Hello everybody!
On the 12-13th december we will be having a 2 day 1 night SKC!(aka sai kang camp)
This 2 day 1 night camp helps prepare upcoming CEP. We will be doinbg recee for games, skits and also cleaning up the whole campsites.
GLs please inform Chenxin or Kaiwen if you can't make it.
We will be loading logistic stuff from SBM to LCK.
Time: 8.45AM
Date: 12 December 2009, Saturday
Venue: SBM
Please be on time as the lorry will leave without you!
Cya there!
With Metta,
Kaiwen
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Talk By Ajhan Brahm! Lets go!
Hello Ladies and Gentleman!
This is Zeming speaking! It's been a while and I've officially finished my EXAMS! okay enough of talking about myself.
It is kinda last minute but tomorrow Tuesday 24th Novemeber is Amy Tong's Birthday and also its the first day of the two day talk by Ajhan Brahm!
I Will be going for the talk and it is highly encouraged to go also! He's an outstanding speaker. For those of you who do not know how to go, its actually a short walk from orchard.
Its at Singapore Buddhist Lodge! See you there. Contact me if you are going!
Chillax ppl!
Love,
Ming
Friday, November 20, 2009
Hello everybody!
Once again Camp Ehi-Passiko is back!
Ehi- Passiko 2009
Venue: Farm stay
Date: 19th – 22th December 2009
Fee: $45 (Early bird fee before 20 Nov)
$50 normal rates
Age: 13 to 21 years old
Theme: Friendship built to last
The 19th Camp Ehi-Passiko promises to bring joy and fun to all its participants, there will be exciting
games, interactive sharing sessions, song singing and camp fire. Many of us do not know what else we have missed out in life so this is a fantastic opportunity to find out! Incorporating the teachings of the Buddha, this camp will allow participants to experience what they will never be able to inside the confines of a classroom or their daily activities. What’s more, the camp itself is organised for youths by Youths and it includes the learning of the Dhamma!
If you are between the age of 13-21 & looking forward to a December holiday full of fun, learning and gaining new acquaintances, this is the camp for you!
We have a decade worth of experience in organising successful camps. The satisfaction we get from seeing the smiles of all our participants at the end of each camp gave us the motivation to organise more enjoyable and fruitful camps in future.
We will only be accepting a maximum of 80 participants. Be sure to make haste in your submissions as there is a SPECIAL early bird offer!
This year, the camp aims to create strong bonds of friendship that lasts. With Ehi-Passiko, it is our hope that campers will be prompted to see and investigate for themselves the power of friendships and how they can affect one’s life – their family and friends.
Participants will be assessed on a first come first serve basis. So hurry up as we are limiting this fun-filled event to a maximum of 80 participants. Feel free to contact Kaiwen (84449911) or Cherng shing (98505272) should you have any inquiries about the camp.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Group Leaders
These are your Group Leaders for Camp Ehi-Passiko. If you haven't signed up, why wait!?!?
Camp Ehi-Passiko is from 19th to 22nd December 2009.
Venue is at Lim Chu Kang Farmstead.
For more information please contact Kaiwen (84449911) or Chenxin (98505272).
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
GL Training Camp
To give our best to the campers at the upcoming Camp Ehi-Passiko in December, we had a leadership camp for our Camp Group Leaders over the weekend.
Smile
No cookies but got cream
Tourists in Singapore
Our slippers are precious
Boys will always be boys
Enjoying the scenary
3 guys and a pole
2 girls and a big fat pillar
2/4 of the photographers
Attempting to meditate
Camp Mistress & Camp Master
On good ground
Smile
No cookies but got cream
Tourists in Singapore
Our slippers are precious
Boys will always be boys
Enjoying the scenary
3 guys and a pole
2 girls and a big fat pillar
2/4 of the photographers
Attempting to meditate
The Officer
Sentosa night
Sentosa night
Camp Mistress & Camp Master
On good groundCamp Ehi-Passiko is from 19th to 22nd December 2009.
Venue is at Lim Chu Kang Farmstead.
For more information please contact Kaiwen (84449911) or Chenxin (98505272).
Venue is at Lim Chu Kang Farmstead.
For more information please contact Kaiwen (84449911) or Chenxin (98505272).
Monday, November 16, 2009
Volunteering @ Renci
Hello!!! Good morning! Hope all of you are well rested after GL camp!
