Knights of the DharmaRoundTable 法缘桌

Myth of Stress Workshop, 7 Dec 2010, 2pm-4.30pm

2010-12-07T20:10:00.001+08:00

Run down of Programme:
2.00-2.45pm Myth of Stress [Intro, 7min game (given 5min to discuss), debrief of activity]
2.45-3.15pm Types of stress [10min discuss, 5min each group to present]
3.15-3.45pm Sources of stress [10min discuss, 5min each group to present]
3.45-4.00pm Seeing through stress [compare types and sources of stress on different halves]
4.00-4.05pm Tensed then released activity [aware of what happened when stress and relax]
4.05-4.20pm Deep relaxation [lying down and listen to soothing song]
4.20-4.30pm Singing and doing hand movements for the song "Happiness is here and now"

To improve:
1. For the 7min game, need to clearly instruct the minimum height, define what is a stable structure, 1 monitor for each group (instead of i monitor for 2 grps)
2. For the segment of "Sources of Stress", facilitator had difficulty guiding the participants to clearly list it out as every group easily conclude big concepts, like expectations, attachments, etc. It would be good if each group can choose the top three most stressful things and slowly go through it by using 5 levels of WHYs in search of the sources of stress. [this exercise is to guide the participants to break down their so-called sources of stress by going through their own discovery journey, starts with being aware of stress]
3. For the segment "seeing through stress", facilitators faced difficulty in guiding it.
4. Conclusion, facilitators managed to link the whole process to The Four Noble Truths, but it would be good that The Noble Eightfold Path could be shared with the participants too.

Highlights:
During the segment discussing on sources of stress and seeing through stress, it was chaotic as in the discussion seemed to have gone out of control.. Discussion went into abstract discussions, like "if we could eradicate stress, does it mean that we could then have happiness?", "does attachment bring stress?", "we already know the source of stress is due to expectation, there is nothing to discuss", "i think that attachment is fine, it does not give me stress", etc. Facilitators did some damage control by sharing that this workshop is not an academic session in which we are searching for an answer to a query, it was a session to be aware of your own stress, the sources. If you have found the sources of stress, so what? Have you done something about it? This would be something that everyone of us, as unique individuals, need to address it ourselves.

30 Oct 2010, Dharma Friends Workshop for NUSBS @ NUS Staff Club, Aquarius Room

2010-10-31T16:00:00.008+08:00

Objectives given:
- to let our potential Dharma Friends know about their role in being Dharma friends
- to guide our potential Dharma Friends to work well on their role such as to lead the discussions and involve everyone in during the group discussions especially during Dharma Circle (and also Dharma Camp)- to guide them the more effective and persuasive way to share their Dharma knowledge within members in Buddhist Society
- to somehow ensure that they have better knowledge of Dharma compared to other members

The workshop was supposed to be from 9.30am to 12.30pm. At 9.30am, only Nalene turned up, followed by a few members. Logistics were not prepared on time. The workshop only commenced at 10am.

12 of them turned up: Nalene (Welfare), Johan (Dharma), Poh Jin (Secretary), Xin Zhao (Vice President), Kevin (Resource), Jia Qi, Li Min, Xiao Hui, Chin Xia, Si Wei, Soe, HariHom.

10-11am: Difference between facilitator and presenter, common worries to be a facil

itator, benefits to be one, the stages involved in a facilitation, different characters in a group.
11-11.45am: 1st Trial DC with feedbacks
11.45-12.30pm: 2nd Trial DC with feedbacks
12.30-12.50pm: Round up

General inputs:

The participants appeared responsive throughout the workshop and receptive to Trainers' advice and suggestions. Their involvement was encouraging and it was very interactive. During the trials, the dummies did well in facilitating discussion and trainers were impressed with the progress made.

What we did well (Debrief on 11/11/10):

- More familiar with workshop contents as we did it before

- Share real-life facilitation experience

- Conducive venue: quiet, projector, whiteboard available

What to improve (Debrief on 11/11/10):

1. Team work:

- Assign specific roles to each person

- More mindful of dynamics with partner facilitators

- Main facilitator to slow down before moving on

- Communicate any conflicting ideas to partner facilitator first

2. Content/Style:

- More interactive, 50 mins of talk may cause restlessness

3. Others:

- Trial run

- Print hardcopy evaluation forms and ask them to fill up on the spot

Consolidated Feedback from GL Workshop for Dharma Camp 2009

2009-12-23T20:31:00.002+08:00

Participants were asked to rate 1-4 on the whole workshop, the morning Personality Test, and the afternoon Team Building Games activities separately. Their ratings were:

(3+3+2.5+2+3.5+3.5+3+3)/8 = 2.9375

There was a bit of miscommunication between me and Wai Kit because he ended up asking for only an overall rating for the whole day, and he allowed non-integers values!

Qualitative feedback for the best aspect of the workshop:

The best part is the songs, games. Because, other than that it helps us GLs, to know each other, it gives GLs prior knowledge about some of the songs/games; hence GLs can guide/ lead the group members if they’re confused. The workshop taught me how to interact, approach, and communicate with others. Thus, I can bond easily with my group members. It also taught me more about myself and hence I know about myself and can apply it to be friendly with others.

Course allows us to get to know each other well. Workshop is short and not too draggy and overwhelming. Leaders were supportive and friendly. I learnt to be more open and brave to interact with group mates because even if they don’t talk to you much, it doesn’t mean that they dislike you or think you’re silly.

Games (planning and playing the game together as it creates bonding among group leaders and with the seniors).

Personality test, which develops better understanding in interaction with people.

I like the games and the singing. And the personality test is quite useful too.

The game thinking part. This session is quite useful because it forces me to be impromptu. I learnt a lot from this session like how a game should work and how a game can create bonding between all the members.

The songs and games parts. It is the part that makes me feel fun and peace. (Songs give peace when we sing them and games create a fun situation as well as create interaction among participants.)

Songs and games.

Bonding between GLs in advance is great. It helps in providing communication between groups also.

Food Hunt Dry Run. I think contribute a lot to GLs bonding. And the training on the following day reinforces it perfectly, and easier for us to express our opinion.

I do make use of what I learn from brain colours. I have a better understanding on my group members’ personalities.

I think singing songs together and learning the simple action is quite useful in creating the bonding.

Suggestions for improvements

More discussion among GLs (helps to know each other and to communicate with others)

More games/ songs (prior knowledge for GLs)

Maybe more games

Learn more songs

If possible, we can have the training at somewhere in the west of Singapore

There should be more game practices so that GLs can apply them in their groups.

Maybe next GL training can be at the same place for the camp. It will benefit the GLs by knowing the place better.

Game session part should add longer so that every group leader can be involved as a game master because besides being a good group leader, we should also know how to be a good game master. Also maybe can change the venue to somewhere else because travelling so far will cause a lot of time and maybe it can be saved to extend longer timing for the workshop.

During the workshop, there should be more songs taught and focus on how to develop interaction between one group with another group. In addition to the training on how to build interaction among group members in the same GL. So, the missing part is the training on how to build interaction between one group with another group. Overall, the workshop is good.

Sometimes I know I have to use other method to communicate with them, but I don’t know how to do it. So maybe next time can teach us how you normally overcome the problem if some of your members are quiet.

Maybe seniors may share their techniques in making the atmosphere more lively.

GL Workshop 2009

2009-11-19T11:14:00.003+08:00

This year’s timetable will be:
0930am Arrival + Breakfast + linger around
1000am DC1101 - Introduction to Dharma Camp (Kwek)
1015am Who are you? – Icebreaker (Albert)
1100am Who am I? - Personality Test (Cindy): 10 min to do test and tabulate; 10 min instructions; 10 min to discuss moral dilemmas; 20 min to process;
1230pm Makan - Lunch
1315pm D-Box (Sea Ming)
1345pm Workshop: Building a Team (Hidayat)
1550pm Break
1600pm Wrap up: Managing expectations (Kwek)

Icebreaker

Possibilities:
Trust circle!
Human Bingo
Egg -> Chicken Scissors-Paper-Stone
Shout-my-name

Personality Test
Settled.

Team Building
Split into 2 groups, brainstorm for a team building game (or a series of games, as long as within the time frame) to be played for the other group plus facilitators. There are helplines in the centre, which they can ask for help or clues or guides or inspiration. Then everyone will play and then debrief. They will speak a few words and give ideas on how to improve the team-building.

Time limit: 2 hours
10 min Intro and instructions (explaining rationale)
40 min Brainstorm and think of an activity
20 min Execution - Team A
20 min Execute - Team B
30 min Debrief

Materials (They don't know what materials we provide unless they use the Mystery Bad helpline):
Newspaper
Mahjong paper
Straws
Scotch tape /Musking tape/ Double-sided tape, etc.
Ice-cream sticks
String
Markers
CD player
Songs / Game music

Helplines
A. Keywords
B. Pictures
C. Mystery Bag

Issue outstanding: How many clues can they draw?

D-box
Songs in between sessions with a longer after-lunch session and a final session after wrap up.

Wrap up

- Four Immeasurables in team-building
- Moderating expectations (Internal emotions)
- Right action (Middle path, middle choices) and applying Right Speech

Only when you are bored in office...

2009-09-30T11:22:00.000+08:00

Watch the part 1 first

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUF6f83jclI

Then watch the part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASr5GcuDHug

Dharma Friends (DF) Workshop: 20 Sept 2009, 1-4pm

2009-09-26T18:13:00.006+08:00

Trainers: Albert, Kwek, CK

There were a total of 20 members (committees and potential DFs) who attended the workshop.

1.00-1.15pm Ice-Breaking
(Albert built rapport with the members by understanding everyone's dharma background, Dharma Circle (DC) and facilitation experience. We had a wonderful group of people with no dharma knowledge, no facilitation experience to experienced DFs)
1.15-1.45pm Who? What?
(Kwek shared on the difference between a facilitator and a speaker. Albert then continued by asking each member, "What makes you attend DC? (one reason)". This was to connect to the objectives of a DF.)
1.45-2.30pm Fight!!!
(Members were then divided into two groups by numbering them "1" and "2". Facilitators were chose randomly. Facilitators were supposed to choose a daily topic to discuss. One group chose "The Happiest Time"; whilst the other group chose "My Angry Period". They were given 20min, each group had 7 ppl and 4 observers. Observers would comment on the facilitators performance and the effectiveness of the discussion.)
2.30-3.00pm How?
(CK shared with the members on some of the common worries DFs had. Albert and Kwek then shared with them some skills, possible group situations and wonderful personnel that a DF may face during DC.)
3.00-3.30pm Fight!!!
(Members continued with another round of trial DC. 3 members from each group were chosen and to be exchanged within the two groups. Again, facilitators were chosen randomly. Facilitators were supposed to choose a Dharma topic to discuss. One group chose "What makes a Buddhist?"; whilst the other group chose "How to repay our parents?". They were given 15min, each group had 7 ppl and 4 observers. Observers would comment on the facilitation skills applied and the Dharma content.)
3.30-3.45pm Dream...
(Members were asked to draw a picture of their PERFECT DF and pen down the qualities which they hope to see during DC. Then, they were asked to put their thoughts on the wonderful group which they hope to have during DC and the wonderful responses which they hope to hear after DC. This activity was to instill positive picture and thoughts to prepare DF for DC.)
3.45-4.00pm Why? Points up & Bonus Points
(Kwek shared the benefits that could be reaped being a DF. Some advice (bonus points) were given to the members. Session ended with a song titled "Reach Out" to encourage these NUSBS Ambassadors continue to reach out and serve the Buddhist community in NUS.)

