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Leave A Message

By Wakeupnow, on 19th June, 2007

Dear Friends,

If you have any thoughts, comments or questions, please leave them here.

Please use the following format where possible. 8)
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All messages are assumed to be public unless you indicate otherwise.

Public messages may be published as a blog entry.

For questions that may apply to others, I will remove personal references to protect your identity before posting it as a Q&A entry.

May you be Well and Happy!

Well in the Body, Happy in the Mind.

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Happenings, Ramblings
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  • Min

    Hi Shifu,

    I am interested to know more about getting ordaine.
    How does it work here in Singapore?
    Its the 2nd time I am attending the Heart Sutra talk by Shifu,
    and am inspired to further in Buddhism. The teachings have taught me how to resolve problems I faced at work and home.

  • http://www.buddhavacana.net/blog Wakeupnow

    Hello Min,

    It’s heartening to hear about your interest in getting ordained.
    I’ll share with you a brief overview of the ordination process here in Singapore, though I should highlight that depending on the community you ordain with, it may vary a little.

    For a start, you would want to find a Master to learn from. You should spend some time to learn under this Master and see if you ‘connect’ with his or her teaching. For those pursuing ordination, one may want to seek out a monk as his teacher or a nun as her teacher accordingly. In most cases, it is alright to learn from either one as it may take awhile to be firm and ready.

    During the learning period, the Master will also observe your temperament and see if you are suitable to be taught and if there are any specific areas you should work on. In some cases, the master may recommend for you to learn from someone else whom he thinks is more suitable. (Hint: A bit of perseverance do help as masters may sometimes test the determination of the student before taking you under his tutelage!)

    To be continued … …

  • Min

    More qns.. :)

    Why is it that ‘One who takes the Threefold Refuge is more likely to have favourable conditions in the practice’?
    What are the favorable conditions? (Sentence is quoted from buddhist website)

    What is the significance of taking refuge?
    I have yet to take refuge.
    Want to know what I am getting into.
    If we are not taking a refuge, does it mean we will not experience benefits of Buddha’s teachings?

    Cheers!

  • http://www.buddhavacana.net/blog Wakeupnow

    Hi XinMin,

    Have you got a link to that website? Would be good for them to explain their sentence ya? ^_^

    In general, taking the Threefold Refuge (also known as taking refuge in the Triple Gem) brings about favourable conditions as it means that for a start, such a person has began to take notice of his/her spiritual life and is willing to do something about it.

    In particular, in Buddhism, taking refuge is really not just a half hour or two ceremony wherein one is admitted into an exclusive club that exempts one from all suffering. It is instead, a daily commitment to take charge of one’s happiness, to be happy! ^_^

    Acting rightly and making a conscientious effort to change one’s way of life, would gradually bring about a change in one’s life. In the end, it is the change in mindset, brought about through the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) that would be the favourable conditions to practise.

    And what is this change in mindset? While we go about our life, we conscientiously abstain from harming others and ourselves, by observing the five precepts. In this life, here and now, this brings about harmony with others and oneself; one lives without anxiety of censor. In future, one is reborn as a human or in the heavenly realms.

    Being reborn as a human is considered a favourable condition for learning and practising the Dharma and attaining Enlightenment.

    To take refuge is to learn, practise and abide by the Buddha’s teachings. And to benefit from the Buddha’s teachings, one has to learn, practise and abide by it. So if one is already learning, practising and abiding by the Buddha’s teachings, one would benefit from it, even if one has not gone through the refuge taking ceremony. However, going through the refuge and precepts ceremony does help strengthen one’s resolve and forms a daily commitment to one’s practice and happiness.

    For that matter, if one already practises Buddhism, why does one hesitate in taking refuge in the triple gem? :)

  • ng tong heng

    Namo Buddhaya,

    I wonder if Digital Buddha Vacana has nokia version (9300)

    Thank you

  • http://www.buddhavacana.net/blog Wakeupnow

    Hello tong heng,

    Thanks for your message …. Sorry for the delay, I just came back from Myanmar half-way through a retreat. *phew*

    I still have not ported to the Nokia platform but happened to be planning on doing that after the rains retreat (end October). I’ll keep you posted on the progress.

    With Dharma Joy!

  • Min

    Hi Shifu,

    Welcome back!
    This trip should be different from the previous retreats you went. Maybe something more enlightening this time?

    I had been making notes, not on this blog tho, in notebooks, on the rising and fallings of many many emotions.

    Made discoveries during each contemplation of emotions. Realised that without conscious effort & mindfulness, will be spun into ‘repeat’ mode, replaying over and over again, the same tracks. Its really as easy as hitting the small ‘repeat’ button on cd players.

    So when can we stop the replay?
    By removing the cd altogether?
    Like removing defilements?

    Shifu, I am oso happy to share that I have taken refuge,
    1st step to serious practicing of Buddha’s teachings ;) The session was emotional, confusing, refreshing.. mm ..like rebirth

    Look forward to receiving enlightening teachings from you.

    Cheers!

    Xinmin

  • http://www.buddhavacana.net/blog Wakeupnow

    Hello Xinmin,

    It’s so good to hear from you and doubly so that you have taken refuge! Congratulations! :D

    Yes, this trip had been rather enlightening, on many levels! It’s really quite a trip … of exploration and discovery. :D … however, it has not ended. On one hand, the rains will end only end of the month (a few days after the official one, as a few days was ‘lost’ during my transit back to Singapore); on the other hand, it is like what you said, it’s like a rebirth, a re-start of a journey, rather an end. :)

    Some of the youth folks are meeting up on this Saturday. Can you join us for lunch? Let me know ya?

    With Dharma Joy!

  • Gerald Pang

    Good evening Ven Chuan Guan,
    We attended your talk on 14/10/07 regarding 5 precepts and it was interesting the way you presented the topic,unfortunately there was insuffient time for me to ask you questions.
    So I am asking you the question now, 1) avoid intoxicant??? if a person drinks responsibly and moderately and in control say a can of beer and thats all,how not?? like to have your comment on it.
    2) Why is that Buddhism is segregated into Mahayana and Threvada Buddhism not mentioning other group,does this mean there is some disagreement in Buddha’s teaching???
    Hope you can enlighten me with your answers,

    Amituofo
    Gerald Pang

  • Xinmin

    Hi Shifu,

    Sorry did not manage to join the lunch as planned,
    Chiller and Freezer at store broke down.
    Had to attend to it, tho no experience handling it.
    But also saw dhamma at work from this experience…hehe

    After Tue’s discussion,
    I am really keen to attend a retreat,
    maybe not 3 mths, but 14 days :)

    I have been searching thru the web for retreat centres or sessions, dun seem to be getting anywhere.

