Recipe for a healthy Body -

This is an interesting article on how to keep your body in good maintenance.

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level.
This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing
malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air
decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain
efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the
death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered, increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and
decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of
the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may
cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring , and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use
8. when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
9. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
10. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt
a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time
condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary
chemicals according to 'schedule.'


Because :

Evening at 9 - 11 PM :
It is the time for eliminating unnecessary/toxic chemicals
(detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should
be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in
an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their
homework, this will have a negative impact on health.

Evening at 11pm - 1 am :
It is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should
be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3 am :
Detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep
sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5 am :
Detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be
a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process
had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am :
Detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9 am :

Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30 am , for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30 am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10 am rather than no meal at all.

Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

DO TAKE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

Smile always... Send Metta!

One of the easiest things you could do to perk up your day is just SMILE... Yes. A smile is the easiest way to send good vibes not only to yourself but to others as well. There are many kinds of smile... The ones I like are the warm sincere smiles. You'll know it when you see someone and he or she is quite impress with you or find you attractive and gives you that sincere, warm and approving smile. Often this kind of smile comes from the heart, it is genuine, that's why i like it so much.

Another kind of smile I like is the big hearty almost laughable smile. These smiles are infectious. It makes you wanna smile too! The wide grins and white teeth showing a little, the warm cheeks that glow after the grin. Always remember that and visualize yourself giving this kind of warm feeling to others.

The Shy smile perhaps is a very underrated smile. It does lead to a certain kind of flirtation. So, venture on with caution, you may lead others into a comprising situation.

When you smile, not only humans can see it, other sentient beings see it too. Some will feel it, some will sense it. Devas and heavenly beings sense with their perceptions, this is called METTA. Animals will sense your smile too. So are the Pretas (Hungry Spirits) and other sentient beings not seen by the human eye. When u smile always, you think of happy thoughts, and these happy thoughts are METTA. When you have Metta, these wonderful energy will surround and embrace you, all things will become auspicious...

Metta Chant (Prayer)
May I be well and happy...
May I be free from physical and mental suffering
May my dreams and goals be fulfilled.
May I be successful in my endeavors.

May all sentient beings dwelling everywhere be well and happy
May all sentient beings dwelling everywhere be free from physical and mental suffering
May all sentient beings's wishes and dreams be fulfilled
May all sentient beings's be successful in their endeavors.

If you want to be a part of this.. just click at the link below for 'The Smile Revolution'

My Buddhism..

Often people ask me if I was a Theravadin Buddhist, Mahayana Buddhist or a Vajrayana practitioner? I don't blame them. When they come to my home, they will see my shrine filled with elements from all 3 traditions. I simply tell them. I'm just a Buddhist. I'm not Theravadin, nor a Mahayanist or Vajrayanist. I'm just a Buddhist. They would then ask me, what kind of Dharma do I practice? I would say: I eat when I have to eat, sleep when I have to sleep, and I am like them. Some were so puzzled that they asked me to go to their temple so I could seek an audience with their Dharma Teachers, or some would try to ask me to go their Churches and listen to their Pastor about God and His plan for me. Simply put, I am fine. Thanks for your concern. I am practicing Dharma. Just that, the Dharma I practiced is made for me. Only me. It's my expedient device and tool I use daily for my own cultivation. So, what's my Buddhism? Very simple.

• 
  

1. Breathe long and deep. It reminds me that I'm very blessed to be a human being.

2. Each breathe is also to remind me of how impermanent things are on earth and I should not be too serious about worldly possessions.

3. Make money so that I can have enough to get by and if I do have an immense amount of wealth, make sure that wealth goes to beneficial causes, to help others less fortunate as I am.

4. See the world in a different light. To live now, is practicing Dharma.

5. Forget about the past. It's done with. Don't worry too much of the future. It has yet to come.

6. LIVE NOW! And be happy.

7. Be always mindful, so you are always in the know about now.

8. Be compassionate and be wise. These are the 2 tools you need to survive and improvise.

9. Respect life.

10. Don't be too serious about what people say about you. But put full focus and effort on what you do as You want to give it your best effort on your task.

