Which Path? Pureland?

There are so many sects in Buddhism that it is difficult to choose which path to follow. Which is the path that is most suitable and can be followed by lay Buddhist to get out of this saha world? Mahayana, Theravada, Tibetan, Zen or Pureland? There are also many good dhamma teachers from the different sects.

A few weeks ago, I met a former classmate who is into Pureland Buddhism where one recites the name of Amitabha sincerely to be born in a lotus in Western Paradise. According to Pureland Buddhism, it is difficult to achieve Nibbana on one's own effort because we have a lot of karmic debts from our past action. So we have to depend on Amitabha's power to help us to get to Western Paradise where we will have the opportunity to become a Buddha.

There is a Pureland Centre in Menglembu where devotees chant together. It is unfortunate that the announcement and notices on the board are mainly in Chinese. Maybe it is because sifu/ spiritual adviser  (Rev Ching Kung/淨空法師  ) is a Taiwanese and most of those who go there are Chinese educated. Most of the dhamma books and cds/vcds are all in Chinese. So it is a problem for those who are English educated who do not have friends to inform them of the upcoming events in the centre.

Fortunately there are English version of the sutra books and it is most useful for those English educated who wants to follow the chanting of the sutra especially during the 三時繫念 (a ceremony whereby one chants sutra to clear our karmic debts). A week before the ceremony one has to hand in one's list of names for the prayer. No amount is stated.........it is up to the devotee to put in any amount into the donation box.

If one want to join in the group chanting in the front of the main shrine hall, then one has to wear the black robe (hai ching ) and black socks. No need to worry if one doesn't have one.  Can borrow from the centre and return it later. One can also get t-shirt and socks from the centre free. However, one is encouraged to donate some money for them. Just put whatever amount into the donation box. There are also cds/vcds, prints and books for free distribution.

Vegetarian food is served there and it is free. Mahayana Buddhists are mainly vegetarian to cultivate a compassionate heart towards all beings. At about 11 something, one proceed to the dining hall while reciting the name of Amitabha all the time. Then one sits at the table where there are a bowl of rice, soup, vegetables, and a pair of chopsticks ready. One sits at one place and wait for everyone to sit down. After that the name of Amitabha is recited a few times before one starts eating. One's hand should not be on the table. No talking is allowed while eating. The helpers will come around to ask if one wants extra of this and that. One should eat up whatever that is in the bowl-no wastage allowed. It is because the food is donated and one should appreciated the kindness and generosity of the donors. Actually the vegetarian food served there is excellent.

After one has finished, the bowls must be placed at the edge of the table........in a certain way. If one is not sure, no worries, just follow the crowd. One has to wait until everyone at the tables has finished, then it is back to the main shrine hall for another round of chanting.

One can leave or join in anytime for the chanting at the main shrine hall. No fuss. Just go into the main shrine hall and there will be usher to show you when you can join in. I only know that every Sunday there is a whole day recitation of Amitabha's name in the main shrine hall except for the last Sunday of the month  when there is

Living in a Grateful World

I copied this from a book: Living in a Grateful World.
Be grateful to whose who have hurt or harm you for they have reinforced your determination
Be grateful to those who have deceived you for they have deepened your insight
Be grateful to those who have hit you for they have reduced your karmic obstacles
Be grateful to those who have abandoned you for they have taught you to be independent
Be grateful to those who have made you stumble for they have strengthened your ability
Be grateful to those who have denounce you for they have increased your wisdom and concentration

We always feel anger towards people whom we feel have caused us harm in whatever way. Actually we should feel gratitude towards them as they are in a way our teachers. They teach us patience and strengthened us.We become better people because we don't want to be like them. We will avoid being like them. We will treat people better because we know how much it hurts emotionally and physically if we treats others badly.

We should always remember when we hurt one person, we are hurting many people. Those around her/him who feels the sadness and hurt too. They feel helpless as they cannot protect her/him from those who hurt her.
Many don't realize their action can send a person into depression and even cause suicide. Not many people especially the young are able to take the cold shoulders and the insults hurled at them. For those who are unable to take it, it will harm them psychologically.

For all those who are in this situation, I have  one advice: However bad a situation, it is temporary only. .....and soon this will pass. Better time will follow. Night is always followed by day. The darkest hour is before dawn. Do not let people get you down. Whatever it is be strong ........and become an even stronger person.

