Buddhist Bugs

Stalled for 40 years in the world of Change

2012-01-23T21:39:00.000-08:00

It's exactly 40 years since a Japanese soldier was found in the jungles of Guam, having survived there for nearly three decades after the end of WWII. He was given a hero's welcome on his return to Japan - but never quite felt at home in modern society.

Sukihotu,

In Buddhism, we are taught that everything changes and we must embraced it as it comes. But, here's a story about a Japanese when hiding for 40 years entrapped in a war. I thought this is amazing, because man usually moves very quickly and adapt to time. But not this person.

Read the story here...

Shoichi Yokoi, the Japanese soldier who held out in Guam

By Mike LanchinBBC World Service

For most of the 28 years that Shoichi Yokoi, a World War II Lance Corporal in the Japanese Army, was hiding in the jungles of Guam, he firmly believed his former comrades would one day return for him.

And even when he was eventually discovered by local hunters on the Pacific island, on 24 January 1972, the 57-year-old former soldier still clung to the notion that his life was in danger.

"He really panicked," says Omi Hatashin, Yokoi's nephew.

Startled by the sight of other humans after so many years on his own, Yokoi tried to grab one of the hunter's rifles, but weakened by years of poor diet, he was no match for the local men.

"He feared they would take him as a prisoner of war - that would have been the greatest shame for a Japanese soldier and for his family back home," Hatashin says.

As they led him away through the jungle's tall foxtail grass, Yokoi cried for them to kill him there and then.

Using Yokoi's own memoirs, published in Japanese two years after his discovery, as well as the testimony of those who found him that day, Hatashin spent years piecing together his uncle's dramatic story.

His book, Private Yokoi's War and Life on Guam, 1944-1972, was published in English in 2009.

"I am very proud of him, he was a shy and quiet person, but with a great presence," he says.

Underground shelter

Yokoi's long ordeal began in July 1944 when US forces stormed Guam as part of their offensive against the Japanese in the Pacific.

Yokoi's eel trap was one of his prize possessions

The fighting was fierce, casualties were high on both sides, but once the Japanese command was disrupted, soldiers such as Yokoi and others in his platoon, were left to fend for themselves.

"From the outset they took enormous care not to be detected, erasing their footprints as they moved through the undergrowth," Hatashin said.

In the early years the Japanese soldiers, soon reduced to a few dozen in number, caught and killed local cattle to feed off.

But fearing detection from US patrols and later from local hunters, they gradually withdrew deeper into the jungle.

There they ate poisonous toads, river eels and rats.

Yokoi made a trap from wild reeds for catching the eels. He also dug himself an underground shelter, supported with strong bamboos.

"He was an extremely resourceful man," Hatashin says.

Keeping himself busy also kept him from thinking too much about his predicament, or his family back home, he said.

Pls read the rest of the story on bbc.uk here

Come to think of it, we asked ourselves isn't we all are like Yokoi? Most of us grasped on obsolete ideas for far too long. Even longer than Yokoi. Like for instant, people are still praying to the sun and moon believing God lives there. Some woman are praying for a boy when they are already in the advance stage of pregnancy. Parent still pray for their children to pass their exam knowing their kids never study at all. Devotees seeking for miracle to happen on the spot in churches and temples. Children are taught that bats are vampires, snake are evil and sharks are bad.

I do not know what else to say except to blame ourselves for our own ignorance.

May you be well and fine

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
25th Jan 2012

What makes a Happy Home

2012-01-20T21:21:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

The blessed One's classification of the four types of homes;-

1 Home where a male ghost lives with a female ghost

2 Home where a male ghost lives with a goddess

3 Home where a god lives with a female ghost

4 Home where a god lives with a goddess

The first home is where both husband and wife break the Five precepts, often quarrel, lose tempers often and uses harsh words to each other. They are both wicked and narrow-minded, not understanding each other's problems, whims and fancies and they are not forgive and forget each other's mistake.

The second home is where the husband has all the vices mentioned but the wife refrains from them. She is tolerant, patient, kind and understanding wise, broad-minded and observes the Five precepts. She loves her husband and children, forgiving and forgetting their shortcomings.

The thirds home is where the husband does all the good deeds, while his wife has all the vices.

A home where both partners do all the good deeds belong to the fourth category, the ideal home. It is where members live according to correct principles such that it genertaes an atmosphere of happinese, love, peace and harmony.

Thank you for reading. May I also take this opportunity to wish all those who are celebrating Chinese New Year and joyful one. May you have a quality with your love ones.

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
20th Jan 2012

Noble 8 Fold Path

2012-01-19T16:47:00.000-08:00

The blessed Buddha once explained:

There are these two extremes, which should not be practiced by any one,
who has begun purification: Thehunt for sensual pleasures, which is low,
vulgar, the common way of ordinary worldlings, ignoble, disadvantageous;
and any practice of self-torture, which is painful, ignoble, and also quite
disadvantageous! Without veering towards either of these extremes, the
well-come-well-gone-beyond Buddha has awakened to this Middle Way,
which leads to assured vision, to direct knowledge, which leads to ease,
to peace, to certain knowledge, to Enlightenment, to Nibbāna...
And what is that Middle Way awakened to by the Buddha, which leads to
assured vision, to directknowledge, which leads to ease, to peace, to all
certain knowledge, toEnlightenment, to Nibbāna?

It is this very Noble 8-fold Way: That is

Right View

Right Motivation

Right Speech

Right Action

Right Livelihood

Right Effort

Right Awareness

Right Concentration

That is indeed the very Middle Way awakened to bythe Blessed Buddha,
which leads to assured vision, todirect knowledge, which leads to ease,
to certain knowledge, to Peace, to Bliss, to Enlightenment, to Nibbāna...

Pls Support AnimalCare

2012-01-14T20:16:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Here an opportunity to help Dr. Chan Kah Yein to get a grant of AUS$10,000 to fund her animal project AnimalCare. Pls follow this link and vote for her. As of today she is ranked 3rd with 1,287 votes. She is trailing the front runner by 119 votes. So therefore I urge you to kindly lend her your support. Pls clcik here to vote for here. Hurry there's only 16 days left to vote.

My dream is to help AnimalCare a non-profit organization in Malaysia that promotes care giving to stray animals, helps in their spay-neuter and medical needs and to cultivate compassion to animals through education. It was founded in May 2009 by an animal angel Dr Chan Kah Yein. AnimalCare is run by Dr Chan herself and solely rely on public donations and the help of volunteers. Animalcare is focus on a program called CNRM which stands for Care Neuter Rehome/Return and Manage. It is a program that encourages spaying and neutering of stray animals and tries to find them homes or else they will be returned back to their colonies. Through this program, Dr Chan has helped neutered and re-homed many unwanted street dogs/cats as well as to educate the general public about responsible pet ownership. She is such an inspirational and kind human being who really puts what she learns about compassion directly into action for all these unwanted animals. Please help me help AnimalCare to make a difference.

- Dr. Chan Kah Yein

I've also written a couple of articles about here work here and here. Kindly allow me to quote what my teacher used to say;

"Give help to those who deserved your help. This is a great blessing" - The Buddha

Thank you for your kind support. I believe the stray dogs and cats also thank you in advance.

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
15th Jan 2012

University of Life

2012-01-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Here's a nice poem for you

When theshow comes to an end,
when the curtaingracefully falls,
when the audiencesstop clapping,
and stand up,heading to the exit.

And then we realized,
it was just a great performance,
and we are the actors cum audiences,
and the Director pulls His strings from up above,
we acted our play, we uttered our scripts,
and we enjoyed our brief stay on this stage.

This is the last show for us,
before we move to the next theatre,
to be cast as other roles in another shows,
some of us are still cast in the same shows,
some of us will never meet each other any more,
for what is left,
are pictures and memories,
of a play on a common stage,
in here, University of life.

This poem was written by someone whom I do not know, but was posted on the Facebook Wall of Philip Sim. I thought I could twitted it a little and use this same poem to bring a message that we could actually learn from live itself.

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
14th Jan 2012

Views of Homosexuality in Buddhism

2012-01-12T05:14:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

I've discussed on this subject before, but I think it is still interesting to revisit this topic and see more views. Here is one article from De Silva. This is what he said,

Buddhism teaches to, and expects from, its followers acertain level of ethical behaviour. The minimum that is required of the layBuddhist is embodied in what is called the Five Precepts (panca sila),the third of which relates to sexual behaviour. Whether or not homosexuality,sexual behaviour between people of the same sex, would be breaking the thirdPrecept is what I would like to examine here.