11. Work hard and smart, play hard and smart. Give all you can, and don't expect anything in return.

12. When you love someone, love him/ her with all your life and might. Always put him/ her before you. (It goes with parents, family and friends)

13. Take time to meditate or chant. It's a good way to recharge your spirit.

14. See things beyond good and bad. Especially when it comes to emotions and feelings, there's no right or wrong way at it.

15. Share and generate Merits to all.

16. Love yourself the most! If you don't learn how to love yourself, how will you learn to love others?

17. Finally, LET GO! When you let go, you give yourself a chance to gain more. Sometimes, we have to let go of things and people dear to us, so we do not become too emotional and confused. Don't be attached... This is Prajna wisdom...

This is my Buddhism..
Come and share your Buddhism with me...

May all sentient beings be well and happy.

Om Ah Hum

Doraemon!

konna koto ii na
dekitara ii na
anna yume konna yume ippai aru kedo

minna minna minna
kanaete kureru
fushigina POKKE de kanaete kureru
sora wo jiyuu ni tobitai na

(hai! takekoputaa!)

AN AN AN
tottemo daisuki
DORAEMON

shukudai touban shiken ni otsukai
anna koto konna koto taihen dakedo

minna minna minna
tasukete kureru
benrina dougu de tasukete kureru
omocha no heitai da

(sore! tototsugeki!)

AN AN AN
tottemo daisuki
DORAEMON

anna toko ii na
iketara ii na
kono kuni ano shima takusan aru kedo

minna minna minna
ikasete kureru
mirai no kikai de kanaete kureru
sekai ryokou ni ikitai na
(ufufufu... doko demo DOA!)

AN AN AN
tottemo daisuki
DORAEMON

AN AN AN
tottemo daisuki
DORAEMON

Wesak Morning, glorious and auspicious!

On wesak day, I woke up at about quarter to six. My friend, Wing woke me up as he has to hurry to the Fo Guang Shan centre in SS3, PJ for the Wesak morning chanting session which starts at 7am. He is the 香登 or way place helper for the centre, so he and his group of helpers must prepare the shrine hall before the other devotees and venerable ones come to do start the chanting session.

As usual, I'd go to my balcony to breathe the fresh air. I saw an unusual phenomenon at the sky. The sky at that time, when the sun has yet to grace its presence, was filled with colors of azure blue, gold, white, purple, and green. These colors were lining on the clouds. It looked like an auspicious event.

Later the morning, after the morning session, I had 2 friends over to start a Vajra Diamond Sutra repentence session at my house. The session took about 3 to 4 hours. After the session, one friend, Bob asked if we noticed anything unusual this morning, he then told us about how the morning sky was filled in gold color and there was a sense of auspiciousness he felt. All of us came out with our own version of the account. Indeed it was an auspicious day.

We were then joined by Jules and her sister, Joanna; a good friend I've not met since my last day at ASTRO. So we headed to a CUNDI Bodhisattva way place, near Lorong Ceylon. It was an old building, It was built during Kapitan Yap Ah Loy's days. Kapitan Yap built several temples , one of them is the now fully restored and refurbished Way Place, DENG BI AN, managed by the City of Ten Thousand Buddha Buddhist Association, a way place established by the late Ven. Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua. We went to both way places and we were there to participate in chanting sessions and we shared merit amongst other devotees. It was a good day!

This wesak, although I celebrated it at home, I felt it was auspicious as we all had different responses but these responses result in our own cultivation and practices. Hence, The Buddha Dharma is very much alive and kicking! We all agreed to do our best and cultivate accordingly. Sakyamuni Buddha left 84,000 wonderful dharma doors for us to enter and use so we can all achieve enlightenment. Let us not fail ourselves nor our Noble master for his kindness and sacrifices in bringing us the Dharma.