    I have quit the supermarket job and will be moving into social service sector.
    Have worked in a period of about 3 weeks to work on skills to eliminate/reduce/manage suffering from 28 Oct till 18 Nov before the demand of new job kicks in. Once the job starts it will be another 6 mths before leave application can be considered.

    Really hope to go thru a retreat and experiment the teachings
    for myself. Would you know of any retreats or centres or websites I can work on? Am prepared to travel for the experience.

    Cheers!

  • http://none jo.

    Dear Xinmin,

    I recentrly found the Buddha Vacana for Palm OS and I would like to thank you for writing such a great application. (The application icon is kind of ugly, though…)

    I was wandering if there is or will be a chinese version of the app?

    Thanks again,

    阿彌陀佛

    jo.
    Germany

  • http://none jo.

    of course i am not ‘wandering’ but rather ‘wondering’.

  • http://www.buddhavacana.net/blog Wakeupnow

    XinMin, thought I should add on here, though I’ve pretty much touched on these during the group practices. :)

    >I had been making notes, not on this blog tho, in notebooks, on the rising and fallings of many many emotions.

    >> Made discoveries during each contemplation of emotions. Realised that without conscious effort & mindfulness, will be spun into ‘repeat’ mode, replaying over and over again, the same tracks. Its really as easy as hitting the small ‘repeat’ button on cd players.

    Indeed! Seeing the reruns is a good start. Most of us end up reliving the reruns without realising they are reruns, and potentially conjecturing new scenarios based on our own discriminations. *shiver*

    >> So when can we stop the replay?
    By removing the cd altogether?
    Like removing defilements?

    The interesting thing about this ‘cd player’ is that it is powered by us, by our mind. When we are in the relive mode, we power it; when we identify with the contents, we power it; when we are not mindful and we get immersed in it; we power it .. on and on, replays after replays.

    Starting with the realisation that we are having replays, we slowly but gradually merely be aware of this process of replays, and not watch the replay itself. It’s like noticing the TV set showing reruns and having no interest in the reruns, one just move on to do more important things, vs watching and reminiscing in the reruns itself.

    Initially, we may realise that the CD or TV is replaying or rerunning only after watching a a few episodes ;) … but after a period of time, we become more mindful and alert to our wandering mind that loves rerun. Over time, we learn to just be aware of this wandering mind the moment it arises. In turn, the wandering mind becomes weaker while mindfulness strengthens, and (momentary) concentration improves.

    In such a way, we stop the CD and at a later stage stop identifying with the CD, player, or rerun content altogether. ;)

    That’s all for now … anymore and our mind would start wandering … *grin*

  • http://www.buddhavacana.net/blog Wakeupnow

    Hello Gerald,

    Apologies for the belated replies, I’ve been avoiding email and blog replies as I was still in retreat even though I was back in town. So, here goes my replies … hope they would still be valid. :)

    >> So I am asking you the question now, 1) avoid intoxicant??? if a person drinks responsibly and moderately and in control say a can of beer and thats all,how not?? like to have your comment on it.

    Without going into the technicalities of what constitutes consumption of intoxicants, I would say that most people drink moderately, or at least aim towards that. I’ve yet to meet anyone who aim to get drunk by choice* and strive to make a fool of themselves. But still, we have folks who get drunk and make a fool of themselves, and that’s considering the lighter consequences.

    A quick look at newspapers everyday, we find that people loose their self control much more easily when under the influence of alcohol, sometimes to the extent of harming themselves and others. According to some stats, casualties from drunk driving actually exceeds terrorism!
    http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drving.htm
    http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/376041/murder_rates_and_violent_crimes_in.html

    Add in other non-premeditated crimes and the number goes further up.

    The fifth precept is also known as a “protection precept” in that it protects you from breaching the first four precepts. The problem is that we can never quite know when the first or next drink would cause us to go tipsy enough as to do something we would regret. Why play dice with our life?

    Taking that one beer also don’t just end because you went off sober and alive. For most people, a beer or two may not seem to have an immediate impact, but over time, it dulls the mind. Further, if one were to be mindful and aware, one would see the effect that even one sip of beer have on one’s mind and body, much less a whole can.

    >> 2) Why is that Buddhism is segregated into Mahayana and ThErAvada Buddhism not mentioning other group,does this mean there is some disagreement in Buddha’s teaching???
    Hope you can enlighten me with your answers,

    Yes and no. On the surface, it appears to be disagreement and some less informed Buddhist do indeed disagree with each other. For that matter, we may also disagree with ourselves over matters that we have decided strongly on in the past, but with new maturity, we may see the variety in opinions as strength in diversity than differences in stands.

    Over the past decades, there’s been much progress in understanding the various traditions by Buddhists and non Buddhists alike. This had been made possible by cross-translation, study and practise of ‘others’ tradition and practices, and is continuing to grow and have a positive impact on how the traditions see themselves and others in the whole totality of Buddhism.

    The seemingly different traditions can and should be seen as different approaches catering to people of different mental affinities, but all leading ultimately to the core teachings of Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path; these in turn when rightly practised leads one towards liberation, ie Nirvana … or Nibbana if you will! ;)

    Hope my replies are helpful. Post back if you have other queries … :)

    With Metta Joy!

    Ven. Chuan Guan

    * – On second thought, I think there are people who do that. They drink thinking that they can at least seek solace in ‘forgetting’ their problem, only to bring up more problems later while not really solving their original problems.

  • http://www.buddhavacana.net/blog Wakeupnow

    Hello Jo,

    I’m the author of DBVPalm.

    There were plans a few years back to compile a Chinese version and have books by my late teacher, Master Miu King, but it didn’t fall through.

    It’s been awhile since I removed the Palm development environment as the app seem to be pretty much simple and bug-free as it is.

    Two ways to go about it:
    1. Chinese Interface with Chinese verses and
    2. English Interface with Chinese verses

    I vaguely remember writing/testing some unicode conversion function but I doubt it went into the Palm version; some of the alpha HandheldPC version had support for unicode < -> Chinese characters.

    I’ll see if I can rig up something for Chinese support, and in the meantime, would you have any means to translate the verses to Chinese? Let me know how that pans out for you. Thanks and appreciate it!

    With Metta Joy!

    Ven. Chuan Guan aka “Shi ZhiXing”

  • http://www.safedinnerware.com wooden serving trays

    of course i am not ‘wandering’ but rather ‘wondering!!’.