Homosexualitywas known in ancient India; it is explicitly mentioned in the Vinaya (monasticdiscipline) and prohibited. It is not singled out for special condemnation, butrather simply mentioned along with a wide range of other sexual behaviour ascontravening the rule that requires monks and nuns to be celibate. Sexualbehaviour, whether with a member of the same or the opposite sex, where thesexual organ enters any of the bodily orifices (vagina, mouth or anus), ispunishable by expulsion from the monastic order. Other sexual behaviour likemutual masturbation or interfemural sex, while considered a serious offense,does not entail expulsion but must be confessed before the monastic community.

Atype of person called a pandaka is occasionally mentioned in theVinaya in contexts that make it clear that such a person is some kind of sexualnon-conformist. The Vinaya also stipulates thatpandakas are not allowed to be ordained, andif, inadvertently, one has been, he is expelled. According to commentary, thisis because pandakas are "full of passions,unquenchable lust and are dominated by the desire for sex." The word pandaka has been translated as eitherhermaphrodite or eunuch, while Zwilling has recently suggested that it maysimply mean a homosexual. It is more probable that ancient Indians, like mostmodern Asians, considered only the extremely effeminate, exhibitionisthomosexual (the screaming queen in popular perception) to be deviant while theless obvious homosexual was simply considered a little more opportunistic or alittle less fussy than other 'normal' males.

As the Buddha seems to have had aprofound understanding of human nature and have been remarkably free fromprejudice, and as there is not evidence that homosexuals are any more libidinousor that they have any more difficulties in maintaining celibacy thanheterosexuals, it seems unlikely that the Buddha would exclude homosexuals perse from the monastic life. The term pandaka therefore probably does not refer tohomosexuals in general but rather to the effeminate, self-advertising andpromiscuous homosexual.

To read the rest of this article, pls click here to go to Buddha's net magazine article

To see some of my previous article on this topic, pls click and here.

May you be well and happy always

Mettacittena,
Bugs Tan
12th Jan 2012

Fear of a Woman and a Man

2012-01-09T21:55:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

I've a good Iranian friend Mr. seyed Jalal who is so wise. Many years ago at the time when I've not contacted with the Dhamma yet, he told me these words. Which I found it so profound and relevant to me. I also think it is relevant to most of us.

He said;

A woman's fear is marrying a wrong man and,
a man's fear is not able to make enough to support his family.

Well, today after 20 years. it is still relevant. This is dhamma. It's in the First Noble Truth.

May you be free from mental torture

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
10th Jan 2012

Tips on giving alms

2012-01-06T19:40:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

Here's some pictures of a noble sight. A lady giving alms to the noble ones. Which I retrieved from Kenneth Say's Face book. He also mentioned that when performing dana to Monks during pindapat, the right way to do it is to take off your shoes. Knee down and give alms from left to right. That's starting for the most senior monk

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
7th Jan 2012

Discussion on Nibbana (Part 9)

2012-01-01T17:14:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

Here's the 9th and final part of this discussion on Nibbana.

"Dear Dhamma Friends,

Happy New Year 2012. Today being the 1st day of anew year, may I take this auspicious occasion to wish everyone here on thisforum a good year ahead. May you and your family enjoy a year long of peace inthe mind, harmony at home and at work. May the Triple gem protect you always.

Coming back to the discussion. This is the 9th andfinal part of the series of discussion we had on this forum. I would like to thankBro Siang Chye, Yu Ban, Sis Kah Yein for your contribution to this discussion.Like me, I'm sure a lot more silent readers out there appreciates your views.

When I started out this discussion on Nibbana, Iknew I would not be able to get a straight answer. This is a difficult subjectwith no evident of having someone gone there and come back to tell us what isit all about. I'm just using the charter of free inquiry Ehi Passiko toinvestigate my thoughts further. I wanted to see, if anyone out there sharesthe same thought that I have.

The results from this discussion has been fruitful.It's obvious to see that some people do agree with my views while others donot. This is what discussion is all about. Sharing of thoughts and viewsconstructively. While others (silent readers) on the side lines, have alsogained from this discussion

Once again thank you all and have a blissful year ahead.

Mettacitten

Bugs Tan"

Thank you for participating in this discussion, even though many of you chose to remain silence. I hope you have gained some insight into this subject. Which I believe it is hard for a human being like us to grasp. We may think we are intellectual enough to find logic in most things in life. But, this has proven that we are far from that.

Pls click on the link to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 and Part 8

Wishing you a good year ahead
Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
2nd Jan 2012

Discussion on Nibbana (Part 8)

2011-12-31T18:38:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

Happy New Year 2012.

We have discussed this topic for a few sessions now. Today is the part 8 of the series of 9 parts. This is what Bro Tan Siang Chye have to say...

Dear mittas,

It seems we have moved now to thesubject of Kamma.

Personally I think it might not be soincorrect to describe Kamma as a form of 'energy' as many writers and speakershave referred to it a such. It is can be purely 'academic' as to what weperceive Kamma to be, but this term might be very close to an acceptabledescription. I have heard late Chief, Ven. Dhammananda use the term 'Kammicenergy' a number of times and I have on occasion called it that in my talks.

The famous writer Ven. Nyanatiloka inhis essay on Kamma and Rebirth submitted:

According to Buddhism, there are threefactors necessary for the rebirth of a human being, that is, for the formationof the embryo in the mother's womb. They are: the female ovum, the male sperm,and the karma-energy (kamma-vega), which in the Suttas ismetaphorically called "gandhabba," i.e. "ghost," or"soul." This kamma-energy is sent forth by a dying individual at themoment of his death. The father and mother only provide the necessary physicalmaterial for the formation of the embryonic body. With regard to thecharacteristic features, the tendencies and faculties lying latent in theembryo, the Buddha's teaching may be explained in the following way: The dyingindividual, with his whole being convulsively clinging to life, at the verymoment of his death sends forth kammic energies which, like aflash of lightning, hit at a new mother's womb ready for conception. Thus,through the impinging of the kamma-energies on ovum and sperm, there appearsjust as a precipitate the so-called primary cell.

... On thisoccasion no transmigration of a sound-sensation takes place, but simply atransference of energy, called the air vibrations. In a similar way, the kamma-energies,sent out by the dying individual, produce from the material furnished by theparents the new embryonic being. But no transmigration of a real being, or asoul-entity, takes place on that occasion, but simply the transmission of kamma-energy.

I refer to this quote in NaradaMahathera's essay Buddhism in a Nutshell where he wrote:

At the moment of conception it ispast Kamma that conditions the initial consciousness that vitalizesthe fetus. It is this invisible Kammic energy, generated from ... etc.

These can be found on the Accessto Insight site.

We could alternatively refer to Kammaas Law, Order, Force, Workings, Fuel and might not be wrong.It is difficult to precisely define what it is so depending on context we use avariety of terms. It's there and we believe it works. The important thing isfor the audience to grasp how it relates to lives, past, present andfuture.

Hope this helps.

Metta,

Siang Chye

Pls click on the link to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7

See you tomorrow for the final part

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
1st Day of the year 2012

Discussion on Nibbana (Part 7)

2011-12-31T02:25:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

The discussion of Nibbana continued with a respond from Sis Kah Yein.
This is what she has to say;-

Hi everyone,

I also don't think it's written anywhere that kamma is a form of energy. As I understand it, kamma is intention (cittena, I think?). I don't think we can classify kamma under any category or class of "stuff" known to us, scientifically or otherwise.

But very often, we hear Dhamma speakers explaining that it is karmic energy that is brought with us life after life. Again, the use of the word "energy" here is, in Yu Ban's words, "new-age" and used rather loosely.

By the way, the Acinteyya Sutta (AN 4.77) says that the result of kamma is an unthinkable. I don't think it's the workings of kamma. For eg, if a person kills another this life, what will be the result? That's an "unthinkable". If we think about that, we would become partially mad, it says.

"Bhikkhus, the result of kamma is unthinkable (acinteyyo). It should not be thought of; thinking about which one would become partially mad or distressed [lit. share-holders of madness, distress]."

Metta,

kahyein

Thank you and I'll a couple more responds on this topic

Today being the last day of the year. May I wish you a Happy New Year 2012.

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
31st Dec 2011

Discussion on Nibbana (Part 6)

2011-12-29T07:40:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

This is part 6 of the discussion. Another respond from Lee Yu Ban

"Hi bugs,
i become vary when the word"energy" is used. In science, energy has very cleardefinitions It can be measured precisely and is subject to known laws ofphysics. But "new -agers" use the word energy for anything theywant it to mean.

So is kamma equivalent to energy as understood byscience ? Absolutely not. Is kamma energy in the way it is used by NewAgers? Well, New-agers use the term in any way they want to use it. Although it can be useful to describe kamma as a kind of energy, to facilitatecommunication, Theravada Buddhism likes to be precise so I would say it isincorrect for us to describe it in this way. I don't see kamma as a"thing". Kamma is actions and depending on our motivations, itconditions the sankharas ( mental units), which conditions our consciousness,which in turn conditions our rebirth.

