冬至 Dong Zhi. The Chinese Winter Solstice!

Dec 22nd marks the 冬至 (Winter Solstice) of the Chinese Solar Calender . The Winter Solstice is a festival celebrated by the Chinese people worldwide. This is the day when the sun is at its weakest (shortest day) and Night is at its strongest.

春雨驚春清穀天 chūn yǔ jīng chūn qīng gǔ tiān,

夏滿芒夏暑相連 xià mǎn máng xià shǔ xiāng lián,

秋處露秋寒霜降 qiū chù lù qiū hán shuāng jiàng,

冬雪雪冬小大寒 dōng xuě xuě dōng xiǎo dà hán.

每月兩節不變更 měi yuè liǎng jié bù biàn gēng,

最多相差一兩天 zùi duō xiāng chā yī liǎng tiān

上半年來六、廿一 shàng bàn nián lái liù, niàn yī

下半年是八、廿三 xià bàn nián shì bā, niàn sān

Traditionally, the Dongzhi Festival is also a time for the family to get together. One activity that occurs during these get togethers (especially in the southern parts of China and in Chinese communities overseas) is the making and eating of Tangyuan (湯圓, as pronounced in Cantonese; Mandarin Pinyin: Tāng Yuán) or balls of glutinuous rice, which symbolize reunion. Tangyuan are made of glutinuous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Every one in the family receives at least one large Tang Yuan and several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savoury broth with both the ball and the soup/broth served in one bowl.

In northern China, people typically eat dumplings on dongzhi. It is said to have originated from Zhang Zhongjing of Han Dynasty. On one cold winter day, he saw the poor suffering from chilblains on their ears. Feeling sympathetic, he ordered his apprentices to make dumplings with lamb and other ingredients, distributed them among the poor to keep them warm. Since the dumplings were shaped like ears, Zhang named it "qǜ hán jiāo ěr tāng" or dumpling soup that expels the cold. From then on it became a tradition passed down to eat dumplings on the day of dongzhi to keep the ears from getting chilblains.

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.

Sense of well being - Do we have it?

Every often or so, I come across some people who would say to me that they're happy and they've got their sense of well being. Almost everyone of my friends have a sense of well being. There are many facets of this term "Sense of well being". What's your sense of well being?

My close buddy, Fred would tell me that his sense of well being would be his career, his love and his material fulfillment. Another friend, Carol; I have been observing has similar perceptions like Fred. Another bosom buddy of mine, Anna she thinks differently. Her sense of well being is to be successful in her life. Her definition of success is not the typical Gung Ho executive, etching her name in the corporate world, or living the mile high life. It's the way how she has lived her life and her contribution to the community that defines her success or sense of well being. She also told me that it is a balance between spiritual and worldy needs.

I find her views on this sense of well being similar to mine. Her buddy, Penny; my 'hot' yoga instructor shares similar views with her with an exception that penny focuses more on contentment and the 'less is more' attitude. Jules said that her sense of well being is not to be affected by the states of the present conditions in this world. She defines it as not allowing the uncertainty of life to control her state of mind. I asked Calvin what's his sense of well being? He replied that being able to wake up every morning and work in his Tong Sui stall, come back and have a good rest is his sense of well being.

My sense of well being? My piece of mind and that I am thankful for being healthy, to be loved by my family and friends and to be able to achieve my goals using whole some actions and to be able to be a part of my friends' lives. I give thanks that I'm able to wake up in the morning everyday and breathe.

What ever your sense of well being may be, I hope you will be able to achieve it and maintain it. Make it as your guide to living a fruitful and wonderful life here on Earth.

May all sentient beings be well, happy and peaceful.

Blue... Blue.. finally, blue again!

The past three days was like a dream come true. KL was blundered by the bad haze caused by Indonesia's forest burning for the past month. And so happened, the monsoon season has arrived. With afternoon thunderstorms and heavy rains lashing out on various parts of Malaysia, we're once again blessed with clear skies. This picture was taken outside my balcony and it's so nice to do yoga today.

A lot of my friends welcomed the beautiful weather. Most of them said that the past month, they have been feeling ill, stricken with flu, sore throat, lung ailments and constant coughing.I can imagine these few days, They are relieved that they can now breathe fresh, clean air! This weekend, it is a celebration that the good weather has come back.

Let us hope and pray that we will always have sunny days and clear skies throughout.

The Pool looks very inviting for a nice dip!

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!

Happy Deepa Raya!

This is a short note to all my hindu and muslim friends out there! Happy Deepavali and Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri!

It's going to be a long holiday for those celebrating in Malaysia! So you all have a safe journey home and drive safely!

Baby talk!

This is my brother, Ernest and his wife; Irene along with their beautiful daughter, Jennifer. My niece. When I see her smile, I just melt in my heart and I just felt like tugging her baby cheeks! Isn't she the most adorable!!! My Dad and Mum would just sigh and say, isn't she the cutest, isn't she a little princess? well... I guess you have to be the judge!

Cheers to my lil Jennifer!

Bad Air rising in KL!

It has been like this for the past few weeks. I wake up early in the morning, I'd brushed my teeth and wash my face, and I'll go to the balcony to do some stretches. On a usual day, I would be greeted by a clear blue sky, the morning sun, the view of the Menara Telekom, nice.. you know.. and it would be an excellent place to practice my yoga or do my qi-gong.