Feedback:
- Structured
- Beneficial
- Received a lot of knowledge
- Get a lot of tips and tricks being a good DF
- Very good
- Well done
- Today workshop is helpful. I like it.
- It brings all members together.
- Good that it gives an insight of what a DF should be prepared for :)

Point to note (debrief between Kwek and Albert):
- to prepare a slide of your own as both trainers have different delivery style (the
current slide is a combination of Kwek previous slide and Albert's slide)
- ask for comment from all the observers in a group before moving to another group
(during the workshop, trainer asked for comments randomly from group 1 to 2,
confusing)
- time management (workshop exceeded by 15min)

It's been 4 months....

2009-06-14T00:39:00.002+08:00

Wow, the last post was by Sea and it was far back to Feb. I think, we have forgotten this place which we frequented previously, including me. Time flies, i have been working at VWO for close to 7 months, work is hectic. In a few months time, there will be a training scheme arranged for me. This means that i will need to take up short courses as well as a graduate diploma qualification. What to do? To be a Social Worker need license.

At this stage of life, i feel like embarking on a different journey with less emphasis on spearheading dhammaduta work. Spiritual practice will be eminent, but will spend more time to look the world and explore new things. I really wish to explore what Christianity is...fascinating...though from our point of view, it is blinded by the truth, but it has stayed on for so long...there must be some essence in it...

I have decided...a low profile truth seeker to be...

Long time no see

2009-02-26T15:21:00.005+08:00

*brushing off the dust on this blog*

Wow, this place is sure quiet for some time! Probably we are more comfortable with face-to-face connections, together with the FOOD.

I shall start the updates with myself.
I am still on hunt for jobs while working as a Casual Junior Research Assistant (what a fancy name). As the current market does not offer many jobs, I may apply for jobs outside of my field like marketing and communications, public relations-related or anything that I am interested in. I am even considering joining the MOE in teaching.
So if you hear of any openings that may suit me, do let me know. Thank you!

One thing interesting to share is, now I enjoy the chanting sessions in my Sunday School, especially when I am able to play the Dharma instruments. I used to think chanting is boring and tedious, oops!
Surprisingly, it is easier to concentrate when leading the session rather than just chanting at the floor, as we have to be extra mindful of the beats, the other leaders' tones and also our own recitations.

Only now that we are fully familiar with our beats, I start to enjoy leading puja as much as meditation. The mind is focused. Therapeutic!

Our 20-minute Mahayana puja is lead by 3 people:
1) the leader/'Wei3 Nuo3', who plays 大磬/Da Qing，引磬/Yin Qing
2) 木鱼/Mu Yu player
3) 钟鼓/Zhong Gu/Bell & Drum player
Thank you Venerable Chun Qing and Venerable Bodhi for training us in so many sessions.

My last update is, I have started a new blog! I have dumped the msn blog. Please leave comments if you stop by so that I know who's viewing.
--> seaming.blogspot.com

So, how are you? Physically, economically, spiritually, mentally, socially?
(Don't need to reply a detailed answer if you don't have time. I am fine with "I am fine")

Come and Support!

2009-01-31T13:17:00.001+08:00

Happy Niu Year!

3gems is doing guiding for an exhibit at the Peranakan Museum, I'm one of the guiders, do come if you are interested!

---
6 Feb - 26 Apr 2009

SERENITY IN STONE

One of the more important archaeological finds of the 20th century was made by chance in the city of Qingzhou in Shandong province, northeast China . Chinese serene-looking sculptures were created in the 6th century CE during the Northern Wei, Eastern Wei andNorthern Qi dynasties. Despite being buried for a few centuries, these sculptures still retain traces of paint and gold leaf. It is not hard to imagine that 1400 years ago, these sculptures were extremely exquisite and resplendent. Come admire their grand splendour!

For a limited period only.

Tours Dates & Time
Every Friday, 7pm
Every Saturday & Sunday, 10.30am & 4pm
Tour will be conducted in English

Venue
Peranakan Museum , 39 Armenian Street
*Strictly by email registration only (Limited to 10 visitors per tour)
Register with your full name, mobile, email & total no of participants. Please specify your tour date & destination (Serenity in Stones) to info@3gems.net one week prior of your preferred date

Buddhist Guide Service
Free of Charge
*Admission fees to the museum apply*
Adult: S$8Group Discount (5Pax): S$5

For more inormation, please visit http://www.peranakanmuseum.sg.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T00:04:00.002+08:00

Happy 2009!

Some of you might be at the Spiritual Countdown now hahaha but I'm at home, wishing you guys all the best in the year(s) ahead.

May all beings always have happiness and its causes.
May all beings always be free from suffering and its causes.
May all of us grow with wisdom and compassion with each passing moment.
May all beings never be separated from the Awakened Mind.

Sis Pei Fuen rocks

2008-12-30T01:04:00.002+08:00

It is really nice to meet up with u all. I dunno whether i talk too much again on my own experience. I felt i like to share the sorrow i have went through with people. Please feedback to me, ok?

Sis Pei Fuen is really shuai4. One word to summarize from me-"Enlightened" (light bulb, tink!) I really liked to listen how she analyze things, brief yet so true, straight to the point.

Wow, really learnt a lot from her. She is really a good role model to learn from.

Kalyana Mitra, my happy beautiful friends. I love all of you. Muaks...

Feedbacks from GLs

2008-12-13T00:55:00.004+08:00

Dear all,

I have conducted a short debrief with the GLs and the following were their responses:

1. What is good about the workshop which have helped you a lot during the camp?
- mentally prepared for the camp
- sharing of past experiences from ex-GLs

2. What could be done to better equipped the GLs or the difficulties faced during the camp?

(a)What should GL do during OTOT time? Should GL be bossy or just relax?
A: This depends on experience. If the participants are tired, just let them rest, do not have to control of supervise them all the time.

(b)Some participants are so quiet that even GLs tried their very best, they still kept quiet.
A: If this is the case, then do not have to force them to speak. As long as they are paying attention to classes, thinking on the issues. It is sufficient as we have achieved the objective of imparting Dhamma to them and let them contemplate on it.

(c)My group has three resource persons. Most of the time they are disappeared and our group are very lonely.
A: Reflect to the main comm and do not put all the subcomm of the same department under one group, distribute them.

(d)As GLs, we are not briefed on the programmes until the very day itself. (after further questioning, no meeting on every night to debrief the camp and prepare for the next day programmes)
A: Reflect to the main comm it is a need to have a meeting every night to brief the GLs on the next day programmes. This is to ensure that the GLs are more prepared and they could convey the message to the participants well. GLs reflected that when they were asked about the programmes, they could not answer.

(e)They are no communication between main comm and GLs. GLs did not know the objectives and theme of activities. One GL reflected that he/she only knew the theme of dhamma talk after Venerable said it. Also, one GL frustrated that main comm did not want to eat together with GLs, no team spirit.
A: Reflect to the main comm on the last day of the camp to reflect the importance
of communication in a team.

3. What is the best experience you have after four days of camp?
- bonding, friendship
- every moment in the camp
- welfare visit to Bishan Home
- one GL received feedback: "You are not a bad GL"
- satisfaction because group is responsive
A: Keep the friendship going even the camp has finished. Organise outings or meals together with members.

Merry X'mas & Happy New Year

2008-12-12T15:34:00.006+08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Buddhist Film Festival in 2009

2008-12-12T01:38:00.003+08:00

Hi Guys,

Some updates on one of the stuff I've been involved in these few months.

A group of us have organised a Youth Conference this year to try and get together the various Buddhist youth groups to discuss on how to move ahead. The conference was pretty good, and we're moving on to our next project. See the conference details here: http://www.dharmainaction.net/

Our next project is to organise a Buddhist Film Festival in Singapore for 2009. Some of you may know of the previous International Buddhist Film Festival that was held in 2007. That particular event was quite a success and all 5000 seats were sold out very quickly.

What? Films that showcase Buddhist values and culture that have been released recently. The slant would be towards Asia and other traditions of Buddhism, and slightly away from Western-made films and less about Tibet, cf. with the 2007 one.

When? Targetted either the long weekend in Sep 2009 or Nov 2009.

Who? Target audience is whoever interested in this genre of films: artsy people, film buffs, practising buddhists, nominal buddhists, non-buddhists but interested in buddhism, tourists and foreigners, general public looking for some uplifting recreation for that weekend.

Why? We are a network of engaged Buddhists from various professions (not me, I'm the only student here) and various Buddhist groups who will do projects for the community that other groups dare not do or have stopped doing. In the future we plan to branch out into other services for the community and so we need some working funds, e.g. for our next conference in 2010. In short, the net profit from the ticketing and sponsors will go into Dharma work to benefit the community. A new way of fund raising compared to organising 法会s and fun fairs.

How? There are four work groups currently in this project, comprising of over 20 people.

Fund-raising: to solicit sponsors and funding. Headed by a former manager of fund raising from Man Fut Tong nursing home, other members include a member of the Rotary club, a manager from the NVPC and a team leader for Buddhist overseas expedition project group Firefly Mission.

Marketing: to work out a publicity campaign and create adverts for this event. Headed by a volunteer from the performing arts scene, joined by a creative designer, a lady from the National Library Board, and yours truly.

Film Selection: explains it all. Headed by Shen Shi'an, founder and editor of The Daily Enlightenment e-newsletter, who often writes Buddhist film reviews, contributor for BuddhistChannel.tv and reflection blog MoonPointer. Joined by a volunteer from the National Youth Council and some other self-proclaimed Buddhist film buffs.

Ticketing and Merchandise: somewhat laggard group being formed right now.

We have engaged a consultant from the Singapore Film Festival. Our target is to sell 10,000 tickets for 14 films over a weekend of 3-4 days. Films selected will be the uplifting, inspirational, warm-and-fuzzy, light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel kind, and not the Cheh-Cham depressing dire straits kind, so that everyone can feel a bit of hope in these dreary times of economic slowdown.

We are actually still fully open to volunteers joining our committees, especially in publicity and marketing. In particular we need a secretary to help with the overall meetings and co-ordination. If anyone is interested, please let me or Puay Kim know!

In the meanwhile, I'd be away from 12-20 December for a Zen meditation retreat in Johor. See ya at the next gathering!

The Hindu Stranger at Border's

2008-12-04T18:21:00.002+08:00

The other day I was browsing around in the Border's at Wheelock Place with Chue Wei.

Naturally, I was in the Buddhist books section for some time, getting excited over the occasional book and mumbling to her about some stuff as I came across it.

An Indian man was also moving in between those shelves. I didn't notice him much, except that he was middle-aged, very thin, had straggly, long hair and was dressed in shabby loose shirts and jeans. (Chue Wei noticed an unwashed smell, and stayed away from him; I didn't.)
Chue Wei showed me a paragraph from a book on Mindfulness for Busy People, where it said something like, "...relate from the centre, not from 'you' or 'me'..." and I was telling her how Ajahn Brahm's Simply This Moment! also said similar things: to relate to people from the centrist position of mindfulness.