  • Chiang

    Good evening Ven Chuan Guan

    Pardon me as I am new to blogging. Is “Leave a Reply” the same as “Leave a Message”? Am looking for the “Leave a Message”

    Regards
    Chiang

  • Wakeupnow

    Wooden, thanks for clarifying. In case you were wondering, I was not referring to you specifically. The wandering mind or the mind wandering away (打妄想) is the symptom that occurs frequently for most people. This act of wandering off leads to the mental state known as distracted or unconcentrated (散亂心).

    Hope this clears things up. :)

  • Wakeupnow

    Hello Chiang,

    It is the same. :)

    Note that all messages/replies are by default public, so if you have a personal question or message, please indicate *private* in your message/reply.
    :)

  • http://www.neet-stuff.net mark

    i’m happy in the mind :)
    thank you!

  • Rui

    (Private)

  • http://public Gerald Pang

    Hi Ven.Chuan Guan,

    I have 2 answers from my questions, The SWASTIKA sign on Buddha’s chest,where did it come from?

    A 1) Buddha is born with the sign.

    A 2) No Buddha is not born with the sign.

    Can you furnish me with your answer or answers??

    with metta,
    Gerald

  • Wakeupnow

    Hello Gerald,

    Been a few busy weeks recently with the Buddhist College of Singapore in KMSPKS.

    To answer your questions,

    The Buddha was not born with the Swastika sign on the chest, at least according to some records on the 32 marks of a great man. Some early images or sculptures of the Buddha’s footprint indicate the presence of swastika symbol in it, while others may include it in the 80 minor marks.

    The swastika symbol itself is not strictly a Buddhist or non-Buddhist symbol. Like terms such as Karma and Nirvana, the swastika pre-dates Buddhism and is found in many religious and secular organisations.

    The swastika (Wan4 Zi4) means goodness or wellness. It’s origin and earliest inclusion in Buddhism probably requires a bit of research … or one may google it. One thing is quite evident, the Buddha was not quite a symbol-obsessed teacher, so it is highly likely that the swastika symbol (if not a birth mark of the Buddha) was assimilated as a skillful means to help people learn, understand and practise Buddhism.

    That to me, is perhaps the more important question: What we bring to mind when we see these symbolism? Calmness, an aspiration to bring goodness and wellness to all, or … something else?

    Hope this clarifies your question.
    And, I do apologise for the late reply.

    With metta,
    :)

    EDIT:
    Here’s a link to good old wikipedia. For what its worth, at least it gives a start. :)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

  • Ignorant

    Hi Venerable,

    What is the definition of sexual misconduct in the 5 precepts?
    Is sexual intimacy before marriage considered misconduct? If someone has multiple sexual partners while being attached to another (not married yet), is that considered sexual misconduct?

  • http://Nil Sophia

    Hi Venerable,

    Good Morning to you ! Is good to hear useful questions and good answers from your blog. Please do keep it up.
    I have 2 questions to ask, (1)What is the story behind DA MO the monk (or is he not a monk). Because i saw show from VCD he is a monk but my uncle say he is a India god, so i got a little confuse.
    (2)Do you know DA MO the name in Tibetan ?
    Thank you in advance for your answers :) . May you have a great day ahead :D

  • Wakeupnow

    Hello Igno.Mar4,

    Thanks for your question. Here’s some replies to your questions:

    >>What is the definition of sexual misconduct in the 5 precepts?

    Firstly, before we even have to look at the five precepts, may I recommend for us to consider if a certain act is already censored by the society or is harmful to oneself and others. If it is on either counts, then one should avoid it. If not or when it is ambiguous, then one should use the five precepts to guide our speech and actions accordingly.

    Eg, the five precepts does not explicitly identify vandalism as something to be avoided, but vandalism for one is censored by most if not all. For two, it is harming of others’ property, or in a sense, robbing others of their right to owning things. So in both ways, vandalism should be avoided even if it is not worded explicitly.

    Referring to Anguttara Nikaya 10.176, the simple answer is that sexual misconduct constitutes any sexual act with someone whom one should not be having it with. The teachings goes into identifying the various categories of persons whom one should not be involved with.

    http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an10/an10.176.than.html
    “… And how is one made impure in three ways by bodily action? There is the case where a certain person takes life, is a hunter, bloody-handed, devoted to killing & slaying, showing no mercy to living beings. He takes what is not given. He takes, in the manner of a thief, things in a village or a wilderness that belong to others and have not been given by them. He engages in sensual misconduct. He gets sexually involved with those who are protected by their mothers, their fathers, their brothers, their sisters, their relatives, or their Dhamma; those with husbands, those who entail punishments, or even those crowned with flowers by another man. This is how one is made impure in three ways by bodily action. …”

    The list practically covers all who are underaged (protected by their mothers … their relatives), have taken vows of celibacy (by their Dhamma), are protected
    by the law (those who entail punishments) or those who are engaged or married (crowned with flowers).

    In general, those who are deemed unsuitable should be avoided. Granted, suitability seem to vary from country to country, time to time, one should return back to the core of Buddhist teachings and way of life, and practise restrain where applicable, and avoid toeing the rule.

    >> Is sexual intimacy before marriage considered misconduct?

    Technically, it is not, if, and that is a big IF, both parties are in the clear. Meaning both are adults, not under the protection of one’s parents or guardian and are not engaged. In the asian context, most families frown upon sexual intimacy before marriage, so one should avoid it, if not to follow the ‘spirit’ of the rule, then to relieve oneself of unnecessary stress or worry related to such intimacy.

    Further, if one wants to be clinical, one should further consider the varying levels of sexual intimacy which may be acceptable or not.

    >> If someone has multiple sexual partners while being attached to another (not married yet), is that considered sexual misconduct?

    A really simple way is to ask oneself if one would be jumping with glee to know that one’s bf or gf is having multiple sexual partners. I think it only makes sense to avoid such a situation.

    Lastly, moderation and restrain is always welcomed with regards to sensual pleasure even for one’s partner, much less beyond. And for clarity, the last word on multiple sexual partners, whether one is attached, married or otherwise, is that it is undesirable and should be abstained. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) itself should be enough reason to drop it, if not the moral implications.

    Hope this clears up the matter on the matter. :)

  • Wakeupnow

    Hello Sophia,

    Thanks for your questions and kind comments. Hope this entry find you well and happy!

    >>I have 2 questions to ask, (1)What is the story behind DA MO the monk (or is he not a monk). Because i saw show from VCD he is a monk but my uncle say he is a India god, so i got a little confuse.