Anyway,
Here's to inform you guys about volunteering at renci,
I've yet to confirm the venue which we'd be sent to, but sessions will be once a month, on a saturday morning from january to june,
there'd be a training session with Renci in january.
We'd be doing handicraft with the benes.
So if you're interested, please please call/sms me at 81396303 by 21 Nov (sat) 2359!!
Thanks!!
Hugs, Marble
Anyway,
Here's to inform you guys about volunteering at renci,
I've yet to confirm the venue which we'd be sent to, but sessions will be once a month, on a saturday morning from january to june,
there'd be a training session with Renci in january.
We'd be doing handicraft with the benes.
So if you're interested, please please call/sms me at 81396303 by 21 Nov (sat) 2359!!
Thanks!!
Hugs, Marble
Thursday, November 12, 2009
GL CAMP 2009
Time: 8.30am
Date: 14/11/2009
Venue: SBM
Program: Puja, games, bonding sessions!
Packing list:
Do let me know if you are booking in/out/late for camp!
See you on saturday!
Time: 8.30am
Date: 14/11/2009
Venue: SBM
Program: Puja, games, bonding sessions!
Packing list:
- Water bottle
- A set of extra clothes
- Jacket/Windbreaker (In case of rain, cold weather)
- 15bucks for meals and also Sentosa entrance fee.
- Pen/pencil, notebook
- Try to travel light weight
Do let me know if you are booking in/out/late for camp!
See you on saturday!
Africa's problems - Way more than its accents.
The title is just to put in a bit of humor for the topic. But as i read Mabel's topic on African governance and help, i can't help but also reveal to you a bit more about its problems:
1) You see when we talk about Africa, definitely its not South Africa, or maybe its underprivileged community would be a group that qualifies. The main group of it we would be looking at are Ugandans, Bostwanians, Zimbabweans, Congolese, and the lot.
When we talk about underprivileged in this quarter of sub-saharan Africa, its is famine, not just lack of food or water, much less clothing.
Notice when your parents tell you some of the kids are just like hungry ghosts, where their throats are thin and their tummies bloated, and even if you feed them solid foods, they would just regurgitate all they have eaten, for they are suffering from eating disorders as a result of long periods of lack of food or unhygienic food intake.
Since most of you might not have seen some images on these really underprivileged kids, here are some that famed photographers have taken and have since pledged their lives to revealing their sufferings to ask for more direct aid to these people.
kid? or pack of bones? the effects of extreme famine
there was this rumor that the kid squatting at the back was watched by a vulture,
the creature seemingly ready to pounce once it feels its dead.
Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa are not ready to deal with these issues, why? Even after democracy is established in the region, some countries are still caught with racial and even ethnic wars, with africans of different origins fighting one another in a single country. Rebels as well as soldiers hold weapons on streets freely, and shoot whoever they like to.
Don't believe me? Just watch Black Hawk Down and u would roughly understand the gangs and mobs that come out from it.
Interestingly, these vivid violent images are taken in by gaming companies as part of their storylines, just take Farcry/Farcry 2 for example, the way in which outposts are made up of oil drums, ammo boxes and huts. These, my peeps, are for real. and when i say for real, even if they see an Asian, or a Caucasian, they won't hesitate to blackmail and extort from you, and in worse cases should you be a lady, i wouldn't go on for cases like kidnap and prostitution even for lost tourists have appeared in a number of my reports.
this looks real? the wonders CG do nowadays to games like Farcry, a good depiction of how Africa might look like around its rebel grounds.
And these aren't the only issues.
Their geographical locations would normally relate to Savannah grasslands, or in extreme cases, drought. To a large extent agricultural farming is impossible, much less finding irrigation for it. Lack of water, and the effort to dig down to more than 150m deep just to look for signs of moisture to you might be impossible, but they have done it. These wells, too, dry up fast.
The lack of technology, or nil technology, zero possible methods of survival in those kind of climates, reflect the lack of help they receive from affluent countries. Why? When aid comes in, the government, could be controlled by rebel leaders or even the government themselves would choose to have an attitudinal assumption that they can take the money and do what they want. AS a result, the money does not transfer immediately to the aid that you guys might be expecting for. U might even be surprised in such a volatile political environment, they are using your money, to construct arms and weapons for fear of a coup from other parties interested in the positions in power.