Anyway, the Buddha said that understanding theworkings of kamma is one of the "Imponderables" and your mind wouldsplit before you can understand it in an intellectual manner.

rgds"

There are another couple more respond to this discussion. I hope you'll follow this.

Taking this opportunity to wish you Happy New Year 2012

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
29th Dec 2011

Discussion On Nibanna (Part 5)

2011-12-27T21:13:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

Here is my reply to the few responds I get on this discussion on Nibanna. These are my thought...

" Dear Bro Siang Chye

Sukihotu. Thanks for contributing to this discussion.

Sis Kah Yein and you sort of agrees with me that that kamma is some sort of energy. But kindly allow me to stress again and see if I've got you both on the same page.

I perceived that kamma is a form (bundle) of energies. And like what we know from the law of conservation of energy which says "energy cannot be created nor destroyed. It can only change from one form to another."

Therefore when a person reaches arahanthood and dies, his kamma energy did not disappear, but change into natural energy. Which does not have any conditioned element that could bring it to any of the 31 plane of existence. Hence, we says that he has entered Nirvana.

Betul kah?

I'm trying to narrow down to tight "kamma is equal to energy". I'm not sure if it is correct to say that in Buddhism, the ultimate truth is in the kalapas. According to the Abhidhamma there are 8 kalapas which, when combined to one another, it makes everything that exist in this world. The kalapas mentioned in the Bhidhamma are; earth, water, fire, air, colour, smell, taste and nutritive essence.

I'll let this paragraph explain more abt the works of kalapas:-

http://vipassana.tribe.net/thread/01a0817a-355a-4f90-aafa-bc65929d328b

The real meaning of Anicca is that Impermanence or Decay is the inherent nature of everything that exists in the
Universe — whether animate or inanimate. The Buddha taught His disciples that everything that exists at the material
level is composed of "Kalapas." Kalapas are material units very much smaller than atoms, which die out immediately after they come into being. Each kalapa is a mass formed of the eight basic constituents of matter, the solid, liquid,
calorific and oscillatory, together with color, smell, taste, and nutriment. The first four are called primary qualities, and are predominant in a kalapa. The other four are subsidiaries, dependent upon and springing from the former. A kalapa is the minutest particle in the physical plane — still beyond the range of science today. It is only when the eight basic material constituents unite together that the kalapa is formed. In other words, the momentary collocation of these eight basic elements of behaviour makes a man just for that moment, which in Buddhism is known as a kalapa. The life-span of a kalapa is termed a moment, and a trillion such moments are said to elapse during the wink of a man's eye. These kalapas are all in a state of perpetual change or flux. To a developed student in Vipassana Meditation they can be felt as a stream of energy.

What the Buddha has taught us is beyond today's science. A unit of Kalapa is very much smaller than an atom that we know today. But we all know that every thing in this world is made-up of a combinations of billions units of atoms energy.

What I'm trying to drive at is that when a person reached arahanthood, Nirvana is in the state of his mind. He is like what Yu Ban said, "had gotten rid of all 10 fetters". But when an Arahant dies, I like to believe that his energy will turned into natural energy, because there is an absence of kammic element for re-birth.

That's my theory.

What do you think?

Mettacittena

Bugs Tan "

=====

Pls click here to read part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 of this discussion.

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
28th Dec 2011

Discussion on Nibanna (Part 4)

2011-12-25T18:49:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

The discussion continues with another respond from another Buddhist friends. He says...

"Hi Bugs,

I see youhave gotten some response already. Nibbana is always a difficult subject andfor us worldlings, a topic of grand speculation. But once in a while it servesto bring Dhamma friends together in warm discourse. Yu Ban's comments are veryprecise, the strategy to break the chains that bind is outlined in thediscourse on Dependent Origination. Kah Yein's viewpoints are interesting too.

I would liketo add that the good we do strengthens the pathway we tread on and supports ourefforts for liberation. The gathered good becomes a part of our mental beingand because it is wholesome and positive, makes it easier to turn away and letgo of defilements. I think this makes a difference during crucial points in thepractice. It allows our minds to be more 'obedient'.

I submitthat an Arahant is not someone who is distantly cold due to the fact thathe/she has no fetters or emotions. In fact the absence of these fetters resultsin the presence of wholesome states that are the characteristic of a free mind.The Arahant is naturally kind and compassionate without any reason to be. He orshe simply is. It is a return to the inherent wholesome, happy, luminous stateof a 'kilesa-less' mind.

I have alsoheard it described that Nibbana is 'no experience'. Some explain it as theunconditioned, therefore it is unlike anything we have 'experienced'. They haveno points of reference to describe it and therefore cannot. But when thisperson returns to worldly 'experience', he/she is full of good states. I wouldsay that while they are not exuberant and demonstrative, they are quietly happyand kind and would take up the opportunity to help others.

I agree theenergy of a being does not disappear but changes. Since kamma does not act onthis energy it again simply exists... and does not form the bundles ofsamsara-linked existence. I speculate it is filtered and clean energy, nottainted by unwholesomeness. Maybe it is the mysterious dark energy that scientists suspect is there inthe universe but cannot explain as yet.

Absolutelymy views...

Metta,

Siang Chye"

You may want to read part 1, part 2 and part 3. Watch this space for more discussion

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
26th Dec 2011

Discussion on Nibanna (Part 3)

2011-12-24T22:33:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

Here is the 3rd part of the discussion of this topic Nibanna. You can read the previous article here and here. In this article, I publish a respond from my friend Lee yu Ban. He says...

"DearBugs,

Nibbana is a major topic...and really all of ushere will be talking about something we do not know. And the more we talkthe more we show off our ignorance. So according to what I do not know, Nibbana isattained upon the destruction of the 10 fetters ( Samyojana) of which Ignorance(Avijja) is the Dictator, the final fetter to be destroyed. The wholeprocess is like a war. The Buddha said in verse 103 "Greater inbattle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men, is he who wouldconquer just one — himself."

Avoiding bad kamma and doing good Kamma sets theconditions for the Final Battle - the purification of the mind of these 10Fetters. Avoiding evil and doing good is training and equipping your army withthe best skills and weapons . Exercises like the Brahmaviharas are the trainingcamps you send your mind to. To battle we all have to go. The strategy todestroy the 10 Fetters is laid out in the 8 fold path.

Before the warrior goes into battle, he studiesthe layout of the battle field. The Buddha has reconnoitered the land and hasmade his report in the Paticca Samuppada ~ " The 12 links of DependentOrigination". We can see that the enemy has weaknesses. Thereis a weak link between Feeling (Vedana) and Grasping (Tanha). So wedirect our army of Sati and Samadhi at this link, and if we manage to sever it,the enemy's supply chain is broken, Avijja cannot operate further andfalls into cessation (Nirodha). And the empire of Samsara is destroyed once andfor all.

Simple isn't it?

rgds"

Join me tomorow for the next respond from another friend. Happy holidays

Mettacittena

Bugs Tan

25th Dec 2011

Discussion on Nibanna (Part 2)

2011-12-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

I started a discussion on the topic of Nibanna yesterday. You can read my article here. I'm pleased to share with you the first respond from a Buddhist friend. She says....

"Hi Bro Bugs,

It is a little "scary" to post a response to this forumbecause one can get shot down pretty bad....But for you, I'll respond...thoughI don't have much "meat" (for want of a better word) to add to whatyou have already written.

Let me first qualify that what I write below are purely my own thoughtsand not attributed to any Sutta whatsoever.

Sukihotu.

Thereis no respond from the forum on the topic. Perhaps I should to add some spice.

The3rd Noble truth explain that suffering can be ceased. The way to stop itis revealed on the 4th Noble truth. Which is the 8 Fold Noble Path orsometime known as Middle ways. This is a formula the Buddha has taught us.

So when onestrived hard to lead a wholesome life and avoid evil. He puts in alot of effortand time to clam his mid through intensive meditation. With shear determinationand practice of a noble life over the many years, he makes a break through. Thedoor opens for him to enter the stream to become a Sotapanna.

I've heard that too.

Hestrives on this same path to reach the next height. He may run out of time andexpire. But soon after he gets his re-birth he continues where he continues towork on where he has left off in his previous life. But, there are also manycase where people could reach all 4 stage of sainthood within one life timeitself. Anyway, when one work hard enough with full commitment and gainedknowledge that could completely eradicate ignorance, he reaches the thresholdof becoming an Arahant.

It is our wishas a practising Buddhist to become an Arahant. So that we can escapethe samsara world of suffering. We want to beat the cycle of death and re-birthso that we suffer no more.