    Ven. DaMo was a Buddhist monk from South India around 300~400AD. He was definitely not an Indian god. He is also attributed to have started the Chan (Chinese for Jhana, Zen in Japanese) school in the Chinese Mahayana tradition, and is known also as the ChuZhu, First Patriarch of the Chan school. One should note that meditation as a whole was not introduced by one person or one school, but is an integral part of Buddhism, regardless of one’s tradition or lineage.

    >> (2)Do you know DA MO the name in Tibetan ?

    I do not personally know much Tibetan, but I got a hunch you may be referring to Pali or Sanskrit, which I am more familiar with. Ven. Damo’s fully name is Putidamo or BodhiDharma (Skt) or BodhiDhamma (Pali). Bodhi loosely meaning enlightenment while Dhamma mostly meaning Teachings when used for names.

    Foot note on the word Dhamma: Dhamma means a few things: 1) Phenomena or things etc and 2) Teachings. Pre-dating Buddhism, the word Dhamma in its meaning as ‘Teachings’ includes both Buddhist and non-Buddhist teachings. Some writers or translators took the liberty to use dhamma to mean phenomena or teachings and Dhamma to indicate the Buddhist Teachings.

    Hope this gives more clarity on Ven. Damo. :)

    >>Thank you in advance for your answers :) . May you have a great day ahead

    Keep the questions and comments coming. As the Chinese word for knowledge or learning (noun), 學問 (Xue2Wen4) indicate, one should learn (verb) and ask in order to have knowledge and learnings (noun).

    Be Well. :)

  • Karpacz Noclegi

    Hmm, interesting site:)

  • Au Pair

    very nice web site. My English is not so good, so I do not understandt it well, but it seems very good. Thanks

  • Glenn

    In the daily reading for April 5, 2008, about the three unskillful thoughts, why are thoughts worrying about others considered unskillful?

    Thank you.

  • degree online

    Hmm, good to see that there are still people with faith left.

  • Wakeupnow

    Hello Glenn,

    The triad set of unskillful thoughts are deemed to be due to overly close association by one with lay people.

    The following gives an alternate translation by Ven. Thanissaro http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.3.050-099.than.html#iti-076

    Having such thoughts would be a form of disturbance in a monk as one becomes “happy when they are happy, sad when they are sad, busying himself with their affairs.”

    Some of these verses are directed quite specifically for monks. Hope the context gives you more clarity.

    With metta,
    :)

  • Glenn

    Yes, thank you.

  • Max

    Hello, thank you so much, I love this software, I have but one problem with it.

    The scrollbar automatically resets back to the top after a few seconds, it is really annoying. Some verses are long, and one needs time to read and understand, and BAM! the thing resets back to the top, so I have to read it in a hurry. I hope this is easy to fix.

    Thanks again !

  • Wakeupnow

    Greetings Max,

    Apologies for the bug … can you let me know the version of the software that has the bug? Is it on Windows or PocketPC etc?

    Thanks.

    Happy Vesak! :)

  • Hannes

    Editor: Links deleted. Possible spam.
    .

  • LosAngeles

    Assuming either the Left Wing or the Right Wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles.

    Editor: Possible spam from url and email removed. No one is totally Right or Left … … . The above was quoted from Pat Paulsen.

  • Passerby

    Dear Venerable

    What would you have done if someone whom you thought was a close friend to you ignores you? He/she will still talk to other people and be nice to everyone else except you. Sometimes he/she will make snide remarks at what you have said. Its been nearly half a year. Would you have tried to find out why? What if he/she does not want to say? You can feel that he/she seems to dislike you and is distancing him/herself from you.

    Similarly, if a boss/colleague tries to put you down in front of others, what would you have done? How does one be more ariculate and know what to say? When does one speak up or should we just bear with the insults and continue to be seen as weak?

    Thanks in advance for your pointers.

  • Wakeupnow

    Hello Passerby,

    Thanks for your questions. I’ll share with you what I think, and if you wish, I can later share with you some model answer. (hint: Mine is *not* the model answer!)

    I’m a rather aloof person in terms of friends etc, so for the most part, if a person do not want to be my friend, I’ll just let it be. I don’t see the point to force my friendship on others if that person does not want it. I will also try to prevent any unnecessary further misunderstanding or be extra careful with such a someone. I’m seriously just not those who go into celebrating people’s birthdays and buy gifts etc etc. Even on facebook, I send birthday msgs late! *sigh*

    EDIT: I do sort of “force” my friendship onto people who seem like they need help. But if they are ok, and wish to be left alone, I’ll let them be.

    But that’s just me. I can live with having no friends although somehow my karmic link with people tend to mean that people are initially drawn to me, thinking that I am Mr. Nice guy. Right! Not! I’m easy going for the most part, but when certain matters of principle arises, I will gladly give up friendship in view of principles. Not the most effective way to make friends, but I can live with that. Can you?

    So, in a way, it depends on what you want. Do you want everyone to like you? We definitely don’t see the Buddha himself spending too much time explaining himself to everybody about things. While He may have perfected himself and all, those who have a grudge with him refused his teachings or even tried to harm him. Even if it was not explicitly stated, the Buddha probably radiated loving kindness to them as well, but he sure didn’t trouble himself too much with trying to make everyone happy with him. Not that we are comparing ourselves with him or anything. ;)

    So if you wish, you can try talking to him/her and if he/she still refuses your goodwill, then you may wish to generate metta to him/her. In the rare case that you know for sure that this person is of utmost importance either to a) your spiritual life or b) the spiritual life of your parents or c) that of others, and you know that you are the only one who can aid him, barring the sticky cold war you two are having, then you may really want to put in more time into reconciling the differences.

    In the case of a boss/colleague, it’s a bit tricky. If you are a lay person, then hmmmm … your livelihood at stake. Be nice. Not just act nice. Be professional. About speaking up, I’m all for that. But again, that’s just me, one crazy monk who is too non-Asian in mindset for some. But try to be mindful and maintain your tranquility. Keyword is Try. Why, sometimes I can’t even do it! Ha! But I try. That’s the least ya?

    Frankly sometimes I pity those who were my bosses or now, those who are senior monks, ‘cos I do “give it to them”. The Buddha gave us advices like the “Simile of a Saw”, that even if we were sawn in half, we should not let a thought of harmfulness (or evil) arise, for otherwise, we cannot call ourselves monks. But on the other hand, he also says that if there are some lies floating around, we can stand up and clarify. Perhaps the common ground is that whether we clarify or not, our state of mind is important; that we should maintain our inner peace whether we clarify or not.

