Finally attended my good friend Tyng's wedding. Am so happy for her!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Buddhist Activist
Venerable was sharing that she hopes Buddhists will be more proactive to reach out and assist the population.
Does being a Buddhist and Activist conflict with each other? Can they mutually exist?
As a general rule, Buddhists tend (or try) to watch their speech, and might be slow to comment on the happenings in today’s world. They might have a view which is kept to themselves because they do not see the need to bring it up forcefully, or engage others to agree with them.
Or maybe because of the concept of karma, some might feel that action is not as necessary.
Yet I believe that we can be Buddhist Activist. (Sort of like the Dalai Lama) We can still push for change in a peaceful, positive manner. It will not be easy to achieve but if we hold the right principles of equanimity and respect for all, with the right motivation to aid all beings, step by step, we can still influence the society through leading/living as an example.
Of course operationally, it would be hard to get a group of Buddhist activist together, much less all to agree on the same principles, same intentions, same actions, same beneficiaries, etc…
But that being said, Buddhists care about all sentient beings, and we should try and give of our best in order to aid others and be a part of the change.
The first method of pushing for change is to be one yourself. Be the change you wish to see.
Does being a Buddhist and Activist conflict with each other? Can they mutually exist?
As a general rule, Buddhists tend (or try) to watch their speech, and might be slow to comment on the happenings in today’s world. They might have a view which is kept to themselves because they do not see the need to bring it up forcefully, or engage others to agree with them.
Or maybe because of the concept of karma, some might feel that action is not as necessary.
Yet I believe that we can be Buddhist Activist. (Sort of like the Dalai Lama) We can still push for change in a peaceful, positive manner. It will not be easy to achieve but if we hold the right principles of equanimity and respect for all, with the right motivation to aid all beings, step by step, we can still influence the society through leading/living as an example.
Of course operationally, it would be hard to get a group of Buddhist activist together, much less all to agree on the same principles, same intentions, same actions, same beneficiaries, etc…
But that being said, Buddhists care about all sentient beings, and we should try and give of our best in order to aid others and be a part of the change.
The first method of pushing for change is to be one yourself. Be the change you wish to see.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
My best practice in July
This might sound a little odd, but my best practice was actually at the funeral mentioned previously. On reflection, guess I can attribute it to the right motivation.
I decided to attend the funeral partly for selfish reasons. I wanted to assist the deceased, gain merits, and understand about Pureland funerals. But when I started to chant, I focused all my attention and “energy” on the thought of “directing” the deceased to Pureland. Sure, I got distracted once in a while, but most of my concentration was on Amitabha Buddha’s name, and the “power” it had to “save” the deceased.
I was actually disappointed when it ended. I thought the energy generated by those present to help was fantastic, and I understood that we had all benefited from the wish to be of service of another. I wish it could have gone on for longer, to create a even more conducive “environment” for the deceased to be mindful of the Buddha.
The funeral practice further reinforced (for me), the importance of having the right motivation.
Previously I was chanting because I wanted to get out of samsara. Even though bodhicitta was at the back of my mind, it wasn’t the focus. Self-centredness was. I am not afraid nor ashamed to share this, for if I was perfect, I wont be here anymore. I am still learning on my Dharma path, and there will be days when I lapse into ignorance and delusion. But I am determined to work at the noble 8 fold path, and cultivate my morality, concentration and wisdom.
There is no free lunch in this world. Good karma can only lead you part of the way.
I decided to attend the funeral partly for selfish reasons. I wanted to assist the deceased, gain merits, and understand about Pureland funerals. But when I started to chant, I focused all my attention and “energy” on the thought of “directing” the deceased to Pureland. Sure, I got distracted once in a while, but most of my concentration was on Amitabha Buddha’s name, and the “power” it had to “save” the deceased.
I was actually disappointed when it ended. I thought the energy generated by those present to help was fantastic, and I understood that we had all benefited from the wish to be of service of another. I wish it could have gone on for longer, to create a even more conducive “environment” for the deceased to be mindful of the Buddha.
The funeral practice further reinforced (for me), the importance of having the right motivation.
Previously I was chanting because I wanted to get out of samsara. Even though bodhicitta was at the back of my mind, it wasn’t the focus. Self-centredness was. I am not afraid nor ashamed to share this, for if I was perfect, I wont be here anymore. I am still learning on my Dharma path, and there will be days when I lapse into ignorance and delusion. But I am determined to work at the noble 8 fold path, and cultivate my morality, concentration and wisdom.
There is no free lunch in this world. Good karma can only lead you part of the way.
Monday, July 6, 2009
2 funerals worlds apart
Tied to the previous entry, I was thinking to myself of the difference between the funeral I had attended, and that of Michael Jackson’s. (Obviously I had not attended MJ’s, but I can just imagine how grand it would be. Just look at all the memorial activities going on)
Would you like to be like MJ, and be remembered when you leave?
But when you reflect, so what if you are remembered by half the world? You are no longer around to know or care. It would not affect “where” you are “going”.
Thousands (or more) die everyday, so what’s the big deal with MJ’s?
Why do we not moan the death of strangers? Are they any less than MJ? We are all human beings, and we all die, so what difference does it make?
Would you like to be like MJ, and be remembered when you leave?