The government's reluctance, as mabel pointed out, would under-develop the nation affected, and would push it further into the abyss that 3rd world countries are increasingly facing. Imagine it as a building, as the world's richer members of societies gets more members, each member it receives could potentially contribute to more than 100 more in poverty. As the skyscrapers rise even higher, the foundations need to be more stable. Thus these countries whom are in the first world would build with the resources that are found in third world countries and buy it on cheap rates and to certain extent, own the location in the country that has these resources.
In Africa, we have tea leaves, and yes, diamonds. haha. Watch Blood Diamond and you will know what i mean.
With the many factors, does it not also reflect the way in which people deal with situations? What can possibly be a good deed served to another transforms in the end result, something that is totally contrasting to what you have wanted to do in the beginning? To save and to help people?
Every single day to them is living hell, but in a cosmopolitan city you are born in, with the ability to even chat and discuss about games, play sports freely, not being afraid of people pointing guns at you, having a simple dinner with your friends, girl/boyfriends, families, these are all little things we really tend to take for granted. Your heart matters alot in all the activities you do.
This world might be complicated, for the way we think, and we often quarrel about the simplest of ideals that do not matter as big as changing a person's life or helping the world a hand, and your personal problems definitely pale in comparison to the people that are suffering in the continent-in-discussion.
Let's cherish the moments we have. When you have your meal, remember to do a quick reflection, slow down your mind and shut it out from the hectic day, and dedicate it to the sentient being who are currently physically in harm or degrading. When you finish everyday, sit for a moment or two to reflect on your actions and mindsets, keep it positive and going, and remember the blessings you've gotten to be able to enjoy so many things you have had in your life so far.
You know let's hope in the near future, if SBM youth manages to have a big group of philantropic-like characters and adults that are passionate about social service, pool some money together and really go to these decadent states to have a look at their ever-deteoriating conditions and somehow help them in anyway you can. Then, maybe writers within our group who are talented can write about their experiences and share with people around more affluent nations, not just Singapore, and spread the word for help, and then directly render assistance to the community-in-question.
Its seldom we youths think about it and relate it back to ourselves, but kudos to Mabel, and i would love to hear the comments from everyone should there be.
signing out in the midst of report-writing,
sabhe satta suki hontu,
alvin.
1) You see when we talk about Africa, definitely its not South Africa, or maybe its underprivileged community would be a group that qualifies. The main group of it we would be looking at are Ugandans, Bostwanians, Zimbabweans, Congolese, and the lot.
When we talk about underprivileged in this quarter of sub-saharan Africa, its is famine, not just lack of food or water, much less clothing.
Notice when your parents tell you some of the kids are just like hungry ghosts, where their throats are thin and their tummies bloated, and even if you feed them solid foods, they would just regurgitate all they have eaten, for they are suffering from eating disorders as a result of long periods of lack of food or unhygienic food intake.
Since most of you might not have seen some images on these really underprivileged kids, here are some that famed photographers have taken and have since pledged their lives to revealing their sufferings to ask for more direct aid to these people.
kid? or pack of bones? the effects of extreme famine
there was this rumor that the kid squatting at the back was watched by a vulture,
the creature seemingly ready to pounce once it feels its dead.
Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa are not ready to deal with these issues, why? Even after democracy is established in the region, some countries are still caught with racial and even ethnic wars, with africans of different origins fighting one another in a single country. Rebels as well as soldiers hold weapons on streets freely, and shoot whoever they like to.
Don't believe me? Just watch Black Hawk Down and u would roughly understand the gangs and mobs that come out from it.
Interestingly, these vivid violent images are taken in by gaming companies as part of their storylines, just take Farcry/Farcry 2 for example, the way in which outposts are made up of oil drums, ammo boxes and huts. These, my peeps, are for real. and when i say for real, even if they see an Asian, or a Caucasian, they won't hesitate to blackmail and extort from you, and in worse cases should you be a lady, i wouldn't go on for cases like kidnap and prostitution even for lost tourists have appeared in a number of my reports.
this looks real? the wonders CG do nowadays to games like Farcry, a good depiction of how Africa might look like around its rebel grounds.
And these aren't the only issues.
Their geographical locations would normally relate to Savannah grasslands, or in extreme cases, drought. To a large extent agricultural farming is impossible, much less finding irrigation for it. Lack of water, and the effort to dig down to more than 150m deep just to look for signs of moisture to you might be impossible, but they have done it. These wells, too, dry up fast.