There is no need to seek revenge.....karma works in strange way. Whatever bad things one dishes out to others, one will get a taste of it later. One reaps what one sows.
Retributions will come sooner or later.........it is only when that we don't know. Good karma doesn't last forever.........a flower is never always blooming. After some time, it will fade. It is like good karma.....if we always take out and didn't deposit back soon our account will be depleted. Then we will suffer the consequences of our action.

My father

My father came from China as a Sinkhek......meaning that he was sold to work for a certain period of time with his boss. He was a very mild man who never raised his hands on his children. Mother was the one who beat and disciplined us. I got beaten lots of time ....for bad results, for not being obedient etc. But not father. He was so kind and mild. Seldom raised his voice. He was generous with his money. Asked him and he would tell us to get the coins from his pockets. Whenever he went outstation, he would buy back things for us to eat. I think all my brothers take after him in the way they treat their wife and family.

I remember the day my father died. It was early in the morning......at about 4 something. I don't why...but whenever something happened, I would be there. He was sleeping on his favourite old plastic deck chair. He woke up, coughed continuously and then was gone. Just like that. Gone. It was the 13 day of Chinese New Year. Buried on the 15th.

The Past

I don't like to think of the past, but sometimes the memories come back. Scenes of the past comes to the mind. I lived in a town house for most part of my growing years. There were 3 tenants, each with a family. We occupied a room downstairs. The 9 of us packed into a small room. There was no bed......we slept on the wood plank above the floor. There was a small cupboard where we put our clothing. There was no such thing as fan or air-con. Once in a while, ticks invaded the wall of the bedroom. And of course all of us contributed our blood to the ticks until mother sprayed insecticide and got rid of them temporarily.
The front of the house was where father conduct his business. He made tombstones and tombs for a living. He also was adept in feng shui.........more of the yin type. Means he could predict whether the feng shui of a certain tomb was good or bad for the deceased's children and grandchildren. Business was not good. How much business could you expect from dead man's business?
At the back was the dining hall. We share the kitchen and the dining hall with another tenant. The kitchen was big enough to accommodate a few tables for the stoves, an open rack to keep pots and pans, a furnace, a toilet and a bathroom. There was also a water-tub connected to the bathroom. The toilet was the bucket type where every morning the night soil men would come and cart it away. When they didn't turn up for a few day, the bucket would overflow. Sometimes, there would be shit on the platform when the users didn't aim properly.
Well, just now I mentioned about the furnace. The metal tools used to engraved the wordings on the tombstone needed to be sharpen. So once in a few days, we had to help to turn the blower continuously to make sure the fire in the furnace was hot enough to heat up the tools so that they were malleable enough to be banged until sharp. The water in the tub was used to cool down the tools.
In the evening,  Mrs Lee, the mee-seller would come over and cook her pots of soup, curry and laksa.There were prawns to peel and fish to clean. About 2 kilos of each. I was paid to help to peel the prawns. Sometimes the prawns would come late and also most of the time of the very small variety. So it was a tedious job to do and not very lucrative to do. Many a time I helped to clean the fish unpaid. I collected the eggs and salted them. Mother used them to make perut ikan, one of my favourite dishes. Sometimes, the bottles of salted eggs were sold to the land lady's relatives who came from outstation.
Life was even harder after father passed on. There were so many ifs.............if only he didn't pass on so early, things I think would have been a lot different for us. 

Bandwagon

It seems like everyone is  blogging. So I am joining the bandwagon and have a blog too. Actually, I don't really know what to blog about. Sometimes I wish that I have interesting things to blog about. But life is especially dull....mundane things. Wake up, eat, do some chores, rest, eat and time to sleep. Isn't life so routine and boring? The hours of sleep required of a person reduces as a person grows older. Insomnia is a frequent occurrence. It is sometimes so difficult to get back to sleep when one wakes up at odd hours.
I have found a good way to get back to sleep. I listen to dhamma talks and Buddhist chanting that I have downloaded on to my handphone. Of course I use ear phones to listen to the talks. Cannot disturb the partner sleeping next to me. I have listen to the some of the talks umpteenth times.
The problem now is I dont know why I cannot upload new talks into my handphone. So I have to make do with the old dhamma talks. Better than nothing. :D

