In a rush to get life over and done with?

By JOAN LAU, The New Straits Times, Oct 5, 2008

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- ARE you one of those people who is always in a hurry? Think about it: do you get impatient when the person in front of you at the parking lot is taking a while to park his car?

And are you annoyed when there is a long queue at the supermarket check-out counter?

I plead guilty to all the above but I have come to realise that despite all this hurrying about and doing things quickly, not a lot gets done. Or at least, not a lot of what matters. I call it busy work. It's true. A lot of the things we do during our day is stuff we want to get rid of... to cross out on our "To Do" list.

You know what I mean, right? Pick up the dry cleaning, pay bills, finish project report, return call to client, speak to the cleaning lady about vacuuming under the beds, etc.

Very often, we fall into the trap of treating the day-to-dayness of our lives as chores.

We just want to get it over and done with so we can do something else we enjoy. But what is that something else exactly?

We look forward to the weekends but when they come around, we just squander them. We don't really do very much, or do we? One of my friends says her weekends are for running errands she couldn't get to during the week: grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc.

She resents all this busy work and goes back to work on Monday feeling grumpy and "not rested". So what is the solution? Maybe it is as simple as this: slow down and enjoy what you are doing. Be conscious.

At my yoga class, the teacher constantly reminds us to do the warm-up exercises slowly. "If you do them quickly, you will not get the full benefit of the exercise. It is harder when you do them slowly."

The same thing applies to the asanas or poses. If we rush through them, we not only do not get the benefits... there is the danger of injury. The idea is to take your time, be conscious of what you are doing and really... to enjoy the moment.

Take something as boring as shopping for groceries: I like to look at and think of what I am buying. No, I don't take hours but I don't just rush in and out of the supermarket either. Even when I am standing in line, I remind myself not to be impatient.

Instead, I look at the people in front of me and try to piece together what they are like from their shopping baskets!

It is very easy to be infected by this hurry-hurry-be-the-first attitude all around us. But what is the rush really? Do you get a medal or something for driving like a maniac in a parking lot? And is it really necessary to wear a scowl in the post office or bank while you are waiting in line?

When I am preoccupied -- thinking of the next item on my "To Do" list or worrying about tomorrow -- I am more likely to make a mistake. At my old office, I scraped the side of my car badly coming down the elevated parking lot. Both times, I hit the same spot. And both times, my mind was a thousand kilometres away.

Being in the here and now doesn't sound like such a difficult thing to do but you know what, it takes practice. It's so easy to let your mind wander instead of focusing on the task at hand.

How often have you eaten a meal without really tasting it? Probably too many to count, right? I look around me at the lunch crowd and I see people wolfing down their meals. Sure, the food court is not a place to linger but there is really no need to speed eat.

That is why I appreciate my lunch gang. The four of us enjoy our lunches -- doesn't matter if we are at the food court across the road or at the banana leaf place round the corner from our office -- and we enjoy each other's company.

The food nourishes us and the conversation destresses. And laughter, there is always laughter. Lunch is usually just 30 minutes but we are aware and conscious of what we are eating and saying to each other. And that is what counts.

We often come back from lunch feeling happier about the day. I very often notice that we are a little less impatient on the way back from lunch! So what if the elevator is taking forever to come? Or if that group of people ahead of us is taking up the whole walkway?

Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh often writes about mindfulness and shared the story of his friend eating a tangerine in one of his books. His friend Jim was eating a tangerine and engrossed in talk about some future plans.

"He popped a section of tangerine in his mouth, and before he had begun chewing it, had another slice ready to pop into his mouth again. He was hardly aware he was eating a tangerine...

"It was as if he hadn't been eating the tangerine at all. If he had been eating anything, he was 'eating' his future plans."

So maybe doing the laundry or washing the dishes is a chore. But they are important chores, right? So when we do them, we should be fully aware of what we are doing. The miracle here is not that the laundry is done or the dishes washed... it is that we are alive to do them.