Then he suddenly asked me a question, startling me, "Excuse me, do you really think that such a mechanical set of instructions as in meditation can bring about spiritual liberation?"

The question was very thought-provoking indeed. He went on to elaborate further: how can such a mechanical series of step-by-step procedures being about something as abstract and amazing as enlightenment? How can something so technical promise such a spiritual result?

I supposed that, from a Buddhist point point of view, watching the rising and falling of phenomena is supposed to lend direct insight into the nature of existence, and hence lead to enlightenment and therefore liberation.

He was pretty impressed (?) to know that I was a Buddhist. He mentioned that he had tried a meditation retreat before in Nepal but he couldn't take sitting in meditation for 12 hours a day.

I told him that I supposed there were many different teachers with many different temperaments and many different methods, so the many different students with many different affinities had to find the right teacher and right method to suit them. For example, I asked him, whether he had heard of S. Goenka? He did.

He asked, what is needed before one can sit in meditation?

I told him that usually we are thought that morality and virtue can to be practised before meditation. This answer seemed to strike him as very unique, and I saw his facial expressions change.

I told him that only with a clear conscience and being lightened of guilt can a mind find joy and calm itself down. And only a calm and stable mind can then proceed to watching.

Yes, indeed, he said. He'd read so many of the poems by Masters claiming to be enlightened, and they sound so "inspired" to him but abstract. I agreed: such writings are the manifestations of the mind that saw, which would sound wondrous to us but yet at the same time we can't really quite grasp at it, but feel it.

Last question, he said. By now Chue Wei was amused but standing off to one side.

The meditation instructions in books are often so dry, so cold, so unfeeling. Is meditation really like that? Doesn't Buddhism teach any love at all?

I told him about the Meditation on Loving Kindness, and explained it to him. He seemed to get it, understanding that love in this case was broad, and not so narrowly defined.

He thanked me, and I wish I had thanked him too. Our short exchange lasted no more than ten minutes, but I could see in his wild eyes, that might look half-mad to some people, a kind of longing for truth, longing to see what the enlightened see. His red mark between his eyes told me that he was a devout Hindu, the kind that would have spent hours in temples and holy sites, hoping that the gods would show him some way to a holy life.

As I walked away, I had some regret. Regret that I could not tell him more, regret that he might not find his answer. So many other things I could have told him.

And while I have the good fortune to come across the Noble Path, I am not pursuing it all the way through.

Technical recession...local companies needed...

2008-12-01T22:25:00.002+08:00

This is cool...check this out...

the mrbrown show: saving an icon - mrbrown

Starry Starry Night...

2008-12-01T21:12:00.002+08:00

December is a lovely time for the Northern Hemisphere... Cute snowflakes fall and people are in good cheer. Even with a financial crisis purported to be the greatest since the Great Depression, having Christmas around the corner buffers everything with a soft white mood...

A year ago, I celebrated the Bodhisatta Siddharta's birthday with a Silent Night.

This Christmas, I would like sing this song for the Buddha's enlightenment:

Starry Starry Night.

or "Vincent" by Don McLean.

Vincent Van Gogh, for whom the song was dedicated to, wasn't a Buddhist at all. In fact, he was a son of a priest and was a preacher himself. But as we read these lyrics, we can paint a different picture from his...

Starry, starry night.

Paint your palette blue and grey,

On the 39th night of sitting under the Pipala tree, the Buddha was perfecting his practice of Vipassana... From the 1st watch of the night to the 4th, he recalled his past lives and the past lives of others, and penetrated into the interdepedent arising of all phenomena. In doing so, he destroyed the cankers that held him to the Wheel of Rebirth. What did these enlightened eyes see when they were first opened on this world after kalpas of darkness?

Master Thich Nhat Hanh put it beautifully.

He saw a heart-shaped leaf of the Pipala tree against the starry, starry night sky. And within the leaf he saw that the stars and suns of the universe were in it, for the leaf used light to nourish itself.

He saw the grey clouds against the blue sky, and within the leaf the clouds also existed. For the leaf needed the rain to grow and thrive.

A starry starry night, a palette of blue and grey... That was what the enlightened eyes saw...

Look out on a summer's day,

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.

... and the enlightened eyes also saw the darkness in the souls of men... the dust in our eyes that prevented us from seeing what the Tathagatha saw...

Shadows on the hills,

Sketch the trees and the daffodils,

Catch the breeze and the winter chills,

In colors on the snowy linen land.

Beauty was what the Enlightened Ones see... Simplicity in the wonderous world, where everywhere there was something to marvel and be contented about.

Now I think I know...

...what you tried to say to me,

How you suffered for your sanity!

How you tried to set us free!

We would not listen, we're not listening still.

Perhaps,

We never will...

GL Training Workshop Schedule + Logistics

2008-11-29T02:19:00.004+08:00

Schedule
Sunday 7 Dec 2008
Danacitta Society

930am Arrival - Breakfast + linger around
1000am DC1101 - Introduction to Dharma Camp (kwek)
1015am Who are you? - Icebreaker (sea sen)
1100am Who am I? - Personality Test (sen sea)
1230pm Makan - Lunch
130pm D-Box - Songs session (albert)
230pm Who wants to be a fantastic GL? - Facilitation Workshop (sea sen)
430pm BD1101 - Buddhism Q & A (cindee)
530pm Conclusion (cindee)

Logistics
1. Introduction
- Projector + screen + laptop (Danacitta)
- Dharma camp 05 videos (isen)
- Dharma camp 07 photos (yinhwa)
2. Icebreaker
- Bingo sheets (sea)
- Bell for speed-dating (?)
3. Personality test
- White board (Danacitta)
- Mahjong paper (kwek)
- Marker pens (kwek)
- Blue Tag (kwek)
- Remote control (DANACITTA, isen no need)
- Magazines (sea, cindee)
- Newspapers (isen)
- Meditation cushion (Danacitta)
4. Songs session
- Guitar (seaming)
- Powerpoint slides for lyrics (albert)
- Songs CD (albert)
5.Facilitation workshop
- Sheets for moral dillemma questions (sea)
6. MAKAN
- Breakfast bread (kwek)
- Lunch take-away (kwek)

GL Training Workshop Sessions in Detail

2008-11-29T01:44:00.006+08:00

Icebreaker (sea sen)
a) Entanglement [15]
b) Speed-dating [15]
Each pair of boy and girl talk for 1 minute on:
1. What do you look for in a boyfriend/girlfriend
2. Most embarrassing moment
3. Proudest moment
c) Bingo [15]
1. Sleep while standing
2. Only child
3. Speaks 5 languages including dialect
4. Vegetarian
5. Play 3 music instruments
6. Stuck in lift
7. Hates group singing/dancing
8. Joined Buddhist activities before entering NUS
9. Same horoscope as you
10. Loves cooking
11. Sing in shower
12. Still single
13. Write with both hands
14 - 25. *with isen*

Personality Test (sen sea)
a) Split groups & sit in their quadrants [5]
b) Brief + distribute + do test [15]
c) Write their scores + our scores on board [10]
d) Analysis [20]
e) Group discussion [20] + Presentation+ mini-wrap up after each group [10]
Within each group, discuss 3 questions. Must give personal examples based on the member's own character.
1) How do you identify a member who is from your quadrant?
2) Imagine yourself as a member, how do you like to be engaged?
3) As a GL and knowing your strengths and weaknesses, how do you utilise your strength and improve your weaknesses in connecting with your group members?
f) Wrap-up [10]

Songs session (albert)
Ehi passiko NUS
Ehi passiko NTU
Answer
Searching
Yuan Yuan Quan
Hope

Facilitation workshop (sea sen)
a) What makes a fantastic GL? [15]
Ask the members to give points, then we write on board and help them summarise into few important points.
b) Game [65]
Brief + split into groups [5]
Round 1 [20]
Presentation [10]
Round 2 [20]
Presentation [10]
c) Debrief [30]
1) How was it just now
- Personal level
- Group dynamics
2) How to improve (Seniors come in to share personal experience here)
- Personal level
- Group dynamics
d) Wrap-up [10]
Relate the how to improve with the how to be fantastic GL. Give them encouragements on we want to be fantastic!

Buddhism Q & A (cindee)
a) Etiquette
How to behave in temples and when meet Venerables, etc.
b) 5-3-4-8 + puja
You guess what does these 4 number means?
c) Clearing misconceptions

Some dumb Thai MV on meditation...

2008-11-29T01:28:00.001+08:00

Yes you didn't read that wrongly... This is some weird thing I found on TalkingCock.com

But the instructions are pretty good, I must say... primitive, but fairly accurate, don't you guys think? lol...

LiFe in SiNgApOre ...

2008-11-26T23:38:00.001+08:00

In Singapore , the majority of us live in Highly Dangerous Buildings (HDB),
and most people have already got used to Paying and Paying (PAP).

Not only do you have to pay, you Pay Until Bankrupt (PUB).

If that's not enough, somebody still Purposely Want to Dig (PWD) and get
more from you.

So what more can you do when you are in the Money Only Environment (MOE)?

With the current Mad Accounting System (MAS), you are forced to
Pay the Sum Ahead (PSA),Which will leave some people Permanently Owing Some
Banks (POSB).

And forced to live on the Loan Techniques Always (LTA) system. When you
fall sick and happen to be admitted to a Money Operating Hospital (MOH),

You might be able to use your Cash Prior to Funeral (CPF) fund.

If you are out of luck, you may meet doctors who Never Use Heart (NUH) to
treat you, or you will be Sure to Give up Hope (SGH).

To help ease the traffic, motorists have to pay Cash On Expressway (COE).

If that doesn't help, they can always Eternally Raise Prices (ERP)on the
roads.

If you don't own a car, you can always make a Mad Rush to the Train (MRT),
OR get squashed in a bus Side By Side (SBS ).

Lastly, under all these pressures, there are not many places we can relax,
not even the good old place we used to go because it has become So
Expensive and Nothing To See Actually (SENTOSA)!!!

A post that touched me

2008-11-17T12:10:00.004+08:00

Because I was searching for Bhante Dhammika's online glossary of Buddhist terms for Albert, I chanced across this post:

http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/2008/11/belated-but-better-for-it.html

It reminded me of the fates of my grandfather and my father.

This is why we must waste no time in saving ourselves. This is why we must waste no time in saving those around us. This is why we do Buddhist youth work.

