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Friday, 29 August 2008 Below are some thoughts that came to mind (from the Buddhist perspective), while watching the film “A Month of Hungry Ghosts”. Warning - unless you already have the proper understanding of how Buddhism sees the seventh lunar month celebrations, watching this show might confuse you further. This is especially since it presents multiple perspectives of hungry ghosts, while the “Buddhist” perspective presented is not perfectly accurate. Are Paper Object Offerings Needed? 1. Wouldn't it be much more sincere to burn real money? Then again, it's illegal to do so. 2. Why should ash items become solid in the afterlife? 3. Why should hollow things become solid? 4. How can a handphone work if there is no telecommunication network in hell? 5. How can a car work if there are no car parts burnt? 6. How can a car work without petrol? Should petrol be burnt? Wouldn't it explode? 7. Are there enough car parks and highways in hell? Do we need to burn them? 8. As every one thing interdependent on every other thing, do we need to burn the whole world for the underworld? 9. Burning wastes paper, time, money, effort and pollutes, while furthering global warming. 10. If we don't burn anything, we can do good deeds in name of the person and dedicate merits to him or her. Are Money Offerings Needed? 1. Money is useless without trade. What is there to buy in hell? Are there malls? 2. Aren't other paper “necessities” burnt already? 3. There is no standardised money format burnt – from taels to “cash”. There is no properly serialised numbering too. 4. There is no central monetary authority in hell as humans are the ones who print the money – at their own fancy. 5. There must be high inflation rate in hell - due to large currencies with no small change? 6. If life in hell is suffering most of the time, what is the function of paper money and paper maids? 7. If there is true karmic justice, there is no such thing as bribable hell police. What if the Deceased Ask for Paper Offerings in Dreams? The deceased might be attached to needing them, which is why, when they become wandering spirits, who hang or wander around, thinking they need a paper house. It is thus best to explain why this is not so – before they pass away. Survivors' guilt might create the dreams too. If one has such dreams, which one believes to be real, it is best to explain to the deceased why paper items are not needed. If it is hard to explain, it might be good to burn just a little - to prove that the burning does not help. If it is true that all the deceased need paper offerings, why is it that non-Chinese do not have such dreams? The answer is simple – because this erroneous belief is strictly cultural; it is not a universal truth. General Reflections 1. We already co-exist with hungry ghosts and wandering spirits all the time; but never with hell-beings. 2. There is no need to appease spirits in the sense of asking “good brothers” for peace and protection. We should practise compassion to all beings instead, and help hungry ghosts and wandering spirits have good rebirths. 3. The metaphorical gates of hell open and close everyday for beings to enter and exit them – as according to their karma. 4. Hell-beings do not have 30 days' leave for holidays in our world. They leave only when their hell karma is depleted. 5. If most beings are reborn in hell, wouldn’t there be over-population? Then again, over-population is hellish! 6. Petas (hungry ghosts) in Buddhism are not negative energy that feed on negative energy. 7. When you make a big fuss of offering to spirits, they naturally gather. We also become more tense, jumpy and self-suggestive. 8. It is not a good idea to always believe the spirits of the deceased (of one’s family) are around, and to appease them – as this might prolong their attachment to us. It is better to encourage them to let go and attain a good rebirth. 9. Making meat offerings in the name of the deceased creates negative karma for oneself. 10. Getai (stage show) performances are supposed to honour gods and ghosts. Though this is not a Buddhist practice, it has increasingly become a rowdy practice that attracts probably more humans than ghosts –for human entertainment. 11. The presence of restless spirits might make humans more restless. It is thus important to direct them to good rebirths. 12. Asking ghosts for lottery numbers while making offerings is just an exchange of services – though there are few wins (by chance?). 13. As hungry ghosts and wandering spirits were humans, it is important not to become like them – ones with strong attachment. 14. Wrathful spirits can be like “wild tigers” – so they should be spiritually counselled, not just fed, pleased or left untamed. 