    The last thing I wanna share with you about workplace situation is probably the most “unbuddhistic” advice you’ve heard so far. Sometimes it takes some wisdom and courage to see the futility in the situation and just move on. Chinese have a funny thing about “testing” subordinates. I’ve heard of bosses testing the staffs by abusing them verbally to see how they stand up to it. Some people say, it’s the same everywhere. But I beg to differ. If you are talking about a workplace environment and not a temple, then I can tell you that it can vary quite vastly. It depends on the culture etc etc. You can choose to move on and see if other places are different and get lucky. You may get lucky, and probably would if you are very sought after, but you loose the chance to learn to handle this one kind of “boss”. But don’t be too hard on yourself ya, and even when you move, try to move on if possible, not because of push factors, but because of pull factors.

    For some like me, I have the “excuse” of having no interest in anything else except learning the teachings and meditating. At the end of the day, you have to face yourself and live with your decision whether you stay and face it or leave and avoid it. What’s your story?

    Let me know if you still have more queries.

  • Passerby

    Dear Venerable,

    Thank you for sharing your views with me so promptly despite your busy schedule. Really appreciate that you even offered a “model” answer after providing your opinion. It is really alright cos I just needed your frank opinion. (Please don’t spend too much time on this query, esp when the questions are rather unbuddhistic. Tks anyway!) :~~)

    I wish I had positive karmic links like you. People warm up to you easily cos you are very approachable.(It didnt help that you are the wise doraemon who gives sound advice…:P)

    Unfortunately, I don’t have the ability to do so. I don’t have many close frens. I don’t have many frens at the workplace. I feel awkward socialing with my colleagues at informal settings cos I don’t know what to say. It just comes so naturally to them to find topics to chat. I don’t know how to react to people when they test my reaction. The only thing that I have learnt is that, for most people, if they perceive that you are unworldly and/or can’t value-add to their lives in any way, they will distance themselves from you. I hope I don’t have to lose any more frens just because I am not good enough for them.

    Workwise…Yes,Venerable, I have been perservering as I thought that it will be the same everywhere. If I can survive in a hostile environment, then I will be able to survive anywhere. From time to time, people tell me how they manage their bosses, colleagues or tough characters in other departments. How networking is so important etc.
    When one’s personality could be causing one’s livelihood,then one must change him/herself right? The trouble is how and to what extent?

    Sometimes I can’t help but feel that main problem lies with me. I don’t have the glib of the tongue and have no idea when to say the appropriate thing. I don’t need everyone to like me, but I do hope that people whom I treasure will be close to me for as long we are breathing. However, I seem to be drifting further and further from them.

    As for my boss, Seriously, I have no respect for him/her cos he sings his tune to whoever is in power. Anyway, I just can’t stand the way he disregard opinions and embark on his personal attacks (not just at me). When he does that, I will keep quiet cos I dun wan to end up quarreling. However, there are times when I really feel like criticising him as well but I just did’t want to end up quarreling with him. (Maybe thats just an excuse. I just don’t have the guts to confront him since it is likely that I will lose out anyway.)

    You are right, Venerable, ultimately its still up to me. I’ll give it some tot and see if I can be brave enough to face my decision. (At the same time, try to be a better person?? Guess I have just lost all bearings as to what I should be doing. A “nice guy” or someone who can protect him/herself.)

    Thanks again, for lending your ears and sharing your views. May you be well, happy and wise always!

  • Evelyn

    Hi Venerable

    I just wish to compliment you on the way you conduct the course on engaging buddhism at the Singapore Buddhist Federation every Friday. I sincerely believe you have the potential to become a very good teacher. During your class, there are no lecture notes but lots of questioning, deep thinking and constant reinforcements. It makes understanding buddhism a lot more easier to a lay person like me. How I wish you will be the only venerable coaching and mentoring us for the rest of the modules.

    Also, I wish to inform you that I feel very lost at reciting the sutra. Can we recite the sutra in english, mandarin or even hokkien!!!!! to better understand and appreciate what we recite.

    With best regards!

    Evelyn

  • dekadent78

    Nice blog, i have added it to my favourites, greetings

  • Wakeupnow

    Thank you Evelyn for your encouragement and kind words. I’m glad you find this method of teaching and sharing helpful to make Buddhism easier to understand.

    Well, every teacher have their own teaching method and style, and at different times they are suitable for different students of different temperament. As they say, having different teachers teach different modules can give the students a richer learning experience. I hope this would only serve to aid in your learning and not impair your interest.

    I presume you were referring to the Pali Chanting at the start of the lesson. I’ll try to arrange for another session to explain the meaning of those verses in future. There are Forest Monastery traditions in US that chants the puja partially in English though it’s not tried out in Singapore yet. Try the Pali chanting for awhile. See how it goes ya?

    btw, I couldn’t find you in the SBF namelist last Friday. Any ideas?

  • Anonymous

    Dear venerable,

    I found one technique to wake myself up whenever i am sleepy, either doing meditation or studying, that is tensing up the heart. I firstly found this technique when i was doing metta meditation. i was told to have a feeling to wish others to be well and happy. Then i thought of the time when i bought my sister a birthday gift. Then this feeling (that the heart is tensed) arise. After sometime, i found that this feeling can arise without doing the metta (i.e. thinking/wishing other to be well and happy). but it works in waking me up from sleepiness. I not sure this technique is good or not, cause it is not taught in any of the meditation classes i hv attempt.

    Thank you for sharing. ^^

    (I would like to hide my name if you want to pose this to public) thanks ^^

    [Name removed on request]

  • Shadow

    I think it is quite natural and scientific that intense feelings wake people up from sleepiness. Yours sound like a wholesome feeling, so perhaps it is fine. However its effectiveness should slowly fade off as your memory of the incident fades. What Buddhists do instead are to develop such an intense feeling with other objects such as respect for the Buddha, Dharma or Sangha (not 1 particular monk but the entire community), or the pure 4 immeasurables, or an intense urgency to practice the Dharma, or the sheer determination through one’s vows. These feelings will not lose its effectiveness but will only get more effective as one progresses. You can try to develop one of these feelings too, before your current intense feeling fades.

    In Vipassana/mindfulness meditation, we do not use the above methods because those methods all rely on a concept in the mental world. When we invoke a concept, it hinders mindfulness. Hence what Vipassana does is to observe the sleepiness feeling. The sleepiness feeling consists of 2 parts: the physical body lethargy and the mental energy lethargy. With sufficient practice in mindfulness meditation, the physical body lethargy can easily be identified and be treated like any other body sensation. That is, it comes and it goes away. Hence one does not need to move away from mindfulness to overcome the physical mindfulness. The mental lethargy is more difficult because when it comes it conquers the mind and take away mindfulness, just like anger and craving taking away mindfulness. Nonetheless this mental lethargy is a good object for mindfulness practice. Do not try to transform it, block it, or dwell in it, but observe its coming and its going. This is a difficult practice, but it at the same time sharpens our mindfulness skill.

