Category: Dharma

Giving Thanks to Mr Lee Kuan Yew

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Thanks Iris tan, for the question on the four gratitudes in Buddhism.

The four groups to whom one should have gratitude are
一、父母恩。Gratitude towards one’s parents
二、众生恩。Gratitude towards sentient beings
三、国王恩/国家恩（国土恩）。Gratitude towards one’s nation/motherland/ruler
四、三宝恩 (佛、法、僧) Gratitude towards the Triple Gem, namely the Buddha, his teachings, the Dharma, and the Sangha, the community of monks and nuns and the enlightened ones.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew, is our founding prime minister, and is deserving of our respect and gratitude as founding father of our nation, under the third category of gratitude.

Emotions run high this week (23 Mar to 29 Mar 2015), and it is understandable that some may adorn him with high praise, and sometimes perhaps overdo it.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew has done much for Singapore, and from the out-pour of appreciations from other nations, we can see that he has also left a positive indelible mark in people’s life in lands far and near.

He does not need over-adornment or more accolades to make him a greater man.

He is great as he is.

As the PM, Mr Lee Hsien Loong has said in his eulogy, if anyone seeks Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s monument, we can reply proudly: ‘look around you’ “.

Thank you Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Wherever you are,
may you continue to be of help and benefit to others.
may you find peace, joy and rest.

References

 

To Repair or To Get a New One – Of Monitors, Things and Relationships

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Yesterday, I went on a mini-quest with my long time friend Yong Hee​ to fix a flickering LCD monitor. 😉

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A quick trip to SIM LIM Tower got us the components.

Total component costs: S$6.50 (inclusive of spares)

If we do not repair it, it may just be sent to the dump. This will put an end to all the resources, manpower and energy put in to manufacturing the monitor. By replacing the 6 capacitors, the monitor’s useful lifespan has been extended by say another 2 – 4 years. With the spare caps, we estimate that it will continue to be useful until the CFL die out. ^_^ (y)

To Repair or To Get a New One
Read More …

Of Rebirth, Karma, and a Cockcroach

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A few days ago I saw a post in a facebook group about this article by an ex-catholic-buddhist Paul Williams, who was born a Catholic, converted to Buddhism for 30 years and converted back after 30 years of Buddhist studies, practices and learning in the Tibetan tradition.*

The post drew 100+ comments and quickly went past 200 within a few days.  After reading through some of the comments which escalated to name callings and several links to other articles, including one by Ajahn Sujato, I decided to leave a note.

Below is my comment in the thread. Read More …

Monthly Lunch Gathering@2pm + Weekly Sunday Group Cultivation@2pm

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1 Feb 2015: Lunch Gathering @ 12pm + Sunday Group Cultivation @ 2pm

The once-a-month lunch gathering is here again! Join us for a cozy lunch as we tuck into yummy food and share with fellow Dharma brothers and sisters.

What to Bring?

This month onwards, food will be provided and potluck offering is optional.  So go green and just bring your own utensils and cutleries!!

*BONUS* Vege Soup Recipe Below

If you wish, you can also bring some food or items to do offering to the presiding venerable.

Finger Food & Beverages List

1. Packet drinks
2. Bottled drinks
3. Chips, Ole etc
4. Fresh Fruits Platter
5. Choice of Finger Food
– Vege Nuggets, Vege Samosa
6. Choice of Vege Finger Sandwiches
– Vege Ham & Cheese, Vege Tuna Mayo, Tofu Mayo
7. French Fries, Potato Wedges
8. Spring Roll, Crispy Vege Ball,
9. Grilled Sausage with Hotdog Bun
10. Choice of Pizza – Vege anything … wink emoticon

Hot Favourites
1. Fried Bee Hoon
2. Fried Noodles
3. Laksa
4. Olive Fried Rice
5. Desserts

Surprise Items (If you bring it, then it’s not a surprise!)
1. Prata
2. Indian curry
3. Whatever vege stuffs you find in your kitchen!! grin emoticon

And if you cannot find anything, just bring yourself along with utensils and cutlery! wink emoticon

See you on Sunday @ 12pm for the potluck lunch offering! kiki emoticon

*BONUS ITEM*

If you are up for the challenge, try this recipe I learnt from my monastery in US.

Difficulty Level: 6.5 / 10

Mixed Vege Soup
1. White Radish 白蘿蔔
2. Carrot　紅蘿蔔
3. Potato　馬鈴薯／土豆
4. Tomato　番茄／西紅柿
5. Big Chinese Cabbage　大白菜
6. Special item. Msg me for special item.　特別材料。電郵詢問。 tongue emoticon

Preparation
1. Cut items 1 – 4 into large chunks.
2. Cut item 5 into bite-size pieces, smaller near the root, larger near the leave.

Steps
1. Boil pot of water with item 1, 2, 3.
2. Put half servings of tomato and sections of chinese cabbage nearer to root into pot to boil in step 1.
3. Boil for 30mins, then reduce to 34.5% heat. Just kidding, just lower the heat to medium.
3. Add remainder half of tomato and chinese cabbage.
4. Boil for another 20mins or until everything is nicely cooked.
5. Add salt and pepper for flavour.
5. Add special item.

Enjoy this wonderful home made soup!! kiki emoticon

Who am I – The Buddha’s Teachings on No-Self

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There is no independent, permanent, unchanging “I” or “You” or “Ven. Chuan Guan”, but our existence in the various roles that we play.  That exist.

No One Role Defines Us

Given conditions, “you” exist, and as a son or daughter wrt to your parents, as a niece or newphew to your uncle and aunts, as a friend to your peers, as a colleague at work, etc. These roles collectively is who you are, yet none of it totally define you.

Sometimes we forget and overemphasis one over the other, or totally neglect this or that role. Other times, we forget to stop playing certain roles even when that role is no longer needed or relevant.  It is almost like the music that continues to play in our mind even when we stop listening to it. We continue to play some roles even when the conditions and situations have changed. Read More …

Year End Reflections 年末思旅

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It’s been a great year! Thanks for being a part of it.
Reflect over the year … no matter how great it was, it was possible only through the kind help and support of many others. Be Thankful and Grateful.

No matter how lousy some days were, we survived it. There are many others who did not. Be Strong!

No matter how we are sometimes impatient and lose our temper, we can and should try again … and again. Have more patience and compassion for others, but even more so, have patience and compassion with ourselves!

Join me in changing the world in 2015 … … starting with ourselves!
May all be safe, healthy and peaceful,
may all be guided and protected by the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha in the new year! 阿彌陀佛！

 

过去的—年很美好！感谢您与我—同渡过。

回憶回憶　。。。
无论多么美好，也离不开他人的鼎力支持与协助。
致以由衷的谢意，感恩！

无论经历怎样的艰难困苦，我们不是—样挺过来了！然而不少人却没有这样的福气！让我们坚强如初吧！

无论有时多么沒耐心或发脾气，我们都可以也应该反复不断地努力克服。对他人充满耐心和慈悲，对我们自己更应如此。

来，与我—起在2015年改變這世界　。。。　。。。从我们自身做起!
祝愿大家，安康详和!
祝愿大家，得到佛法僧三寶的指引和庇祐！
阿弥陀佛！

(Susanna 譯)

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