15. In traditional Ullambana practice, food is offered to monastics first – before offering the merits of doing so to others. 16. If ghost-kings are Bodhisattvas in wrathful forms, they would not ask beings to return to hell. 17. Some believe offered food might have less taste as their essence is consumed by smell by unseen beings. Some Buddhists see this food to be blessed by much chanting. 18. We should have more compassion than fear towards unfortunate unseen beings. 19. Buddhists only celebrate Ullambana near the full-moon day of the seventh lunar month. 20. Chanting helps to share the Dharma with unseen beings – though this depends on the understanding of the chanter and listener too. 21. Food offerings are okay for hungry ghosts - not just during Ullambana. 22. Food offerings can be for “past karmic debtors” too. 23. Humans disturb unseen beings more than they disturb us. 0 comments  
dreamed of racing on 9:27 am <-------------------------------------------------------> Tuesday, 26 August 2008
我來到妳的城市 走過妳來時的路 想像著沒我的日子 妳是怎樣的孤獨 拿著妳給的照片 熟悉的那一條街 只是没了妳的畫面 我們回不到那天 妳會不會忽然的出現 在街角的咖啡店 我會帶著笑臉回首寒喧 和妳坐著聊聊天 我多麼想和妳見一面 看看妳最近改變 不再去說從前只是寒暄 對妳說一句只是說一句 好久不見 好久不見－陳奕迅 作詞：施立 作曲：陳小霞 专辑：認了吧 我覺得陳奕迅最動聽的一首歌.. 0 comments
dreamed of racing on 9:24 am <-------------------------------------------------------> Monday, 25 August 2008 been busy with the iphone launch last week.. price of the 8gb phone is on the high($698) for normal i-one plus plan.. i read an article on my newpaper by star blogger leow ju-len on finding joy in life which i think is rather interesting.. so here it is.. THE simple secret to being happy is not to have everything you want, but to want everything that you have. However, to many, it seems like a rather glib thing to spout. So, I will unpack a little more of its meaning and delve a bit deeper into just how it is a guiding principle in my life. Think about it:Why is it that a pair of divine Manolo Blahnik shoes means nothing to me, but would be a great source of joy to my fellow Star Bloggers, Dawn Yang and Jamie Yeo? How is it possible that a motorcycle I bought for $1,100 is more exciting to me than most cars that cost 100 times more? How is it possible that the same motorcycle is, to me, a piece of treasure but to most sane people, nothing more than a hunk of rusty junk? The answer, of course, is that nothing has the power by itself to make us happy. The things that bring us joy do so only by virtue of the fact that we find them joyful. (this is exactly what the buddha said, happiness or unhappiness come from our heart.. not from the outside world.. 一切为心造.. though he may not realise, he is touching on some buddha teaching..) What I mean to say, to put it in more cliched terms, is that happiness comes from within. This is more profound than most people think it is. In the examples listed above we have the same objects (Blahniks; an old motorbike) bringing different levels of happiness to different people. Given that the objects are constants, we can only conclude that things make us happy according to how much we let them. Put another way, I believe that nothing external to ourselves has the ability to make us happy – unless we let it. So, how does this apply to life in general? I have friends, I realise, who will never be happy until they grasp this simple concept, and it can be applied to the most mundane things. I had dinner with old junior-college friends the other night, and when time for dessert came round, I was the only one who didn’t want any. “Gee, now I know why I don’t hang out with you more,” said my female friend. “You’re always so healthy and now I feel bad about having dessert!” Though she said it in jest, I couldn’t understand how something so external to herself (my not wanting dessert) could have an impact on her enjoyment of an after-dinner treat. It seemed crazy to me that a person would let a third party define the difference between dessert being something to savour and something to be avoided. But then, far too often, we are simply told what are the good and bad things in life, rather being left to decide for ourselves. This is why there are people who lust after Porsches and Ferraris despite never even having sat in one. Is there any intrinsic value in a diamond or a Rolex, other than what we bestow upon them? (the buddha said there is no such thing as value.. we are too used to our habits.. too used to judging things and giving it a value..) We believe that these things will bring us happiness, failing to realise that we alone can and should control what we wish to be our sources of bliss. I live life with the philosophy that once we stop letting other people decide what makes us happy, we would then derive joy from whatever strikes our fancy. Ultimately, happiness need not be pursued. It merely has to be embraced. 0 comments