The lack of technology, or nil technology, zero possible methods of survival in those kind of climates, reflect the lack of help they receive from affluent countries. Why? When aid comes in, the government, could be controlled by rebel leaders or even the government themselves would choose to have an attitudinal assumption that they can take the money and do what they want. AS a result, the money does not transfer immediately to the aid that you guys might be expecting for. U might even be surprised in such a volatile political environment, they are using your money, to construct arms and weapons for fear of a coup from other parties interested in the positions in power.
The government's reluctance, as mabel pointed out, would under-develop the nation affected, and would push it further into the abyss that 3rd world countries are increasingly facing. Imagine it as a building, as the world's richer members of societies gets more members, each member it receives could potentially contribute to more than 100 more in poverty. As the skyscrapers rise even higher, the foundations need to be more stable. Thus these countries whom are in the first world would build with the resources that are found in third world countries and buy it on cheap rates and to certain extent, own the location in the country that has these resources.
In Africa, we have tea leaves, and yes, diamonds. haha. Watch Blood Diamond and you will know what i mean.
With the many factors, does it not also reflect the way in which people deal with situations? What can possibly be a good deed served to another transforms in the end result, something that is totally contrasting to what you have wanted to do in the beginning? To save and to help people?
Every single day to them is living hell, but in a cosmopolitan city you are born in, with the ability to even chat and discuss about games, play sports freely, not being afraid of people pointing guns at you, having a simple dinner with your friends, girl/boyfriends, families, these are all little things we really tend to take for granted. Your heart matters alot in all the activities you do.
This world might be complicated, for the way we think, and we often quarrel about the simplest of ideals that do not matter as big as changing a person's life or helping the world a hand, and your personal problems definitely pale in comparison to the people that are suffering in the continent-in-discussion.
Let's cherish the moments we have. When you have your meal, remember to do a quick reflection, slow down your mind and shut it out from the hectic day, and dedicate it to the sentient being who are currently physically in harm or degrading. When you finish everyday, sit for a moment or two to reflect on your actions and mindsets, keep it positive and going, and remember the blessings you've gotten to be able to enjoy so many things you have had in your life so far.
You know let's hope in the near future, if SBM youth manages to have a big group of philantropic-like characters and adults that are passionate about social service, pool some money together and really go to these decadent states to have a look at their ever-deteoriating conditions and somehow help them in anyway you can. Then, maybe writers within our group who are talented can write about their experiences and share with people around more affluent nations, not just Singapore, and spread the word for help, and then directly render assistance to the community-in-question.
Its seldom we youths think about it and relate it back to ourselves, but kudos to Mabel, and i would love to hear the comments from everyone should there be.
signing out in the midst of report-writing,
sabhe satta suki hontu,
alvin.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Geepee ramblings
As I was revising for my paper tomorrow, I was reading up on the effectiveness of foreign aid in countries such as Africa.
Over the many many years, so much money and effort has been put into the African community and little progress has been seen out of these aids.
And then we see all the people from all around the world in support of foreign aid, campaigning and asking for donations.
Normally I'd give to a person asking for donations that are directed to developing countries. Now, I think- if the aid doesn't do them help effectively, would it be wise to donate nonetheless?
(meanwhile i ran out of the room for 10 minutes cos a butterfly flew in)
But anyway, would you? I've yet to reach a conclusion, but when I do I'll update. It's just something to think about, related to drawing a delicate balance between compassion and wisdom.
And, it's been argued that Africa is unable to progress to this day because of the reluctance of its government to open up it's economy, which led me to draw a parallel to us, as individuals.
Sometimes, we refuse help and assistance in times of need, and we are unwilling to open our hearts to others' suggestions and views. Perhaps that's why, sometimes, people never grow, emotionally or in terms of their wisdom, just like how Africa's economy can't grow.
opening our hearts = kai xin= happy.
To some, perhaps, this could be the simple key to happiness that we often forget so easily in our beezee buzzy lives.
Mabel the mugger who won't be mugging 20 days later. Meanwhile, I'm still mugging. =D
Over the many many years, so much money and effort has been put into the African community and little progress has been seen out of these aids.
And then we see all the people from all around the world in support of foreign aid, campaigning and asking for donations.
Normally I'd give to a person asking for donations that are directed to developing countries. Now, I think- if the aid doesn't do them help effectively, would it be wise to donate nonetheless?