    Best wishes to your practice :) With Metta.

  • http://n/a WHao

    Dear Venerable

    I have a question on Karma. If i am not wrong, bad things happen to me because i did something bad to someone else previously, and this person suffered this wrong-doing because he in turn did something bad previously. Is that how the cycle of Karma works?

    If so, extrapolating everything back to the start, does that mean there is some concept of original sin (to kickstart this cycle), just like in Christianity?

  • Wakeupnow

    Dear Anon & Shadow,

    Drowsiness is indeed something that we all experience in the process of trying to meditate. As they say, there are many ways to skin the cat! But being good Buddhists, we shall spare the cat and see what we can do with drowsiness. ;)

    Some modern masters suggest to be mindful of everything that comes along and one such master that I learnt under in the Mahasi tradition seem to direct us towards that. Shadow may be referring to such a technique. When we say that it is vipassana meditation, it is important for us to realise that it is one rendition of vipassana. Just as swimming refers to act of moving through water etc etc, while free-style refers to one particular stroke of swimming, the Mahasi method, IMO, is one rendition of vipassana. Other various masters in the Theravada tradition *and* Mahayana tradition also refer to their technique as vipassana meditation, but may differ slightly in technique.

    Ok, lost anyone yet? Good, those who are still with me, read on. ;)

    So what did the Buddha say about drowsiness? Ven. Mahamoggallana, the Chief Disciple in Spiritual Powers (which requires jhana => cannot be drowsy), was having trouble with drowsiness in his first week as a monk, while striving towards Nibbana concurrent to Ven. Sariputta. The Buddha advised him with a seven step approach to quell drowsiness. “AnguttaraNikaya 7.58 Capala Sutta – Nodding”

    http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an07/an07.058.than.html

    Each step tackles drowsiness from different approaches and after exhausting all seven methods, the Buddha’s advice was to rest! That is, the meditator is indeed tired and should rest! How compassionate! *grin*

    Much of the seven methods involves stimulation of the mind to the extent of arousing alertness. This approach is also found in the AnguttaraNikaya 3.100 Nimitta Sutta – Themes.

    http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.100.11-15.than.html

    In the sutta, three themes are to be attended to: 1. Concentration (stilling) 止 2. Uplifted energy 舉 3. Equanimity 捨. Explained in commentaries and by my late teacher, Stilling is employed when the mind is distracted, Uplifting when it is dull or drowsy and Equanimity when the mind is steady and concentrated.

    The method that Anon uses would fall under Uplifting Energy.

    Whichever method you use to deal with drowsiness, just remember that when the mind is alert and no longer drowsy, you should drop the counter method and resume your meditation.

    With metta,
    :)

  • Wakeupnow

    WHao,

    Well, in a simple way, yes, things happen because of causes and condition. It applies to good and bad things alike. Granted, having done something which sows a seed (good, bad or ugly), this potential remains dormant and germinate until suitable conditions are present for it to sprout, grow and bear fruit.

    I have a question on Karma. If i am not wrong, bad things happen to me because i did something bad to someone else previously, and this person suffered this wrong-doing because he in turn did something bad previously. Is that how the cycle of Karma works?

    >If so, extrapolating everything back to the start, >does that mean there is some concept of original sin >(to kickstart this cycle), just like in Christianity?

    Extrapolating backwards, we find that there is *no* beginning. There is always a cause preceding the effect and a further cause that precedes that cause. Hence we say since “beginningless” times. In short, there is no original sin so to speak. And on that note, what was the preceding cause for the sinning? Perhaps one can say that it was the snake and the ignorance of Adam and Eve. But what was the preceding cause for such motivation by the snake and the ignorance of A&E? … one can potentially trace backwards infinitely, unfortunately in the Christian context, the trail ends or begins at Genesis. But one could say ask, what was the cause of the intention, the motivation of God having that first initial thought. But that would be blasphemous in their context. So, let’s take a look at Buddhism. ;)

    In Buddhism, ignorance is the start of the causality cycle (12 dependent co-arising links) leading ultimately to birth, aging and death, with its tribulations of life, resulting in sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress and despair. When there is ignorance however, there is always the preceding chain of cause and result leading up to that present moment. It is as said earlier, beginningless, and will be endless until one breaks this cycle of birth and death, and attains Nirvana (Nibbana).

    Many wonderful suttas on causation can be found in the SamyuttaNikaya, Nidana samyutta.
    http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/index.html#nidana

  • Pandaboy

    Hi Venerable,

    I have some questions to ask you( some might be a bit silly):

    1) My dad says that we must respect books because some divine beings might be living inside it, if we disrespect the book( e.g stepping on them, putting them in an untidy manner etc.), we will not get good results in examinations and will not gaining enough knowledge. Is that true?

    2) Can the venerable give me some advice on how to cope with laziness and internet addiction?

    • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

      Hi Pandaboy,

      As far as I am concerned, only questions that are not asked are silly!

      1) My dad says that we must respect books because some divine beings might be living inside it, if we disrespect the book( e.g stepping on them, putting them in an untidy manner etc.), we will not get good results in examinations and will not gaining enough knowledge. Is that true?

      So there are two parts to your father’s claim:
      1. That there are some divine beings living inside books, and
      2. By disrepecting them, there will be some consequences, such as poor exam results and being knowledgeable.

      First off, there sure are beings living in books, but divine or not, I know silver fishes lives in books, especially the old ones. There are some legends that some spiritual beings or guardians protects books, and that they may get pretty angry if anyone mistreat the books they protect. Such legends probably evolve or develop from earlier legends about guardians of knowledge or wisdom, which books are the physical representation of. These latter legends may themselves have been derived from the view that knowledge or wisdom is sacred and thus should be respected and held in high esteem.

      Knowing this probable origin of such claims can help us relate to books in a proper manner. Consider how paper, printing and publishing were pretty scarce in the past. An attempt to preserve the books and inculcate a healthy attitude towards books may spin off into legends and myths quite easily. Such development of legends can be found not just in Asian societies but in almost all countries that exist long enough for folklore to develop. So we should perhaps see and understand this claim just as other claims from other culture or religions in a similar light, and understand the original intention when the legend began.

      The second part of the claim is that there are consequences to showing disrespect to books. I have to agree that there are consequences here, although the consequences may not a) be due to divine being’s retribution on us and b) be the same as claimed.

      To get good results, one just have to do one thing: get the right answers to the examination questions. Even if one were to put the books on an altar and perform all the world’s religious rituals and treat it with the most respect, one will not be any better off at answering the examination questions.

