Ouija Board: What moves the planchette?

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Below is a video by National Geographic on the ouija board.

The ouija (/ˈwiːdʒə/ WEE-jə), also known as a spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0–9, the words “yes”, “no”, “hello” (occasionally), and “goodbye”, along with various symbols and graphics.

It uses a planchette (small heart-shaped piece of wood or plastic) as a movable indicator to indicate a spirit’s message by spelling it out on the board during a séance.

 

So what moves the planchette?  Is it really spirits from beyond?  Ghosts of our loved ones, demons, gods?  Some religions consider the ouija board to be occult and dangerous and have even banned their followers from using it.  Is it really dangerous?  Who are we reaching out to with the ouija board?

Watch the video clip below and find out.

 

 

Thousands of Animals Have Been Saved in Nepal as Mass Slaughter Is Cancelled

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A Hindu temple in Nepal has ended a centuries-old tradition of animal sacrifice, thanks to animal activists, India’s supreme court and the temple management’s wisdom.

Compassion: 1     Animal Sacrifice: 0

 

Nepalese temple authorities agreed to cancel the centuries-old Hindu tradition following a campaign from Humane Society International (HSI) and Animal Welfare Network Nepal (AWNN).

… …
In a statement, Gadhimai Temple Trust Chairman, Mr Ram Chandra Shah, said: “The time has come to transform an old tradition. The time has come to replace killing and violence with peaceful worship and celebration.”

Reference

Handle or not, that is the question!

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Ullambana is just around the corner, and every year, kind and thoughtful devotees would do offerings to the sangha to support us in our basic amenities and in our Dharma work.

One item that is often donated is shavers. In most cases, it is better to simply donate the refills, ‘cos we most likely already have the handle and just need shaver cartridge refills.

If you look at the packing, look out for the one with refills. Else we end up with a lot of spare handles and limited shaving cartridges.

Thank you so much!

Precepts 101: Is it wrong to eavesdrop?

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So a student shared with me a question on whether eavesdropping is against the precept on stealing.

This is a common situation where people start applying Buddhism in their daily life.  They start literally applying it everywhere, including where it is probably not needed.

You see, take eavesdropping for example.  It is just plain bad manners and rude to eavesdrop.  We don’t need to bring in the precepts or religion to tell us that we should not eavesdrop.

But if we are in a bus and some other passengers decides to chat so loud that it becomes difficult not to overhear their conversation, it is still not us “stealing” their conversation.  Although it would be good to not focus on it just as well.

When we are in a busy food court having lunch with our friend, surely bits and pieces of fellow lunchers’ conversation would spill over, hopefully without their lunch!  We have the ability to tune into and focus on our friend, filtering out the chatter from the others.

So likewise, we can do that when we are alone, we can tune out, so that we do not listen in on others’ conversation.

Lastly, even if we do not formally observe the precepts through the ceremony, if we take things without asking or outrightly steal, we are not absolved of the consequences of stealing.

Respecting others’ right to their property, we undertake the precept to abstain from stealing.

Keep Calm, Breathe, Be Happy. ^_^

Fake Buddhist monks at New York

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Beware!  Fake Buddhist monks at New York are demanding money from tourists.

In Buddhism, monks and nuns do not go on the street begging for money.  When monastics go on alms round, they receive mainly food, but can receive basic requisites like robes, medicine as well.

They do not solicit for or beg for money, nor sell things.  If you encounter any of them, they are probably fake monks masquerading as real ones and taking advantage of the kindness of visitors and tourists.

Photo: Angel Chevrestt – New York Post

What can you do?

You do not have to feel oblige to give if you encounter them on the streets or in the malls.  In Singapore, you can call and report to the local police of their activities as it is illegal to solicit or beg in the street.

If you are interested to know more about Buddhism, you can go to your nearest temple or monastery to attend a chanting (puja) session, talk to a monk or nun today!

Reference

Fake Buddhist monks are the new squeegee men of New York
http://nypost.com/2015/06/14/fake-buddhist-monks-are-the-new-squeegee-men-of-new-york/