Summary of 14 Nov 2008 Meeting on GL Workshop

2008-11-15T21:49:00.002+08:00

GL Workshop on 6 Dec 2008 (Sat), 9.00am-5.00pm

Facilitators: Bro Ang Isenlim and Sis Lee Sea Ming

Personality Test (1 1/2 hrs)
Objective:
- let them know more about themselves
- let them know what to identify in their group members

Plan:
1. Do test personally (w/o raising hand)
2. Tell them that we will put their "styles" on the board (let everybody know we are which styles)
3. Analyse (more emphasis needed)
- the grid
- explain general characteristics(must relate to GL skills), strengths, weaknesses,
4. peer evaluation test (2nd part)

Disclaimer:
- there is no good or bad
- everybody should work towards the centre of the grid
- everyone could possess the four different styles
- resource is copyrighted
- there are many types of personality test

Logistics:
-slides
- projector
- photocopy the personality test notes (2 copies)
- one board to put participants' names on it
____________________________________________________________________
Facilitation Skills (2 hours)

Objective:
1. Things to do during Dharma Camp
- stimulate giving ideas/opinions for Dharma Circle, Skit, Feedback session
- create ambient to bond-fun-connect with group members
2. Practice
3. Share our experience in concrete examples

Plan:
1. responsibilities of GLs [10min]
2. Practice (Facilitators observe)
3. Debrief (how they feel; what is well done/what not. Why?; how to improve)
- compare with personality test
- how to stimulate more feedbacks
- what is the group dynamics
- what are the feelings of members? how to improve?
4. Senior share experience [30min]

Ideas:
- transfer family across river
- ask difficult questions, scenario

Logistics:
patung for family

As promised!

2008-11-15T20:10:00.001+08:00

Don't hold your breath...

... cos the video is too long for you to hold your breath... lol...

Avenue Q!

2008-11-13T08:01:00.001+08:00

Shall not post the other, more controversial ones kekeke go youtube it for yourself!

PM Dialogue

2008-11-02T11:09:00.003+08:00

Apparently my full name and the question I shot Mr Lee was featured on the 1st paragraph on an article in Sunday Times today. I haven't bought it yet, so I dunno what were the actual words...

Cell and Chingwi wants me to write a follow-up letter to the ST forum. I thought that was a good idea... Anyone read the article and wanna gimme some tips?

Happy Birthday Isen!!

2008-10-31T11:03:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to the youngest-looking-person-here,

祝你早日成佛！

Summary of meeting 22nd October

2008-10-23T23:22:00.002+08:00

Firstly: PHOTOS PLEASE! Those people who brought cameras on that day! If not then this place will be only about BS work stuff, and look so not-fun.

The original theme was supposed to be TEAM-BUILDING.

But we have selected one specific skill to hone in on: FACILITATION skills. The rest of the programme will be built around this.

Rough timetable:

9.00am-9.30am----Ice-breaker (Sea Ming/ Isen)
9.30am-10.00am---Video and Intro (Hidayat/ Robby)
10.00am-10.45am--Self-awareness: Personality Test (Isen/ Albert)
10.45am-11.00am--Songs and Dance I (Sea Ming /Johnathern)
11.00am-12.30pm--Workshop I: the Mafia game (Kwek)
12.30pm-1.30pm---Lunch (and sharing Past Camp Experience)
1.30pm-2.00pm----Songs and Dance II (Sea Ming /Johnathern)
2.00pm-3.30pm----Workshop II: Factilitation for Camps (Cindy)
3.30pm-5.00pm----Background of Camp and Dharma QnA (All invited)

So the different facilitators for the different segments can get together to come up with a (concrete) summary of what they will do for each segment and post it on the blog before the next meeting which is 7 Nov (Friday) evening.

ISEN is hereby ARROWED to arrange amongst us for the time and place of the next meeting!! Yeah!! Taiji!!

GL Workshop for Dharma Camp 2008

2008-10-07T22:20:00.002+08:00

Heyo people

I've contacted four of you (Isen, Seaming, Cindy, Albert) about this workshop thing.

Basically, it's to put together a workshop custom-made to train Group Leaders for Dharma Camps.

I've discussed with some of you and the 30th MC, and so the theme is TEAM BUILDING.

We have to fix one date (in November after Seaming hands in here thesis?? When you finish?) to meet up to settle the details and allocation. Jacinta may join us, but it's kinda near the exams then. Let's fix the date here in this blog.

Also, we can bounce ideas around in the days leading to the meeting. Use the comments section to brainstorm on what we can do.

Firstly, I was thinking that the focus of this half-day workshop should be:

10% Theoretical knowledge on team-building. A mini-lecture on group dynamics etc.
30% Practical hands-on activities learning about team building. Possibly some game or something teaching about communication or making use of people's strengths?
30% Self-discovery. The only thing I seem to remember from those GL workshops were those personality tests. In discovering their own natural roles in groups, they may be more sensitive in identifying character types in their Camp Groups.
30% Bonding among the Group Leaders themselves so that they have coordination and cohesiveness to leade the camp. This can be through games, or teaching our BS songs with actions, etc.

Hope to see an active discussion kekekekke...

Our dear Venerable Chuan Guan has a Special!

2008-09-28T19:49:00.001+08:00

Haha but the special is by some Mass Comm students.. too bad... hehehe... Credits to Shixiong and Co.

Weird and farnie

2008-09-18T16:31:00.001+08:00

So disappointed...

2008-09-14T15:53:00.002+08:00

This was going round and round in my head for a whole night and day, so I had to get it off my chest... And only in here will perhaps the readers understand...

Yesterday I was chatting with Venerable Bodhi, and she shared with me something very shocking. Apparently the 29th had been looking for a meditation teacher for the basic meditation course for the 30th. Angita had asked me for advice: which teacher to approach and so on. I suggested Venerable Chuan Guan, and it so happened that they did approach him.

Venerable Chuan Guan was the one that shared with Venerable Bodhi what happened. Venerable obviously does not have a car, so he said so. Angita checked with Tiong Han and they decided that they could not provide transport. So Angita emailed Venerable saying that they could not provide transport, so if Venerable really needed it, then they would have to find another teacher instead.

This sounded very terrible to Venerable Bodhi, and also to me. It sounded as if our sincerity in asking for a teacher to teach us depended on whether the Venerable had his own transport. We did not even have the sincerity for providing for a monk's requisites. Furthermore, because the communication was via email, it must have sounded terribly cold and unfriendly to Venerable Chuan Guan.

When I clarified this with Angita on MSN last night, she said they have approached alumni to see if who was free to fetch Venerable. This is not acceptable to me. The practice in the past was to find someone to bus down to the temple, and then cab to and fro with the Venerable. Yes, it was our fault as seniors that we did not pass this protocol down well. But Angita even said to me last night that Venerable should understand that we are students and are very busy! I was so shocked and disappointed by this statement... She said that she had gotten so used to Venerable Chun Nian's mobile nature... But surely it's ridiculous to take that for granted!

Venerable Bodhi gave me the second half of this horrible story: apparently no one confirmed with Venerable Chuan Guan that he would not be the teacher. Angita had told him that she was stepping down and the new Dharma Director would take over this matter. But Eddy and Kyaw had overlooked this in their hurry to look for another teacher, and forgot about him. Venerable waited until recently, when he decided to google for NUSBS to find a contact to get hold of. That's when he found out through the website that Ajahn Kheng from Palelai Temple was the confirmed teacher.

Venerable Bodhi said that she was upset on Venerable Chuan Guan's behalf. I was so embarassed and disgusted also.

Eddy and Jacinta have decided to go down to PKS to apologise personally to Venerable Chuan Guan, also I am sure that he bears no hard feelings at all. But sadly Angita just does not understand what we did wrong. She said that there are some Venerables that we can "clique" with and some that we can't, and that if it was some other Venerable, we would not have had that issue. I was almost angry, and almost in tears to hear such a statement!! The point was not about "clicking" or not!! The point was not which Venerables minded which didn't!! The point was the the decision of the 29th not to provide transport was so disgustingly lacking in sincerity! The point was that we take our teachers for granted!! It should be a baseline that we offer ALL Venerables transport, warm water and towel! Oh my gosh...

The last words I told to her were: that's not the point/ sigh/ i don't think you understand/

And she replied me: yes i dun understand/ and i'm perfectly fine with it/ nite

And this morning I saw the personal message on her MSN nick:
w......r

Whatever.

I am so so disappointed. It totally ruined my day. She was one of the juniors that I felt had so much potential. Even when she burnt out I tried to understand, and lend her a ear for her problems. I had invested my hopes and cares on someone who turned out to be so callous.

Training to talk cock: DF 1 year programme

2008-09-11T19:24:00.002+08:00

Albert and I met over dinner on Wednesday to talk about the details of the Dharma Friends Workshop that the 30th MC would like to have on 21 Sep Sunday Morning at the end of their MC retreat at Cheng Beng. We also hammered out a rough program to train the DFs holistically.
(How many times have we said that we wanted to do that?? For once, it looks like this time it's going to happen!)

There will be at least 3 DF Worshops, maybe 4 if the 30th MC would like to squeeze in one in Sem 2 mid term break. These will be the outline of the DF Workshops:

DF Workshop 1 - Intro to Facilitating
- Facilitation as a Professional Skill
- What is Facilitation?
- Difference between facilitating and presenting
- Benefits of being able to facilitate
- Changing your mindset about being a facilitator
- Stages in a group discussion
- What are the stages from beginning to rounding up
- What to do at each stage to move on to the next
- Dealing with different Characters
- Eight most commonly seen personality types at DCs
- How to deal with them
Trial DCs
- 3 runs, 2-3 trial faciliators, 6-7 group members, 20 min
- Topic each run will be non-Dharma, close to personal experience
e.g. "Childhood experiences", "Amazing Friendships", "How do I spend my weekends?", etc.
- Non-participants will sit outside the circle, observe, make notes
- 10 min feedback from all, how to improve, learning points
Takeway: "(1) Be confident, (2) go in with a plan!"
Alumni: Hidayat, Albert, Kwek

DF Workshop 2 - Sharpening facilitation skills
- Recap on objectives of facilitations
- Styles of engagement: Different ways of facilitating
- Troubleshooting: what to do with those people and their responses
Trial DCs
Takeaway: Hone basic skills to be an even more effective facilitator
Alumni: Cindy et al.

DF Workshop 3A - Public speaking
Takeaway: Applying facilitation skills to presentations to be an engaging speaker to a small audience
Trial presentations
- Discussive-nature topics
Alumni: Albert et al.

DF Workshop 3B - Public speaking 2
Takeaway: ?Being an engaging speaker in various scenarios, e.g. impromptu, forum panels, etc.?

Another sector that Albert and I thought of exploring is encouraging "Dinner Dharma" among the Dharma Friends and sub-comm with their DDs.

e.g. This week's DC topic is "Calmness amidst the Storm". The actual topic is about concentration and relaxation meditation. In the week(s) before this DC, DFs and sub-comm will have a dinner with DDs and share info that they have read on the net, heard from talks or read from books about Samatha meditation and Anapanasati. or They can combine 2 weeks' worth of DC topics into one dinner topic.

Along the way it would be good to have comments and changes from you guys, and one year later we'll review this again, and try again for another year. Then we should have a steady DF program fit to sell!

Will be meeting Jacinta and Eddy this Friday 5pm to hammer out the year's DC topics and speakers, updates will be up after...

30 second Survey

2008-09-05T10:11:00.002+08:00

Hi all,

This is a 4 question survey by the new marketing director Yin Hwa. He wants to collect general information on attitudes of youth towards religion and religious activities.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=YipC8FSQP488HR6PKHwk9w_3d_3d

Please also send it to your friends, especially non-Buddhist friends, so that we can have some good results.