'Homage and Honour to the Tathagatha,
World Honored One, Bhagavan, Teachers of Devas and Men
Well departed, One who arrived at the other shore,
SamyasamBuddha... "

"Tayadtha, Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Svaha!"
"Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhasa"
"Namo Bhagavate Sakyamuniye Tathagataya, Arhate SamyakSambuddhaya"

Dear Beloved Master,
With a sincere and humbled heart, I bow to you,
my five limb and head on the ground!

I give thanks and remember your everlasting kindness and compassion, your great sacrifices that you made when you were a Bodhisattva, out of great compassion for all of us sentient beings, you endure so many aeons of hardships to seek and attain the Truth, the Dharma for our benefit and our salvation from the cycle of 6 realms.

As an unworthy disciple, because of my ignorance and stupidity, failed to see the truth, failed to realized that whatever Karma, created by me, is caused by Me. And because of this, I have to endure endless cycles of suffering and pain.

Today, on Wesakha day, I bow and humbled myself before You, so you can have great compassion to me, pity me, and guide me in the Dharma so I can end my own suffering, and the sufferings of others. May I also aspire to take the Noble path, and guide other sentient beings so they can realize and see the Truth, leave the burning house of samsara and take refuge under the Triple Gem.

On this day, I am forever in debt of your great kindness! my gratitude to You is incomparable and even if I am able to repay for all the kindnesses as vast as the mote of every sand in the Ganges river, I am still not able to repay fully to You, to my parents, to my teachers and to my good knowing advisers, friends and other who have helped me.

I make affirmations and vows that may all sentient beings be free from their suffering.

May all sentient beings will realize the Dharma and leave the cycle.

May all sentient beings awaken their Bodhi Cittas and aspire towards enlightenment and help others!

May all sentient beings within the ten directions achieve Enlightenment!

Om! Ah! Hum!
MAHA SADHU!

Of dinners and goldfishes... intentions... intentions...

Sunday night dinner, was one of the most memorable life experience. I had dinner with Tracey, Weng, C.S and his boss, James. Halfway through our salads and steaks, James posed an interesting question. He mentioned about Tracey’s goldfishes, He thought the fishes were miserable as they were puny and looked very weak. He suggested about releasing them. And then he made of an example of a guy, who out of kindness, wanted to release the poor fishes. So he asked the million dollar question. Did the person generated Merit. My good friend, Weng; instantly said no. Instead, he created a bad karma.

I could see James’s expression as he proceeds to interrogate Weng like the Spanish inquisition. Throughout the course of the dinner, They were both trying to get their point of view across each other. At the end of it, there was a bit of tensed moment, so my friend decided to stopped to debate by keeping silent, the golden rule to end all kinds of ‘intriguing’ discussions.

Tracey and I could see Weng and James s’ point of view. Weng was focusing on the end results of putting a goldfish in an environment that would lead to the it’s demise. What started with good intention has ended up in a negative reaction, Hence an unwholesome karma has been created. On the other hand, James was stressing out on the intention of the doer. If the intention of the doer was pure and selfless, as in the doer acted in a way that benefited the other party, the Doer is said to have generated merit. By you indicating to the doer that its intentions were futile would lead the person who informed the doer to have created an unwholesome karma and not done by the doer.

Sounds very ‘Chiem” (deep)? Well it is and it is also easy to comprehend. The main question was focused on the Intention. With intention, comes action and that leads to a reaction or consequence. Thus is the law of Karma. Since the focus of the question was about intention, so the doer in this case ‘has’ generated merit. Why? because the intention was selfless, it was done without a self benefit or otherwise, selfish motive. However, if the doer had a selfish intention or motive, then the act had become defiled and the karma created becomes unwholesome.

Similarly, on a deeper level, supposedly the doer would know that by releasing the gold fish into a drain would result in it’s early demise as the environment was not fit for it’s living conditions, the doer will select a suitable condition and release it. This is compassion with wisdom.

However, if one were to see this act beyond what is right and what is wrong, then you will see the original nature of life. To see this beyond the concept of duality is what all Buddhist in the world, especially Zen practitioners are trying to achieve. Therefore, to see this act beyond the means of right and wrong. What do you see?

That was a memorable dinner experience indeed.

Enlightenment in all things...

