Anger (II)

Anger leads to suffering . . .

Anger

Anger is like fire.

When its big, it spreads and consume anything that's near them. Nothing stops their path.
It also has great potential to start more fires.

When it is small, nobody takes care and it gets to grow into big fire . . . . . .

警惕

功大易使人骄，功小易不注重。
时时观照心境的起伏，
时刻都能增长智慧。

自己的能力，他人所不及。
他人的成就，自己未必能。

看这高山，大海。
辽阔的天空，
无边的草原，
古圣贤的智慧，
察觉自己的身心，烦恼，不顺
也只不过如此。

BLIA international conference

Thanks BLIA conference!!

What a rewarding event for international Buddhism and definitely to me. Before the conference, I was rather sceptic in its scale and how its going to be beneficial.

Large-scale indeed has created its IMPACT and I believe has its pros and cons. But what matters for this event was its ability to create the necessary awareness to Buddhism. I think it created a storm in Suntec.

Being large scale, lotsa volunteers are recruited. Some may be regulars to FGS, newbies like me, and some not even a Buddhist. But on this night, I believe all were touched and felt a sense fulfillment!

For me, having spent a little time performing in FGS, I learnt even greater. Having such a big stage is never possible for me if without FGS. Being in a welcoming opening ceremony in front of the international delegates and ven master Hsin Yun is even something I never dream about.

In terms of Buddhism, I guess the whole event says it all :)

Handsome suit @ w.s.d.p

Maybe some add-on pts to what that has not discussed :)

Apart from the usual perspective of this show talking about the looks, how about the appearance of the "soul". Personality is something that we all grow up with and which contibutes to our behaviour and belief system. It goes deeper than the few mm of face. Even if there is a technology to change an appearance, personality is something that does not change so readily.

There is these game in the show which a person has to find a happy moment and snap it. Upon doing that he/she will walk 10 steps. I thought of the word “相从心生”. It is not about being optimistic in a naive way and I call it the "directed optimism". Thoughts lead action and action leads to reaction. Recall the moments when you are in pain, nothing else will catch your attention. Then recall those bad days, every ones seems to find trouble with you. Now recall the happy moments, say you birthday celebrations. Everyone seems to be giving you blessing and happiness.

With a well trained and guarded mind, we direct our thoughts and thoughts in return will direct our actions and reaction, and the cycle of happiness/sadness will goes round and round :)

Shi'en was saying about Buddha having born with merits that makes Buddha to have great features. I would say we look by how we feel. You can never find a angry red face praising someone at the same time. An audience was saying its misleading and might cause people to do merits to look good. There is bound to have such people but they are going to be disappointed. How so?

Condition of the mind and the actions we do is brought about by the desire we hold. "起心动念".
If we constantly do merits to gain good looks, then how can the mind be pure? With a clouded mind, we can never attain the Buddhas features.

This brought to the point that some Buddhist strive with a too result oriented mind. Some meditate to reach the Jhanas. Some read the Sutra just to know alot. Some even follow teachings in hope to gain a hastier enlightenment. With so much attachments and desire, how can one practise to reach a tranquil mind. Not having the right thoughts and concentration, how could wisdom be developed?

To me practising Buddhism is not to increase more attachments but to let go of attachments. If practising makes you feel you have more "wants" and starts the chain of negative thoughts like stress and troubled mind, its time to assess your progress :)

Taking the Refuge

A year ago, taken my Refuge and precepts. I still remember the me then, fascinated by the profound wisdom in Buddhism, yet full of compassion. The young me, with mind full of passion for the vast wisdom decided to embark of the path. Very much clueless of what to do. The ritual was just another significant milestones in my life.

I was born in a "unclear" Buddhist family. My mum took the Refuge since young while my Dad took it recently, and before then was a devoted Taoist. Both followed Buddha more towards pursuing health and peace in the family. My siblings are a "part time" Christian and another is a self/science believer. I spent most of my childhood in a Catholic mission school and running around churches. Taking this ceremony a year ago was a bold move to me. To me then was more like a self recognition move.

A year has passed and I would say learned a great deal, in Buddhism and in life. Foster great synergy with Buddhist of all walks of life including my dentist :0) But entering the Buddhist gate reveals a even greater pasture and yet more challenges for me, and definitely more touching moments.

The ceremony to me is of even greater significant now. A moment to align the path with teachings of Buddha. Buddhism for me now is not just acquiring wisdom but to walk the wisdom. I know I have a lot more to learn and a lot more to render my service in, and importantly the service to myself.

Baptism for Christian and most God believers might mean accept the Gods into their life and do as according to what the God told them, for God is almightly and going along means salvations and recognition by him. I would say its a more external aspect.

In sociological point of view, an initiating ceremony is a symbol of accepting and to be accepted by the religious community.

Yet in a year passed, taking Refuge I feel is less to external expressionism but internal recognition. A more to self awareness than to be accepted by the rest. Walking the Buddhist path is not about attending Sunday Schools or to be in favor of the Gods. Making sure no harm bestowed on to us.

Buddhism to me is the every moment of self awareness towards recognition of thoughts when interacting with the external environment, thus uncovering our Bodhicitta. Of course Buddhism is far more than that. But inability to recognize one self and sees oneself, is just like admiring the scenery outside the window, yet fails to recognize the deco of the room. And yet the house is where we are situated in.

Below is some links to lead to Youtube on the ethics and practises of taking the Refuge and precepts ceremony :)

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%E4%BD%9B%E9%97%A8%E7%A4%BC%E4%BB%AA&search_type=&aq=f