AGM 2008

2008-08-30T10:10:00.003+08:00

The Annual General Meeting went well on 29th August. Here are some updates.

As usual we did not achieve the quorum, so we had to wait. Furthermore, the logistics screwed up because the 29th Resource Director was in lecture and lost his handphone. None of them knew that he had a lecture at that time. As a result, the booths were set up last minute, the voting slips were clipped together last minute, the candidate's forms were put up last minute. Only the slides and the AV equipment were on time, which is a vast improvement from BS night and BAW forum.

As usual, the eventual quorum was still small - 50+ people in the beginning, dwindling to 30+ people at the end of the elections.

The following have been elected:

President - Jacinta Seah / FASS4 / Singaporean
Vice President - Kho Kaelin / BIZ2 / Malaysian
Dharma Director - Eddy Suwandi / FASS2 / Indonesian
Dy Dharma Director - Kyaw San Wai / SCI3 / Myanmarese
Hon. Gen. Sec. - Yeap Ruiqi / SCI2 / Singaporean
Dy Hon. Gen. Sec. - Tu Ngoc Ly Lan / SCI2 / Vietnamese
Hon. Treasurer - Melissa Ng / FASS3 / Singaporean
Projects Director - Lin Zhang Han / ENG2 / Singaporean
Dy Projects Director - Jean Lee / ? / Malaysian
Fellowship Director - Lee Tong Shien / SCI2 / Malaysian
Welfare Director - Jing Kuan / ? / Malaysian
Marketing Director - Seah Yin Hwa / ENG2 / Singaporean
Publications Director - Carmen / SCI1 / Singaporean
Resource Director - Loh Kok Weng / SDE2 / Malaysian

This team has a strong marketing, projects and publicity focus and direction. They only lack in maturity and experience, but make up for it in terms of vibrancy and energy. More than half of them have worked together during CEP2008 and thanks to Jacinta are very bonded and fun-loving.

Some people to watch out for are Yin Hwa, Carmen and Zhang Han, all who show promise of being able to achieve greater stuff in a second year in MC if they can be spiritually inspired.

Do keep a look out for these people if you were to drop by NUSBS or DC ya, they would need all your help and advice!

Suggestions on the coming DC topics

2008-06-24T19:17:00.002+08:00

Hihi, some suggestions on the coming DC:

1) Transitions in Life
Instead of having 1 speaker (Cindy), perhaps we can have more than 1? For example 3 speakers or seniors : Cindy, Kwek and Robby. As these 3 speakers are close friends and have gone through a long BS pathway together, they can share their experiences in BS activities + friends, and how they help each other; at the same time, the audience will have the chance to listen to more ppl’s sharing, and most importantly is that they can feel a sense of informal and more interactive atmosphere. Also, this can show an example to the freshies on how BS has bonded the past ppl together, through changing or sharing their mindsets and some other fellowship activities.

2) What is Buddhism?
May be we can start the topic by showing a very short acting. An example of the acting is as such: I happen to meet Kwek in YIH canteen (or whatever place), and Kwek is holding a Buddhist book titled: What a Buddhist believe. Then I started to be very curious, and ask Kwek a bundle of questions related to Buddhism. After such small acting, then we can start the talk lead by Kwek, and Kwek will clarify those questions. We can make the acting as fun as we can la, if we can think of it……Perhaps this way the Freshies will not feel Buddhist talk is boring lo...

3) Fact or Fiction: Tales of the Buddha
For this one, may be a workshop can best suit it. For example, the DC session has 4 groups. 4 different pieces of paper with 50% or less description of different phases of Buddha’s life, or 4 different snapshots of various scenes from traditional stories of the Buddha, can each be distributed to these 4 groups. Each of the groups will have some time to discuss on what was happened after the half part of the story. Each of the group facilitators will have their role to play by asking the seniors' questions and ask them to continue sharing the story. By doing so, those who don't know anything about the story will benefit from it. In case non of them know, they can create the story. After discussion, every group will take their turn to perform in front of all (can ask those who don't know anything to perform?), and then Shiong Wei will correct any mistakes or misinterpretations or misconceptions.

4) Calmness amidst the Stress
As the title is about calmness, then let it be just a talk lo…Perhaps can incorporate a small meditation, or Yoga.

All these are just suggestions ya!

A Video Biography of Master Sheng Yen

2008-06-20T22:30:00.001+08:00

While researching a little for my LOW article, I came across these YouTube videos:

Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ZS9sT2fwc&eurl=http://www.westernchanfellowship.org/sheng-yen.html
Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2-7OV2Ma6g&feature=related
Part III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZjI0h8u4nw&feature=related

DC Topics for 2008/2009 - Please comment!!

2008-06-14T23:50:00.002+08:00

Hi guys,

Today Puay Kim, Shiongwei, Hidayat and I met up at National Library to mull over a whole series of Dharma Circle topics for next 2 semesters. We took into account Meifei, Angita and Tionghan's suggested topics.

So the next 4 DC topics aimed at incoming freshmen and returning members are:

1) Transitions in Life
Specifically dealing with the transition to University Life. Though not overtly harping on Buddhism as the panacea, the speaker will share on her own experiences on life's transitions, the mindset changes involved, and how to she helped herself with Dharma.
Suggested speaker: Cindy

2) What is Buddhism?
Specifically pitched at an audience with zero knowledge of Buddhism. The ideal end point is to clarify Buddhism in a modern way that is relevant to the audience so that they can come and find out more.
Suggested speaker: Kwek

3) Fact or Fiction: Tales of the Buddha
Introducing the life of the Buddha as a continuation from the previous topic. Different snapshots of various scenes from traditional stories of the Buddha will be brought up for discussion. With pictures of pilgrimages to present historical evidence to contrast against seemingly mythical accounts, the speaker will explore deeper meanings behind these stories.
Suggested speaker: Shiongwei

4) Calmness amidst the Stress
Mindfulness and living in the present moment is one of the top selling products of Buddhism. The speaker will share on the calmness factor in Buddhism: how it can help to keep the student in balance and equanimity amidst the building stress ahead of the first mid-term tests and looming projects.
Suggested speaker: Wee Heng

Those are NOT the actual titles, just the theme of the topic. More sexy titles are welcome as long as they fit the description.

These are the suggested next 12 DCs, no speakers are suggested. They take into account movie screening and/or alternative modes of presentation to break the monotony.

Sem 1, after term break:
5) "Movie"-screening: documentaries about Buddhism, albeit from secular productions. E.g. that National Geographic documentary on Tibetan Buddhism (available on googlepages), etc. followed by facilitated sharing.

6) Finding happiness in life: Introducing the First and Second Noble Truths, applied to modern life, it involves analysing the obstructions that prevent us from being happy.

7) The causes of happiness. The Second Noble Truth is presented in terms of Aversion and Clinging, and hence the antidote is presented in terms of two aspects of Right Action: developing kindness by not harming others, and developing generosity as a counter to coveting what is not given.

8) Buddhism and Science: explores the popular claim nowadays that Buddhism is scientific. Presents parallel ideas between Buddhism and Science in terms of modern Physics and Biology, and explores the pitfalls of latest trend in this direction.

Sem 2, before term break:
9) Kamma: the Buddhist view

10) Living for a good death

11) Right effort

12) [Empty. Suggestions? We can do something about the Buddhist model of psychology or mind and matter here, but needs to be engaging and not dry]

Sem 2, after term break:
13) Documentary sharing: Meditation

14) Good communication habits, good relationships: Right Speech

15) Career choices and pains: Right livelihood

16) Buddhist travel sites (idea is to have sharing by Darryl)

We've also tried to put together a list of speakers. The criteria is for dynamic, engaging speakers that are really good and make people come back for more. We have a limited list so we'd welcome any suggestions.

Another round of meetings

2008-06-10T20:34:00.002+08:00

Okay peeps this will be a summary of four meetings: (1) with Billy, on the subject of the Poly Buddhist Societies; (2) with Tionghan; (3) with Meihui; (4) with the Provost of NUS Prof Tan Eng Chye. As usual, since this public domain I shall water down many things.

(1) Billy

Billy is the Chairperson of the United Polytechnic’s Buddhist Council. So I looked for him to try and get an idea of how the Poly BSs operate. The picture he painted was quite bad.

The strongest by opinion is NYPBS. Much of this can be attributed to the strong presence of their alumni. NYPBS is the only Poly BS that is registered under ROS, and their alumni are the ones handling all the administrative matters. As such, the alumni has a lot of say in what activities the NYPBS committee can or cannot implement. The juniors have felt that they are quite restricted by the alumni. While on one hand the alumni offers protection for the society, on the other hand the burden on the alumni is heavy as they feel they have to answer to ROS. This year’s committee has clashed quite badly with the alumni and there have been fall-outs over this.

The alumni influence of SPBS has waned over the years, as the seniors have gone their separate ways.

The weakest currently is NPBS. This year, NPBS’s president is from Myanmar, bringing from the country its conservative approach will cannot fit in with the Singapore situation. Obviously this has repercussions on the whole flavor of the society, and Billy’s description is that nobody really knows what the society is doing anymore, or perhaps it’s not even doing anything.

There are many similarities between the challenges that the Poly and Uni BSs are facing. Increased foreigner proportions and declining local interest is a major problem. Academics are placed first, as the best students are fighting for those limited places in the universities. As such, the BS has become a place to earn CCA points to bump up their resume for university entry. Billy’s opinion is that since Religious Knowledge was abolished in secondary schools, everything slid downhill.

The most shocking contrast that I learnt about the Poly BSs with the two Uni BSs was that there was absolutely no framework of activities to pass down from one generation to the next. It is totally up to the new committee to think about what activities to organize. In the case of NYPBS, of course, this was usually met with scrutiny from the alumni. Whereas for us, we might feel that the suite of weekly and yearly activities handed down to us are a burden because we feel obliged to offer the full spectrum of services as our predecessors did, their incoming committees have totally no framework to work within, which leaves the possibility of an empty shell with no activities going on.

Most activities in the past are jumping on to ongoing external activities, or speakers are invited once in a while for talks. Some of them also used to conduct their weekly pujas, but this was dependent on the ‘flavour’ of the current committee. The senior-organise-for-junior PBS camp ended in 2006 and has not been continued since.

(2) Tionghan

1. He felt that his committee was very loose, unbonded. He compared it to the 28th MC, where he felt that we were more fun. I reminded him that much of the 28th continued on from the 27th, so we were already familiar with each other. However, the make-up of his committee really leaves much to be desired, especially on the level of commitment that they gave.

One of the main problems of this committee was their lack of willingness to express their opinion or voice out their concerns against others. Despite having told him to be ‘frank but tactful’ during handover last year, they have not managed to come to the required level of maturity or trust with each other to voice out their unhappiness, their criticism or their problems with certain ideas or initiatives that others were coming out with. Primarily this is a communication problem.

2. He felt that the deputy secretary was a redundant post. Kok Seong was absent or uncontactable much of the time, doing only minimal work which was not really done well. Yuven, however, could cope on her own. Having said that, Yuven herself seemed to be much committed to her studies and outside events, in contrast with our interview with her before their AGM, when she assured that she had only BS as an activity.

