) prior the test date. (same time slot)

Right Thoughts :
1. If i bang other pple's car, it's the Centre's Problem. Then, u won't be afraid of other vehicles.
2. Treat your car like your baby. Sayang the car if necessary.

Right Motivation :
1. Be motivated to buy a car after the test. Then, the motivation is high.
2. If the motivation is to clear for the sake of spending less $, the motivation is incorrect.

Driving Test is 40% skills, 60% Luck.
1. To improve luck, u need to do a lot of good karma before the test.

During Test :
1. Keep in mind, "May i be protected by my Good Karma".
2. Circuits aim for zero point. Then u will be confident on the road.

If Time Exists & Space Persists, ...

2006-09-18T12:29:00.000+08:00

Extracted from
"EARTH" by Marshall Mini

4.6 bya - the Earth & Moon was formed.
4.3 bya - the first rain falls.
4.0 bya - simple microbes formed.
3.8 bya - the oldest rocks formed.
1.5 bya - mountains appear.
600 mya - hard-shelled animals evolve in the seas.
400 mya - plants thrive.
200 mya - oxygen reaches present levels.
110 mya - dinosaurs ruled.
65 mya - dinosaurs died out.
40 mya - Himalayas formed.
2.5 mya - ice ages begin.
2 mya - first humans appear.

bya = billions years ago
mya = millions years ago.

缘起法： One thing leads to another. If any of the above steps are skipped, there will not be the present world.

NTUBS 24th Investiture & Prajna 2006

2006-09-16T18:22:00.000+08:00

Event : 24th NTUBS Investiture
Date : 15 Sep 06 (Fri)
Time : 7 pm
Venue : NTU LT 22 (South Spine)

Prajna 2006 :

IPPT 2006 : Try harder next time ...

2006-09-11T19:37:00.000+08:00

Lien Ying Chow Education Initiative (Ngee Ann Poly)

2006-09-09T10:39:00.000+08:00

Ngee Ann Poly
http://www.np.edu.sg/corpcomm/media_newsrm/release_index.html#news8

Lien Foundation
http://www.lienfoundation.org/

1st In-Camp Training

2006-09-08T16:53:00.000+08:00

Recently, went for 1st In-Camp Training.

唤起了很多当兵时的记忆。。。。 Thinking Soldier : Think, Plan, Execute & Defend.

“世界有你才会更美好。再创新奇迹，世界等着你。。。 ”

Vegetarian Wedding Dinner

2006-09-06T00:47:00.000+08:00

Just received an invitation for a Vegetarian Wedding Dinner from my Ex-Poly Gold Metalist partner.

my Ex-Poly Gold Metalist partner :
人品好，老实，有正义感，进取心，顾家， Poly Gold Metal, NTU First Class Honour. 勤奋，好学，稳重，事业稳定。

Wedding Dinner 又 vegetarian. (不造杀业）

什么优点都被他做到了。

他的老婆真的很有眼光。

Poly produces such 人才s. 难怪 PM Lee mentions abt retaining top Poly Talents & NTU to give Bond-Free Scholarship.

Visitors flock to save revered Bodhi Tree

2006-09-04T19:46:00.000+08:00

by Tan Hui Yee, The Straits Times, Aug 19, 2006

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=57,3064,0,0,1,0

2-Days Meditation Retreat

2006-09-03T23:45:00.000+08:00

This week is very spiritual.

Wed night (30-Aug-06) :
"Solving Relationship Problems" by Angie Monksfield @BF Centre

Thu night (31-Aug-06) :
"The Buddha in the Office" by Kweh Soon Han @Awareness Place

Sat & Sun (02-03 Sep 06) :
2-Days Insight Meditation (Vipassana) Retreat @PKS

My life is indeed improving...

Universities say more ex-students joining alumni associations

2006-08-28T23:25:00.000+08:00

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060828/5/singapore227271.html

So far, NTUBSA is the best non-academic alumni group.

But, there are opportunities for us to overtake the academic groups as well.

