Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A simple message...
This is just a simple message from the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, just 4 lines, but how much truer can it be? Let this be a reminder to us all in our lives! =D
"Everything is a test,
To see what you will do.
If you do not recognise what's in front of you,
Then you'll have to start anew."
Words of wisdom from a great teacher!
Friday, January 26, 2007
A treasure within us, and yet we don't see it
I fetched my sisters to their former secondary school this morning as they wanted to collect some certificates and the yearbook, and while waiting for them i sat in the small hut and read a book about the bowing pilgrimage of DM Heng Sure and Heng Chau. Indeed inspirational.
I learnt a number of things today after reading that book. First of all, i learnt to 'really' live in the present, without being bothered by thoughts of the past nor the future. And i discovered that by doing so, there's an inner sanctuary that i can retreat to where i find peace. Not only that, i noticed things around me which i've never noticed before! I saw the little fat sparrow sitting on a rock few meters away from me studying my actions. I finally found the bird that made that melodious call - the magpie! Just sitting there taking in the breeze, the sunshine and the smells around me is a wonderful experience.
The other thing i learnt today is that within each of us we have this compassionate and kind heart, but its hidden in a very remote corner, deep down inside us. Why do i say so? Ever notice how our compassion becomes obscured by things and happenings around us that we have become blinded to the calls of this little heart? It suddenly dawned upon me today, this little heart of ours. And it surfaced when i was just quietly comtemplating the things around me, suddenly feeling this compassion arising in me for everything. Now i finally see how caught up we are with worldly affairs!
Wonder what lesson will i learn next time? Till then! =)
I learnt a number of things today after reading that book. First of all, i learnt to 'really' live in the present, without being bothered by thoughts of the past nor the future. And i discovered that by doing so, there's an inner sanctuary that i can retreat to where i find peace. Not only that, i noticed things around me which i've never noticed before! I saw the little fat sparrow sitting on a rock few meters away from me studying my actions. I finally found the bird that made that melodious call - the magpie! Just sitting there taking in the breeze, the sunshine and the smells around me is a wonderful experience.
The other thing i learnt today is that within each of us we have this compassionate and kind heart, but its hidden in a very remote corner, deep down inside us. Why do i say so? Ever notice how our compassion becomes obscured by things and happenings around us that we have become blinded to the calls of this little heart? It suddenly dawned upon me today, this little heart of ours. And it surfaced when i was just quietly comtemplating the things around me, suddenly feeling this compassion arising in me for everything. Now i finally see how caught up we are with worldly affairs!
Wonder what lesson will i learn next time? Till then! =)
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Taking refuge in the Triple Jewel
The day i took refuge with the Triple Jewel was the 3rd of September, 2006.
Missed the time when Rev. Heng Sure came down to Malaysia for the grand opening ceremony of the Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery in KL and the taking refuge session, so had to go for the second one during my summer holidays.
And what does taking refuge mean? It means to return and rely on the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, which sums up as the Triple Jewel.
I still remember the day when i took refuge. It was very peaceful, and there were quite a number of youths who not only took refuge, but even took the 5 precepts! I was totally awed - my highest respects to them! I wonder when will be the time when i can fully take these precepts as well. It just puts a smile to my face to see the little children taking refuge as well =).
My given Dharma name was 亲慧 (Qin Hui), which roughly translates as "Nearing Wisdom". I hope this will be a guidance to me in my life - to use wisdom to perceive the world around me, and to solve the obstacles in life with wisdom. Taking refuge has indeed made me feel more in control of myself, and it definitely has taught me to face everything with patience and grace.
Its a joy to see my Dharma friends taking the 5 precepts. I wonder when will my turn come? A mi to fuo!
Missed the time when Rev. Heng Sure came down to Malaysia for the grand opening ceremony of the Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery in KL and the taking refuge session, so had to go for the second one during my summer holidays.
And what does taking refuge mean? It means to return and rely on the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, which sums up as the Triple Jewel.
I still remember the day when i took refuge. It was very peaceful, and there were quite a number of youths who not only took refuge, but even took the 5 precepts! I was totally awed - my highest respects to them! I wonder when will be the time when i can fully take these precepts as well. It just puts a smile to my face to see the little children taking refuge as well =).
My given Dharma name was 亲慧 (Qin Hui), which roughly translates as "Nearing Wisdom". I hope this will be a guidance to me in my life - to use wisdom to perceive the world around me, and to solve the obstacles in life with wisdom. Taking refuge has indeed made me feel more in control of myself, and it definitely has taught me to face everything with patience and grace.
Its a joy to see my Dharma friends taking the 5 precepts. I wonder when will my turn come? A mi to fuo!
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