Hidayat and I have discussed in the past about the requirement for a dedicated post to deal with public relations. We had suggested this to be the Fellowship Director. Unfortunately, David has not taken up this role. Given the perceived redundancy of the deputy secretary by Tionghan, the often unclear role of a Fellowship director and the need for a PR liaison, perhaps it is really time to review the portfolios in the MC positions.

3. Tionghan’s observation was that they had organized more activities, but there was an obvious drop in the number of people coming to activities. This is despite an overall larger membership than the 28th. His original aim for the year was for more diversified forms of activities and more collaboration with outside organizations. He felt that this was achieved. However, I pointed out to him that this may have been at the expense of the health of the committee and the turnout for each activity. At 7 days a week, both psychologically and temporally we only have a limited ‘budget’ to offer activities. Hence diversification is sometimes not as all beneficial as it seems. My conclusion is that the new committees, especially the President, must be impressed upon of this rule: if you are bent on introducing a new activity, be prepared to scrap an old activity to free up people, time and mental stress. There is no such thing as keeping your old cake and eating a new one.

Comments on DC:
-He brought up the very valid point that some of the alumni speakers were not steady enough. The problem was not a lack of Dharma knowledge on the speaker’s side. The problem was the inability to speak convincingly or charismatically such that the audience is satisfied. Leaving some questions open ended is inevitable in Buddhism, but it has to be done in a way that does not increase the audiences’ skepticism of the Dharma, or make the audience feel that the speaker actually does not know. So, skill in leaving questions open is needed. As such, it made the committee feel that perhaps calling Venerables in would offer more authority.

-On the side of the Dharma Friends, he feels that their interest is already there, i.e. they are already ‘Dharmic’. However, they were not inspired as a group. There was a lacking of spiritual fellowship among the Dharma Friends. There was also a lack of facilitation experience. Somehow, it was felt that the discussions in DC just did not reach the depth and breadth of the informal ‘dinner Dharma’ discussions that we have with one another, which I suppose is the actual idea that Dharma Circle is formulated on.

He suggests a ratio of 10 discussion style DCs for every 6 talk-styled. This is close to Angita’s suggestion. The following four topics were suggested (note the similarity to Angita’s):
-Dealing with school life and its challenges
-Buddhism and happiness for YOUNG people: how to find happiness?
-Friendship and fellowship: how to make friends.
-That calmness factor in Buddhism.

(3) Meihui
There was some difficulty trying to dig things out of her, probably in retrospect because she was sort of (consciously or unconsciously) on a defensive psychological posture against me because she thought that she would quarrel with me. We did explore some interesting points though.
1. She has tried to bring more Dharma among the MC by making it mandatory for them to attend the two-session Basic Buddhism Course and the Eight Precepts Day. Whether or not they have benefitted from it, she would not want to comment. I made it clear to her that I felt BBC and 8 precepts are wonderful ideas, but would they be adding burden to the already taxed committee? Her defence was that they agreed (or did not object?) to these and she even felt that they were quite enthusiastic on it initially. And they did cut the BBC to 2 sessions from 4 or 6 originally planned.

2. She admits a breakdown of communication with her deputy.

3. Finally, something interesting. She blurted out that she got quite ‘pek cek’ over time as she could not feel the reciprocation of the MC over her efforts, and a lack of bonding. Gradually it felt to her that she was begging people to come. This led to tiredness and eroded motivation by the end of the first semester. The same feeling that she had with the 28th was just not there. This is how I analysed it with her: her teammates’ lack of commitment led to a chronic stress situation. In semester two, with her academic and other mixed stresses coming in as an acute source of stress, she snapped. Luckily this occurred when only 2 or 3 more DCs were left.

I told frankly that I had expected Dharma to perform much better than average for the 29th given herself, Tionghan and Angita. However, in my opinion, they had only just done average: enough to get by. So the overall verdict by me is that they could have done so much better, so it was a disappointing year on the Dharma side.

-On Dharma Friends, she felt that there were too little DF workshops. While they did try to do some trial run DCs before the actual day among the 3 or 4 DFs that turned up for the DF meetings, nobody was there to feedback or to improve their facilitation skills, i.e. they were just playing lego by themselves.

She also suggests the ratio of 3 discussion styles to 1 talk. Her suggestions for the next 4 topics:
-Buddhist Youth-fulness: What makes a Buddhist youth different from other youths? To get an inspirational speaker to fire up the audience about the idea of being a youth equipped with Buddhism.
-Transitions in life: How Buddhism can help in such situations, especially when mindset changes are needed.
-Magnanimity of the heart: spreading kindness and maintaining that equanimity of caring for others for all situations and people.
- Strengthening our fragile heart.

(4) Provost

We paid a visit to the Provost’s office today at 4.45pm. As expected, he’s a busy man with back-to-back meetings, so seeing that he looked at his watch, me and Tionghan decided to cut it short.

There are 2 open motives to meet with the Provost: 1) For him to know us better; 2) For us to know him better. There is one covert motive: to drop hints for him to be one of our staff patrons in the future.

The takeaway from the meet up was that he doesn’t really know much about the Buddhist world outside. He doesn’t know of the organizations Palelai, Wat Ananda or Buddhist Fellowship. The most likely reason is that he’s too busy with his other portfolios to devote extensive energies into any Dharma work.

He has been the Chairman of Sattha Puchaniyaram Buddhist Temple in Bukit Batok since the 90’s. His link to the temple began since his childhood days as part of his family activities. The Venerable of the temple is already in his 90s, very old, and very conservative, not interested in succession. For himself, he has tried to float the idea of injecting some youth and reversing the decline of the temple in recent years, but has met with lukewarm response or even some tension.

He asked us if we knew of Bro. Kwek Soon Han. He had met Bro. Kwek and is thinking of trying to get in touch of similar experienced people or groups that can advise him of how to move forward in his scenario. But our assessment is that he is likely to take it slowly, especially with his commitments, his lack of familiarity with the Buddhist world outside and his unwillingness to antagonize a Venerable that he has respected from young.

We introduced some of the activities and the state of our membership. He seems to think that our current performance is considered pretty good. He also asked with a smile how the Christian groups in NUS are performing. We told him of BF@NUS and the existence of Tzu Ching. However, due to his lack of time we could not get too far before we had to end the meet up.

We passed him the past 2 years’ LOW as a souvenir and used it as an excuse to bring future elected Presidents to him to present coming LOWs. I’ve also passed him the bookmark from the Buddhist Youth Conference that we are organizing in August, and let him know the objectives of this conference. He asked to be updated about the schedule of the conference. We also offered our help if he needed advice or contacts with the rejuvenation of his temple in the future.

Takeback: currently he’s not in any state to render us much support. More rather, he might even need our help, except that he probably doesn’t know how much we can help him. However, we should definitely keep in touch with him, invite him for Buddhist Society Night (which means that the benchmark has really got to be raised!!! for our performances) and slowly get him more familiar with us through successive meetings.

Would be meeting up with SIMBS and NTUBS if I can, so would post further thoughts after my meeting with them.

Dharma In Action - Buddhist Youth Conference 2008

2008-06-03T17:43:00.002+08:00

Calling all engaged Buddhist youths and Buddhist Youth Leaders!

You believe in Buddhism and its value to today's society. You have always thought of doing more for Buddhism and you are constantly seeking new channels to reach out and share the wonderful Teachings.

Dharma In Action: Buddhist Youth Conference 2008 (www.dharmainaction.net) will be a platform for all Buddhists to gather and share experiences in organizing Buddhist activities and Dharma propagation. On 23 August 2008, we will be discussing milestone Buddhist events organized both in Singapore and overseas. Major lessons learnt will be shared together with the ups and downs of organizing such activities. The speakers will also be sharing with us on their motivations and what keep them going.

Following lunch, we will continue our discussion on the various efforts expended by Buddhists in both music and entrepreneurship. We will explore music and its role in Dharma propagation. We will also be speaking to Buddhists who are entrepreneurs to hear their thoughts on how Buddhism helps them in their businesses.

If you are looking to meet like-minded Buddhist youths or seeking new ideas in Dharma propagation, join us at the conference!

For more details on the event, please log into our website at www.DharmaInAction.net or contact the following:

Bro Victor Lim
9852-2492
sadhu@singnet.com.sg

Bro Teo Puay Kim
9820-7295
puaykim@gmail.com

Where are the entrepreneurs?

2008-05-15T16:51:00.004+08:00

In response to the insight that Kwek has gained from his interview with Angita, I think that whether it is 1 year or 2 years Dhamma Circle, it doesn’t really matter. The main issue that I can pick out from the discussion is that:

1.1. How to reduce the workload of the Directors and the members who are organizing it? And the meaning of work that need to be addressed each year, basically, the big M word, Motivation.

2. 2. The second issue, which I personally and consistently have been bringing up over my 3 years in NUSBS, possibly due to my engineering background, is the big N issue, Number.

So now we have M and N, M for Motivation and N for Number.

Let me extend the concept of M and N a little bit…

NUSBS will turn 30 years next year and seems that things have not been improving much since the time when the number of Buddhists is dwindling over the years and converted to other religions or free-thinker in Singapore. Buddhists are seen as old-fashioned and people who always do chanting non-stop and 3 steps one bow to get good academic results.

The following idea that I am presenting could be provocative and offensive, therefore I would like to apologize first and I will try to be as polite as possible. For the past 4-5 years, the key personnel of NUSBS is actually the Dharma Director. I believe that the people who are altruistic, good heart, good practice and the conservatives belong to the M group. While the people who always think of new things and ideas and working towards modernization belong to the N group. Certainly, there are those who are belong to the both groups but they are the minority. However, the sad thing is that we have always been coming to the stage where the M is always in the opposite with the N.

As long as the M is always more dominant than the N in the society, the number of members will reach a steady state or in fact from history, it actually decreases. Well, M group will challenge this idea by saying that number is not important and what matters most is the heart and the motivation, that’s why they belong to the M group and that’s why the current NUSBS will remain as NUSBS for the next 5-10 years to come.

What I’m proposing is that the N people should be trained and developed as well. We are always talking about developing Dharma friends and facilitators. Those training will only develop mainly the M group and not the N group. Certainly, developing “Dharma friends” program could include development of the N people as well. And the most important thing to be able to qualify as N personnel, is the ability to present, sell and market. Ask any of the Gates or the Jobs out there, if you cannot sell, you will never succeed. You may have the best technology in the market, but if you cannot sell, it will just go down to the drain, quickly.

In summary, an electron discovered by scientist will remain as electron. An engineer makes it into a super computer so that I can type and post my thoughts here. But without the entrepreneurial minded people who brings this technology in the stores and bring down the cost, I would probably just view it as a luxury item belong to the upper class. The Buddha is the scientist, the Sangha is the engineer, where are the entrepreneurs then?

Thank you,

Kosiyo

Some post-exam updates

2008-05-05T23:20:00.002+08:00

Hi ghouls of the dharmarountable! 法圆桌的恶鬼果然阴魂不散！

I'd be meeting up with some of the key personnel of the 29th MC and some past seniors for a chat. For starters last week I met up with Kenny and today I met up with Angita.

Summary of meeting with Angita (of course certain information will not be broadcasted here):

My purpose was to find out on an informal basis her reflections （感想） comparing her pre-MC and post-MC mentalities and her suggestions for the near future. Her insights actually hit the nail quite on the head, at least in my opinion.