On my recent scouring for a good read online, I logged onto a 'women's blog site, Notes from venus, and I came upon this article that is aptly titled 'I found Enlightenment in a Martini'. I found the article a great read and it led me to think about how our own Buddhist brothers and sisters view upon certain matters when it comes to Dharma cultivation.

I realized that we're all very intelligent sentient beings but our wisdoms vary. That's why Sakyamuni Buddha has left 84,000 Dharma doors or teachings for all to listen, learn, experience and use. It also dawned upon me that we should not be prejudiced on other Dharma methods or teachings that may look unorthodox. Nevertheless, according to the 'Kalama Sutta' from the Theravada Tripitaka Canon, The Buddha mentioned that one should investigate the Dharma before accepting and upholding such Dharmas for the benefit of oneself and others.

In line with this gatha, we should always strive to investigate all kinds of Dharma so we can determine if the Dharma is expounded by our Lord Sakyamuni Buddha or spoken by the Externalist and other Occultist. It is best to always cross reference with the Sanghas and the Vast Sutras available on print and on line.

The ultimate is to entirely 'let go' of all our prejudice, our views, our perceptions on the BuddhaDharma itself, as written in the Vajracheddika Prajna Paramita Sutra
(The Diamond Prajna Paramita Sutra) :

Chapter 5.

"Subhuti, what do you think? Can the Buddha be recognized by means of his bodily form?"

"No, Most Honored One, the Buddha cannot be recognized by means of his bodily form. Why? Because when the Buddha speaks of bodily form, it is not a real form, but only an illusion."

The Buddha then spoke to Subhuti: "All that has a form is illusive and unreal. When you see that all forms are illusive and unreal, then you will begin to perceive your true Buddha nature."

Chapter 9.

Buddha then asked, "What do you think, Subhuti, does one who has entered the stream which flows to Enlightenment, say 'I have entered the stream'?"

"No, Buddha", Subhuti replied. "A true disciple entering the stream would not think of themselves as a separate person that could be entering anything. Only that disciple who does not differentiate themselves from others, who has no regard for name, shape, sound, odor, taste, touch or for any quality can truly be called a disciple who has entered the stream."

Buddha continued, "Does a disciple who is subject to only one more rebirth say to himself, 'I am entitled to the honors and rewards of a Once-to-be-reborn.'?"

"No, Lord. 'Once-to-be-reborn' is only a name. There is no passing away, or coming into, existence. Only one who realizes this can really be called a disciple."

"Subhuti, does a venerable One who will never more be reborn as a mortal say to himself, 'I am entitled to the honor and rewards of a Non-returner.'?"

"No, Perfectly Enlightened One. A 'Non-returner' is merely a name. There is actually no one returning and no one not-returning."

"Tell me, Subhuti. Does a Buddha say to himself, 'I have obtained Perfect Enlightenment.'?"

"No, lord. There is no such thing as Perfect Enlightenment to obtain. If a Perfectly Enlightened Buddha were to say to himself, 'I am enlightened' he would be admitting there is an individual person, a separate self and personality, and would therefore not be a Perfectly Enlightened Buddha."

Subhuti then said, "Most Honored One! You have said that I, Subhuti, excel amongst thy disciples in knowing the bliss of Enlightenment, in being perfectly content in seclusion, and in being free from all passions. Yet I do not say to myself that I am so, for if I ever thought of myself as such then it would not be true that I escaped ego delusion. I know that in truth there is no Subhuti and therefore Subhuti abides nowhere, that he neither knows nor does he not know bliss, and that he is neither free from nor enslaved by his passions."

Another step taken...

Wed, Apr 4th 2007। This is the day I took the Buddhist 5 precepts. It all happened last year, the same day and month; I casually told a friend that I'd like to take the 5 precepts. He looked at me seriously, "If you've decided, you know the old ones up there will do something about it... are you sure you're ready for this?" With that kind of question posed to me, I began to have doubts if I could take the precepts well....