“善用缘起” - 缘起法

2006-08-27T02:27:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, first time using this phrase,"善用缘起".

即来之，则安之。 "善用缘起"。

懂得 “善用缘起”，真的是一种能力的提升。

NTUBS Election 06" (An organiser's view-point)

2006-08-25T03:10:00.000+08:00

Just finished co-ordinating the NTUBS 24th Main Comm Election.

- 感觉得到 “弥陀” 的愿力。

那种希望每个“有缘众生”都有机会学习佛法，成佛的“原力”。无论是Year 1, Year 2 or Year 3. 只要你肯参选，都希望你成功。

； “弥陀”的承诺，无论你的业力如何，只要你愿意，“弥陀”会接你到“西方极乐世界”去学习佛法。

- 感受得到 “观世音菩萨”的慈悲。

那种不间断得帮助每一批新的NTUBS Main Comm.

; “观世音菩萨”的慈悲。闻声寻苦。时时刻刻都在帮助有苦难的众生。帮助他们的每一生，每一世。

Sleep Debt (睡债）

2006-08-23T10:27:00.000+08:00

有些债是不能够欠的。其中一种是“睡债”。

Last week, i stay for work from 7 pm to 7 am from Sun to Wed. (4 days)

On thu，“连本带利” 得偿还这笔 “睡债”，结果KO了18 hours.

另一种是“情债”。

了轮回?

2006-08-21T10:07:00.000+08:00

Last Sat, Ven Zhi Xing is asking a question. Who is not willing to 了轮回?

I'm only one who raise my hand.

My life is good. Basically, there is nothing that i dislike abt myself & my present living. I love my current lifestyle. Even though, got a bit of "高潮迭起”，but everything can “迎刃而解". (typo chinese word, but it's ok)

I definitely don't mind repeating it again.

Come to think abt it. What if my next life is not as good/better than my current life?

Suddenly feel a sense of 危机感 ....

行为反作用力 by Ven Hai Tao

2006-08-18T07:35:00.000+08:00

Today, i heard abt this term again, "行为反作用力".

Our lives are determined by ourselves. It is based on "行为反作用力".

Every thought, intention & action will generate "行为反作用力" back to ourselves.

So if we want our lives to be happy & prosperous, our thought, intention & action must be pure.

又有朋友出家了。。。

2006-08-14T09:18:00.000+08:00

Recently, it seems that there is a wave of Renoucing Fever.

At work place, 2 colleagues had went for a 7-day Monkhood retreat in Thailand.

Last Fri, I heard from Justin that Peifen had renounced too.

During a Heart Sutra Session, Ven Zhi Xing was elaborating that everyone's goal is the same : To find happiness.

A lay person is finding happiness while dragging a cart of Family, Career, Relationship, Financial Woes,

while a Monk is finding happiness without such attachments.

In this way, the monk can progress faster as he is progressing at the maximum pace.

GL's verse - 供养，回向

2006-08-10T11:55:00.000+08:00

Buddhist Meditation & Yoga

2006-08-06T01:15:00.000+08:00

What is the difference between Buddhist Meditation & Yoga?

The aim of Buddhist Meditation is to develop our mind to be a Lit Light-Bulb. Then, we can see things as in the true form. A deluded mind is like living in a dark room. Always knocking ourselves onto furniture & injuring ourselves becos we can't see. Once our mind is lit, we can see the entire room clearly, & manoeuvre ourselves.

Yoga is for relaxation.

BF Session - Accounting for Our Lives

2006-08-01T00:19:00.000+08:00

http://www.buddhistfellowship.org/bf_new/pages/latest_events/activities.html

Date : 6 Aug 06 (Sun)
Time : 11 am
Venue : BF
Event : Dharma Talk: Accounting for Our Lives (Prof. Tan Hun Tong)

Save the Environment - Burn Less or No Joss Paper

2006-07-31T00:43:00.000+08:00

http://kmspks.org/forms/BurningpaperE.pdf

Buddhist Quiz - Test yourself

2006-07-29T00:54:00.000+08:00

http://www.dharmagames.org/Buddhist%20Games/BuddhistQuiz/buddhistQuiz4_content.html

1st time score low is fine.