This picture (left) was taken in KL. Sigh... how to breathe la....


But, now-a-days, I have to stay indoors to do all my yoga and qi-gong practices. I can't even see the cutting blade bamboo shoot of Menara Telekom. It got really bad. Very bad. The kind of air or smog rather that all of us living in KL had to breathe in... YUCK!



And who do we blame all this smog? Ha ha ha.. our Indon neighbour. Reports from major newspaper cited that Indonesia has a couple of hundred fire hotspots in the island of Sumatera, the island of Borneo, Kalimantan. But I also see some of our 'good' fellow citizens contributing to the hotspots by having open burning behind their houses or the parks or in some construction areas.


(this picture was taken from MBPJ, PJ City)

Face it. We are living in a world where a lot of basic neccessities are labelled with a price tag. At the moment, our air is still free. Our water supply isn't anymore. And to top it off, they want to raise the tariffs. Well, if they want to raise the fare, I don't mind paying more so long as it's clean and clear water. Not the kind of muddy irky brown liquid that flows from my taps! I dread to think that in the near future, we'd all have to pay exuberent amounts of money just to breathe clean, fresh pure air. Think about it. This may happen soon...

MAY U BE WELL, :-D and PEACEFUL!

Today is an exceptionally auspicious day as there are vibrant, auspicious energy from the universe, converging with our planet earth. This auspicious event only happens in a blue eon. The energy has come to earth as at 1017 hrs (KUL time) GMT 0217 hrs. It will linger earth for about 17 hours. It will reach its peak at 1900 hrs (KUL time) GMT 1100 hrs. Therefore, I sincerely urge you to generate gratitude prayers and prayers of hope, compassion and renewed ties with your family, loved ones, your enemies and to all sentient beings dwelling in our world.

Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum

Chenrezig,
the Seven Branch Prayer

Lord, whose white body is not clothed by fault,
Whose head is adorned
by a perfect Buddha,
Who looks upon all beings with compassionate eyes,
To you, Chenrezig, I prostrate.

Seven Branch Prayer in Tibetan

JO WO KYON GI MA GO KU DOG KAR
DZOG SANG JAY KI U LA GYEN
TUG JAY CHEN GI DOR LA ZIG
CHEN RE ZIG LA CHAG TSAL LO

Prayer of gratitude:

Om! Namo Gurubye Namo Buddhaye, Namo Dharmaye, Namo Sanghaye!
Namo Ratna trayaya! Namah Arya Jhana Sagara Vairochana
Vyuhya Rajhaya Tathagataya Arhate Samyaksambuddhaya.
Namah Sarva Tathagatebhey Arhatebhey Samyaksambuddhebhey.
Namah Arya Avalokite shraya Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Mahakarunikaya.
Tadyatha, Om! Dhara Dhara Dhiri Dhiri Dhuru Dhuru Ite Vay Ite Chale Chale
Pra Chale Pra Chale Kusume Kusuma Vare Ili Mili Chi Ti Chualam Apanaya Svaha!

Oh Lord of Compassion, Buddha Chenrezig! I humbly bow to you.
with 5 fold prostration, You are my refuge! I thank you for being in my life.
Great Lord of compassion, May you bless and give protection to me.
May you bless my parents, my brothers, my friends, my enemies and all sentient beings.
May you shine your light of metta upon all sentient beings dwelling in this world.

May I be well, happy and peaceful.

May I be free from mental and
physical suffering and sickness
May I be free from Anger,
Delusion and Ignorance
May my wishes be accorded and fulfilled.

May my family be well, happy and peaceful.
May my family be free from mental and
physical suffering and sickness
May my family's wishes
be accorded and fulfuilled.

May my friends be well, happy and peaceful.
May my friends be free from mental and physical suffering and sickness
May my friends' wishes and goals be accorded and and fulfilled.

May my enemies be well, happy and peaceful
May my enemies be free from mental and physical
suffering and sickness
May my enemies be free from emnity, hatred,
anger and ignorance
May my enemies be filled with compassion and wisdom
May my enemies's wishes and goals be accorded and fulfilled

May all sentient beings be well, happy and peaceful
May all sentient beings be free from mental and physical suffering and sickness
May all sentient beings be filled with compassion and wisdom
May all sentient beings' wishes and goals be accorded and fulfilled

May You be well, happy and peaceful.
May You be free from Mental and Physical suffering and sickness
May Your wishes and goals be accorded and fulfilled.
May You be filled with compassion and wisdom
May You attain Annutara Samyak Samboddhi!

Dedication
May the merits of Metta accrued from this prayer
Adorned all the Purelands of the Buddhas
Repaying the 4 kinds of kindnesses above
And aiding those suffering in the 3 paths below

May all those who see and hear of this
May they bring forth their Bodhi Mind resolve!
And when my and their physical body dissolve
Be born together in the land of Sukhavati!

AMITABHA BUDDHA!
MAHA SADHU MAHA SADHU MAHA SADHU!

Pictures are worth a thousand words...

This is Mei Xuan. My niece...

Born March 11th 2006