The power to be!!

Recently submitted a write up for my sociology class and the topic i chose was "role taking". Basically I made remark on no fixed roles people adopt constantly. To me role taking is an ever-changing and dynamic action tat any individual took to achieve the result he wanted, be it to merge into a group or a deviant.

Reflecting on to the statement I made and some la kopi session with my friends. I have realized and sticked to my point that a common characteristic in a group does not mean the case to an individual.

I had always felt tat I choose to accept some view points either becos i agreed on or its still not far out yet is a good way to socialize. But i believe all individual have a rule tat is unshakable and tats integrity and self respect. You may call me an ultra -egoistic nut case but to me i rather be a stick in the mud than to shake my belief and be a "tofu".....soft and no taste....muhahahah!!

There was a comment by a friend saying tat all guys are undependable and succumb to lechery. Maybe to his/her view point, it holds truth. But to me, its about self respect still. Lechery to me is about ur mind and ur heart. The mind is indeed undependable as it is only a sense organ and it will take in what ever happens around. Someone tat have a few self respect should allow the thoughts to go thru the heart and see whether it goes with your principle.

A person tat only function with his mind is jus like an animal that goes by instinct. To achieve progress in personal growth, I feel that an individual should be widely exposed to more things and from there knows what works for them!! A person tat choose to stay in cave will have only cave for the rest of his life.

Life is about making decision. And be willing to bear the consequences on the outcome of the decision. "承担". There is no absolute right or wrong but relative degrees of right and wrong only. That alone is a different measures among different people already.

Messy!!

The strength to carry on.

Someone who cries might not be weak while someone that's emotionless is definitely weak.

Courage is the ability to stand up again when she's down. Standing up for her ideas even when other's are against it. People does not grow up by feeling numb but rather looking for solutions in times of problems. By remembering and understanding herself more, she knows how to face the world.

Facing with life challenges, the fearless shall not retreat herself as she knows the world is full of blessings and hope. Rather than having bad memories, she turns it to great lessons and make sure when the next opportunity comes, she will fight and cherish with her life.

Phoenix is born from burning ash and a chicken is born in a farm. Learning to let go of the past, Phoenix burns herself to fight for a new lease of life. Chicken are the victims of circumstances and at the mercy of other people's will.

Succession plan

Some ideas from Singapore Buddhist youth conference las month . . .

Each time a leader is born, the next big event he has to think about is his succession plan. This will ensure smooth transition of power. Ideas can get properly passed down and longevity of the group will be ensured.

I had some limited exposure to Christian succession plans and there is some difference with Buddhist's ones. The main difference I thought is they do every for God. All glory has been put to their God. They believe that without their God, they would not have all the blessings they have now.

Buddhist do not believe in God's creation and believe in using personal efforts and cultivations to reach their goal of enlightenment. The idea itself is perfect. But personally what I see is people vying in the group to get the limelights.

I always believe a great leader is someone that lets their team mates shine. Without his group, what the use is a leader? Buddhism is about impermanence and non-self. With correct grasping of this law, what use is position? It is just having a better "temporary" position to help people gaining the right views.

With right views, wisdom is achieved by slashing ignorance with sword of truth. Buddha left his home to become a homeless in search for truth. If what he desires is glory, what we have now is a historical king rather than the ever present Buddha.

To be together.

Recently I have friends getting married and also friends having marriage issues. These made me re-evalute the value of marriage. Why do people get married?

Is it because of the age? companionship? Or just simply following the norm. During the recent wedding preceding, heard shifu saying to the couple and the guest, " Marriage is when two individuals decides to give out their individuality and stay together as one, sharing pains and laughter together." But why marriage issues still happens. Is there a possibility that a couple could really share the same thoughts and feeling as one after marriage? If it is not possible, I find that marriage itself lacks meaning for me to follow.

In buddhism, marriage is said that a couple came together through countless fate with each other, deriving same levels of beliefs, thoughts, wisdom and cultivations. To me I find that to be able to share multiple lifetime with someone that love each other so much is definitely inspiring and out of this world.

To me, selecting a life partner involves finding someone that shares my thoughts and belief with me. To be the pillar of support and source of happiness which could enhance each others growth. Of course I am not sure I am that lucky to find one. But if I can't, marriage will never apply to me. Worst case scenario is to realise someone that sleeps besides you could not be trust and is the source of misery.

Lessons learnt

Feeling shiok as i have learnt something new today.

In every moments, there is something unique happening. And the reason that something happens may not have a very direct and simple reasons. . .

I am someone that believes in what I see and sad to say I do jump to conclusion at times. Earlier this month, I had a rather "not so comfortable experience" of having the act of isolating some one. Although the matter has passed, but the feeling still lingers.