But when you reflect, so what if you are remembered by half the world? You are no longer around to know or care. It would not affect “where” you are “going”.
Thousands (or more) die everyday, so what’s the big deal with MJ’s?
Why do we not moan the death of strangers? Are they any less than MJ? We are all human beings, and we all die, so what difference does it make?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Happy funeral outing
I attended a funeral yesterday night. And for the first time in my short life, it was a funeral for a stranger, and one of those where I was sincerely happy to be present. Happy for the deceased. (No offense to the family of the deceased)
Why should we cry and feel sad at funerals? You never know if it was the wish of the deceased to leave this life. Or if the deceased had “moved” on to a better “life”, be it the heavens (for Christians) or Pureland (for Buddhist).
When I was young, I thought of dying, that death is the preferable choice instead of living in this world of suffering. I have often insisted that my friends be happy for me at my death, that it would have been my choice, even though I might have died of sickness or accident. Death is an easy way out for those who fail to come to terms with the laws of the universe.
Growing older, without death in my sight, I learnt of karma, of contentment, of Pureland.
If we live a life of contentment, there would be no regrets when we leave. No need for statements of “I will travel around the world when I retire and enjoy myself”… no need to be attached to what is going to happen in the future.
Whatever will happen has already happened. That is the law of karma.
The law of cause and effect. Proven by science.
What you get out of this life is what you have/had sowed. So if we sow only the positive, the good, and the kind, your returns would have been the same, and there is no fear of the future, of the unknown.
I attended the funeral because of a call for friends to chant the Amitabha Buddha’s name, in order to remind the deceased’s consciousness (on the hope that it is still around) to be mindful of the Buddha, and hopefully gain rebirth in the Western Pureland.
It was a big group of us that “volunteered” and I went with an open and happy heart. It truly felt like a happy outing. One of the best that I have been on. Because just one hour spent might change the path of a stranger. There are not many activities that would have been more worthy of my time.
Amituofo.
Why should we cry and feel sad at funerals? You never know if it was the wish of the deceased to leave this life. Or if the deceased had “moved” on to a better “life”, be it the heavens (for Christians) or Pureland (for Buddhist).
When I was young, I thought of dying, that death is the preferable choice instead of living in this world of suffering. I have often insisted that my friends be happy for me at my death, that it would have been my choice, even though I might have died of sickness or accident. Death is an easy way out for those who fail to come to terms with the laws of the universe.
Growing older, without death in my sight, I learnt of karma, of contentment, of Pureland.
If we live a life of contentment, there would be no regrets when we leave. No need for statements of “I will travel around the world when I retire and enjoy myself”… no need to be attached to what is going to happen in the future.
Whatever will happen has already happened. That is the law of karma.
The law of cause and effect. Proven by science.
What you get out of this life is what you have/had sowed. So if we sow only the positive, the good, and the kind, your returns would have been the same, and there is no fear of the future, of the unknown.
I attended the funeral because of a call for friends to chant the Amitabha Buddha’s name, in order to remind the deceased’s consciousness (on the hope that it is still around) to be mindful of the Buddha, and hopefully gain rebirth in the Western Pureland.
It was a big group of us that “volunteered” and I went with an open and happy heart. It truly felt like a happy outing. One of the best that I have been on. Because just one hour spent might change the path of a stranger. There are not many activities that would have been more worthy of my time.
Amituofo.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Stubbornness = Ignorance?
In my opinion, stubbornness is a form of ignorance. [Or maybe it could be due to negative karma, but that’s not the point of this entry]
Stubbornness to hold onto your own views and opinions, even though it can be proven to be wrong. If something is happening in front of you, how can you still discount it and say it is false? It doesn’t make any sense to me. I can only infer that the failure to acknowledge the truth is due to ignorance. Ignorance of the right view of life. Ignorance of the Buddha Dharma.
If you are not ready to listen, the best that can happen is that seeds are planted. In the hope that they will bloom in future. In the future when the conditions are right for your to learn and realize the truth.
Stubbornness to hold onto your own views and opinions, even though it can be proven to be wrong. If something is happening in front of you, how can you still discount it and say it is false? It doesn’t make any sense to me. I can only infer that the failure to acknowledge the truth is due to ignorance. Ignorance of the right view of life. Ignorance of the Buddha Dharma.
If you are not ready to listen, the best that can happen is that seeds are planted. In the hope that they will bloom in future. In the future when the conditions are right for your to learn and realize the truth.
Friday, July 3, 2009
A time for patience
I am cultivating my patience these few days. Patience to listen to complains and grumbling. Patience required to counsel one who is not listening. I have wanted to give up, throw in the towel and say “do as you wish, since you are the one suffering anyway”…
Yet if I was to take a step back and evaluate, the situation is actually a very good one for me to practice my patience. Good qualities are not cultivated by sitting on a cushion. It needs to be put into practice, through interaction with the ‘real’ world.
Now is the time for me to develop my patience, and I will work hard at it. Jia you!
Yet if I was to take a step back and evaluate, the situation is actually a very good one for me to practice my patience. Good qualities are not cultivated by sitting on a cushion. It needs to be put into practice, through interaction with the ‘real’ world.
Now is the time for me to develop my patience, and I will work hard at it. Jia you!
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