And isn't that worth savouring?

In Need of Sponsorship...

KCBA English Dhamma Youth Camp 2008 is moving into the final phase of preparation. The final meeting would be held on 12th October 2008...

Still, the organizing committees would be in need of help, one way or another... If you are interested, you can actually help by sponsoring the items below:

• Honey - 4 bottles (big)
• Fruits - depends on what fruits
  
• Condensed Milk - 6 cans
• Biscuits - 8 tins
• Milo - 8 packets (2kg per packet)
• Instant Cup Noodles - 3 boxes (6/8 cups per box)

If you are interested in sponsoring these items, please contact Bro. Wei Han at eztoyou@yahoo.com or 016-3631254.

Sadhu.

with metta,
Bro. Wei Han

The Buddha Logo

by Ven. Shravasti Dhammika, Lanka Web, Sept 15, 2008

Singapore -- Some months back I got a telephone call from an American woman who was in Singapore on business. Our conversation went something like this.

Her: Good morning. I'm ringing to try to get some information about Buddhism (cheerful).

Me: Yes. How can I help you?

Her: We're launching a new line of clothing, T shirts and the like. And the logo for the line is a picture of the Buddha holding a cup of tea. I'm sure Buddhists wouldn’t be offended by this. What would you think about this?

Me: A picture of the Buddha holding a cup of tea?

Her: Yep.

Me:: As a logo on T shirts?

Her: Yes. That's right.

Me: Look, I'm just a simple monk so you explain for me. What's the connection between the Buddha and clothing? And why the cup of tea?

Her: Well, you know. The Buddha is associated with, you know, spirituality, the infinite and all that. And the cup of tea suggests, you know, casualness, easygoingness, you know.

Me:: Mmm. Actually I don't know. But you would like my opinion about this. Is that right?

Her: Yes.

Me: Well, I don't think this is very offensive and I don't think the average Buddhist would be offended by it either. I don't think they are going to throw rocks through you window, threaten to kill you or burn down your factory. But I do think that a logo like this belittles Buddhism and I think most Buddhists would agree with me. They would probably be more sad than angry that an images which is particularly meaningful to them was being used so frivolously. And also that it is being used for a commercial goal.

Her: But I'm a Buddhist myself. I would never belittle the Buddha.

Me: You're a Buddhist?

Her: Absolutely! I respect the Buddha and Buddhism (defensive).

Me:What are the Four Noble Truths?

Her: Er!..Um…Um. Er! The Four Noble Truths? (very hesitant)

Me: Yes, the Four Noble Truths. What are the Four Noble Truths?

Her: Er! D…D…D…Dalka?

Me: Mm. Am I right in saying that you are reading that from a book in front of you?

Her: I feel like I'm being interrogated here (slightly annoyed).

Me: Well. You told me you were a Buddhist. I asked you a pretty basic question about the Buddha's teachings and you didn't know it. The proper pronunciation is dukkha. I suspect that like a lot of people you mistake 'respect' for Buddhism, for liking it from a distance, while knowing very little about it and not practicing the parts that don't suit you.

Her: No! I really respect Buddhism.

Me: Well, to get back to your question. You asked me for my opinion about your logo and I told you what I think. I think it belittles and diminishes a noble man and a noble philosophy of life and I think it is an unfortunate choice. I think to use a sacred image for commercial purposes in insensitive to the feelings of others and inappropriate. It's on a par with getting an image of the Buddha, drilling a hole in the top of its head and sticking a lamp shade in it. I don't think I can say anything else.

Her: Well, thank you (irritated).

Me: Be well and happy.

Intergalactic Dhamma

It has been a while since I wrote a post... (I realized I use this phrase very often....)