Here's where I beg to disagree, not from a Buddhist point of view, butfrom what I think I understand from my own practice.

For me, a practising Buddhist is one who strives to do good for thebenefit of all sentient beings.

The state ofArahant can be attained when one, to put it very simply, does good, avoid eviland purifies one's mind. And the purpose of doing this is simply because it'sthe RIGHT thing to do. It brings about peace and harmony to the rest ofthe world.

It isn't about escaping suffering or samsara. If it is, isn't there atinge of greed in there, ie. "I'm practising so that I can escapesuffering. I'm doing it for myself". Where's the element ofcompassion in that intention, I would question.

Again, for me, if we practise for the sake of ourselves (so that wedon't have to suffer anymore in the cycles of rebirth), there is selfishnessand greed. But if we practise the teachings so that we become better people,and in doing so, we do more good for others, I see compassion and wisdom inthat. I see generosity and unconditional love. I see the 4 Brahmaviharas putinto practice.

My understandingis that when one become an Arahant, he has let go of everything.

For me, he has let go of greed, hatred and delusion. He certainlyhas not let go of unconditional love, compassion, altruistic joy andserenity.

He has no morecraving (tanha) for anything else in the world. Nothing is importantly to himany more.

I think doing good is still important to him. The Buddha continuedto teach for 45 years for the benefit of the many. He did not just sitand enjoy his Nibbanic bliss.

He does not needanything at all.

He still needs to eat, to be given medication when sick, he still needsshelter, etc. as he still has a physical body.

With that inmind, he does not create any kamma.

I'm notsure about this, Bro Bugs.

What isyour definition of kamma?

From myunderstanding, Kamma is intention. Doesn't he still do things with (good)intentions?

And when thereis no kamma, there is no vipaka.

Vipaka isthe effect of kamma in the mind. Phala is effect of kamma in the body. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I heardthat once a being is enlightened, he would still feel pain if someone hits him,but he would not suffer in the mind. It's like Late Chief saying,"When the body is sick, do not let the mind also be sick".

Thus, there isno condition at all for these tanha-less kamma to take fruition.

That Iagree. Tanha-less kamma - yes. Because all intentions are withoutcraving now. They are all good intentions, hence, good kamma.

That is not whatthe Buddha says. That is what I (Bugs Tan) say.

And Bugs Tan may well be right!

I don't know what the Buddha said, though. His words went through400-500 years of oral recitation/transmission and were only written down afterthat by humans. So does anyone really don't know what the Buddhasaid?

But here's what I DO know based on what I've been told AND what feelsright to me - The Buddha attained enlightenment (grasped all the knowledge) bylooking deep within him, not from any teacher or deva or encyclopedia, but fromwithin his own mind. The Buddha said (again, from what I've been told)that we too can achieve that.

So in quiet moments of deep contemplation, coupled with our ownexperience in practising the teachings (doing all the good we can with noselfish intentions), may we not also be able to find some truths within ourselves?

For discussionsake, I would like to think that when one reaches arahanhood. It's like he hasbeaten the law of kamma.

What about good intentions begetting good? That's the Law of Kammatoo, isn't it?

The law of kammais simple to understand. That is, you get what you sow.

Sow in your mind (as all actions begin with an intention).

If you enjoythis life time and seek for more. Rightly, when your condition is right, youwill be re-born on this planet again.

Or other planets in another solar system, free from environmentalpollution, cruelty to animals, dishonest politicians....

Therefore,when one reaches arahanthood without any craving nor wish to come back again,he is said to have beaten the law of kamma. He doesn't get any re-birth.

Right?

Don't know, Bro.

Now here's moreto what I've in mind. I would also like to think that kamma is like energy. AndI also think Kamma energy cannot be created nor destroy. Just like the law ofenergy which says energy cannot be created nor destroy. Energy can only changefrom one form to another.

Agree...about the energy part.

Similarly, whenan Arahant dies, his kamma energy did not disappear just like that. It turnsinto other energy. I would like to think (or you can say imagine)that these tahna-less energy has transformed into natural energy.The tanha-less kamma energy simply turned into natural energy likewater, vapour, gas, wind, light, smell, colour, metal, wood, heat, fire andetc. Without tanha, these energy just transform into any form that could fitinto any of the 31 plane of existence.

I think it would have nothing to do with the 31 planes anymore as thoseare still samsaric planes.

About conversion to natural energies, I don't know.

But I think that's what the Native Americans believe in - that one canbe reborn a the river, the wind, etc. And that is why they live in harmony withNature (but they scalp each other brutally!).

The bottom line is, I think we have no capacity to comprehend the stateof Nibbana until we reach there, so while we are here on planet Earth (with allits shortcomings), I think it is more important to make our lives useful bydoing what is right - helping others, and helping to make this Earth a morepeaceful and harmonious place to live in. For this, the practice of the 4Brahmaviharas and the 5 Precepts would be good.

There you are.These are my crazy thoughts. (smiling to myself thinking how silly this ideacan be). Perhaps some of you would like to comment.

The above are my crazy thoughts, too.

Bythe way, here is a scientific explanation on the law of conservation of energyfrom Wikipedia.

The nineteenth century lawof conservation of energy is a law of physics. It states that thetotal amount of energy inan isolatedsystem remains constant overtime. The total energy is said to be conserved over time. Foran isolatedsystem, this law means that energycan change its location within the system, and that it can change form withinthe system, for instance chemical energy can become kinetic energy, butthat energy can be neither created nor destroyed. In the nineteenth century,mass and energy were considered as being of quite different natures.

Happy holiday. Drivecarefully. May you be well and happy.

Happy Winter Solstice, everyone.

And may all beings (in samsara or elsewhere) be well and happy.

With metta,

Karen (no her real name)"

I'll post afew more respond over the next few days. If you have any comment pls share with us.

Mettacittena

Bugs Tan

25th Dec 2011

Discussion on Nibanna (Part 1)

2011-12-24T05:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Dhamma Friends,

Sukihotu.

The 3rd Noble truth explain that suffering can be ceased. The way to stop it is revealed on the 4th Noble truth. Which is the 8 Fold Noble Path or sometime known as Middle ways. This is a formula the Buddha has taught us.

So when one strived hard to lead a wholesome life and avoid evil. He puts in alot of effort and time to clam his mind through intensive meditation. With shear determination and practice of a noble life over the many years, he makes a break through. The door opens for him to enter the stream to become a Sotapanna.

He strives on this same path to reach the next height. He may run out of time and expire. But soon after he gets his re-birth he continues where he has left off in his previous life. But, there are also many case where people could reach all 4 stage of sainthood within one life time itself. Anyway, when one work hard enough, he gained knowledge and eradicate ignorance, he reaches the threshold and becomes an Arahant.

It is our wish as a practising Buddhist to become an Arahant. So that we can escape the samsara world of suffering. We want to beat the cycle of death and re-birth so that we suffer no more.

My understanding is that when one become an Arahant, he has let go of everything. He has no more craving (tanha) for anything else in the world. Nothing is importantly to him any more. He does not need anything at all. With that in mind, he does not create any kamma. And when there is no kamma, there is no vipaka. Thus, there is no condition at all for these tanha-less kamma to take fruition.

That is not what the Buddha says. That is what I (Bugs Tan) say. For discussion sake, I would like to think that when one reaches arahanhood. It's like he has beaten the law of kamma. The law of kamma is simple to understand. That is, you get what you sow. If you enjoy this life time and seek for more. Rightly, when your condition is right, you will be re-born on this planet again. Therefore, when one reaches arahanthood without any craving nor wish to come back again, he is said to have beaten the law of kamma. He doesn't get any re-birth.

Right?

Now here's more to what I've in mind. I would also like to think that kamma is like a bundle of energies. And I also think Kamma energy cannot be created nor destroy. Just like the law of energy which says energy cannot be created nor destroy. Energy can only change from one form to another.

Similarly, when an Arahant dies, his kammic energies did not disappear just like that. But turns into other form of energy. I would like to think (or you can say imagine) that these tahna-less energy has transformed into natural energy. The tanha-less kamma energy simply turned into natural energy like water, vapour, gas, wind, light, smell, colour, metal, wood, heat, fire and etc. Without tanha, these energies just transform into any form that could not fit into any of the 31 plane of existence.

There you are. These are my crazy thoughts. (smiling to myself thinking how silly this idea can be). Perhaps some of you would like to comment.

By the way, here is a scientific explanation on the law of conservation of energy from Wikipedia.

The nineteenth century law of conservation of energy is a law of physics. It states that the total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant over time. The total energy is said to be conserved over time. For an isolated system, this law means that energy can change its location within the system, and that it can change form within the system, for instance chemical energy can become kinetic energy, but that energy can be neither created nor destroyed. In the nineteenth century, mass and energy were considered as being of quite different natures.