Plan is to redo until 100% correct.

把佛的 “智慧” 拼起来！

2006-07-27T00:06:00.000+08:00

佛最伟大的地方是：他留下了他的 “智慧”。

他的 “智慧”，遍布各地。

把佛的 “智慧” 拼起来！

Buddhas ...

2006-07-25T00:00:00.000+08:00

1）理性， 2）情感， 3）能力

2006-07-22T21:44:00.000+08:00

佛是 1）理性，2）情感，3）能力，最圆满的人格。

如果要提升这三点，就一定要学佛。将来，你也会成佛，圆满自己的 1）理性，2）情感，3）能力。

在有限的生命时间，开发自己的无限潜能。

Little Buddha - DVD

2006-07-21T01:42:00.000+08:00

礼轻，情谊重。
千里，送鹅毛。

kmsYM: Y_Cultivation - The Heart Sutra

2006-07-18T22:53:00.000+08:00

http://www.kmspks.org/youth/ymHeartSutraWkshp.htm

Each session of the workshop covers
Recitation of the Heart Sutra Teachings and explanations Applications in daily life Meditation

Participation Level Beginner to Intermediate
Participants are encouraged to complete the whole workshop in full as all of the four sessions are interlinked

Pre-requisites An open heart and wish to be happy

Dates 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August (Every Sat) Time 2.00pm to 4.30pm
Venue Awareness Place Well Being Centre
Blk 231 Bain Street, Bras Basah Complex, #03-39

Registration & Enquiries
6849 5346 / 9479 2897 / wsdp@kmspks.org
(By registration only, limited seats)

Moral of NTU Bodhi Tree

2006-07-17T01:47:00.000+08:00

"Thru accomodating, the Bodhi Tree can blossom.

By giving the orchids the chance to grow, the Bodhi Tree will also be beautified."

Words of Love

2006-07-16T23:56:00.000+08:00

"不要轻易说爱，许下的承诺欠下的债；

不要轻易说不爱，也许幸福就被你关在门外... "

Mathematics & Heart Sutra

2006-07-13T00:37:00.000+08:00

Mathematically :

If A, B is a Set,

Pt 1 : A is a Subset of B.
Pt 2 : B is a Subset of A.
If Pt 1 & 2 are valid,
A = B.

Heart Sutra :

色不异空， (Pt 1)
空不异色。 (Pt 2)

色即是空。 (proven)
空即是色。 (proven)

既来之，则安之。

2006-07-11T00:18:00.000+08:00

Maintaining a State of Contentment.

命运中自有安排。

Who do u love most?

2006-07-10T01:23:00.000+08:00

If your Mum asks you,"Who do u love most?".

I should reply,"I love my Mum most."

If your Wife asks you,"Who do u love most?".

I should reply,"I love my Wife most."

But If your Mum & Wife ask you,"Who do u love most?".

I should reply,"I love Myself most." Ü

世界，美中不足。

2006-07-05T23:38:00.000+08:00

如果人没有病痛，世界没有灾祸，这会是个很美丽的世界。

可惜，可惜。真是美中不足。

May i be well & happy.
May i be well & happy.
May i be well & happy.
May i be well & happy.
May i be well & happy.
May i be well & happy.
May i be well & happy.
May i be well & happy.
May i be well & happy.
May i be well & happy.

May the anti-biotics and I be well & happy.
May the cough virus & I be well & happy.

May all cough virus & I, together attain buddhahood.

健康才是 “宝”

2006-07-03T22:47:00.000+08:00

人为什么需要“生病”？或许是一种“提醒”吧。　

提醒自己，健康才是 “宝”。生命是无常，健康不是永恒。　

在追求美满人生的同时，停一停脚步，深思自己的方向。。。