1. While as a participant in year 1, she and yuven very much look forward to weekly Dharma Circles as a form of gathering/meaningful 'entertainment'. They would always set aside Fridays for DC and would even ask each other what are the topics this week, etc. Not only was it a time to relieve stress, there was also something to be learnt, to be gained.

However, upon becoming MC, DCs and all BS activities suddenly become viewed as work. Because now the paradigm is from that of an organiser, (a) there are no surprises - she knows what's going to happen next, in contrast to eager anticipation as a participant; (b) she sees all the imperfections, screw-ups, mismanagement of time, etc, which she finds spoils her whole experience as compared to as a participant, where everything seemed 'perfect'.

2. Before being in the MC, she was not quite aware of the actual workload that was behind the running of those activities that she had been having fun in. The very first day of taking over already overwhelmed her. From then on burnt out followed pretty quickly.

The above 2 are the main points. Succession, committee dynamics and her own working relationship with the DD will not be discussed here.

Some comments that she mentioned for future DCs.

- we agreed that the frequency of talks versus discussion group style has become overly frequent. We agreed that the quantity of 4 DCs before term break and 4 DCs after term break for a total of 8 per semester, 16 per academic year is ideal. We agreed on a ratio of 3 Discussions to 1 Talk for each set of 4 DCs. Discussion can involve participants and is less heavy.

- 'movie'-screening should become a permanent feature of DCs. Frequency suggested is once per semester. 'Movies' need not be actually movies - documentaries or even short Dharma Talks can be used, as long as they are followed with discussion. The purpose is to add some audio-visual variety to the presentation method of DCs: not always a real speaker in front.

- the latest 'mind series' of DCs may have seen heavy topics, but my response was that it may have been the choice of speakers and method of presentation that made it seem heavy (i.e. it would have been less heavy if it were discussion style). However, it is agreed that a series of 4 related DCs such as the latest 'mind series' is a good package, in terms of marketing and content. There would be continuity that regulars can look forward to.

- old ghost that resurfaced: the need for any 'syllabus' in the topics of Dharma Circles versus the repetition of topics. I described to her the original plan formulated at the end of the 27th, executed in the 28th (to a limited extent), and not passed down to the 29th: 16-20 'technical' topics to be cycled through 2 years.

- non-'technical' topics may seem quite broad, but hence is their viability to be repeated each year. Suggestion is to highlight one aspect of the broad topic this year, and highlight another part the next year.

Her suggested next 4 DCs:
- Transforming into an Undergrad student
- Buddhadharma for University LIfe
- What is Buddhism? (Broad topic, this time introducing Buddhism in a nutshell as modern living)
- Present moment (Buddhism's best selling product in the urbanised, globalised, modernised world: mindfulness)

Prior to my meeting with her, a short discussion with Puay Kim was to design a whole year's worth of DC topics and speakers to hand over on a platter to the DD, who will make changes as they deem fit. The purpose was to release the DD and DDD to concentrate on developing the DFs and the Dharma subcomm. But upon discussion with Angita apparently it may even be advantageous to design 2 year's worth of DC topics (as per suggested at the end of the 27th).

I would update on Kenny another time. Kenny happens to be in the 24th MC, same as Gordon. I would make arrangements to meet up with Siling for a chat too.

A Walk to Wat Ananda

2008-05-04T13:29:00.003+08:00

Today is a special day. After i woke up from my sleep, suddenly, arose an urge to attend Sunday Service. Wat Ananda came to my mind. After making myself a fragrant coffee and eating one "Sunshine" blueberry bread, i made my way to the temple.
The feeling is mixed. I did not understand why. It was a long time since i last chanted or listened to a Dhamma Talk. Throughout the session, i did not pay much attention to the activities, but observed my emotions rising and falling. The mind is overwhelmed. After a period of time, the mind started to become calm. I remembered this feeling, a stream of peacefulness ran all over your body. An inner voice shouted: "Wow..."
Lastly, the melody of Metta chant really did the magic. For me, it had been so long since i listened to Metta chant, fabulous, totally made me immersed in it and totally calm down. However, it was short lived, i hoped it can be longer. Until now, i realized the power of togetherness in a group. The magnetic feel is wonderful. It was certainly hard to achieve in a room with myself sitting alone.
After the whole session, i took three Dhamma books written by Ven K. Rathanara from Sri Langkaramaya Temple (today's speaker). I had one of the best Hainan Chicken Rice recorded in my dictionary near the temple and decided to finish the books and returned back. The hot weather drove me crazy. In the end, i went back to the temple and read under the Bodhi Tree. The shade made me feel cool and it was so nice to read under it on this special Sunday morning.
Finally, i finished reading the books: (1) Healthy thoughts (for children, sourced from Sri Langka children's book); (2) The Art of Giving; (3) How to maintain a healthy relationship.
A great activity for clearing all the negative emotions that had been accummulated for so long. Most importantly, it was so relaxing and i had fun doing it.
Shiok...

Inner Voice Deep Inside Our Heart

2008-05-01T14:45:00.001+08:00

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up
against a parked car shouting, 'What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?'

The young boy was apologetic. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,' He pleaded. 'I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. 'It's my brother, 'he said. 'He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.'

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.'

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. 'Thank you and may gods bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too
shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!' Inner voice whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Great story to share with you all...

2008-05-01T14:23:00.000+08:00

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big advice on the door on which it was written:

'Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away.

We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym'.

In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself.

The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room.

The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.

Everyone thought: 'Who is this guy who was hindering my progress?

Well, at least he died!'.

One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part
of their soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself.

There was also a sign next to the mirror that said:

'There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU.

You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success.

You are the only person who can help yourself.

Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realise that you are the only one responsible for your life.

'The most important relationship you can have, is the one you have with yourself'

Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don't be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses: be a winner, build yourself and your reality.

The world is like a mirror: it gives back to anyone the reflection of the thoughts in which one has strongly believed.

The world and your reality are like mirrors laying in a coffin, which show to any individual the death of his divine capability to imagine and create his happiness and his success.

It's the way YOU face Life that makes the difference

Have a nice day!

Buddha Rocks

2008-04-26T22:01:00.002+08:00

For your information, i came across this site:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am posting this message to inform you about a new Buddhist portal ….

BuddhaRocks is an integrated non-profit multimedia portal dedicated to Contemporary Buddhism and beyond … Commentary Blog, Discussion Forum, Knowledge Bank, Social Networking, Events Programming, Resource Sharing, Classified Posting etc.

Objective of the portal is to contemporize Buddhism by updating and improvising the divine guidance, dogma and policy with the prevailing circumstances so as to render Buddhism practical and stay relevant to the very era we live in today.

Here are some links related to the portal: -

Ø To Visit Our Portal

Ø To Join Our Free Membership:

Ø To Link To Us

Ø To Subscribe Our Newsletter

Ø To Subsribe Our Content News

Ø To Contact Us

Appreciate if you could forward this message to those whom you think may be interested. We look forward to working with you for the benefits of all.

Buddha Bless

S. Lomoth for BuddhaRocks

URL (Home): http://buddharocks. org/

URL (Portal): http://buddharocks. org/main/

Softcopy for Richard Dawkins' God's Delusion

2008-04-26T11:15:00.001+08:00

Anyone wants, can look for me for it. I think is quite an interesting book for people who interested in this kind of stuff. Should be better than the Da Silva's book.

Some Bee Gees

2008-04-25T21:42:00.002+08:00

Hey guys some retro:

I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again

And you come to me on a summer breeze
Keep me warm in your love and then softly leave
And its me you need to show

Chorus:
How deep is your love
I really need to learn
cause were living in a world of fools
Breaking us down
When they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

I believe in you
You know the door to my very soul
Youre the light in my deepest darkest hour
Youre my saviour when I fall
And you may not think
I care for you
When you know down inside
That I really do
And its me you need to show

Let's Party!!

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
Im a womans man: no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm, Ive been kicked around
Since I was born.
And now its all right. its ok.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The new york times effect on man.

Whether youre a brother or whether youre a mother,
Youre stayin alive, stayin alive.
Feel the city breakin and everybody shakin,
And were stayin alive, stayin alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin alive, stayin alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin alive.

Well now, I get low and I get high,
And if I cant get either, I really try.
Got the wings of heaven on my shoes.
Im a dancin man and I just cant lose.
You know its all right. its ok.
Ill live to see another day.
We can try to understand
The new york times effect on man.

Whether youre a brother or whether youre a mother,
Youre stayin alive, stayin alive.
Feel the city breakin and everybody shakin,
And were stayin alive, stayin alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin alive, stayin alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin alive.

Life goin nowhere. somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin nowhere. somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah. stayin alive.

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
Im a womans man: no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm,
Ive been kicked around since I was born.
And now its all right. its ok.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The new york times effect on man.

Whether youre a brother or whether youre a mother,
Youre stayin alive, stayin alive.
Feel the city breakin and everybody shakin,
And were stayin alive, stayin alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin alive, stayin alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin alive.

Life goin nowhere. somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin nowhere. somebody help me, yeah.
Im stayin alive.

Let's Sing! C'mon!

Let's learn to "dance" 点灯的孩子！ My favourite Buddhist kid song!

2008-04-25T01:37:00.005+08:00

This is what the students in Singapore Buddhist Federation Sunday School gonna perform on Vesak at Orchard! Thank you Wan Wen my buddy for being the camera lady!!

Instructions on the "dance"

Demo

Lyrics
Verse
点灯的孩子高举你的灯
点灯的孩子举起明亮灯
歌颂佛陀慈光遍照
歌颂菩萨慈爱遍满

Chorus
佛光普照你给你祥和
菩萨保佑你给你平安
佛光普照你给你祥和
菩萨保佑你给你平安

Verse

Chorus x 3

Guess what I eventually wrote in my acknowledgements...

2008-04-13T22:34:00.002+08:00

My Heartfelt Gratitude:

To Prof Hugh Tan,
Who took me in and nudged me on.
Whose shake of the head and disapproving chuckles,
Made sure I saw the project to the end.

To Prof Richard Corlett,
Who read my doubts and pointed me wrong.
Whose admonishments and insights,
Taught me what an ecologist does.

To Dr. Yap Von Bing,
Who heard me out and set me straight.
With his twinkle in the eyes and easy-going ways,
Told me not to use stats as a statistician would.

My Keenest Gratitude:

To Xingli, Chow Koon, Alvin, Kai-xin and Alex,
For their raucous laughter and lewd jokes.
Camaraderie and mentorship,
Made data-mining much less drier than it really was.

To Dr. Peter Todd and Dr. Myron Shekelle,
For their sharp insights and keen mind.
Frank inputs, tips and advice,
Made this thesis what it eventually is.

My Utmost Gratitude:

To the trees that gave the paper,
The Earth that gave the rest.
May all scientific progress be dedicated to all beings,
Who share their water and their land.

---

My Prof's comments on the manuscript he sent back to me:

"These acknowledgements are kind of corny! However, it’s your thesis, so will leave it to you. The grammar is also off in some places!"