      Gaining knowledge from a book is done by reading, analyzing, contemplating and reflecting over the content, the meaning of the book. To me, that is the right way to “respect” books. Conversely, the way to show “disrespect” for books is to neglect them, and not read them. That is one sure way to be closed to whatever the book may offer, and would thus make oneself ignorant (as far as the book’s content is concerned), and in the case of school textbooks, a potentially poorer examination result.

      Just a casual note, “stepping on books, and putting them in an untidy manner” … why would anyone be stepping on books, never mind whether you respect them or not? As for tidiness, I for one will attest to having had an untidy “organised mess” of computing reference books and yet, I say without boasting, that I excelled in programming nonetheless. My seemingly untidiness definitely did not hinder my learning. (ok, maybe I may become the president scholar I never was, but there is no way to find out, is there?)

      I am not encouraging anyone to be untidy, but to me, it is a matter of preference. As long as such preference do not hinder the goal of learning or result in hygiene issues, then I’m pretty ok with it. Whether your parents are ok with it, is a different story altogether!

      2) Can the venerable give me some advice on how to cope with laziness and internet addiction?

      Hmmm … laziness and internet addiction. Quite an interesting pair … ‘cos laziness is inactivity, while addiction is not.

      We can be lazy about many things. For example, I’m “lazy” when it comes to killing mosquitoes. So I’ve not killed one (in my knowledge) for many many years. I’m also “lazy” with making money. So I’ve quit my job and become a monk, and have not made any cash for all these years; the up side is that you cannot be retrenched as a result! :p We are lazy about some things and passionate about others, even to the point of being addicted to them. The difference between the two, lies in interest.

      We are lazy about things that do not interest us. Life, unfortunately and frequently, requires us to do things that are less than interesting. Take work for example. Most of us are not interested in our work. Really. We are driven mostly by what it can bring us or others. Sometimes that is monetary gain, sometimes it is a sense of satisfaction derived from identifying ourselves with the profession. Without the motivation behind, we would naturally be lazy, and I say that without condoning or condemning it.

      To fight laziness, one would then need to find the value in the thing or activity. This value may then generate interest and in turn drive and energy. Cutting internet addiction on the otherhand, would require one to see the effects such an addiction brings you. You may need to share with me the extent which the person, with internet addiction, is surfing the internet. The frequency and duration etc. Is it serious enough to be considered an addiction? How is using the internet affecting the persons’ life? Is it hampering his normal daily activities such as studies, work or personal life? These information would be helpful for a start.

      Let me know how this work out and we can follow up on it.

      With metta, ^_^

  • http://nil Jerry Tan

    I have been reading Buddha Vacana daily for the last 20 years. Either from the physical book or from my notebook. Now I have the iPhone, I had search the ITune store and no one has yet develop Buddha Vacana for the iPhone.
    I am of course, not in IT so I am not able to do it. Can someone volunteer to convert the Palm Based or PC based into the IPhone please?
    Thank you
    With Metta
    Jerry

  • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

    Sounds like a good idea Jerry! There is also a suggestion for it to be ported to Nokia phones … I’ll prob port over to java and see if it is truly cross-platform.

    Note on porting:
    The code base for Palm and PC version is similar only on the book reading engine. Palm has its own event trigger framework for pda-mode apps. Porting to Java may mean loosing some of the device specific feature such as wakeup calls etc, meaning auto running may need more tweaking.

    JME (Java for Mobile something) should have wake up events, so that may be what I will use.

    Will post a thread when something turns up. ^_^

  • Pandaboy

    Hi venerable!

    Thanks for answering my questions, I really appreciate it! I have a couple of questions to ask the venerable:

    1)Regarding my question on internet addiction, let’s say that the person surfs the internet for a total of 6 hours( 3 hours in the afternoon, another 3 hours at night) and has started to neglect his studies, what can he do to reduce his addiction and concentrate on his studies?

    2) Also, can chanting a buddha’s name really enhance a person’s wisdom? Can I chant the buddha’s name( or Bodhisattva’s name. Say, Manjusri Boddhisattva’s name) so that I can memorise and understand a lot of Mathematics equations well?

    3) Why is it that Mahayana Buddhist are encouraged not to eat the 5 pungent plant?

    Thanks for answering my questions!

    • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

      Hi Pandaboy,

      Apologies for the delay in replies. Hope this is still helpful!

      1. Internet Addiction

      What makes you Tick?
      The first thing one should perhaps do is ask oneself why the addiction should be dropped. It has to be one’s personal reasons. And by personal, I mean, reasons that matter to you and not from some guidebook.

      Only when you have good enough reasons to do so, will the suggestions below work.

      Peer Support/Pressure
      A way to reduce the addiction, is to Change the cycle. And by that, I don’t mean stop using internet. I mean, using it in a different manner.

      Tell someone you trust about your situation and see if they can help you out. Access the internet with him/her and limit it to that period. It should not be someone who also uses the internet for 6 hours or more a day!

      Telling someone about it and making the above arrangement creates peer support so that you get someone you trust to help you out. Because you’ve made your plan open, you also get a little positive peer pressure to do it right!

      Cold Turkey
      Another way is to Break the cycle.
      Get involved in other activities that does not require the internet. Let your friends know in advance that you will be off-line for a few weeks. This may be tricky if your school requires you to correspond on subject matters using the internet. If possible, get a trusted friend to assist in this area.

      Path of Least Resistance
      We humans typically choose the path of least resistance. Make it harder to access internet. Say, cut off your internet access at home? This may only prove to be useful if you are under direct supervision of your parents or guardian(s). If not, it is likely that you will circumvent the very obstacles you setup and then go on an internet-binge thereafter.

      Whoever you are trying to help break the addiction, it may be helpful to bring the person to seek help in person.

      2. Chanting of a Buddha’s name
      Reciting the Buddha’s name has been endowed with numerous “powers”. My personal take is that while such claims had been experienced by individuals, it may be helpful to see how it can be practically put to practice.

      For one, reciting the Buddha’s name is a form of simple meditation that can lead to inner calm and tranquility. This clears up our mind and make it easier to focus and learn. In that way, recital of the Buddha’s name can be helpful for your wisdom and studies. But you still need to do the studying!

      It is like the sharpening of an axe; you still need to do the chopping!

      3. The Five Pungent Plants
      The avoidance of the five pungent plants fall under the Bodhisattva vows. The five pungent plants are said to be strong stimulants that can agitate the mind. The aim of avoiding them is to reduce the impact of stimulants on our mind. This is especially true for those striving to be a Bodhisattva.