Happy holiday. Drive carefully. May you be well and happy.

Mettacittena

Bugs Tan

24th Dec 2011

There can be no friendship with fools

2011-12-12T05:33:00.000-08:00

Sukihotu,

For many years I've tried to find some friends to "grow old" with. I first have this concept like 20 years ago when I was in my early 30ys. I was very active in cricket then. And I had many happy moments with a few friends within this fraternity. Most of them play social cricket. Some of us then plough back time and effort to develop young children to play this wonder game of cricket which we all have enjoyed and benefited.

But alas, I discovered that they are not worth growing old with. They stabbed my back. They do not have principles in their dealing. They have no value in their conduct of running the junior development program. I found out that they were not sincere at all in our cause. So, I dropped them and move on with my life.

I then grew very interested in invention. And again I got into the community and became very active in a leading society in this field. I thought I put my hands to help out. I also have then met a few good inventor whom I became close with. We are like birds of the same feather. We flock together and do many things together in the society. Again the concept of picking a few close friends to grow old with came about. Yet again, they failed me one by one.

I found out the hard way when I was left in the lurch in a battle which some of them and I all had agreed to go into. Those b******* stabbed me at the back and left me to defend for myself. It is as clear as letting me to blow myself into pieces. It's commit suicide 9-11 style.

To make matter worst, I fell for the 2nd time. Basically I've got to blame myself. I'm a weak person and I thought I forgive these "good friends" and bury the hatches. But those b****** never changed. Once again they let me down big time. Boom! I blew myself again into pieces right in the middle of a game plan. The plan of "if you die, I'll die with you" is now left just for me to die alone while they make don't know and walked away in one piece. In fact they begun to spread lies about me after setting me up. That's really bad.

Once again, the formula of picking a few friends to grow old with didn't work. I don't think it'll ever work for me. I've now given up this idea though.

On the same note, here's what the Buddha has to say.

IDEAL SOLITUDE
Avoid going along with fools.
Should one fail to find one better or equally as companion
then one should continue this journey alone.
There can be no friendship with fools.

Dhammapada V61

Buddha is so wise. I just wished I have contacted the Buddha Dhamma earlier in my life.

May you be well an d happy

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
12th Dec 2011

Is There a God in Buddhism

2011-12-10T21:02:00.001-08:00

Sukihotu,

I caught-up with my friend Hermit (not his real name) for teh tarik lately. As usual we spoke about business. But quickly it turned to religion. I thanked him for loaning me the book "Religion of the world" which I highly appreciate. In fact a lot of information I gathered from this book was used for my Dhamma talk Come and see

The conversation then got interesting when Hermit said "Bugs can I ask you a blunt question?". Which I gladly took. Hermit wants to know what do I think of God. He asked is there a moment in my life where I needed to seek God for help. Bluntly out it by Hermit. Is there a God for me.

After sipping his teh tarik at the end of the question, I then responded. I said this "Hermit. we have been friend and have discussed religion matter for some time now and I normally give you my Theravadian Buddhist view. But today I'll give you two views. One is from the school of Theravada and the other is from the Mahayana sect.

This question that you asked has 2 answers. Base on the Theravadian Buddhist school, there is no God. There isn't an all mighty creator of all. Most compassionate. Most merciful. It is not important for us (Theravadian Buddhist devotee) to believe or not to believe there is a God with capital G. It is not important to us at all. Where else, we believe the existence of many gods.

One of the most popular god among Mahayana Buddhism is the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara . Or more commonly known as Kuan Yin among local Chinese Mahayana Buddhist community. Kwan Yin is a Buddhist deity, the goddess of mercy and people will seek for his help in their prayers. Click here to read some description of Kuan Yin

Hermit looked confused when he heard this. He is not sure whether there is a god or not. He is so confused and asked what do you mean by a god with capital G.

I then explain that in Buddhism, we believe there are existence of many gods. But we do not subscribe to the existence of one single God. This explains why we have many gods but none of them is the all mighty who is the creator of all things.

I further explained that Buddha is not a God neither. He is as just human as him (Hermit) and I. Prince Siddhartha became enlighten under the Bodhi tree. At tat time, him mind was so pure he could emancipate the natural flow of life and energy. Among the many natural phenomena that he discovered was how the universe function. How the natural laws functions. And more importantly he also found the way out from suffering. I explained that the Buddha merely show us the way. He is just a teacher not God.

I hope this conversation also helps some of you to clear the misconception of God in Buddhism.

Wishing you all the best. May you be well and happy always. May you be free from doubts and dust in your eyes. May you gain wisdom and enjoy peace in your mind and harmony in your hearth.

By the way, here is my explanation on how prayers works. You may want to read my thought on this here

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
11th Dec 2011

Observing the Buddhist Rites

2011-12-09T15:43:00.001-08:00

On such Full-Moon Uposatha Poya Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges & undertakes the
Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with
clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and
bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head
touch the floor. Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites
these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:

As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!

I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.

As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...

Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's
own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much
better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in/to
this world! So is the start towards Nibbāna: the Deathless Element!
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness,
initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...

Nalanda Education & Outreach Centre @ Happy Garden

2011-12-07T05:14:00.001-08:00

Greetings!

Nalanda Buddhist Society was officially registered with Registrar of Societies on 8 December 2003. As we move into the 9th year of establishment, we continue to adhere to our educational objectives in promoting holistic education for integral human development, and progressively extending our services to more people and over a wider geographical area. The Management Committee would like to acknowledge and thank all Dhamma teachers, benefactors, donors, members and the Buddhist community for your continuous fervent support.

Nalanda is commemorating this significant day by opening the first of its Nalanda Education & Outreach (NEO) Centres in Happy Garden. (Click http://www.nalanda.org.my/map_to_neo_centre.html for location map). Commencing January 2012, the NEO @ Happy Garden will be catering to a very large Buddhist community in the immediate vicinity of Happy Garden, OUG, Kuchai Lama, Sri Petaling and Old Klang Road, providing another much-needed place for the community to learn and understand Buddhism.

Read my previous article on Nalanda here, here and here

Mettacittena

Bugs Tan

7th Nov 2011

Cremate or Buried

2011-12-05T15:45:00.001-08:00

Sukihotu,

Have you wonder how would you like to be handled when you leave this world? Would you like to be cremated? Or would you prefer to be buried?

These are things we seldom talk about when we are alive. Therefore when you passed away suddenly. Your loved one who decide that for you. They will give you a send-off that they think it's best for you and those who are still alive.

I'm off a Chinese descent and and according to our Chinese traditional culture set by Confucius, our remains should be buried. But today I'm a practising Buddhist, I think I would preferred to be cremated. I also think land are scare and therefore we should save space by cremating.

Along this line, my good friend Bro Wuan forwarded me this article which run a story about how a Korean, Mr. Bea is able to turn ashes into crystal beads. Which I thought is a clever idea. Pls click here to read the article. I personally think this trend will catch up soon. I believe many people would prefer to keep nice looking crystal beads rather than ashes in an urn.

You can also read the news here and here. Enjoy reading the article. Pls share your comment with us if you have any.

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
bugstan@gmail.com

Come and see...

2011-12-04T19:10:00.001-08:00

Sukihotu,

During the Dhamma talk which I delivered at the Ti Ratana Buddhist Center Taman Eng Ann Kang last Friday, I touched on the charter of free inquiries based on the Kalama Sutta. To bring the audience to understand what Buddhism can offer, I begun by touching on the major religions of the world. Here is the glimpse of my talk.

Come and see

View more presentations from Uncle Bugs

Though the crowd was half the normal sitting, but I still enjoyed delivering the talk. I took the people around the world and draw them many centuries back. I think they enjoyed the talk too.

Till then, may you be free from danger. May you be free from physical and mental suffering. May you be well and happy.

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
5th Dec 2011

We are not born human

2011-11-28T02:12:00.001-08:00

We are born with only a human body; we are not born human. The humanizing begins with our human parents. Parents who nourish their children with both solid food and the food of love, especially for the first formative seven years of our lives, provide us with the best conditions of a human state.

This is the key reason, amongst others, why we should be grateful to them. Conversely, this is what defines a parent, that is, not merely a biological condition for birth, but also the humanizing of us. More broadly, whoever raises us to be humans, and good humans, too, have truly parented us. They are our true creator-God, and our first teachers.[1]

There are accounts of feral children, who were raised by wolves or monkeys, since they were infants. Apparently, those rescued early (while still infants or prepubescent) could be humanized, but attempts, even by scientists and experts, at socializing those who were older proved to be impossible or never completely successful.[2]

The Bala Pandita Sutta (M 129) (the discourse on the wise and the foolish) says that those who are attached to the faculty of taste (without cultivating the higher faculties, especially the mind) are reborn as plant-feeding animals. Those who make a living from religious rituals, like the sacrificial brahmins or the commercialized priests of our own times, would be reborn as dirt-feeding animals (like chickens, pigs and dogs).[3]

Others who fail to sustain their lives as true humans, often falling into subhuman behaviour, habitually have minds of those kinds of beings. They may have human bodies, but they are aggressive in reaping profits and success, exploiting others and measuring them in terms of selfish gains and money. They are virtual titans or asuras, violent grasping demons.