dreamed of racing on 10:11 am <-------------------------------------------------------> Tuesday, 19 August 2008 Extract from My Paper - My Lifestyle A friend of mine, well into the third year of a relationship, recently complained that she and her boyfriend weren't having sex often enough for her liking. I delicately asked her what she considered adequate. Once a day at least, was her reply. Which was barely, she wailed, what she was getting. The thing is, women are getting a rude shock when it comes to how much their guys want it. That, or guys aren't thinking that women want sex as much as men do. It's the latter idea that I wish to explore. In Weiner Davis' study of 1,000 married women,60 per cent of them reported that they wanted at least as much, if not more, sex than their husbands. Women I know are passionate, love physical affection, and will not shy away from sexual encounters. Those in committed relationships say that sex is an important factor in a relationship and are willing to work to make it a fulfilling experience for themselves and their partners. Singles I know don't let their singlehood get in the way of enjoying the physical things in life. One friend jokingly told me that it was unclear, in a long "one-night-stand" that could be almost construed as a relationship, just who was using who for sex. Both parties involved agreed to call it a draw and just enjoy each other. In such a world, women – both singles and those in relationships – are going to demand more from their partners. In the meantime, men should take heed. There may be a tigress in your bedroom, and it's about time you asked her if her appetite is being sated. the above extract is by a female editor.. the common perception is men are the one who pretty up for sex all the time, but somehow it no longer hold true.. in fact, time had changed.. its the women who yearn for it now but still.. throwing it all to the men.. haha.. 0 comments
dreamed of racing on 4:51 pm <-------------------------------------------------------> i was watching the ndp rally yesterday night and PM mentioned about sg low birth rate again.. not only that, he also encourage young adults especially ladies to be more socialised.. PM mentioned that 60% of SDU members are ladies and 40% are men, much of the 60% are over 30 years old.. good news to the soon-to-be mother.. very soon, there'll be 4 months maternity leave and 6 days child care leave.. i guess we really need to socialise ourselves more.. though fate play an important part.. but much of your fate lies in your hand.. just like one of my friend who got attached recently.. he have been "socialising" for 7 years.. almost given up.. and finally he found someone.. i feel glad for him.. its not easy to find someone who you like and like you.. cherish every moments and chances you have there.. 2 comments
dreamed of racing on 3:12 pm <-------------------------------------------------------> Monday, 18 August 2008
 be the first to experience South East Asia longest underground expressway! click on above pic for more details.. 0 comments
dreamed of racing on 1:16 pm <-------------------------------------------------------> Sunday, 17 August 2008
 Super Import Nights returns at a time where the entire automotive and motorsports industry is buzzing with the excitement as Singapore will be staging it's very first Formula 1 Night race. Super Import Nights promises a line up of monstrous mean dream machines, wide range of performance parts and accessories, hot babes and non-stop action. Some of the top tuner brands making an appearance at the show include Endless, JUN Auto Mechanic, Zeal, Alcon, Toda Racing, Fightex, GruppeM, Recaro, Novitec Rosso, Alutec Performance Parts, ATS Brake System, TEIN and Remus, just to name a few. Don't miss out on some of the best automotive deals in town at Super Import Nights 2008.  Tickets Price S$10.00 for Adults S$5.00 for Children below 12 yrs. 0 comments
dreamed of racing on 1:08 am <-------------------------------------------------------> Thursday, 14 August 2008
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Racer: zfek 
一份情讓我們相知相惜 一份真摯的友誼，使我們成為永遠的朋友
                                                     
 stare at the blank + in the center, what do you see?  do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise? "There are some people who meet that somebody that they can never stop loving, no matter how hard they try. I wouldn't expect you to understand that, or even believe it, but trust me; there are just some loves that don't go away. And maybe that makes them crazy, but we should all be lucky enough to end up with someone who has a little bit of that craziness. Someone who never lets go. Someone who cherishes you forever." - Ally McBeal unique moonlighters |