      For most people who are not training on the path, the impact of the pungent plants may seem negligible. This is because our mind is already agitated by our constant pursuit of our wants, desires and cravings. It does not however mean that there is no impact; it just mean that we are unaware of the impact because our mind is too desensitized already.

      Consider how we can hear clearly something drop in a (quiet!) library while we are oblivious to many things when we are in shopping mall. In the former, there are little distractions, while in the latter, we are too busy with all the attractions out there to see or hear anything else.

      Hope this clear things up for you.

      With metta,
      :)

  • stillsleeping

    Hi shifu
    If rebirth is the result of karma, how do you explain the world’s growing population? Does it mean that more beings from other realms become reborn as human beings OR volitions from the same human being can result in multiple karma (human rebirths)…

    • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

      Hi stillsleeping,

      Good good, shows that you are doing some critical thinking there! :)

      Yes, the “extra” would come from other realms. One thing to note is that, whether or not the population increases or decreases, rebirth takes place according to one’s karma. So humans take rebirth in other realms and beings in other realms take rebirth in the human realm even if the world population is relatively stable.

      Technically, human rebirth would be one to one, so one karma to multiple rebirths would be unlikely if not impossible. You may be thinking of the movie “Little Buddha” in that sense. The closest possible would be a manifestation where one could do multiple manifestation at a time, but that would not be a karma-based rebirth.

      Last thought about this. Another thing is that maybe the conditions for rebirth as a human being is easier these days, so beings with lower standards (morals) are taking rebirth as human beings, but their life may not be led in a very human-like manner?

      With metta, ^_^

  • Lee Chee Chiong

    Morning Shifu

    On the daily reading posted on 21st May 2009,
    the last sentence ” The differences between humans are only differences of
    convention.
    I don’t understand the meaning convention. Is it means the differences of custom
    or practice or the way human behave?

  • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

    Morning Chee Chiong,

    You are spot on! By convention here, it should refer to the differences (of custom and practices) that are defined by man, rather than physical difference. So, by convention, someone born in Singapore is “different” from someone born in another country in that they differ by their nationality, their background, language (which is another convention) etc.

    I think it can include how we discriminate others and perceive others as well. So the differences include that which is due to our perceptions and not physical differences. Note that the Buddha’s point is that there is no great difference physically, so while we may have different races, with physical characteristics unique to the respective races, all races have a head, a body, four limbs, two eyes, one nose, etc etc.

    With metta, ^_^

  • Lee Chee Chiong

    Good Morning Shifu

    May i take apportunity to say that our human conduct definitely cannot be
    perfecly pure. If we say must be pure then is more acceptable. If i am wrong
    about this, please enlighten me how can we humanly being to practice to perfect
    pure condition in our conduct. We can try but can it be perfertly pure?

    Thank You. and good health.

    • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

      Good day! Back from Sri Lanka and been busy with conducting classes.

      Without training or trying (effort), we are definitely far from perfection. With training and trying, we can definitely move towards the goal of perfection in conduct. With defilements in our mind, our external conduct (of body and speech) can only be tempered by external rules. But when internal defilements are uprooted, then there is no longer causes for unwholesome external conduct to arise. Then with Wisdom, Loving Kindness and Compassion towards all can be developed boundlessly, and with that only perfect wholesome behaviour (external conduct) spring forth.

      This is why precepts in Buddhism is taught not as a command or demand, but as a guide, and is undertaken voluntarily when one sees the value and wisdom behind it.

      So yes, when we remove the internal causes (defilements) of imperfect conduct, and develop wisdom perfectly, only perfect conduct can arise henceforth. ^_^

  • Rui Koh

    Good day ShiFu,
    Is this your blog, is wonderful, bet u hv put in a great effort in it, for us to understand n explore more in Buddha teaching and practice.
    Thank u and wish u good health, drink warm water not iced.
    Amitabha

    • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

      Hello Rui Koh,

      Yes, this is my blog! I should say that it is not really great effort; I try to put in what I think would be meaningful for others. But often, I write a draft and stop, as I wonder what else in the Good Dharma is not already explained and taught by the Buddha! :D

  • KL Leo

    [Transferred from About page]

    Dear Sir,
    I hope that you can consider adding e-Sangha to your comprehensive Buddhism links on your website.

    Title: E-Sangha Buddhism Portal
    URL: http://www.e-sangha.com
    Buddhism portal that contains free buddhist e-books, Buddhism discussion forum, free e-cards and an extensive collections of Buddhism related links.

    Thank you.

  • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

    @KL Leo: Added e-sangha to the links. Thanks for sharing.

  • Bev

    How about a version for PortableApps.com flashdrive platform?
    http://portableapps.com/development

  • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

    @Bev: Thanks for your feedback! Sounds like a good idea. The zip format of the Windows edition should be ready for it. One thing though, it means that autostartup would need to be disabled. Will update after I take a look at the portableapps.com site.

  • sandrar

    Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R.

    Author edit: Improper URL pruned

  • http://www.espaolitos.com votar fotos

    wonderful read, keep up the great work. more writers like you are needed on the net

  • Akuma

    It might be an intersting indication to you, that the Yogacarabhumishastra is atm in the process of being translated by several scholars. Sadly, sinc emy memory is very bad i cannot remember their names and since E-Sangha has been hacked, I cannot check either. I will contact someone @ University of HongKong, he might remember the names and could contact you back, maybe you could coop with them somehow?
    Btw sry for writing in the shoutbox, you guys really need to get some contact email addy setup ;)

    l8r

    Akuma

    • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

      Thanks Akuma for the headsup. That is excellent news to hear that others are translating this shastra.

      Would be glad to link up with them and coop where possible. Can you leave a msg with your email so I can followup? It will stay unpublished for your privacy.

      With metta,

      Ven. Chuan-Guan

  • Akuma

    Sorry Venerable, I am a bit reluctant usually to put my E-Mail in Comment-Boxes ;-)
    I’ve just written an E-Mail to Ven Hui Feng, lets see if he remembers, shall we? ^^

    Have a nice day,

    Akuma

    • http://buddhavacana.net/ Wakeupnow

      Noted. As I mentioned, your email will *not* be published. Will followup with you via email.

      Be well,

      Ven. Chuan-Guan

  • Pandaboy

    Dear Venerable,
    A few months ago, I had a dream. I dreamt that buddha appeared in front of me.He held a teapot on his hands and proceeded to remove the lid on the teapot. He then showed me that the inside of the pot was empty and after that he replaced the lid back onto the teapot and then I woke up.
    Can the venerable please tell me what does the dream means? Thanks :)

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