Anyway, found something very interesting. Could you believe it, there are so many similarity between Buddhism and Star Wars. Dont believe me? Take a look below:

Intergalactic Dhamma

Singapore -- Created by a self-proclaimed "Methodist Buddhist", "Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith" is George Lucas' final connecting instalment of the Dharma-inspired "Star Wars" trilogy. A futuristic yet timeless myth, it tells how one could easily succumb to the dark side through unguarded attachment, aversion and delusion (the three roots of evil). The dark side can be seen as the other side of our luminous Buddha-nature, which always shines with perfect compassion and wisdom.

Fearing the loss of his wife Padme Amidala after a vision of her death, Anakin Skywalker learns the dark arts in the hope of averting her death. Ironically, in doing so, he closes the loop of his own self-fulfilling prophecy. His fear, which became hatred, became the very cause of her death - through an act of mindless violence to her, as she tried to dissuade him from the dark side. (Incidentally, "Padme" means "lotus" in Sanskrit, the symbol of purity in Buddhism. The lotus blossoms unstained, despite having roots in the "dark side" of muck and mire!)

The dark side wins over Anakin, despite the good spiritual advice of Yoda, the guru-like Jedi grandmaster - "Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is... Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose... The fear of loss is a path to the dark side." Yes, fear leads to anger (as we "fight" out of clinging), and anger leads to hatred, and with hatred, there is suffering for oneself and others.

Analysed with the Dharma, fear and jealousy are hybrid qualities of attachment and aversion, which are two sides of the same coin, collectively arising from delusion. Fear arises from attachment to the beloved and aversion to its loss. Jealousy arises from attachment to what is craved for, be it power, fame or wealth, and aversion to those who have it instead, who stand in one's way. Are there any other "leads" to the dark side? Self-righteousness, closed-mindedness, empty speculations, impetuousness... all exemplfied by Anakin. (Incidentally, Yoda was physically modelled after Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpoche - a Buddhist master!)

Just what is "the force" really? Probably used as a skilful means for the sake of diverse audiences, George Lucas refuses to give it a fixed definition. The force could be Buddha-Nature according to Buddhists, the Tao according to Taoists, or God according to God-believers. It is interesting to note that "Amida" as in the name "Amidala", is the Japanese name of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of infinite light and life, who is also synonymous with the Dharmakaya, the universal aspect of all Buddhas' existence. The Dharmakaya, like infinite light and life, pervades all space and time, and is at one with the Truth of all phenomena. Yes, in Yoda's words, we all hope Padme Amidala had "transformed into the force"! Om Mani "Padme" Hum!

It makes great Buddhist sense that the Jedi knights in their flowing robes, who are dedicated to the cause of using the force to defend goodness, resemble monks in their stringent discipline. They are supposed to be without worldly attachments, unmarried and celibate.

Note that the Jedis even have their own temple and have democratic "Sangha" meetings! The Jedi council is distinct from political ones, never letting worldly concerns cloud its judgement. Needless to say, Anakin, the Jedi-master-wannabe, broke all the "precepts" above. Despite himself clearly stating the difference between the Mara-like Siths and the Bodhisattva-like Jedis being "the use of the force for oneself versus for others", his attachment to Padme was so strong that he let love for one override compassion for the masses.

"I can feel your anger. It makes you stronger!" Tempted by the Chancellor's (Darth Sidious in disguise) encouragement to let grow his defilements, Anakin did not realise he could had practised "thought-transformation", to transmute the energy of his rage to determination to uproot his attachment - the source of his suffering. His burning anger could had become cooling compassion to himself! Is it true that both the dark and the good side should be equally known, as suggested by the Chancellor?

Through mindfulness, one needs only to recognise evil and not let it have its way - there is no need to become evil, to join the dark side. The Chancellor further confused Anakin with a warped concept of moral relativity and "non-duality" by saying, " 'Good' is a point of view, Anakin. And the Jedi point of view is not the only valid one." What is truly 'good' according to the Buddha? It boils down to our intentions. Any thought, word or deed borne not of the three roots of evil, but of their opposites instead (of generosity, loving-kindness and wisdom), is considered 'good'. Nothing relative about that!