---

My friend said after i let him read it on msn:

ZL says:u wrote poetry?!!?!?!?
ZL says:WTF
ZL says:damn free right?!

touching...~

2008-04-04T16:24:00.003+08:00

This is very touching...

This 5 year old girl (who is blind) has the ability to play any tune on the piano after listening to it.. what what's more, she had never received any training b4! :P

Tears just brimmed when i listen to her sing 'you were born to be loved' gosh..

She must be a v talented musician in her past life!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntReE2n15bo

Got this from Tong Shien's blog

2008-03-29T20:52:00.000+08:00

I think this is pretty good:

Press those buttons!

2008-03-14T15:02:00.001+08:00

One of my favourite articles by Ven Chodron

http://www.thubtenchodron.org/DealingWithEmotions/buttons.pdf

Loving you

2008-03-14T14:59:00.001+08:00

And cuz i'm a fan of oldies, I happen to love Minnie Riperton too. Haha.

Lovin’ You - Minnie Riperton

Lovin’ you is easy cause you’re beautiful
Makin’ love with you is all i wanna do
Lovin’ you is more than just a dream come true
And everything that i do is out of lovin’ you
La la la la la la la… do do do do do

No one else can make me feel
The colors that you bring
Stay with me while we grow old

And we will live each day in springtime
Cause lovin’ you has made my life so beautiful
And every day my life is filled with lovin’ you

Lovin’ you i see your soul come shinin’ through
And every time that we oooooh
I’m more in love with you
La la la la la la la… do do do do do

Everything in Its Time — Corrinne May

2008-03-14T14:57:00.001+08:00

Though Corrinne May's a Catholic, But I really love her songs. :P

Everything in Its Time — Corrinne May

Sometimes I wonder what lies ahead
How long till my hunger is fed
They say it’s hard to make it in this part of town
So many people on this merry-go-round

Some folks try astrology
Some turn to crystal balls
To find an answer,
To get through it all
I just fall on my knees and I try to pray
In the silence I can hear Him say

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time

I often feel like I’m two steps behind
Somebody must have moved that finish line
There are a thousand reasons
Why I should give up
But I’m stubborn in the things I believe

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign

’cause maybe there’s another plan
One I still can’t see
A little surprise, like your love in my life
Funny how time changes how we see

The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time
Everything in its time

Coming soon to Channel 5...

2008-03-06T15:03:00.004+08:00

Just for laughs... Haha...

Waiting for you...i'm waiting for you...

2008-02-26T00:14:00.002+08:00

Here is the report for the last meeting which we had at YIH canteen:

(1) For the database, we will first target the handover files which we had from our previous MC experience. We will stop the publicity through weekly email and emails to seniors. Only Bein Siong replied us and sent us CEP files. So, we do our parts first before approach the people who we think can help us in setting up the database.

(2) For the library system, the MC actually approached us to help. We hope to help them fix it after final exams.

(3) For Dharma camp, we discussed it briefly. We hope to organise Dharma Camp for the juniors in the future by helping to plan the programmes. Execution will still be the responsibilities of the MC.

(4) We have started the music interest group. Sea Ming managed to come out with a R&B Ehipassiko song. Cheerios!!!

(5) As seniors, we should progressed ourselves to become speakers. We could even organise public speaking course for our members and alumni in the future.

(6) This DharmaRoundTable(DRT) meeting is to help us in our personal growth. Besides, it will act as a support group. We can invite seniors to join our monthly meetings by meeting up for meals, this may help to shorten the generation gap. We have to support each other by bringing a group to attend activities, like welfare or fellowship.

(7) We have identified people that can contribute in this fellowship, like Si Ling, Wenyan and Sohan.

Any mistakes, please correct me. (i knew it's hard to correct, because so long already, oops...)

NAKED!

2008-02-13T01:10:00.000+08:00

Hey guys,

Happy Chinese New Year!

How's everything? How's the Ang Bao business?

I'm one week behind time for thesis + assignments + tests because i had been mysteriously cursed with the CNY spell.. which apparently put me in inertia. :P

Anyway, I wonder if anyone read Naked i by Campus Crusade? If you haven't, you must be hiding in a hole somewhere because all lectures and tutorials and walkways are flooded with the campus crusaders' magazine!

How did you find the magazine? I actually found it quite an impressive piece of work. Though I am not agreeable to everything's that's written in there, I thought that CC did a great job for the mag because

1. the topic ties in with the upcoming V-day
2. the content, if you realise, is a good steer from the usual preachy mode. It has more relevant stuffs which may be able to attract non-christians. People would not be turned off by it and go "oh, not again". For eg, to discuss about why pre marital sex may not be the best activity for dating couples, they actually discussed about how sex works psychologically, blah blah (my brain is abit dead, so please read their article on "are u sexually satisfied?")
3. attaractive cover and name for the magazine
4. real life experiences

What do u think of the mag?

Any learning points for us? (things tt we can pick up or avoid)

Other reflections?

I know no one is really reading this blog (yes, i'm not a regular reader too) but please throw in ur views about the magazine if u have any. Better still, if u suddenly have a weird/interesting/creative dhammaduta idea popping out after readng the mag.

i'm super brain dead now. 3 hrs past my orh orh time!

oh yes, the BAW panels r cool! :D have u chked them out?

D-Box 17 Jan 08

2008-01-19T09:44:00.000+08:00

Thursday 7.00pm - 9.00pm LT3

Feedback

1. Brother Chee Wei, Wei Quan, Rui Qi, ETChan (Ern Theng), Chea Choon and Sea Ming attended.

2. Everyone is interested in learning guitar and enjoy music! WoOHOOO!

3. Everyone contributed ideas on the objectives. ET and Bro Chee Wei and SM highlighted on the need to train people who can lead song sessions.

4. Bro Chee Wei mentioned that we must choose a few songs so that we can concentrated and practice, pop songs also can. The new songs maybe we can listen first, choose one and concentrate on practicing, instead of just listening and not doing anything. (yes, we only really learn when we have hands on rather than ears on)

5. ET said we must set when to perform the song practiced so that we will be forced to practice and perfect, eg Dharma Circle (ya, to prevent us from becoming tofu in the end). He also suggested to print lyrics/scores for everyone or email everybody

6. Can also develop on keyboard? Hmmm

Official email address

2008-01-18T14:19:00.000+08:00

dharmaroundtable@nusbs.org.sg

username: dharmaroundtable
password: dharmaghosts (previously is dharmaghost)

Take note of it and check when you are free to collect any resources that are directed to you.

Thank you.

Next Meeting

2008-01-18T13:46:00.000+08:00

Alright, thanks to Kwek for reminding me. Last time, we set our meeting date on 25th Jan 2008, after Dharma Circle. However, next week, there will be no DC, because the MCs are having 8 Precepts Observance Day.
So, i would like to suggest to have the meeting on Friday, lunch at YIH canteen, 1200pm, then we can proceed to work area for meeting if it is too crowded.
Ok everyone?

Oh yeah, another thing is, the email sending out to ask for resources to build up our database. Sorry everyone for the delay, it's supposed to be in this week's weekly email, but because this week has too many events, i decided to post it after mid-term break in weekly email. Now, we will forward the mail ourselves to our contacts. I will email you all shortly. Hope you all can help to forward to BS friends as well as alumni.

We have a great start, thanks to Sea Ming for initiating the hymns singing group. Hope we can move on with this database project and make it a success. Sadhu.

Next meeting up

2008-01-15T10:04:00.000+08:00

I confess that I'm so busy with FYP that I haven't been able to do anything!

So when are we next meeting up? supposed to be end january right? Everyone got their time-table already right? we just meet for dinner or lunch and chat...

let's post our available times.

I only have lessons on Wednesdays 10am-2pm.
Thurs nights I go Poh Ern Shih for a meditation group practice (anyone wants to come??). Can skip lah, but preferably not muahahha...
Fridays Dharma Circle. Did we say we'd meet after Dharma Circle?
Saturday nights I'm at Kwan Yin Chan Lin.

Knights of the Dharma Roundtable = Dharma Ghosts?

2008-01-10T23:06:00.000+08:00

To say that we are Dharma Ghosts, is correct!

Although we 阴魂不散 in BS (means we still linger around although we are off our MC posts),
but few of us are also invisible (in this blog)!!

Hahahaha.. Just kidding, don't haunt me about that okay?
Just want to 'heat' up this bloggie a bit.

D-Box Proposal

2007-12-27T12:19:00.000+08:00

Background:
Mei Fei just told me last week, that maybe we should start a hymn interest group, eventhough they may be busy. So for those who are busy and can't come, they can come. At the same time, Chea Choon is practising his guitar these days..
So *pom*! I think we should just start a small small songs/guitar session.

Our hidden agenda (Objective):
1. For people who are interested in music to come together to sing/play instruments
2. Create fellowship
3. Train people who can lead song sessions

"Yea, I know, so what do we really do there?"
1. Sing a few songs in each session (Buddhist hymns, Chinese Pop and English Pop)
2. Have fun! This is gonna be a very informal and relaxed session, you can just come and go anytime =)
3. Learn guitar
4. Learn the good way of singing (eg using headvoice), depend on the need of members =p

"Okay okay, I'm convinced, so how now?"
Thursdays, 7.00pm - 8.00pm (Dinner 6.30pm)
YIH Workarea / PGP Music Room (has organ)
Bring any instruments, lyrics with chord accompaniments.
Can make announcement on what you want to sing first on the BS forum ^_^
(so if you all and the MC pass this idea, we'll just set up a new place in the forum)

ATTN:
*We are not competing with other BS activities.
This is like a private gathering, for anyone who have time and interest. Since we have a few friends who are already interested, why not we put a notice and invite anyone who is interested to come.
So, we will not let this burden the 29th MC.
*Non-BS members also can come

Goal for Semester 2 AY 0708
1. Must have fun everytime
2. Gather a group of people who are interested in music
3. Must train at least 1 junior who can lead this session for next academic year
4. Keep it small & simple, as long as there's 2 person in the session, it's already a success
[since we're starting, low target --> low burn out --> less stress --> more fun --> more energy]
5. Members must at learn something, eg more songs, singing/guitar skills

Some long-term goals
1. Form a band!
2. Song composing
3. Create a sub-group in NUS for singing spiritual songs, whether it is Buddhist, Christian or pop
- For attracting non-Buddhists
- Religious harmony =p

So guys... what do you all think?

生命中的朋友 Friends in/of Life

2007-12-19T15:56:00.000+08:00

This is the song from Foo Hai Ch'an Music Camp 2007. I dedicate to all of you! =)

Many people have sung in this song, including Bodhicitta and 乐声 Le Sheng from Superstar.

生命中的朋友
词：释真昊法师
曲/编曲：康淇

一个善意的微笑一个温暖的问候
我已能够感受到有你的幸福
虽然我们来自各方彼此都不相熟
但是真诚的心拉近了你和我

因为有你的陪伴因为有你的勉励
让我勇敢面对生命中的挑战
不管路有多艰苦不管路有多遥远
你的出现使我不再感到孤独

你是我生命中的朋友
你的祝福驱走心中的寒冷
你的关怀让生命充满希望

你是我生命中的朋友
你的祝福驱走心中的寒冷
哦生命中的朋友
让我们勇敢面对未来