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 :)