(meanwhile i ran out of the room for 10 minutes cos a butterfly flew in)
But anyway, would you? I've yet to reach a conclusion, but when I do I'll update. It's just something to think about, related to drawing a delicate balance between compassion and wisdom.
And, it's been argued that Africa is unable to progress to this day because of the reluctance of its government to open up it's economy, which led me to draw a parallel to us, as individuals.
Sometimes, we refuse help and assistance in times of need, and we are unwilling to open our hearts to others' suggestions and views. Perhaps that's why, sometimes, people never grow, emotionally or in terms of their wisdom, just like how Africa's economy can't grow.
opening our hearts = kai xin= happy.
To some, perhaps, this could be the simple key to happiness that we often forget so easily in our beezee buzzy lives.
Mabel the mugger who won't be mugging 20 days later. Meanwhile, I'm still mugging. =D
Monday, November 9, 2009
Halo!
Hi guys!
its been eons since i last stepped into the pristine halls of SBM and oh my had it not been the load of my final year studies and the research that comes along with it, i would have checked out the latest that is happening in SBM.
I missed the recent happenings for Halloween and of course the Kathina day celebrations. But i'm never too late to join in for the next activity in the Camp Ehi-Passiko at my first camp location............................ LIM CHU KANG CRAB FARM! How nice can that be!
Its been an exact 10 years ago i smelt tons of crab and dog odour at the familiar grounds! I can only tell u that the place brings about much much more surprises than it would ever have, and i'm glad Generation Y Leaders are going to lead this camp in!
The best thing was the last camp master and vice camp was Zeming and Amanda, and this time for SBM, we have Kaiwen and Cheng Shing, similar gender combination. I guess what is going to be better is the availability of a bigger hall for a camp. The grounds are a bit better than before, but oh my the nostalgia of that place sure brings back memories.
I wonder whether this energy for CEP is coming again for you guys? For me it certainly is. The campfire in between all the fish ponds, the games all around the farm. the war game that was the real war game.. and yes, the night walk. I'm certainly hoping everyone whose commitments forbade them to come to SBM, to come to this camp and feel the energy a whole lot different from all the camps we once have at all other camps.
Also glad to note is the gradual academic interest in Buddhism and the spiritual commitment to practise the middle path by some of you who posted valuable reads that i would chance upon once in a while.
Well, i'm just saying i'm still glad that everything's still going around and i just wanna share a small good news with you guys:
- I'm gonna be a PE TEACHER! hahahah and an English one too.
So i'm kinda gonna learn how to really be a licensed guide for all youths in the future, regardless of race or religion.
For you people over here, i look forward to joining hands with you again to make this camp once again unforgettable for all our campers who are going to be there in our camp!
Cheers and i'll see ya at ya GL camp!
along with me i'll bring a few surprises too!
see ya!
alvin - big bird - mr yeo -
its been eons since i last stepped into the pristine halls of SBM and oh my had it not been the load of my final year studies and the research that comes along with it, i would have checked out the latest that is happening in SBM.
I missed the recent happenings for Halloween and of course the Kathina day celebrations. But i'm never too late to join in for the next activity in the Camp Ehi-Passiko at my first camp location............................ LIM CHU KANG CRAB FARM! How nice can that be!
Its been an exact 10 years ago i smelt tons of crab and dog odour at the familiar grounds! I can only tell u that the place brings about much much more surprises than it would ever have, and i'm glad Generation Y Leaders are going to lead this camp in!
The best thing was the last camp master and vice camp was Zeming and Amanda, and this time for SBM, we have Kaiwen and Cheng Shing, similar gender combination. I guess what is going to be better is the availability of a bigger hall for a camp. The grounds are a bit better than before, but oh my the nostalgia of that place sure brings back memories.
I wonder whether this energy for CEP is coming again for you guys? For me it certainly is. The campfire in between all the fish ponds, the games all around the farm. the war game that was the real war game.. and yes, the night walk. I'm certainly hoping everyone whose commitments forbade them to come to SBM, to come to this camp and feel the energy a whole lot different from all the camps we once have at all other camps.
Also glad to note is the gradual academic interest in Buddhism and the spiritual commitment to practise the middle path by some of you who posted valuable reads that i would chance upon once in a while.
