A prayer for the new year...

Om Ah Hum...

I take refuge in my root guru... 

I take refuge in the Buddha Jewel

I take refuge in the Dharma Jewel

I take refuge in the Sangha Jewel...

Om Ah Hum...

May All Enlightened ones be compassionate!

May you guide us with your wisdom and compassion,

So that we may reach the other shore, slowly but surely

And never give up the resolve to awaken our Bodhi mind

in this and many life times to come...

Until we reach our own enlightenment, 

we need your light, your support, your strengths and courage

Avalokiteshvara! Lord of Compassion...

Lead us to the world of universal loving kindness, through the resonances of your Sublime Mani mantra...

Manjushri Lord of Wisdom...

Guide us so we can awaken to our own innate wisdom, the prajna to which all enlightened ones attain...

Mama Tara, the one benevolent green mother! Help us remove our own obstacles that hinders us from our true nature!

Transform our ignorance, greed and anger to wisdom, giving and loving kindness.!! 

We will remind ourselves as we see your perfect images, to remember the qualities of Samyaksambodhi and to ever strive and be diligent in our cultivation until we reach the other shore.... 

May the next year be a great year for cultivating, for realizing and fulfilling our goals...

Om Ah Hum.... Sarva Mangalam!

Time to make resolutions...

This year's resolution... some came through, some did not. So I have renewed the ones that I didn't fulfill. 

Thinking back, I have grown a lot more matured, more wiser ( I hope) and gotten to know myself better. I know that I can work well to a certain extent, under pressure... But I cannot be pressured to do things not according to my way. 

I have learned to deal with some relationship issues. It's not easy, and there are times, I was in so much of anger that I would have snapped and threw a fit and do something stupid.

I have also learned about the value of time and timing. 

Now, 2008 is coming to it's curtain call, The future is filled with uncertainty, the world economy is hanging by a thread, Countries are distressed with climatic and economic changes.

Despite this, I must look inside calmly. I am starting something so I can see the results in 4 years time. I have to be resilient and work hard....

May 2009 brings opportunities to all. 

Don't blame Nature... blame GREED within a man's heart!

I am saddened by the recent tragic events that happened in my country. I referred to the landslide incident that happened yesterday near an upper class suburb in Kuala Lumpur. Known as Bukit Antarabangsa, the suburb is quite a favorite spot for expatriates and well to do locals. This tragedy could have been avoided if the authorities in the city council and the developers who developed this hill side land paid more attention to ensure the soil is stable and the area is not over developed.

If this question of overdevelopment was posed to a child of 9 years old, That child would have answered in the most wise words, "Too much will make the hill tumble down" I feel that Nature is not to be blamed. If we were to look deeper into this issue, we should reflect on ourselves instead. Why did this occurred? It's simply because of Greed. The greed for more profit. Because of this greed in the hearts of certain parties, they have overlooked what was important for such hill side development.

If the parties concerned did what they were supposed to do, did a through check on what is important for construction and researched the effects of over development on hills and hill sides, Then people would not have to suffer what they are suffering now, the death of their beloved ones, the anguish of losing one's property and material needs.

I hope you will join me in prayer for those who lost their lives in this reckless and avoidable incident, may they be rest in peace and may they find the light to move on to their next life... Sadhu! (All pictures are courtesy of The Star paper)