SBF Press Statement on Pastor Rony Tan’s remarks

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

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What the Teaching Is Not

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

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Happy Chinese New Year!

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.

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My pet theory about time

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

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