Those who simply live cyclic lives of merely looking for food and fun, with predictable emotions, and a lack of the desire for learning, are virtual animals (who are born, feed, play, reproduce, and die). They live in the dark, or in water, or in filth. They eat each other and prey on the weak. Because of the lack of spiritual life, no doing of what is wholesome, in such states, it is very difficult for such animals to gain the human state (Dh 182).[4]

Those habitually addicted to some kinds of substances, or never really enjoying anything, no matter how much they may have, are virtual shades or pretas. Those who are regularly violent and intolerant, caught up in killing one another, mass bombing others and being bombed themselves, are in a virtual hell state.

This is the myth of the five destiniesthe devas, the humans, the animals, the pretas, and the hell-beings,[5] and the myth of the six realms, including the asuras. These mythical beings lurk in the shadows of our minds, ever ready to transmogrify themselves into our consciousness, dehumanizing and deluding us, and destroying many. We are rarely aware of these states when we fall into them. Only in keeping to the basic rules of humanitythe five precepts[6]are we safe from sinking into these subhuman shadows.

The five precepts are the minimum standards of being human. They are the quality control for our human lives. When we keep our precepts well, we will never fall into such subhuman states, or worse, be reborn into them, and spend unimaginably long periods in those unhappy states.

The five precepts are the bases for our moral training, so that we cultivate moral virtue that keeps us truly human. The first precept is to value life (the first and foremost universal value). The second is to respect the happiness of others, which behoove us not to take away by theft and fraud what rightly belongs to others. The third precept against sexual misconduct is really about respect for personal freedom, the right of a person to say “no.”

The fourth precept, that of refraining from false speech, is about wholesome communication. Basically, what we communicate should be truthful, should promote good friendship and social harmony, should be pleasant and proper, and should in some way be beneficial, if not, instructive.

While the first three precepts are about right action of our body, the fourth is about our speech. Along with the mind, the body and speech constitute the three “doors” of karma or morally efficacious action. They are actions, conscious or unconscious, which bear similar consequences upon us, after committing them.

The fifth precept, that of refraining from intoxicants and addictive substances, is to keep the mind free as a basis for inner calm and clarity. Indeed, if we are intoxicated or unmindful, we are more likely to break any or all of the other humanizing precepts.

When our moral virtue is strong, we are free from fear and guilt of things done or undone, so that our hearts easily enjoy a deep level of inner peace. This is our “divinizing” process, as it were. We are naturally able to feel and show unconditional love, even without religion. We are easily compassionate to others, being kind to them even when they do not deserve it. We simply feel happy at the happiness of others. And when things do not go right, our hearts are clearly calm so that we, untroubled by negative emotions, simply do what needs to be done next.[7]

Through keeping the precepts, our good works become truly effective. We are not merely showing that we are good: we are really good. Through our moral virtue, we enjoy heaven here and now. More importantly, it is easier to become a streamwinner, one who has boarded the safe and sure boat down the stream to nirvana in this life itself.

The copy rights of this article belong to Piya Tan.

Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
28th Nov 2011

Nalanda Free School (NFS)

2011-11-28T01:58:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

Warmest greetings!

The Nalanda Free School (NFS) Project was initiated in June 2010 with a few experimental tuition classes taught by volunteers. The objective of NFS is to provide quality teaching by caring tutors, and offer personal attention to aid student’s learning and comprehension. In January 2011, after receiving encouraging response from students and parents, we increased the number of classes to 22. NFS currently has 25 volunteer tutors providing free academic tuition classes for 391 primary and secondary school students weekly. In addition, NFS organizes seminars, workshops, and camps to further enhance learning ability and development of these needy students.

In a bid to expand our services to the public and bring NFS to the next level of excellence, we require additional funding and sponsorship. NFS is currently trying to raise funds from the Magnum “Youth-in-Charge” eCSR program. For every Ringgit raised through our own fundraising initiative, Magnum will top up an equal amount, i.e. a dollar-for-dollar fund contribution.

Magnum’s evaluation team has identified 4 big projects and 2 smaller projects worthy of support. We are glad to inform that NFS is one of the 4 big meritorious projects shortlisted. However, in order to be selected as a winning project for the “Youth-in-Charge” program, NFS needs to pass through the online public voting. Projects with the most votes will be the final recipients of this funding.

Kindly help NFS to realize its aspirations by registering as a voter for the Magnum “Youth-in-Charge” program. Just follow the few simple steps as stated below:

Step 1 : Logon to http://www.e-csr.magnum.com.my/registration.

Step 2 : Fill in the online registration form and click ‘Register’.

Step 3 : Logon to your email account, retrieve the email from Magnum Cares and click on the ‘link’ embedded in the email body to activate your account.

Step 4 : Once activation is completed, click on vote icon.

Step 5 : Cast your vote for B8-Nalanda Free School Project.

Please take note that each voter is required to vote for 2 big projects and 1 small project and rank them in order of preference. The project that a voter ranks 1st will receive 4 points, and the 2nd in ranking will receive 2 points.

Voting is open from 22 November 2011 to 9 December 2011. Your participation in the voting process is very much appreciated. Do help to disseminate this email to your immediate circle of families and friends who may be supportive of the project.

Thank you for your kind support!

With gratitude,

Sis. Nandini Tan

Nalanda Free School Project

All is by Nature inherently & inevitably Decaying & Vanishing!

2011-11-25T15:48:00.001-08:00

At Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said:

Bhikkhus, All is by nature subject to birth...

All is by naturesubject to ageing...
Allis by nature subject to decay & sickness...

All is by naturesubject to death...
Allis by nature subject to trouble...

All is by naturesubject to corruption...
Allis by nature subject to destruction...

All is by naturesubject to vanishing...
Allthat is by nature subject to emergence, is also by nature subject to ceasing...

And what, Bhikkhus,is this All, that is by nature subject to birth, ageing, decay,
sickness, death, trouble, corruption, destruction,vanishing, ever arising & ceasing ?

The Eye ... Forms... Eye-consciousness ... Eye-contact... Whatever feeling arised
caused byeye-contact, that is by nature subject to ever arising and ceasing...

The Ear ... Sounds... Auditory-consciousness ... Ear-contact...
TheNose ... Smells ... Olfactory-consciousness ... Nose-contact...
TheTongue ... Tastes ... Gustatory-consciousness ... Tongue-contact...
TheBody ... Touches ... Tactile-consciousness ... Body-contact...
TheMind ... Thoughts ... Mental-consciousness ... Mind-contact... & whatever feeling
arised caused any contact, that is by nature subject to everarising and ceasing...

Understanding this,the intelligent noble disciple becomes disgusted with this All

======

Being thusdisgusted produces disillusion... This disillusion induces a mental release!
Whendetached, the mind remains unagitated! Being utterly imperturbable one attains Awakening right there & then instantly understands: This mindis irreversibly freed!

Repeated rebirth isended, this Noble Life is completed, done is what should be done, there is no state beyond, ever after or even surpassing this...

KL Mental Health Association

2011-11-25T07:03:00.001-08:00

It's gives me great joy to announce that KL Buddhist Mental Health Association (BMHA) is launching its first product,"3G-GRATITUDE: Card Game For Happiness Workout." This product is specially designed to cultivate gratitude & contentment for mental health & happiness in life. The 'mind-gym' game is based on ancient Buddhist wisdom & state-of-the-art research in positive psychology.

1^st G– Be grateful for something that has gone RIGHT

SOME-Thing that had happened according to our wish,especially those that we have worked hard for, e.g. proper education, freescholarship, meaningful career, successful business, comfortable house to stay,car to move around, professional recognition, getting married, having children,etc. Rejoice and enjoy the achievements and successes of life as if they havejust happened yesterday. Getting what we want is happiness. Rejoicing everydayin what we have gotten is the art of multiplying happiness.

2^nd G– Be grateful for something that is OK but taken for granted

SOME-Thing that we tend to take for granted, e.g.our good health, enough food to eat, proper place to stay, caring andsupportive family members, etc. Many others are suffering from diseases, physicaldisabilities, wars, poverty and deprived of basic human needs. Don’t misssomeone or something only when we lose them. Cherish them here-and-now.