Well, i'm just saying i'm still glad that everything's still going around and i just wanna share a small good news with you guys:
- I'm gonna be a PE TEACHER! hahahah and an English one too.
So i'm kinda gonna learn how to really be a licensed guide for all youths in the future, regardless of race or religion.
For you people over here, i look forward to joining hands with you again to make this camp once again unforgettable for all our campers who are going to be there in our camp!
Cheers and i'll see ya at ya GL camp!
along with me i'll bring a few surprises too!
see ya!
alvin - big bird - mr yeo -
Keep the fire burning
We are in our 12th year of Camp Ehi-Passiko and especially refreshing to see that since 2008, everyone in the camp committee are from the Third Generation. Please keep it going as the only way from here is to become even better than what we have all done before. You guys have the ability and support of so many of your peers. The future of the youth group is in your hands. Share the joy and love of being a young Buddhist.
Jiayou.
Brother Bear.
Jiayou.
Brother Bear.
Buddhist Youth Camp
Singapore Buddhist Mission (Youth) presents our annual youth camp, Camp Ehi-Passiko.
Registration now opens to the public as well!
If you wanan know more, feel free to contact Kaiwen (84449911) or Cherng Shing (98505272)
Or you can watch Camp Ehi-Passiko 2008 video here below:
Venue: Camp Christine
Date: 19th – 22th December 2008
Fee: $45 (Early bird fee before 20 Nov)
Age: 13 to 21 years old
Registration now opens to the public as well!
If you wanan know more, feel free to contact Kaiwen (84449911) or Cherng Shing (98505272)
Or you can watch Camp Ehi-Passiko 2008 video here below:
Camp Ehi-Passiko 2008 from Liew Shi Xiong on Vimeo.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
After Sharing Thoughts - Buddha and God
Today we had a sharing session by Ven Bodhi and Shi Xiong (Brother 4 Bear) regarding Buddhist perspective of God and what we Buddhist believe. For years, Shi xiong and I had shared the same topic in camps and our perspective were generally limited to stories of interaction between Buddha and Maha Brahma. Venerable Bodhi shared the same topic in different light. It made me draw lessons from the scriptures and put it to good use in our daily lives.
Brahma or God(s) in our context are beings that are highly cultivated in meditation and has reached various Jhanic or absorbtion states. They reside in 16 hevenly realms depending on their Jhanic achievements. They exist with natural glow and radiance. Living off their jhanic rapture, they have no need for food and posses various psychic powers. However, they too undergo decay and impermance which result in death after a long long long...long long..... very long time.
One of the discourses that had always struck a chord in my heart was:
Conversation with Gods
Once a bhikkhu with psychic powers visited the various celestial realms seeking an answer to the question, "Where do the great elements — earth, water, fire, and air — cease without remainder?" An exhaustive inquiry led him from one realm to the next, until he finally came to Maha Brahma. The first three times the monk asked his question, Brahma replied evasively: "Monk, I am Brahma, Great Brahma, the Conqueror, the Unconquered, the All-seeing." Exasperated, the bhikkhu demanded a decent reply, "Friend, I did not ask if you are Brahma... I asked you where the four great elements cease without remainder."At this point Maha Brahma took the monk by the arm, led him aside, and told him, "The brahmas of my entourage believe there is nothing Maha Brahma does not see, there is nothing he does not know, there is nothing he is unaware of. That is why I did not speak in front of them." Admitting his ignorance, he advised the monk to return to his Master, the Awakened One, who rephrased the question and gave the appropriate answer.
In this discourse we have more evidence that a Buddha is far beyond Maha Brahma in power, teaching skill, and understanding, and much of the proof is volunteered by the Great Brahma himself (DN 11.67-85).
After listening to the story, in the words of a innocent 13 year old boy sitting beside me, "what a joke". Due to the fact that Brahma(s) are beings that are very highly accomplished (but not fully enlightened), they live long lives, way longer than one can ever imagine, to an extent that they have a concept of permanance. They too possess many forms of physic power due to their previous cultivation and good Khamma. As such, they are temporarily unable to understand the concept of impermanace and ceasation to exist.
After listening to the story, in the words of a innocent 13 year old boy sitting beside me, "what a joke". Due to the fact that Brahma(s) are beings that are very highly accomplished (but not fully enlightened), they live long lives, way longer than one can ever imagine, to an extent that they have a concept of permanance. They too possess many forms of physic power due to their previous cultivation and good Khamma. As such, they are temporarily unable to understand the concept of impermanace and ceasation to exist.