Anakin reared his ugly "Asura Complex" when he hissed in anger, "If you're not with me, you're my enemy." In Buddhism, Asuras are Demi-gods with great merits due to their good works in their previous lives. However, they have overwhelming jealousy. This renders them restless, always in power struggles with the gods, who have greater merits and enjoyment, whom they can never win by force. Asuras do not have the ability to see others as equals; but only as those inferior to them, whom they have won, or as those superior to them, whom they have to win at any cost.

Prior to that, Padme had uttered an ominous frightening thought to Anakin, "What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists, and the Republic has become the very evil we have been fighting to destroy?" It is most apt here to quote an alphorism from Nietzsche's work "Beyond Good and Evil" - "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby becomes a monster." By the end of Episode III, Anakin had become the monster that is Darth Vader, the darkest personification of the dark side in "Star Wars". But take heart! He is not totally lost in the darkness. For we all know the good side finally triumphed in Episode VI! Yes, even Darth Vader repented before his death!

"May the force be with you"? The force needs not be with you, because it already is within you. Rediscover the "force" in you - be guided by your inner compassion and wisdom. Thus, it should be the other way round instead - "May you be with the force!"

Another One of "Clone Wars"

Singapore -- One of the main reasons why the Star Wars universe continues to intrigue fans is its mix of "East meets West", of how ancient spirituality marries modern technology.

This is perhaps best exemplified by the juxtaposed use of ruthlessly "efficient" laser guns with "honourable" swords. Yes, light sabres are really simply swords - which are retractable and illuminable!

It has long bugged me as to why while other highly advanced weaponry is showcased in Star Wars, no one - not even the baddies, cheat by designing and wielding longer and broader light sabers for the element of surprise in attack. Could it be that even they honour 'honour" itself, that even they value fairness in swordfight, despite their devious schemes?

Despite the wider creative flexibility of animation as a means to tell a story, the titled clones are largely the same in spirit, as in the Star Wars movie episodes. Though armed and seemingly well-designed for battle, these foot soldiers trudge along rather mindlessly, with no individualistic character. With a robotic herd mentality, they don't seem to learn much.

In comparison, the rebellious human and alien characters are much more interesting. In fact, it is by not being ones of the crowd that they are able to win their battles in skilful ways. Likewise, the Buddha broke free of habitual samsaric thought paradigms to realise enlightenment. Although you can't clone the Buddha's mind, you can become a Buddha!

"The Clone Wars" are of course fought largely by clones. The only way these wars differ would be as directed by the non-clones commanding them. It struck me that there could be another meaning to the term "clone wars". Wars themselves are always clones of one another, initiated and fought from the same timeless roots of evil - greed, hatred and delusion - albeit in many different ways.

If you are still unaware, the Star Wars universe is filled with Buddhist inspirations. The new padawan, for example, is called Ashoka - probably inspired by the name of the great Buddhist King Asoka. Here's more… George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, once called himself a "Methodist Buddhist", while the zenny Yoda was physically modelled after a Buddhist master, while the celibate robed Jedis live in temples…

Both acticles by Shen Shi'an, The Buddhist Channel (May 27, 2005 and Sept 4, 2008)

Retreat Camp 2008

It has been a while since the last post. Recently got this picture from Song and I want to share it here...
Standing (From left to right): Kean Hua, Wei Loong, Ling Sze, Chia Wei, Jonathan, Weng Phoon, Pei Yun, Song and Wei Han
Front (From left to right): Kuan Wei, Leonie, Niro, Benjamin, Jessy, Justin, Shin Ling and Leonard

with metta,

Bro Wei Han

ShoutBox

As you can see, I have added a ShoutBox as part of this blog. Shout as much as you like... :)

Why So Serious about "The Dark Knight"?