Mission (im) Possible

These days I try to cut down on eating meat......which is a difficult task when those around are mostly meat-eaters . It is not difficult if one cooks at home, but when one goes out, one has to follow the wishes of others on where and what to eat. The temptation to join others and eat meat is great. But one really has to try hard to overcome it. It is especially so when one goes out for the typical Chinese wedding dinner which usually don't cater for those on vegetarian diet. If one doesn't take a share of the meat etc, one will be bombarded with a barrage of questions as to why one is not eating. At least with prawns and other sea food, one can escape eating them by saying one is allergic to sea food! As for buffets, one is tempted with an array of delicious looking meat dishes. Luckily one can always go for the dessert if one is hungry. Stuff full with kuihs, cakes, jellies and fruits and one will forget about the meat.
At the home front, it is easier to control what one cooks and eat. But one cannot be cooking vegetables only....as there would soon be complaints. If one has a partner who is a typical Chinese and thinks that anything that face its back to the sun can be eaten, the task of converting him to embark on a vegetarian diet is monumental. The only way to convince him is to drum into him that vegetables is good for him who has high cholesterol and high blood pressure and all sorts of medical problems associated with being a 'carnivore". This makes him curb his love for anything meaty. But once in a while, I have to indulge in his love for meat.
To convert and change a person is difficult. The realization and the wish to change must come from the person. We can tell the person a thousand times but if the person doesn't want to change, then it is a losing battle.
Getting a person to change takes time and patience. And lots of patience to wait for the change.

A Journey of No Return

Today I have decided to embark on a journey of no return. I have thinking about it for a long time. Thinking about it is no use.......I have to make an effort to start the journey. A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. So I am now taking the first step. I should not procrastinate any longer. I am not getting younger...and age is really catching up.Memories are not so excellent. Now, I am dead serious about the journey. Ya,  I have to be dead to reach this destination.... the destination where all followers of the Western Paradise Buddhist Sect hope to get to. Hope is the word................one has to strive hard to get there. It is not somewhere you pay money to get there. For this journey, the fare is constant recitation of Amitabha. Constant recitation is not the only criteria....one must also have sincerity and will to want to go there. One must be willing to let go.............let go of earthly ties.
Now I am just planting my small little seed in the pond in Western Paradise. Hopefully the seed will sprout into a  lotus where I can be reborn in............ a small lotus among many other beautiful lotuses.
I want to leave this saha world which is full of suffering. Wars, pestilence, famine,poverty, natural disasters, diseases, old age, partings, loneliness, death.................there is so much suffering in this world.
Everything is transient.....in this saha world. Love comes, love goes............all depends on affinity.
I will have to thank my second half and his family for my resolve to leave this saha world forever. My gratitude towards him especially for all the things that he has done to make me aware of the impermanence of everything in this world.
I know the journey is not going to be an easy one, but I will not give up. I know there will be people who will strewn nails on the path..........but I will carry on diligently. There is no other way....this is the only escape route available out of this saha world.

Humanity

These couple of days have been reading unpleasant news. It is as if people have lost their humanity and their compassion and now behave worse than animals. In the first case, a toddler was knocked down by a van, another rolled over her  and about 18 people passed by without rending help. It was very much later when a garbage collector went to her aid ..............., she was in very serious condition. Imagine a child lying in pain in a pool of blood on the road and passers -by just ignored her cries of pain. What did they think she was.....a  piece of garbage on the ground. Even an injured animal deserves better. Even dogs know how to help their own kind that is in trouble.
The other troubling news was of LGE's son who was accused of molest. Can you imagine fabricating a story and spreading unfound accusations on an innocent young boy? I really feel for the parents who has to deal with this type of situation. It is lucky for them that their son did not jump down from a tall building. It has happened before to one form 6 boy who commit suicide because he was accused by a schoolmate of purposely bumping into her. Some cannot take these type of accusation............and may go into depression. And a person in depression needs so much care and love to overcome the negative feelings. It is not easy to live with a person who suffers from depression.
It is sad that to gain political mileage and to get at the parents one drags a young innocent boy into the foray.

The Empty Nest

Today was talking to Lucy and she mentioned about the birds flying out of the coop and the nest soon becomes empty. Only two old folks will be left behind and when one hits  the dust, the other will be alone.
That is why with age hits the realization that the only one who will be with us until one of us dies will be our partner. Whatever quarrels and misunderstanding that one has with one another in the past becomes trifle affairs. One becomes more tolerant of each other. One values the companionship of the other person.
It is heart wrenching to see the kids go away one by one...........but one cannot be selfish. One has to cut the string and like let them go wherever their karma takes them. It is like opening the cage and the birds flies away.

