Culture Unplugged Video

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Buddhism and Military...

I read with great interest on a recent post on E-Sangha, a buddhist web portal for all things about Buddhism. This post was posted by a person who is in the military service. He asked if as he is going to a be Buddhist, is it right to be in the military service, knowing that one day, he will be ordered to defend and kill.

Replies to this post was interesting and references were made on Buddhist sutras and opinions from Venerable teachers. It got me thinking, Is Military career a right kind of livelihood? Then I recalled a zen story about a general, who was a Buddhist and he was plagued by this question... Should he kill an enemy or should he not?

His answer came as he pondered long enough, I am a General, appointed by the Emperor to defend, uphold and protect my country and people. I am bound by my duty. Therefore, I must do what I have to do...

With that, his mind became at ease again...

I asked a wise person, why some people chose to have this destiny. The wise one looked to me and asked, 'Why do you have to do what you are doing now?', I thought about it...  I couldn't figure out why,
The wise one replied ' It's because of Karma, your destiny is like this...'.

Little imperfections that makes them perfect...Remember this...

I was deeply moved by this and I hope you will help spread this across...

Happy Birthday Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa...

Namo Da Bei Guan Shi Yin Pusa...

Dear Pusa, on this day; may you be well and happy. Happy Anniversary to you... I hope you will continue to take care of my parents, especially my father, who is away in the other side of the world. I hope you will remind him to take his medicine and rest well. He has not been well lately. Please take care of my mother, who worries too much and unnecessarily, please lighten her heart and allow her wisdom to grow... I hope she can let go and be happy...

Please look after my siblings, sister in laws and my niece. Please look after all my good friends. I am very blessed that they are a part of my life. I am grateful for your guidance and blessing. May the world receive your blessings and compassion.

Thank you very much Compassionate PuSa....

Om Mani Padme Hum....

Disciple with palms in respect
Ding Yen...

Hail Guan Yin...

This sunday is the Anniversary of Buddhism's most beloved personality, Arya Avalokiteshvara, also known as Guan Yin Bodhisattva. I'm not going to write about His/ Her background and how the Bodhisattva is well received by all in our world. I'm going to write about a personal experience that my mother had. My mum although a Taoist, believed in Guan Yin. She became a devotee shortly after getting married and my father's sister, was the one who helped select an image for my mum to worship. Back then, not knowing the basic tenets of Buddhism; she just followed what my aunt instructed and till now, she has been very diligent on her worship practice and rituals.

This miracle happened during the late eighties recession. Father's business was in shambles, debts were high. Mum being concerned about the welfare of the family, met with relatives and friends to borrow some money to help my dad's company's debts. Some were kind enough to help, others being in the same situation were helpless. Mum was understanding nevertheless, So one night, out of deep sincerity; she lighted a joss stick and said a prayer to Guan Yin. The night; she had a dream.

She dreamt Guan Yin came to our home, and took her to His/Her palace. The journey seemed forever as Guan Yin led my mum as they flew across the many levels of heaven. When Mum arrived at His/Her abode; Mum was so enchanted by the huge columns and big wide space. Guan Yin's abode is grand and regal. Throughout Mum's journey; Guan Yin was benevolent and always smiling at her. Mum wanted to ask questions but Guan Yin spoke back to my Mum's mind: "Do not fear... I am taking you to see my crib..." Guan Yin then led my mum to a pool and Guan Yin took a handful of water from the pool and sprinkle it at my mum's head and body.

Mum woke up and realized a wonderful lingering floral fragrance in her room. The following morning; something told her to buy a lotto number. Off she went to the local lotto store, The next day her number came out 1st prize! So till now, Mum is ever grateful to Guan Yin for giving us a small windfall to help us along the way. U'd be wondering why Guan Yin gave my mum that kind of good luck? Guan Yin is after all. the embodiment of Compassion in all Buddhas. So Guan Yin's nature is great compassion and kindness. Now, as we face another 'great' recession, I hope Guan Yin Bodhisattva will bestow blessing to all those who are sincere and in dire of great help.

Namah Arya Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva MahaSattva Mahakarunakaya!

Namah Ratnatrayaya, Nama Arya Jhana, Sagara, Vairochana, Vhuya Rajaya, Tathagataya, Arhate, SamyakSambuddhaya... Namah Sarva Tathatagatebyeh, Arhate byeh, Samyak sambuddhe byeh,
Namah Arya Avalokiteshvaraya, Bodhisattvaya, Mahasattvaya, Maha karunikaya...
Tadyatha.. Om Dhara Dhara Dhiri Dhiri Dhuru Dhuru! Iteywey Itey Chale Chale, Pra-Chale, Pra-Chale, Kusame, Kusuma Vare Illi Mili Chiti Jualam Apanaya Shvaha!

Om Mani Padme Hum.......

bravo!

A place for reflection and inspiration...

I have often asked why do we need a shrine or an altar for Buddhist practice? If I have come to realize as most enlightened beings have understood, I may not need one. But I do know why I need one right now...