Singapore -- If you think Batman stories are kiddy stuff, nothing could be further from the truth - especially so for "The Dark Knight", which is a gritty but compelling tale of moral ambiguity and the koan-like dilemmas it presents.
The leading criminals of Gotham have cowed further into the shadows - in fear of the swift and silent vigilante, while a more menacing criminal rises among them, calling for their unity to kill Batman (played by Christian Bale). But can there be true honour among thieves? Apparently not for the Joker - being a force of violent insanity.

While Batman is one of the most complex characters in comic book history, the Joker as presented poses a formidable match as an archenemy. Note that this is no superhero flick, since the protagonists have no special powers. Batman's altruistic endeavours are strongly driven by guilt of not being able to save his parents from crime when he was young. The Joker however, is nihilistically immoral and sadistic, seemingly void of conscience. One has too much guilt while the other lacks it! Karmically, both extreme attitudes can prove punishing.

The Joker creates a fix for Batman when he resolves to kill one person a day - till he discloses his masked identity. In this cunning move, he turns the tables around by making Batman look guilty. It's quite a fix indeed as Batman, being an outlaw (operating above the law), albeit to protect and serve, will be arrested should he surrender. His absence might render Gotham more criminally chaotic, but innocents are dying because of his refusal to surrender too. Of course, Batman does his best to save them and himself, and the Joker - from his madness!

The Joker devises a sick "social experiment" on morality by planting bombs on two ferries - one transporting criminals while the other lawful citizens. Each side is given the detonator of the bombs on the other ferry. He urges them to consider pressing the button before the other side does. His expectation of chaos goes "chaotic" though - when both sides decide not to press their buttons after much deliberation. Order is restored! Even the leader of the criminals threw away the detonator. The worst of situations often bring forth the best in us.

Though the Joker relishes in chaos, he is ironically not the personification of chaos. He desires order within his chaos too. Here lies what I call the Joker Paradox. He claims this - "I'm a dog chasing cars. I don't have plans. I just do things. I'm not a schemer." Despite this, we see his elaborately devious plans in action to wreck havoc. He wanted to prove "schemers", who control law and order, to be pathetic in their efforts. In the end, he proved himself to be the ultimately pathetic schemer when apprehended by Batman.

Batman's voluntary vocation is a largely thankless one - which makes it all the more truly altruistic. As the Joker put it, both of them are seen as freaks, even if one helps while the other harms. Batman chooses his serious and threatening style to strike fear in the guilty, while the Joker simply laughs away his "uptightness" and uprightness. Maybe even wrathful Bodhisattva manifestations might not work well for the severely deluded and unrepentant? If so, only self-awakening to their Buddha-nature can help. Arkham Asylum never really cured the criminally insane!

"Why so serious" about him, the Joker? Perhaps the brilliant actor (Heath Ledger) who played his role so seriously was the real personification of chaos - due to his heavily publicised sudden accidental death. Are matters of life and death tragically chaotic? The truth is, chaos can never be truly chaotic as it exists within the orderly. Within the apparent mess that is the universe, there must be the order of cause and effect - even if not readily discerned. If life, the universe and everything is pure chaos, life and death would be totally meaningless, pointless. We might as well become the Joker. Seriously! No joke!

Review of the Film's Interesting Dialogue:
Batman: Dark Dialogue - http://moonpointer.com/index.php?itemid=2393

(Source: The Buddhist Channel)

Residents accept Buddhist project

SHAH ALAM, Selangor (Malaysia) -- The soft, meandering chants of monks from different traditions enveloped the surrounding of a barren 1.7 acre piece land on July 20, 2008 at Section U12, Shah Alam. The monks were present to bless the spot where a new Buddhist centre will be built, to be called "Bodhi Park".

However, the ceremony was marred by demonstration of a small group of residents from the neighbouring vicinity. The Desa Alam Residents Association objected to the upcoming construction of the temple as they claimed that it was located too close to the residential area.

Its chairman, Ahmad Shakri Tarmuchi, handed a memorandum from the residents to Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan at the ground-breaking ceremony of Bodhi Park on the same day.

Ahmad Shakri told reporters the residents were not informed of the project by the City Council and there was no notice board at the site announcing the project from the time they had occupied the housing estate in December 2006.