3^rd G– Be grateful for something that went WRONG with a purpose

SOME-Thing that is unpleasant but with valuablelessons learned, e.g. falling sick and admitted to the hospital, but appreciatelife more upon recovery and discharge from the hospital; failed in examinationbut becoming more knowledgeable in subsequent attempt. Everything in lifehappens with some good purpose! This includes something that went wrong but itcould have been worse, e.g. having nose allergy vs. nose cancer, losing a handphone vs. family member, suffering alone vs. knowing that someone has similarsuffering.

Sadhu to Dr. Phang Cheng Kar (MD) for driving this program. Pls go to the website here

Mettacittena

Bugs Tan

Anyone Can Go to Heaven

2011-11-24T06:18:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends of the Vihara,

The Buddhist Maha Vihara is proud of the outstanding Dhammadutta achievement of Bro TY Lee of Singapore, who manages the favorite Buddhist website "Anyone Can Go to Heaven". Within short span of a few years, Bro Lee has authored, published and distributed more than 1 MILLION Dhamma books for free.

Among the books Bro Lee has authored are as follows:

1. Anyone Can go to Heaven

2. Life's Highest Blessings

3. Island of Light

His website and stickers are a beginners' marvel of Buddhism. One of the leading newspaper publishers in Sri Lanka honored this resourceful and energetic Upasaka by sponsoring and distributing his book Island of Light free with its Wesak edition of Sunday Observer newspaper. More than 150,000 books were distributed. In his own words, "This shows that even us Singaporeans/Malaysians can make positive contributions and be recognized even in Sri Lanka, the home of Theravada Buddhism."

In China and India, his books are being printed in tens of thousands per run. His books have been translated into several languages. The meticulous manner he manages his website, replying to every query, sending books and Dhamma gifts free of charge to those who request to know more about the Dhamma sets the benchmark on how the Dhamma could be promoted over the Internet supported by active mail outs to those in need of them. The pictures below feature Bro Lee in Daily News, another leading English daily in Sri Lanka. Bro Lee has truly set a benchmark for Dhammadutta propagation!

May his resourcefulness, perseverance and energetic leadership be exemplary to all those on the Dhammadutta frontiers.

Mettena cittena

Sumanananda Premseri

The Buddhist Maha Vihara

Kuala Lumpur

Why We Fear Death

2011-11-21T16:01:00.001-08:00

We may actually live better when we learn to cultivate a friendship with death...

Why We Fear Death

"Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark." - Bacon

There may be a thousand reasons why we fear death, but most of all we fear death because we fear the unknown, and death is an unknown entity to most people. We fear that dying may be painful and we do not know what will happen to us at the point of death.

Some people fear death because they imagine the dying process to be very painful. Death is not painful. In fact, death is often very peaceful and silent even for those suffering from cancers or other terminal illness.

When the physical body is deteriorating day by day from a terminal illness, and pain arises from superficial wound such as bed sores, or deep pain such as bone or nerve pain, death may even be a welcome relief for the sufferer.

We need to distinguish the pain of the physical body from the process of dying. The dying process is a distinct process that is separate from the deterioration of the physical body. At the point of death, there is no pain.

What happens at death is the cessation of the breath and all other physiological functions of the physical body. The heart stops pumping and the blood circulation stops moving. The body stops generating heat, and thus progressively turns cold.

For those who believe that we are more than just a physical body, and that we are in fact spiritual beings, the dying process means much more than just physical death. Death is just a natural process that allows us to discard the physical body as we move into the spiritual realm.

Since our fear of death is due to the fact that we do not know or understand death, it makes sense to familiarise ourselves with it. The more we understand death, the less we fear it. We should therefore cultivate a friendship with death, and be totally familiar with it, just as we are familiar with our friends.

We can cultivate a friendship with death in three simple steps:

1. Establish a link with God.

2. Cultivate a habit of acceptance, instead of blame.

3. Be a blessing to others.

Establish a link with God.

By establishing a link with God, we touch base with our own spirituality. God can be whatever you perceive God to be. For Christians, Muslims and Hindus, that may mean an omnipotent God. For Buddhists, it may mean the Buddha seed within. Atheists may have to come to term with their own spirituality.

Establishing a link with God means re-gaining your spirituality. It leads you closer to the spiritual aspect of yourself. Whether we accept it or not, we are more than just this physical body. When we die, we leave this physical body behind and only our spirituality continues on.

It is therefore essential for us to be familiar with our own spirituality. It is the only part of us that continues after death. This 'fact' is in accordance with all major religions.

Cultivate a Habit of Acceptance.

It is funny how when good things come to us, we readily accept them as though we deserve them or we have worked hard for them, yet when calamities befall us we quickly look for an external source to blame.

This is especially so when misfortunes such as terminal illness befall us. We may blame God, and later blame ourselves or people around us. We should cultivate a habit of neutrality regardless of whether good or bad things come our way. Otherwise, we can become very bitter about life when negative things happened. Looking for someone or something to blame only serve to prolong our own suffering. Death is an enemy when we resist it, but the moment we accept it, it turns into an ally.

However, cultivating a habit of acceptance does not mean not doing anything to correct or improve our conditions. It does not mean, for example, that when we are diagnosed with a terminal illness we do nothing about it. It is only sensible to seek treatment, if it is available to us. On the other hand, it also means we must know and accept when curative treatment is no longer possible. We fear death only when we refuse to face it.

Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people who would take advantage of our fear of death to sell their 'cure'. In my experience with the terminally ill, I have come across countless stories of dying people being duped into parting with their savings and properties in the hope of achieving a cure.

Be a Blessing to Others.

This is our greatest and most reliable ally at the time of death.

Knowing that we have been helpful to others and that we have tried to live a blameless life takes away the fear of death. If our life has been an honest one, free of any conscious intention to hurt any living beings, we have nothing to fear when death approaches. Our mind will be at peace, undisturbed.

On the other hand, those who lead selfish lives, and harm others to get little advantages for themselves, find themselves imprisoned in tiny, dark cells when they move to the other side.

Therefore, while we still can, we should give our best to the world and to people around us. Lend a helping hand to others and help to lighten their loads. Bring joy to the joyless and comfort to those in need of comfort. There are many who are less fortunate than us. Count our blessings and be a blessing to others.

Author: Tim Ong

Hatred can only be conquered by love.

2011-11-12T21:53:00.001-08:00

I received a call from Marina, the secretary for En Ramli the CEOof Suria Fund, requesting for my assistant to look into the case of Peggy Tan.Suria Fund is a wholly government owned agency under the Ministry of Financethat gives out grant to deserving inventor with good ideas. Apparently Peggyhad applied for a research grant from Suria Fund but was unsuccessful.

I was made to understand that earlier one staff at Suria Fund didguided Peggy to fill-up the form. That has made Peggy up-set and she has threatenedto report her case to the Ministry of Finance. She’ll press for the Ministry toclose down Suria Fund.

Marina then forwarded to me a copy of Peggy’s application for myperusal. I read through and thought her invention of a “Test Kit” was nothingspecial. My first impression was that she may have an improved design but therewas no invention at all.

Anyway, I turned-up for the meeting at Suria’s office at 3pm.Besides me, Suria has also invited Mr. Lai of Century (an investment company)to join the meeting. On that day, the entireline-up of the top management of Suria Fund turned-up. Ramli then started themeeting by explaining the purpose of today’s meeting.

Part the meeting sounded liked this:-

Peggy : Why we need to talk? I am tired of talkingand talking! Tell me, am I going to get the grant or not! No point wasting timehere!

Ramli : Yes. But it’s goodto review the case and hear you out first.

Bugs : Peggy, have youfiled a patent?

Peggy : it’s here (pointingto a folder she brought along)

Bugs : Can I have thepatent number?

Peggy : Why should I give toyou? NO. You can’t have it

Bugs : Well then can yougive me the title

Peggy : Self Containing ...blab la bla (she spoke so fast I couldn’t catch it)

Peggy : Nothing to talk. Ihave spoken to that bloody idiot! But it’s no use

Ramli : Err... who are youreferring to?

Peggy : That, that James fella in your office. Doyou know I spoke to him for 3 hours! And that stupid idiot doesn’t know whatthe hell he is talking about. And when I come to Suria’s office for meetingthat bloody coward did not even turn-up. He sent someone else. What game areyou guys playing? I know alot of people. You don’t play games with me!

Ramli : Oh... you mean James? He is our formerApplication Analyst. Anyway he has left us. Why don’t we see what we can do foryou today so that we can move forward?

Peggy : What the bloody hell!? Do you know I canreport this to the World Bank? You guys have misused one hundred millionRinggit!

Ramli : Err.. what World Bank?

Peggy : Your RM100m is WorldBank’s money

Ramli : No no no our fundcomes from the Ministry of Finance

Peggy : You mentioned you have more than 360successful applicants. Where is the list? Who are they? Who got the money? Why are youhiding? Tell me where? Where?