I see my personal shrine as something as spiritual place where I can release my pent up energy, my stress, my troubles and worries. Every morning before leaving for work, I would make a bow and reflect upon the items I have placed on my shrine. It reminds me of the qualities I can work on so I can have the same. Setting up a Buddhist shrine can be a personal experience.

Many friends who are new to Buddhism often asked me what and how to set up a shrine. I prefer to let the person who has sincerity to set up a shrine in his / her home the freedom to use what that deserves reference and respect. In Buddhism, we take refuge in the 3 jewels, The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. In line with this, the shrine should have a representation of the Three Jewels. So an image of Buddha, a scripture or liturgy book of buddhist chants/ hymms and a stupa or a picture of one owns refuge master or Root Guru. These items represent the highest qualities of what it is to be a Buddhist.

The next thing is offerings. What can be offered? My answer is: anything that is precious to you.

We can offer, incense, flowers, lights (in form of candle or oil lamps), fruit, water, precious stones or crystals, gold, silver, etc.

Why do we make such offerings? Yeah... Buddhas doesn't need these offerings so why offer? Simply because when we offer the most precious things to the 3 Gems, we give up our selfishness and be more generous. By doing so, we are creating our own merit. Merit that is solely yours and cannot be taken by anyone. But we should not be thinking of offering items to the 3 gems and getting merits. Doing so, is lack of sincerity.  By offering, we are also mindful. When u go to your shrine, you begin a journey of mindfulness and cultivating your skill so you can be more aware of who you are. So if you have reached the stage of the Buddhas, then shrines and altars have insignificant meaning and reflection as you have already understood what needed to be understood.

Some of you may like to decorate your shrine so it is grand and awe inspiring. Some may even do a very simple one. You may do what ever you like for your own shrine, there's not set rules... Just a sincere heart and a determination to eliminate your own bad habits are needed!...

Let' see things differently... You'd be surprised when you visit your own little shrine...

The New Year... Earth Ox (2009) & Maitreya Bodhisattva Anniversary... a celebration of new beginnings.

Maitreya (Sanskrit) or Metteyya (Pāli) is a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva.

Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor of the historic Śākyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The prophecy of the arrival of Maitreya is found in the canonical literature of all Buddhist sects (Theravāda, Mahāyāna, Vajrayāna) and is accepted by most Buddhists as a statement about an actual event that will take place in the distant future.

Maitreya's coming will occur after the teachings of the current Gautama Buddha, the Dharma, are no longer taught and are completely forgotten. Maitreya is predicted to attain Bodhi in seven days (which is the minimum period), by virtue of his many lives of preparation for Buddha-hood (similar to those reported in the Jataka stories of Shakyamuni Buddha).

Maitreya's coming is characterized by a number of physical events. The oceans are predicted to decrease in size, allowing Maitreya to traverse them freely. The event will also allow the unveiling of the "true" dharma to the people, in turn allowing the construction of a new world. The coming also signifies the end of the middle time in which humans currently reside (characterized as a low point of human existence between the Gautama Buddha and Maitreya.)

Maitreya currently resides in the Tuṣita Heaven (Pāli: Tusita), said to be reachable through meditation. Śākyamuni Buddha also lived here before he was born into the world as all bodhisattvas live in the Tuṣita Heaven before they descend to the human realm to become Buddhas. Although all bodhisattvas are destined to become Buddhas, the concept of a bodhisattva differs slightly in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. In Theravada Buddhism, a bodhisattva is one who is only destined to one day become a Buddha, whereas in Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva is one who has already reached a very advanced state of grace or enlightenment but holds back from entering nirvana so that he may help others.

Once Maitreya becomes a Buddha, he will rule over the Ketumati Pure Land, an earthly paradise sometimes associated with the Indian city ofVaranasi (also known as Benares) in Uttar Pradesh. (All Buddhas preside over a Pure Land; the Buddha Amitabha will preside over the Sukhavati Pure Land, more popularly known as the Western Paradise.)

Maitreya's anniversary is celebrated at the same time as the Chinese people world wide ushers the 1st day of the Chinese lunar new year. So, it is considered an auspicious day to make prayers and meditation to honor the 'compassionate one'.

Why ?

Master... I still don't understand...

Why do some people still need to wage wars with others for their own self interest?

Why do they think other people are not worth for a chance to live, to make their own living and pursue their own happiness here?

Why do they think they are superior and able to make such inhumane decision to terrorize and take what is not theirs?

Why must they resort to this kind of result?

Master, what happened to compassion and tolerance? 

Why do these group of people have so much greed, hatred and anger in them?

Why do they make the victims suffer and despair?

Do they fail to realize we're made of the same substance and come from the same source?

What makes them do these kind of terrible thins onto others?

Indeed, I think it's very strange, human being...

We kill, we plunder, we steal and destroy. Is this our very true nature?

Master... why?

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!