By Wakeupnow, on 28th February, 2010 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,587565,00.html
Chile’s president declared a state of catastrophe in the aftermath of a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake Saturday that left bodies, crumbled buildings and outages in its wake.
Chile’s interior minister says at least 214 people had been found dead as of Saturday afternoon, and the pre-dawn quake, the most powerful quake to hit the country in a half century, also cut electricity, water and phone lines to many outlying areas, meaning there was no immediate word of death or damage there.
The quake also unleashed a tsunami across the ocean, putting much of the Pacific Rim on alert for potentially devastating waves.
We may be thousands of miles apart from those who perished or are hurt in earthquake, but let us take a minute out of our busy life and keep them in mind.
May those who can offer them help, offer them open-handedly.
May those in need of food, drink and shelter, receive them.
May those who need some to comfort, receive comfort and solace.
May all beings be well and happy.
Sabbe sattā sukhi hontu
By Wakeupnow, on 11th February, 2010
Buddhism World View 十法界
By Wakeupnow, on 11th February, 2010
By Wakeupnow, on 9th February, 2010 SBF Press Statement on Pastor Rony Tan’s remarks
http://www.buddhist.org.sg/archives/50
SINGAPORE BUDDHIST FEDERATION, Singapore 9th February 2010 – Below is the official press statement issued by Singapore Buddhist Federation on the recent Pastor Rony Tan’s remarks. Attached is the pdf file for reference.
The Singapore Buddhist Federation applauds the timely involvement and advice by the relevant authorities in stopping the potential damage being done to both Buddhist and Taoist communities by inappropriate and insensitive remarks made by Rev Pastor Rony Tan.
Lord Buddha taught us to be compassionate and forgiving, but repentance must be sincere and follow up with deeds lest this untoward event be forgotten and repeated.Genuine and continual inter-faith consultation is preferred instead of open instigation.
In this regard, the Singapore Buddhist Federation welcomes all initiatives from all quarters to facilitate maintenance of religious harmony in Singapore.
Issued by Singapore Buddhist Federation 9th February 2010
By Wakeupnow, on 9th February, 2010 In Digha Nikaya 1 Brahmajala Sutta – The Brahma Net Sutta (What the Teaching Is Not), the Buddha advised the monks on what they should and should not do when others speak in disparagement of the Buddha, Dharma or the Sangha.
An excerpt:
“… 5. Bhikkhus! If others should malign the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, you must not feel resentment, nor displeasure, nor anger on that account.
Bhikkhus! If you feel angry or displeased when others malign the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, it will only be harmful to you (because then you will not be able to practise the dhamma).
Bhikkhus! If you feel angry or displeased when others malign the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, will you be able to discriminatc their good speech from bad?
“No, indeed, Venerable Sir!” said the bhikkhus.
If others malign me or the Dhamma, or the Sangha, you should explain (to them what is false as false, saying ‘It is not so. It is not true. It is, indeed, not thus with us. Such fault is not to be found among us.’ ”
In light of the recent debacle of . . . → Read More: What the Teaching Is Not
By Wakeupnow, on 9th February, 2010 Happy Chinese New Year to all!
What are your ‘fortunes’ this year?
Will you have will-power to resist some of the little pleasures that you know is going to add inches to you?
Will the ‘Tiger year’ bring luck or a dash of anxiety this year?*
Can you make the right decision and choose between being ‘(self-)right(eous)’ and being ‘happy’?
Are the stars aligned, and the planets in tandem?*
Maybe this year, you can still be happy even if you do not get what you want. Or can you?
Whatever will happen outside is dependent on many, too many factors and conditions. Whatever happens in our mind depends on how we want to nuture and cultivate it.
So what are your ‘fortunes’ this year? You decide. That is all. ^_^
May you be guided and protected by the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Footnote:
* – I do not subscribe to the foretelling of fortune through horoscopes or astrology, although I recognise how the belief in them can influence our fortune through self-fulfilling prophesies. See Macbeth for more literary exposition on it.
By Wakeupnow, on 9th February, 2010 (Drafted on 17 January 2010. Time flies!)
Ever heard about how time starts to go faster as we grow older? I heard that when I was a kid and over the years, I begin to observe this phenomena myself. As a kid, we could play for a really looong time and find that it is only lunch time, and still have the whole afternoon to go. Or in some cases, do some boring homework for a long time and still have even more to go. We would check the time and it would only be 5mins into the homework session.
When we are in our teens, we start to experience our day go by a little faster. Maybe it is because we cannot wait for the lessons to end or to get home to do what we want. But by the time we go past our teens and reach our 20s, time continue to speed its way past.
This is my theory, a pet theory. Time, is a product of our perception of our experiences as it happens. But our experience and perception of time itself is coloured by our past experiences of time. More accurately, it is compared unconsciously . . . → Read More: My pet theory about time
By Wakeupnow, on 5th February, 2010 Just the other day, I was talking to a Dharma class student and he was telling me that things are stressful at work. I mentioned to him about how our last Group Practise* session was on the quality of Patience, the Perfection of Patience or Forebearance, and that he should have attended. His reply was that he did not attend it precisely because he cannot do it yet**!
I really do not know to laugh or to cry. Why do people cling onto such an obstinate and obsolete view that you have to be good at something before you attend the Dharma classes or Group Practises. This is ABSURD!!
This reminds me of the time when an aunty tells me that her son cannot become a monk because he still have defilements. I’m like … thinking “Duh! If he is perfectly free from defilements, he wouldn’t need to be a monk, now would he?”
It is an upside down view that people seem to have and does not help anyone here. We should strive to be more energetic in our learnings and practices!
Take Away Piece
It is precisely because you do not know about something, that you go attend . . . → Read More: I cannot do it yet so I am not learning it
By Wakeupnow, on 4th February, 2010 Singapore Buddhist Federation English Dharma Course
The Singapore Buddhist Federation 3-year English Dharma Course is now open for enrolment. http://www.buddhist.org.sg/sbf/archives/3
Objective
To develop participants’ understanding in basic Buddhist teachings for life enrichment
Contents
Lectures and panel discussions on introduction to buddhism, the sutra on the eight realisations of great beings, development of buddhism, teachings common to the three vehicles, mahayana buddhism and brief introduction to abhidharma.
Prerequisite
Age above 17 and fluent in written and spoken English
Schedule
Every Friday from 5th March 2010 / 7.30pm to 9.30pm 3 years with 2 semesters per year
Venue
Singapore Buddhist Federation
Certificate of Completion
A Course Certificate of Completion will be awarded to each participant who has satisfied the course completion criteria.
Registration
Registration Fee Per Semester $50 (Adult) $25 (Student & SBF Dharma Class Student Society member)
Photocopy of NRIC or Passport One recent passport sized photo Registration at
Singapore Buddhist Federation 59, Lorong 24A, Geylang Singapore 398583 email: budd…@singnet.com.sg Tel: 67444635 Fax:67473618
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm Saturday: 9am to 1pm
Public transport:
Aljunied MRT Station Bus - Along Geylang Road 2, . . . → Read More: Singapore Buddhist Federation English Dharma Course
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