Friends

Through thick and thin, they stuck with me the last 6 years

Beloved students

Comrades in academia

Fellow Dhammafarers

“Monks, a friend endowed with seven qualities is worth associating with.

Which seven?

(1) He gives what is hard to give.

(2) He does what is hard to do.

(3) He endures what is hard to endure.

(4) He reveals his secrets to you.

(5) He keeps your secrets.

(6) When misfortunes strike, he doesn’t abandon you.

(7) When you’re down & out, he doesn’t look down on you.

A friend endowed with these seven qualities is worth associating with.”

It starts with a THOUGHT!

Be careful of your thoughts, for they become your words.

Be careful of your words, for they become your actions.

Be careful of your actions, for they become your habits.

Be careful of your habits, for they become your personality!

--

Friends - TQ!

One of the memorable moments of my life is when a friend BAKED me a cake... yup, a GUY no less, and I was touched to my heart. I photographed it with my handphone and everytime I see the picture, it warms my heart.

Spiritual friendship is indeed a great support!

It's nice to have friends!

Dream when asleep, dream when awake

Today I learnt that in MOST if NOT all my waking hours, I am in a state of an AWAKE DREAM!

As the Buddha laid dying...

When the Buddha arrived in Kusinara and lay down between two sal trees, they burst into flower out of season and sprinkled their petals over him. Ananda expressed amazement that the very trees were revering him, the Buddha said: “Ananda, these sal trees burst into flower out of season in homage to the Tathagata and covered his body…But the monk or the nun, the lay man or the lay woman who lives practicing the Dhamma properly and perfectly fulfills the Dhamma, he or she honors, reveres and respects the Tathagata with the highest homage”

(D.II,137-8)

My Little Worries

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammasambuddhasa

I sit now before the Buddha and contemplate that he and all who knew him are now dead.

Since his great passing countless beings have come, bided their time and gone. The names and deeds of but a few are remembered.

Their many pains, their joy, their victories and defeats, like themselves are now but shadows.

And so it will be with all whom I know.

Passing time will turn the calamities I worry about, the possibilities I fear and the pleasure I chase after into mere shadows.

Therefore, I will contemplate the reality of my own death that I may understand what is of true value in life.

Because death may soon come, I will repay all debts for all my transgressions and be at odds with none.

Because death may soon come, I will squander no time brooding on past mistakes but use each day as if it were my last.

Because death may soon come, I will purify my mind rather than pamper the body.

Because death may soon come, with separation from those I love, I will develop detached compassion rather than possessiveness and clinging.

Because death may soon come, I will use each day fully not wasting it on fruitless pursuits and vain longings.

May I be prepared when death finally comes.

May I be fearless as life ebbs away.

May my detachment help in the freeing of the heart.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Vesak Day

All the Buddhas teach the "Dhamma" - the way nature is - the truth and truth has nothing to do with sectarianism, religions, yanas or doctrines. The Buddha's Teachings are Teachings of Truth and are timeless (akkaliko). These Teachings were taught by all the Buddhas. Enlightenment/liberation is not the monopoly of Siddhartha Gautama. Truth has no copy right and anyone can become Enlightened. There were Enlightened beings in the past and there will be Enlightened beings in the future. The Dhamma describes how nature works - These Teachings are universal and timeless (akkaliko). The Teachings are for the earnest who SEE them within themselves and outside. The Teachings are our true refuge. One takes refuge in the timeless Teachings of Truth, one does not start conducting rites-rituals of blindly worshipping a particular person, even if the teachings have manifested through that person. It is not Siddhartha Gotama Saranam Gaccami . It is not taking refuge in the person of Siddharta Gotama. One takes refuge in the ENLIGHTENED BEINGS titled the "BUDDHA", whose wisdom "Bodhi" - is the Teachings, the Truth. Hence, Buddham saranam gachami! TO THE BUDDHA (The Enlightened Being) we take Refuge! The word 'Buddha' means 'The Enlightened One," it is not the name of a person. Again how does one take refuge in the Enlightened One? How does one take refuge in the Dhamma? How does one take refuge in the Sangha - the assembly of Enlightened beings? BY LIVING THE TEACHINGS OF THE TRUTH, The Dhamma! We must NOT let rites and rituals to overwhelm the Dhamma, burying it within the tentacles of chants and offerings, so much so that the Teachings are forgotten. The Buddha referred to the people who heard Him and really went into the Teachings simply as Dhammiko, Dhammattho, Dhammachan, Dhammavihari, Dhammim (one who lives the teachings, one who goes into the teachings). The Buddha taught the 'art of living'. He never established any 'ism'. He never instructed any rite or rituals, any blind or empty formalities. Instead, He taught us to just observe reality 'as it is'. He said one must look within and SEE 'what is'. The Buddha declared: Be A Light Unto Yourself Let the Dhamma be our Guide, our Refuge and the way to live.