Imagine yourself as a being descibed above. You could have anything that you wanted just by your thought - food, clothing, house, servants, etc. Also you have lived billions and billions of years. You are always happy and everyone listens to you and obeys you. Literally a king, monach, leader and father to all. Would you be able to understand that you'll die one day? that everything that you once own would just go away? Even if you did have such a thought, after years of sensual pleasure, you'll just forget and put that thought aside, basking in the joy and happiness of heavenly bliss.
Putting this story into perspective of our human lives, have we seen rich, powerful or egoistic leaders blinded by power and influence over his/her people? Have we seen people who once gain social and financial status no longer humbly mix with others of "lower" status? You might find it familiar when I bring out the example of Dao Ming Shi from F4 (A rich "prince" who had everything and any thing he wanted). What happens to these people? Being blinded by power and ego, there is only one outcome - downfall.
However, it is also improtant to note that Brahma(s) are highly cultivated beings and we too can learn from them. Brahma-vihara as we Buddhist commonly know are virtues that is possess by Maha-Brahma or gods. These are, Metta (Loving-kindness), Karuna (Compassion), Mudita (Appreciative Joy) and Uppekkha (Equanimity - Balanced state of mind). By cultivating these virtues, we too can experience the joys and happiness of great beings.
As Buddhist, our relationship towards Lord Buddha and Sangha members is a teacher - student relationship. We should look up to our teacher(s), seek guidance from them, learn and practise good virtues and values. As such, even if one day when we become rich and powerful, we will have the constant will to learn and grow in wisdom and compassion. These are virtues of a good buddhist and leader.
Love,
Ming
Some reference can be found here:
1) 31 relams of existence - http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html
2) Conversation with Gods and psychic powers (miracles)-http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.11.0.than.html
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
When the sun or the moon appear in the heavens there is a shining forth of great light, a glow of brightness. Then there is no more gloom or darkness, obscurity or blackness, and day and night, weeks, months and seasons become apparent. Likewise, when the Tathagata appears in the world there is a shining forth of great light, a glow of brightness. Then there is no more gloom or darkness, obscurity or blackness. Then there is a proclaiming of the Four Noble Truths, a teaching and declaring of them, a making them known, an establishing of them and a making them clear. S.V,442.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Here the halloween party update on 31/10/2009 at zeming's hse!:
some of us came early to help up in the decoration!
Justin very happy with his black nails.
after all the hard work of pulling the spiderwebs all over the place:
And the party begins!:
The pyjamas girls!
Make up session for girls!:
i think make up is not only for the girls that day too.HEE:DD
Ninja master and The wu she finger hole Master xiong.
Our beautiful scary Corspe bride!
"Spank me!"
chao gui tiao uncle kaiwen :D
woof!
MEOAWWWWWWWW RAWRRRR!
Happy with our black nails :DDD
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PEARSON AND SARA!
Camwhore session time!:
Corpse bride and Chucky's sister!
ONE BIG BLACK FAMILY!:DDD
itchy witchy with her two black cats!:
MEAOWWW~
she finally found her broom!
All the pictures credits goes to zeming!
This is my first time attending a halloween house party
and i enjoyed myself be it with the games or the dressing up!
and must thanks wanling for organising this party!
Hope everyone had enjoy themself at the party too!:DDD
some of us came early to help up in the decoration!
Justin very happy with his black nails.
after all the hard work of pulling the spiderwebs all over the place:
And the party begins!:
The pyjamas girls!
Make up session for girls!:
i think make up is not only for the girls that day too.HEE:DD
Ninja master and The wu she finger hole Master xiong.
Our beautiful scary Corspe bride!
"Spank me!"
chao gui tiao uncle kaiwen :D
woof!
MEOAWWWWWWWW RAWRRRR!
Happy with our black nails :DDD
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PEARSON AND SARA!
Camwhore session time!:
Corpse bride and Chucky's sister!
ONE BIG BLACK FAMILY!:DDD
itchy witchy with her two black cats!:
MEAOWWW~
she finally found her broom!
All the pictures credits goes to zeming!
This is my first time attending a halloween house party
and i enjoyed myself be it with the games or the dressing up!
and must thanks wanling for organising this party!
Hope everyone had enjoy themself at the party too!:DDD
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