Now, the day before, I felt very unnerved. It was like a normal day. I did said to myself, I'm taking the precepts finally. Nothing came into my mind, no more doubts, worries, fear. Nothing. The night before, I did some chanting to share merits, and I asked for strength and wisdom so that the my small special event will go smoothly...

The morning after, I'm at the Fo Guang Shan (Buddha Light Mountain) Dong Zen Monastery in Jenjarom. Feeling a little blur, walking aimlessly around the temple grounds, decided to go to the main shrine hall to pay my respects to the Buddha. Met some friends who were so surprised to see me there, asking me questions and some of them guessed that I was going for the precept taking ceremony.

While being prepped on the meaning of the 5 precepts, the rituals and the protocols by a good looking young Bhikkhu, I wandered into my own world, imagining about alien things like the Buddha land, the lotuses and the Bodhisattvas, flying about in their lotus dias, worshipping and praising the Buddhas, offering flowers and other magnificant gifts to the Honored ones, etc.. Suddenly, I got tapped by the shoulder by my friend

'It's time..."

And so, after our vegetarian lunch, I along with five hundred men and women, young and old, went and took our precepts। It was a good day...


May the merits accrued by the taking of 5 precepts be shared amongst all sentient beings of the 10 directions... Amitabha!

Unconditional Love...

I've been experiencing a burst of unconditional love during the Chinese Lunar New Year. I don't know where, how and why. But, I do know one thing for sure, it's the best feeling I've ever felt since I last loved. Having said that, I believe this is the kind of love we are looking for. We strive to find this perfect love. Perfect? No, it's not perfect. But if you've been touched by it, At that moment, everything just made sense. It's indescribable and no words can do justice.



Just this morning, I was blessed to witness the launching of the Venerable Dagpo Lama Rinpoche's new book called Bodhisattva's vows, a practical guide to the sublime ethics of the Mahayana. It was launched at the MPH bookstore @ Midvalley on Friday 9th March the morning. I also had it autographed by the Rinpoche himself. Dagpo Rinpoche is a very benevolent kind old man, that what he looked to me. But I could felt his Spiritual aura even before I stepped into MPH! Don't play play with this old master. He could read your mind. Anyways, I have yet to read it. I will read this and will recommend those who want to give love unconditionally. However, the love we're talking about today is not the selfish love between 2 people. It's the kind of love that Buddha Sakyamuni possess for all sentient beings. The love and wish to deliver all sentient beings from Suffering and lead them to the path of enlightenment.

The book is retailed at RM 12.00 I do hope you could take some time to go and check this book out. After all, it's all about living a life that you want.

Maha Sadhu! Om Ah Hum!

Happy Lunar New Year...

Sunday Feb 11th, 2007.
(Chinese lunar Calendar, Year of Bing Xue (Fire Dog) 12th Month 24th Day).

Its 6 more days to the Lunar New Year. Actually, I don't look forward to the Lunar new year holidays. why? Well, Right now, It's a busy 2 weeks for my family. It's non stop shopping for groceries, new year delicacies, cookies, new furnitures, clothes, etc. It's also 2 weeks of a thorough spring cleaning for myself. With piles of rubbish and old things mangled in my store room, I think it's an eye sore. I'll just close the door and hope that my guests don't wonder around and see the mess I've made the past few years.

Lunar New Year festivals has always been a busy time for me. In addition to clearing up things at work, I've got to clear up things at home. Its tiring enough during the day, so you do the math... The festivity were better during my younger days. Well, there's no school, my brothers and I would be playing at the field, and doing things most adolescent boys would do at the time. It was a care free existence. Now, it's just chores and more chores, oh and giving money to parents for their expenditures during the new year. Sigh....

The Lunar New Year is supposed to be a festive, happy occasion, well if I have loads of moolahs of course. But anyhow, It always bring us back together as a family. That's one thing I am happy for: To see and catch up with my brothers and parents during the Lunar New Year eve reunion dinner. I have some friends coming this year for the occasion, this is a special treat for this year.
I wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous Chinese lunar new year!

GONG XI FA CAI! WAN SHI RU YI! YUAN MAN ZI ZHAI!