A Little Greed

Today one of my colleague, Alice asked me if I am interested to join in the Lucky Draw Group. I think there were about 25 of us grouping together to buy about 200 tickets. Well, we know the chances of striking it lucky is minimal but even with a glimmer of hope, who is drawn by the lure of striking it rich. Although the share from the loot will not make us millionaire, any amount should we strike lucky will be most welcomed.All of us live on hopes and dreams that are near impossible to achieve......yet we still cling to them. For many times already we have bought the tickets, but so far no luck. It is usually the .......one day we will strike lucky....that keeps us from giving up.
Heaven's luck of striking it rich has not been on my side so far. The best I did was I won about RM100 in Magnum. So far, not so good. The numbers that I bought for the so many times didnt even come near. But once in a while I still bought either Toto or Magnum. Greed la.......Just imagine the things that can be done with the money should one strike a few millions. Wow.....no more worries about money anymore. Even if it is a few hundred thousands.....the money will come in useful.
I don't think it is against my religion to be a bit greedy. I am not hurting anyone or causing anyone problems. Just the thought of striking it rich only. Not cheating or stealing money from someone. Just pay some money to buy the tickets.............if strike, good. If not, enriching already rich businessman.
Well, I don't think I am the only one who have plans on what to do with the money should one strike lucky. Imagination really runs wild ........all sorts of things come to the head. The first is of course share the happiness with other members of the family by distributing some to them. The comes donating to charity....all the favourite charities that one could only spare a bit now and then.On course one would also pamper oneself with the winnings...............have a spa, make-over, delicious food and also a well-deserved holiday. Nice dreams, isn't it? Winning a lot of money also means that one has to keep a low profile. One cannot go around displaying one's newly acquired wealth. It would be asking for trouble............the criminal kind. One would not want to be a target of kidnappers and extortionists.Better to keep it quiet for a while so that one would not be cheated.
Alas............all dreams. Well, may be one day.............................

Reincarnation

It has always been said that if we are good and kind we will go to heaven. But how many of us dare to say that we deserve to go there. If we dont go there, then where do we go after death? To burn forever in hell? To reincarnate again as a human, or some lower life forms?
We ( a few ladies ) have talk about reincarnation and whether we would want to marry or marry the same man again in our next life. So far I heard of only one who wants to marry the same man again and have made a pact to marry one another in their next life. A few said they will not marry.........at all. To them who have undergone so much sufferings, they are no more interested in marriage and would prefer to walk the path alone. Others want to marry but not to the same man.To each her own.
As for me, I hope not to be reborn in this world again. Not as anything.....the thought of being in this world again is scary. If one is born as a human with plenty of resources, the tendency for one to create bad karma is very high. If one is born poor, there is so much sufferings trying to elk a living. If one is born disabled, then one is a burden to one's family and society.  If one is born as an animal etc.....then it is even more pitiful. Many types of animals are slaughtered  and eaten. Some are eaten while still alive. Even insects are not spared from the dinner table. If they cannot be eaten, they are mistreated. How many animals are loved by their owners like a member of the family? Look at the many dogs and cats abandoned by their owners once they lost their cuteness or grow old and sick.
I try not to create any more bad karma........I dont want to return. I prefer to give than accept. If we accept too many things from others, then we may have to pay back in our next life. Whatever I owe to others I hope to clear in this lifetime so that I dont have to return. I want to embark on A Journey of No Return.

A Little Bit of Kindness

It is said and written in ancient books that performing wholesome actions will bring good results in return whereas conducting unwholesome action will receive a bad outcome. But it is so hard to convince people that it would be better to plant the seeds of good merit when all around them they are faced with unscrupulous people who have benefited and are enjoying themselves from the fruits of their unwise action. They have a super comfortable life whereas the good guys are face with all sorts of obstacles.
It is so hard to obtain real life evidence to prove to others of the benefits of doing good deeds.Maybe it is because my circle of friends are few. People do not go around telling their life stories. I would really like to hear from people and document their experience so that there are written proofs to help those who are desperate to change their destiny. As a ray of hope for those who are in the dumps.
At present I have to content myself reading the Four Lessons of Liao-Fan, The Incredible Phenomenon of Karma and The Stories of Liberating Lives. Reading them (constantly) reminds me that there are people who were able to change their destiny by accumulating merits. That they were able to overcome whatever bad karma they have planted in the past by performing good deeds in this life. That life is not predestined and one can change it..........either way.
 Sometimes we ask ourselves whether there is such thing as retribution. In this age, more people are selfish than kind. They are careless in their action and words. Bullying not only happens in school. It is also a common thing in college. Some girls are especially cruel. They work in groups and zoom in on their target who is often weak, inexperience and unwise to the world. They spread rumours about her and influencing others to boycott her.They don't realize that due to their unwise action, they cause their victim to suffer depression and have suicidal thoughts. It cause so much pain to those who care for her...........and who desperately search for ways to help her overcome her depressive thoughts. It take months and even years before she could overcome her fears, lack of confidence and depression.
One does not seek revenge for the suffering that one has undergone. It doesn't solve the problem .........what is done cannot be undone.............the pains and sufferings of the past cannot be deleted. One just hope that all these bullies or their loved ones experience what they dish out to others.Only when a needle prick a person will the person feels the pain. Then they will realize the folly of their action and words...........and learn a bit of kindness.A bit of kindness goes a long way.