However, when the protesting residents met the Member of Parliament (MP) for Shah Alam Khalid Abdul Samad at the Shah Alam Mayor's office on July 23, they were informed that the land for Bodhi Park was allocated years before any houses were built at the site and approvals were given by the local and state authorities.

Above all, all the houses buyers at at the point of purchase had been duly informed by the developer and was aware of the proposed site for the Bodhi Park.

After the briefing. the representative of the protesters from Residents Association, Ahmad Shakri and other residents who met Khalid Abdul Samad accepted the explanation by the MP and other officers from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA).

Both the chairman of the Bodhi Park Building Committee, Goh Seng Chai and Ahmad Shakri later shook hands in front of the Shah Alam MP as a sign of mutual respect and harmonius co-existence.

Present during the meeting were representatives from the developer and also MBSA councillors responsible for the areas. The project will proceed as planned and construction expected to begin in September.

About the Bodhi Park project

The Bodhi Park is to be located on a 0.68-hectare site, and will comprise an auditorium, a centre for Buddhist research and studies, a multipurpose hall, and a main shrine for devotees. The project is undertaken by the Malaysian Buddhist Youth Foundation.

In the early 1990's, the foundation bought a 0.6-hectare piece of land in Section 24 for the project but the state government found it unsuitable for religious use and offered the alternative site in November 2002, he added. Goh said the development order for the project was approved on April 24 this year and construction was scheduled to commence in September.

Retreat Camp: Message from Organizer

Retreat Camp 2008 is consider to be the most relaxing camp that I have ever organized. One of the main idea of the retreat camp is to demonstrate to the new generation of youth camp committees menbers that it is okay for them to be flexible throughout the camp, changing the style/approach of the camp depending on the situation while helping them to create a stronger bond between them. Another unexpected outcome of the retreat camp was the cooperativeness displayed by the super-seniors thoughout the camp, which I believe, would act as an example to the New Generation.

As someone who prefer to do hand-on activities, most of the "workshop" have a message in it and those participate would somehow learn that message while enjoying the "workshop".

Here are a list of "workshops" that were being played by them in the retreat camp

Screamer
Listmaster
Nine Dots
The Great Egg Drop
Game of Tags
Bean Business
Building Bridges

In between activities, we also managed to find some time to test out some possible activities for the Youth Camp and never forgetting, the favourite game of Mafia.

All in all, I hope those that participate in the retreat camp would somehow learn something and if I managed to offend you during the camp, I am sorry.

With Metta,

Bro Wei Han

Some photos taken during the retreat camp.

I didnt know my picture was taken...

Trying out a activity beside the nearby pond...

New Generation Girls...

Dunno what they are doing...

Niro trying out barbecuing her marshmallow using a lighter...

Justin also join in...

July Birthday boys and girl: Song, Leonie and Leonard

Something fun that we manage to find some time to do... Thanks to Song...

Genie on my palm

Turtle Attack!
Help me!

Syiok!

Let's see who is better...

My two fighting genie... "what am I going to do??"

p.s.: in the process of creating these pictures, no one and nothing was being hurt in any way.
(All photos courtesy of Song and Pei Yun)

Retreat Camp 2008

Retreat Camp 2008 @ Dhammavijaya, Dengkil (the second time done outside KCBA) started on Saturday morning and end on Sunday afternoon.

A thousand thank you to all of those that joined the retreat camp, namely:

New Generation: Jessy, Shin Ling, Niro, Leonie, Leonard, Benjamin, Kuan Wei, Chia Wei and Justin

Super Senior: Pei Yun, Weng Phoon, Song, Kean Hua, Jonathan, Wei Loong and Ling Sze

I am very grateful to the super-seniors for taking some time from their busy schedule to come and help me "challenge" the New Generations. Hope that the New Generation would actually see how the super-seniors work together and learn from them.

Will try to write something more about the retreat soon.