I had some unpleasant experience during my childhood days. I am not a born athletics and thus during PE lessons, I do have experience of being the last one selected in team sports. Although I have grown up and thinking matures. Still, I hate the idea of isolating anyone. I feel that every person should have the chance to socialise and be the center of attractions.

This might be the reason that I had drawn my conclusion recently that there is some ostracizing activity going on in our group. Negative thoughts just surpassed my logical brain. "Why is this happening? Are they really that mean? Isn't there any better options?" Trains of negative thought jus storm my grey matter.

All thanks to a friend that called me to clarified the matter! What a fool I am! I have took the matter by face value.

This is a great lessons that I have learned. Never jump into conclusion. And if something disturbing happens, always ask.

Sinagpore Buddhist discovery!!

Great news!! Attention to all fellow buddhist working in CBD area!! I've found a new buddhist concept shop!!

Its located conveniently at International Plaza which is just next to Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Situated at a very quiet corner on level 2. This shop focus more on buddhist artifacts like utensils and equipments that have a very nice "Zen" touch. They do sell contemporary CD collections and some books as well. Just don't be too picky on the range of selection.

The shop is rather small but its filled totally with tranquility of buddhist music and the warm greetings by the "Boss". The experience i remembered most vividly is the first time i left the shop, I am called back by the boss and she push some buddhist booklets and brochures to me. Thinking tat it was a real kind gesture, she called me back again to share with me on upcoming seminars in some places which I am really happy to know. And knowing tat my colleague is a non believe, she told me to pass the booklet to her!! haha

My colleague even mistaken it to be a normal shop until I started to get excited and told her that its a buddhist shop. haha.....thats where i started to feel some deterrence from her. Haha....

To me its a real great news. From merchandising of buddhist related product, buddhism can spread more widely with more integration to people's life and schedule. Hope to see more shops sprouting! yaya too excited till i forgot to intro the shop's name. Its call "green peace". I am not surprise that it was opened by KMSPKS temple.

Yaya!! Grab hold of this sunday issue of Liang He Zao Bao as there will be an article on the above mentioned temple in effort of bringing pop music into a traditional temple.

Great lessons from nature

We can learn a great deal from mother nature indeed . . .

From the great seas and mountains, we learn to sustain and support others. They are the stage for all living things to grow and perform. We can learn that in a team, we must not always be in the lime light or in control. Rather, we could be a trusted support that everyone could lean on.

From the wind, we learn to change. Wind never fails to pass through caves and barriers. They just change to suit the environment. Changes is inevitable and most of the time changes is for the good of the mass. Learn to change or we will one day be force to change.

From the trees, we learn to care. Tree provides shelter, gives us fruits and even medicine to heal us. We need to learn to care more about others. People wants us to help them because they believe we could.

From the animals, we learn order. Animals function in groups, eat the right kind of food and do what they suppose to do. In a group, there is rules to follow and person of authority. Without rules, the team breaks.

From the fire, we learn hope. The ability to destroy yet is the start of a new life. We all experience failure. But every failure is the seed for new hope. Nothing is absolute and can only be relative.

From the above, all work harmoniously with each other. Never do they once trespass each others role or compete to shine. Human fight for little reasons which appears to be important to themselves. The nature only cares about carrying out their responsibilities and has never fail us since we are here.

Something to thing about . . .

Marriage since countless times . . .

Story of rebirth can indeed be interesting and something to contemplate about . . .

Mahakassapa (Chief disciple of Buddha) and his wife before renunciation was both from the brahmin family, full of richest and sensual pleasure of the world, but determined to lead a life as a wandering ascetics. Was forced into marriage by their parents. After their marriage, they confess to each other their wish to find the path to the truth. Both were delighted.

One day Mahakasspa was supervising the farm and found that through indirect actions of him, lots of life was lost. E.g Worms and plants. On another occassion, Bhadda his wife was sadden by the sight of crows fighting and killing each other for seeds the maid has dropped on the floor. Both intended to leave what they are doing and start on their wandering trip.

From the Jetaka stories passed down since Buddha's time, it was said that the couple has shared numerous pass life with each other before this life.

In fact they have been husband and wife for along time. And in this life time, they were so deeply linked in resolution, dreams, thoughts and feelings. Their love for each other has long pass the average couples. They were even soul mates to one another and motivates each other to pursue their spiritual goals. Their loves have passed sensual attachments and into something even greater.

Love might be something that's inevitable due to past karmic reasons and couples were brought together to live and learn from each other. To find someone that shares the same vision and thoughts with you is even remarkable. Cherish the relationship and motivates each other towards finding our personal life meanings which I feel is what true love is all about.

"Live life like you have only once and this life will be the most meaningful life".
"Live life bearing in mind of karma, live countless blameless life worthy of respect."