A Mother's Love

Suddenly I thought of writing about mothers. A mother's love is unconditional. There is no strings attached to the love a mother has for her child. From the day she hold the baby in her arms to the day she passes on to the other side, her love never dies. It does not matter if she has many children; she loves them all.
I think of my own mother who is all sacrificing.Even when they are married and have their own families she still worries about them. Her happiest time are when they with their brood visit her. She doesnt mind cooking their favourite food.........she knows each of her children and grandchildren's favourite dish..........usually one her signature dishes. She has many. Her tau yu bak, prawn petai, perut ikan , to name a few, are hot favourite. Her food taste wonderful because I think she cooks them with a dash of love. For one of my brothers, her bak chang is incomparable to others. At her age, which is 70+ she still cooks.
She is a wonderful mother-in-law. She looks after 2 grandsons while their parents earn a living in Kuala Lumpur and are only able to come back on leave or weekends. One is still with her while the other is studying in University.
Age is catching up. But she does not want to take life easy and stay with one of her married sons. She prefers to potter around her little house.But she does not glue herself to the television. Prefers to rest if she is tired. Her small garden of potted plants are green and healthy. She is never bored. Always finding things to do. She is never lonely as neighbours pop in and talk to her.
Mother had a hard life. After my father died, she had to do menial jobs to put food on the table. She never gave up on me although I know that I must have disappointed her many times. The support she gave me saw me through difficult times. It is a great blessing to have such a mother.
Although I have never verbally said it............in my heart, my mother is the best. We may have misunderstanding when I was young, but this have never affected my love and respect for her. I may not be able to spend as much time as I like with her, but I know that she knows that I care for her.
The Love of a mother is an undying love. It is an unconditional one.

On Being Vegetarian.

The ninth month of the Chinese calender celebrates the festival of the Nine Emperor Gods. It is the  time when devotees would embark on a vegetarian diet for nine or ten days. It is a good excuse at this time of the year for me to be herbivorous for 9 consecutive days. Being vegetarian during this period does not cause any problem since I have been doing that even before i was married. It is something that is tolerated but not understood by my in laws or husband.
Last year, my daughter and I were vegetarian for nine days whereas the other two, that is my husband and MIL , survive only for a couple of days of vegetarian diet and then calling it quits. They couldn't stand a few days without meat.....chicken or pork. My daughter who loves burger, pizza and most things meaty successfully maintain her vegetarian diet for 9 days.
This year is a different story. I decided not to pamper them by having two menus. There is only 1 menu at home for this year............vegetarian dishes. The message is loud and clear. It is either eat the vegetarian dishes I cook/buy  or go find a  restaurant/stall that cater to their carnivore palates. Today is the 7th day and so far so good. No complaints or throwing tantrums.
Maybe my cooking is getting better.....he he( self-praise only) . Or maybe it is because of health reasons. Or possibly  it is too expensive to eat out.

Why Wait?

I manage to sell a few copies of my charity raffle tickets to my colleagues. Many of my colleagues are generous when it comes to donation. They are generous when it comes to donating money if and when I approach them for donation. Maybe they know that their money will definitely go to the target charity.
Many, however, will not take the trouble to go to these charitable organization to donate. It is troublesome for some of them who have many chores to attend to.
One of my colleagues commented that when she retires then only will she participate in charitable activities.Why wait until retire? Why not start now? How sure are we that we are going to be alive tomorrow....and retirement is a few years away? If we want to wait for this and that, then we will never do it. By that time we may not be in the position to help or we may not be around to help.