Peggy : I applied a grant here since 2004! What kindof idiots are you? Took so long. Tell me am I getting the grant today or not!I’ve even spoke to Aida. But not bloodyuse.

Do you know I have to drive all theway to Johor to get the price? See it’s all here. (pointing to the folder) Areyou blind? Can’t you see I’ve done my work? What else do you want from me?

Then another yearwent by. Still nothing!

I don’t design the stripe. I’m not achemist. Why the bloody hell ask me about the stripe?

Ramli : Let’s not get intothe details. Let’s see how...

Peggy : I’ve also invented a transmission for a carthat does not need to use petrol. It’s a green car and 100% petrol free.

Why can’t youguys say a Yes or a NO to my application?

What is the ideaof having Suria Fund? Tell me...?

Ramli : Suria Fund was form to support inventor andentrepreneurs with good ideas, helping people to turn idea into prototype.

Lai : If I may ask,Peggy what is the uniqueness of your test kit? Pls elaborate

Peggy : See... I have got it designed. Here can’tsee you. (pointing to the folder) Why ask me so many bloody questions.

The Malaysian Police want to buy it.The American wants to buy it. Britain authority also need it. See thisnewspaper cutting (pointing to the folder). There is a huge market for it.

Lai : Yes... yes... but what is it so specialabout your product. Where is the different compare to others?

Peggy : There are no others! Idiot how many timesmust I tell you? When a policeman stopped a lady, He gives her a paper cup. Shepees in it

Lai : Please understandwe all are here trying to help you. You better co-operate

Peggy : (Pointing her fingerat Lai’s face and shouted) You are being Judgemental here!

Lai : No not me. Youare the one being judgemental. Why didn’t you give Bugs the PTO number when he asked for it just now?

Ramli : Hey Hey Calm down.Calm down everyone.

Sheila : Even Ramli can’tmake the decision to give you a grant. A committee make such decision. (Sheila did not evenbothered to look Peggy in her face when she mentionthis)

The scene went on like this for a long time. Michael, a FundManager at Suria spoke a little bit to clarify that the grant does not cover thecost for manufacturing activities. For that Michael got the rough from Peggy. Ichipped-in to see if I can check the novelty of Peggy’s idea. I too got therough from Peggy and was shot down without given a chance to test her idea.

Again Peggy was bickering all the way and by now nobody felt liketalking anymore. You can see the body language of Jessica, Suhaimi, Rosli andall in the room. I bet everyone in the room feels like giving Peggy a punch.She is the ugliest person on the face of the earth. She is somebody you do wantto kick her out of the office. You wished you never met her. You want to giveher a big tight slap and tell her to get out of your life.

In fact I have never seen a woman so hot tempered, so illmannered, so disrespectful. She isreally rude and has all the bad qualities of an evil person.

This 60 years old woman went on and on like this for the next halfan hour nonstop. She was firing everybody in the meeting room. She was full of rage. She was throwing spheres,knives and bombs. It looked like she wascarrying a lorry load of anger with her

It’s not getting anywhere so I thought it’s time I intervene. Ithen mentioned softly that perhaps I could help her re-do her application. Withthat slight move, Ramli quickly seized the opportunity to close the meeting. Hequickly wrapped by saying that Bugs will help Peggy to re-do a new application.Suria Fund will evaluate accordingly.

With that Ramli excused himself by saying he has anotherappointment and disappear at the speed of lightning. Rosli who was sitting nextto me whispered and asked if I knew what I was doing. He gave me that “you aregoing to get shit thrown at your face” kind of look. He knew I was enteringinto deep water with a hungry shark.

The meeting ended abruptly and people were rushing out of the room.But Peggy continued to throw bricks and whatever she can get. Words from hermouth continued to fire like an M-16 machine gun. Of course nobody wasinterested to pay attention to her anymore. So naturally she turned her attentionto me.

We sat down on a bench placed just outside the meeting room. Yet again the same machine gun went on andon. Her mouth continued to be as filthy as ever. It went on and on untilsuddenly my ears became deaf. I can seeher but I can’t hear her. It’s like you have just pushed the mute button on aTV controller.

As she continued to blare away I asked Peggy to stand up. As shewas standing up, I told her I am going to hug her. Without giving her time tothink, I hugged her.

I held her and we embraced.

I then told Peggy this “that was my sincere hug for you.” I wantto assure you that you have a friend in me. I know how frustrated you are and Iwill try to help you.

For the first Peggy shut her mouth to listen.

With that, I could see tears in her eyes. There was silence for amoment. The war has stopped. I could seea change in her face. Her mood changed. Suddenly you can see her hatreddisappeared. The ammunition vanished. No more machine guns. No more firing. Herguards were down. She is free from anger. She is a different person now.

I walked her out of the door and wanted to know if she isavailable to meet me that weekend to discuss her project. “Yes I’ll run to youanytime Bugs. Do you know I am a workaholic?” the new Peggy replied with ahappy smile.

Peggy was a changed person. There is not a single trace of angeranymore.

“You know Bugs you have not seen the other side of me yet. I’m ahappy person and when I laugh, I bring down the house” she exclaimed in joy.She added, “you know Bugs, I wanted to tell Ramli that he has bad breath’ Thenshe laughed away. Ha ha ha….

I walked her to the lift but she hinted for me to follow her. Andwhen we reached the ground floor she continued to engage me in herconversation. You can feel she is not ready to say goodbye yet. She liked myfriendship. She has about a hundred stories she wanted to tell me. A few minuteslater, I cut her off to excused myself. And before we parted Peggy gave me apassionate hug. I guess she is happy meeting me. I think I have managed to turnthat ugly evil into a happy teenage girl.

I then return to Suria’s office on the 4^th floor. Ramli and his colleagues quickly gatheredaround me with a curious look. They all wanted to know what I do to Peggy. Howdid I manage to change an angry woman into a happy one within a few minutes?

I explained that all I did was to give her a hug. Her problem is notabout technology or funding. It’s about human touch.

Ramli thanked me and so did the guys at Suria Fund. They also toldme that there is a lot they could learn from me. I moved-on for the day andwent for my next appointment at Bandar Utama.

That day I returned home feeling very happy knowing that I’vemanaged to make a difference. I was able to calm an angry person and turned heraround. It goes to proof that hatred cannot be overcome by hatred.

Hatred can only be conquered by love.

Conquer anger by love

Conquer evil by good

Conquer the stingy by giving

Conquer the liar by truth

Dhammapada 223

Mettacittena

Bugs Tan

The monk who flew in a jet

2011-11-12T15:37:00.001-08:00

By business bhutan | 01 January 2011

In 2008, as my friend and I sat down in the restaurant to eat our dinner, we saw a man in the hotel lobby. Immediately, we assumed that he was alone so decided to invite him for dinner.

“I don’t eat dinner,” the elderly man declined the offer, “I am on my way to the gym.”

The next morning, I met him in the hotel lobby and noticed that he was wearing the same clothes.

“Excuse me,” he said politely and then looking at the young monk sitting next to me, said affectionately, “Son, it is time for us to go home.” The son obediently picked up his small cloth bag from the floor and followed his father.

Earlier, curious to see a monk in the Uma hotel in Paro, I had started a conversation with him.

“Yesterday was my father’s 70th birthday and he wanted me to spend it with him in a special place,” the monk informed me. The monk could have been in his early thirties. He had short hair and was wearing saffron robes and had a pair of slippers on. “What a beautiful country you have? They had flown into Paro in their own jet.

So who are these people? The elderly man is Ananda Krishnan and the monk his only son.

Krishnan is the second richest man in Malaysia . According to Forbes he is worth 7.6 Billion dollars. The Tamil Malaysian of Sri Lankan Tamil origin is a self made man and is a notable philanthropist but leads a low profile life. He and his son are both Buddhists.

Few years ago, the billionaire lost his son. He started to look for him and his search stopped in a Buddhist monastery in north Thailand . Shocked to see his son in saffron robes, short hair with a begging bowl in his hand the father invites his son for a meal.

“I am sorry; I cannot accept your invitation.” Like all my fellow monks, I have to beg for my food.” Krishnan reply made headlines, “With all my wealth I cannot even afford to feed my own son.”

The son still lives in the monastery in the forest of Thailand and like all the monks in the monastery depends on other people’s generosity for his sustenance.

Hearing stories like these one wonders if we are giving up everything that we already possess to acquire things that we really don’t need.

This story clearly demonstrates that human contentment and wellbeing in real terms requires us to go beyond physical, mental, and emotional dimension. Krishnan’s son clearly shows that detachment could be a greater wealth and devotion a bigger asset in our lives.