By Wakeupnow, on 23rd February, 2009 http://confusion.tweakblogs.net/blog/1418/why-functional-programming-doesnt-catch-on.html
The above is an interesting article about functional programming and why it fail to catch on.
Every introduction to a programming language shows you the recursive method to calculate Fibonacci numbers. It’s abstract, many people do not relate to it very well, but it’s only a single example. However, the documentation for FP languages seem to consist solely of these kinds of highly mathematically inspired examples. No ‘Address’ class to be found there. Hasn’t anyone written a functional equivalent of the Pet Store application to demonstrate the power of FP for the regular work that most of us do?
This is sometimes the challenge I hear from people, that they find it too theoretical to apply certain religious concepts (be it Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam or the religion you dig!) in their every day life. While some faith’s tenets and ideals are meant to be other-worldly, Buddhist teachings are meant for daily applications.
When we attend Dharma classes, we need to relate it to our daily experiences and reflect upon how our life can be further improved. Is there anything we could have done or said differently? . . . → Read More: Getting real
By Wakeupnow, on 19th February, 2009 Recently when I was in Kuala Lumpur (KL) to speak at a conference, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of 50~60 nice folks from Kelantan, Malaysia. Very friendly and lovely bunch I must say.
I noticed that some of the locals in KL were eating live seafood and so I quizzed them on how that relates to the first precept of non-killing. After a very lively discussion, we concluded that eating live seafood crossed the line for non-killing. Consider how the fishes were happily swimming around in the tanks … ok, maybe not so happily … but nonetheless, alive and swimming. Then someone may come along to the restaurant and order a meal, resulting in one or more of them being killed for our consumption. At that point, it became clear that the meal was quite the cause of death or at least the reason. So far so good, as far as understanding how we relate to the first precept of non-killing.
Then someone pointed out that sometimes, actually most of the time, only one person do the ordering, so perhaps he is the only person bearing the karma of killing. I threw it open to the . . . → Read More: How about that fish?
By Wakeupnow, on 19th February, 2009 Shifu, can I do this? Shifu, can I do that? Can I kill insects? Can I drink whisky? How about beer? Can I pay for less bus fare than I travelled? How about overtime pay? Can I dock in more hours than I worked?
The answers to the above, would be yes, yes, yes … and more Yes! If you had asked, can I breathe through my lungs underwater unassisted, it would be a no. It would be a no to “Can I have an unassisted controlled flight?”, and by controlled flight, free-falling is not included.
Before you quote me saying that I allow you to do all the above former, think again. You may think that I’m forgetting about the Buddhist precepts that advocate non-killing, non-stealing etc, ala the five precepts (Panca-Sila in Pali). You see, what most people are mistaken about the Buddhist teachings is that it does not stipulate a “The Buddha says you cannot kill” and impose it upon you. Instead, it says, killing is harmful to others (apparently!), is in turn unwanted by ourselves, results in pain, suffering and/or stress, amongst other things, and is to be avoided, for the sake of one’s welfare and . . . → Read More: Shifu can I do this or that?
By Wakeupnow, on 17th February, 2009 Got US$60 million to spare?
In this crisis, are we still able to give? For some of us, we may not be directly affected and may still have a pretty stable job, but the very fear of possible retrenchment and further worsening of the economy may stifle our giving heart or even immobilise it altogether.
Give within your means. Heard some say “Give with your heart.”. I say “Give with your heart, or at least with your wallet”. 
“A Gift of Dhamma is supreme” — The Buddha
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.3.050-099.than.html#iti-098
Read on and be inspired to give. Here’s someone who is not. Caveat emptor: He is able to give US$60mil because he can afford it. However, many others can afford it, but may not be giving enough.
From the link below: Lots of bosses say they value their employees. Some even mean it.
And then there’s Leonard Abess Jr.
After selling a majority stake in Miami-based City National Bancshares last November, all he did was take $60 million of the proceeds — $60 million out of his own pocket — and hand it to his tellers, bookkeepers, clerks, everyone on the payroll. All 399 workers on . . . → Read More: Got $60 million to spare?
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