The spirit of keeping precepts

Being a Buddhist, I'm encouraged, based on my free will; to observe the 5 precepts or 8 precepts over a certain period of time. The previous experience I had observing the precepts was last August at the Dong Zen Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery in Jenjarom, Klang. It so happens the 8 precepts in honour of Medicine Buddha. The precepts were taken for one day from Saturday night until Sunday night. This year, I observed the 8 precepts again in honour of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva on his anniversary recently, Nov 10th (Lunar Calender: 9th Month, 19th Day)

What are the 8 precepts? The basic 5 precepts includes
1. Not taking any form of life by force or with intention (No Killing)
2. Not taking what is not rightfully yours (No Stealing)
3. Not participating in unwholesome sexual activity (No sexual misconduct)
4. Not making any unwholesome speech (No lying, no idle and harsh speech)
5. Not partaking intoxicants or substance that endanger the body (no drugs, no liquor, no cigarettes, )

6. Not partaking food at certain hours (no food taken after 12 noon)
7. No participation in any form of entertainment (no TV, no music, no singing nor dancing)
8. Not using high pillows or bed and not using ornaments and perfumes to adorn one's self
(In other words, sleeping on the floor or with a thin mattress, showering without using
body gel, soup, toothpaste, etc)

Why did I take these precepts for one day? Let's just say that I did it not for myself, I did for a lot of other reasons. I did it for my parents, they're undergoing a stressful period in their relationship. I did for my friends, I hope all their wishes and their aspirations will be achieved. I did for my community, I believe living in KL is very stressful and draining. I hope conditions will be better next year for all of us. But the most important and powerful force that driven me to observe these precepts is my thought of benefiting others. I don't have that much money and I know my limited resources I could only help a handful of people. Therefore, I chose to take the 8 precepts to benefit others. The experience of observing the 8 precepts is indescribable. You just have to take it to experience it yourself.

Throughout the day, while observing noble silence, My mind was peaceful and filled with compassion. I was able to see how the mind worked and how unstable it can be, It is always thinking, never resting, always wondering this and that, always wanting this and that. This is the nature of the mind. How do you put it to rest? I did a lot of meditation, chanting and reflection that day. I also discovered a lot about myself, the real ME. Is there a real 'I'? Hmmm... let you ponder on that.

I realised that life is full of lessons that we can learn and use to adapt in this ever changing world and the challenges that it will give us daily. For those who would like to investigate further on the 5 and 8 precepts? You can check out more at Buddhist web sites.

His Holiness Karmapa's visit to KL!

HIS HOLINESS KARMAPA, TRINLEY THAYE DORJE

As our fellow Hindu friends celebrate Deepavali and our Muslim friends the Raya holidays, there was also another reason for some Buddhists in KL to celebrate. The last week has been a buzz in the Karma Kagyu Dharma Centre in KL as the Centre and the devotees of the Karma Kagyu lineage prepared for the arrival of H.H 17th Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Dharma centre.

(Lamas offering a Mandala to the Buddhas of the ten directions)

His Holiness was in town to give teachings, Dharma talks and to give Empowerment to devotees and Dharma practitioners. Among the Empowerment ceremonies I had gone too are the Red Chenrezig Initiation and Empowerment, The Medicine Buddha Empowerment and tonight's empowerment will be Vajrasattva Empowerment.

(HH Karmapa in Samadhi during the Karma Pakshi Empowerment)

Tonight's empowerment will be a significant empowerment as I am hoping through the divine blessings of Vajrasattva Bodhisattva to help purify my negative karmic actions of this present life and the many past lifetimes. An Empowerment is a form of an auspicious blessing that is bestowed by a Rinpoche (Precious One) or a Noble Lama (Monk) to a lay pracitioner or devotee so this blessing would help the lay practitioner to cultivate with more confidence in the Buddha Dharma.

The devotee would also be engaged in taking refuge and making his/ her Bodhi chitta vows. The main teachings of Buddha is to bring forth the Bodhi Chitta vows, do good, evoid evil deeds and purify your mind.HH Karmapa

It is also this wish, that all sentient beings can benefit from the teachings of the Buddha, that is why all the Maha Bodhisattvas, like Karmapa himself; they come back into this world to help and lead sentient beings from this samsaric cycle. The Karmapa is said to be a manifestation of Buddha Chenrezig. Therefore, he represents the compassioan aspect of all Buddhas of the past, present and future. It is indeed a blessing for malaysian buddhist that we have a very special guest who arrived in town to give us teachings, blessings and empowerments. Coincidently, the sky is once again BLUE in KL! Indeed a Blessing!