Friday, 26 November 2010

记得家乡门口的那个女孩
一对膀子长短都不一样
走起路来终是一瘸一拐　
说起话来 结巴没人爱

街坊的小孩 总是嘲讽陷害　
女孩无话 只能靜靜无奈

外婆告诉我不可以笑她
因为残缺也是一种美
我看清晨女孩挽著衣篮摇摆
从家门口渐渐走来
那忍辱负重的步伐轻轻迈开
坚毅善良的面庞　多么净白
我终于明白

月亮不一定要圆满 　
残缺也是一种美丽
人生不一定要拥有
享有也是一种福气　
逆来顺受 化腐朽为神奇
残缺生命 也能彩绘 成美丽的诗偈

我看清晨女孩挽着衣篮摇摆
从家门口渐渐走来
那忍辱负重的步伐轻轻的迈开
坚毅善良的面庞　多么净白
我终于明白

残缺也是美－Walter Tsai　作詞：星雲大師　作曲：謝漢揚

作词者就是那位佛光山的星云大师，在新明日报“点智慧系列”的星云法师。严格来说这首歌也不算是佛曲，
但酝酿着着浓厚的慈悲信息。


星云法师《残缺就是美》

每次看到残障人士，我总是想起家乡那个踽踽独行的小女孩……。

她的膀子与手都比常人短小，两只脚也长短不一，走起路来，一瘸一瘸的，说起话来，老是结结巴巴，
附近的小孩子总爱拿她开玩笑。有一天，外婆严肃地和我说道：「你可不能去欺负她。你要知道，其实，
残缺就是美啊！」

第二天清晨，女孩从我家门口经过，照例挽着一大篮衣服往江边走去，我从窗口往外看，她忍辱负重的步伐，
她坚毅善良的面庞，与村童们嘲弄喧哗、追狗打鸟的画面比较起来，显得那么安详纯美。「原来，残缺就是
美啊！」想起外婆的话，我若有所悟。此后，随着年龄增长，阅历渐丰，我一次又一次地肯定这是一句
掷地有声的至理名言。

如今，残障人士似乎比过去有福多了。古之残疾者，尽管未曾享有人为的便利，然而他们透过自身的努力，
所写下的隽永事迹，至今仍深深地令后人感动鼓舞。大发明家艾伯特．爱迪生非但不怨恨那个将他耳朵
揪聋的人，反而感谢耳聋使他省下与别人闲聊的时间，专心做自己的实验。我在十来岁时，曾经读过他的
一段轶事，描述他在六十七岁那年，工厂发生大火，所有财产付之一炬，许多人担心他会受不了这么大的
打击，没想到第二天他告诉员工们：「感谢大火没有把我烧毁，却把以前的错误全部烧光了，从今天起，
我们重新开始！」

这个故事给我很大的启示，我想伟人之所以成为伟人，是因为他们知道真正的残疾，不是外在的身根不全，
而是心里没有慈悲、包容；真正的缺陷，也不是环境的困顿蹇厄，而是自己丧失信心、勇气，所以他们能
逆来顺受，化腐朽为神奇，纵使面对残缺的生命，也能刻画成美丽的诗篇。反观当时的自己，肢体俱全，
又有何怨？故当下立志效法前贤，长养克服缺陷的毅力。

在入佛门之前，我没有受过完整的社会教育，披剃出家以后，战乱频仍，佛学教育也都是在枪林弹雨下
片段完成。我明白自己所学空乏，所以对于师长们一字一句的教诲，都非常珍惜，总是牢记在心，不敢稍忘。
此外，我发心担任图书管理员，每天在课余劳务之暇，沉浸在书海之中，饱参法味。当同学们放假回家时，
我禁足闭关，沉思写作，整理笔记，将书本上的点滴知识融会在心。没想到这些珠玑字句，在日后不但成为
我讲经说法的资料宝藏，更是我遭逢困难时的力量泉源。

我从小就觉得自己很笨拙，所以从不敢投机取巧，每说一句话，总是发自肺腑之诚，惟恐因为自己的拙于
言辞，而使别人难堪；每做一件事，也都考虑周延，深怕由于自己的一念愚昧，误了全盘计画。古德有云：
「至诚无息，不息则久。」又说：「精诚所至，金石为开。」我兢兢业业于自己的一言一行，运用自己的
恒心毅力去克服自己的缺点，久而久之，也看到了显著的成效，例如：我从不巧言令色，但是多少外道
因为听了我一席话而全家皈投三宝；我不擅交际应酬，然而多少游客由于和我有一面之缘而成为佛门护法。
虽然我连一张幼稚园毕业证书都没有，但是如今我不但是教育部核准的博士学位指导人，我的弟子中也
不乏博士、硕士；尽管我未曾修过设计学分，然而我所参与建筑的道场寺院不下百所。我感谢自己的笨拙，
使我在脚踏实地中，能为佛教略尽心力。

我的生性原本十分胆怯，尤其在大众的场合下，说话老是打结，然而当我走出山门，必须和社会接触时，
我深知自己的短处不足以应世度众，故也只有勇于面对，自我训练，每次上台开示以前，我都将讲稿
一读再读，直至滚瓜烂熟为止。每回看到有人来，我也学习主动迎接，并且事先想好应对的词语。
当夜阑人静时，我还是不曾松懈，常常拖着疲倦的身子，独坐窗前，细细反省自己说话的得失，以求
鉴往知来。如此用心多年以后，虽然常常听到别人称赞我善说巧喻，心里还是有点怀疑。直到一九九○年，
接母亲来美国，当她听了我的佛经讲座以后，惊讶地对徒众说：「我不知道我的儿子竟然这么会讲经说法！
」这时，我才确信多年的辛苦终于有了代价。

年少的时候，我常因虚火旺盛，牙齿不好，而频遭嘴破牙疼之苦，所以平日留心保护，倒也减少了其他
方面的疾病。年轻时患糖尿病，由于常年在外奔波弘法，饮食睡眠不易调整，尽管身体稍有不适，
往往咬牙一忍也就过去，如今视力减弱，心脏衰竭，始知兹事体大。我安慰那些关心我的徒众说：
「这样一来，不但可以吸收宝贵的医药常识，同时也能使平日不喜欢我的人放我一马，不亦美哉！」

尽管盛年不再，我心中未曾遗憾。回想我在三十年前，曾经在佛前独自涕泣忏悔，自愧没有阿弥陀佛的
大悲大愿，因此只有发心在人间开拓净土，以期人间佛子都能到此安养，接受佛光的普照；自惭了生脱死
并非速成易事，所以只有立愿在现世建设莲邦，希望现世的菩萨都能在此往生，接受法雨的润泽。

总算是皇天不负苦心人，三十年前的深深自责与切切自勉，在三十年后逐渐有了成果，但看海内外佛光山
各道场所兴设的文化、教育事业，所建立的养老院、育幼院，可说已具备佛光净土的规模，而千余名出家
弟子、百万名佛光会员正在携手创建佛光净土，我虽然自觉无才无德，但求能作一棵枝叶繁茂的树木，
庇荫大地众生，结出累累果实，分享世间有情，则于愿足矣！

小水滴自知力微，结合大家的力量，形成一股激流，努力冲过礁岩，才能激起壮丽的浪花；小毛虫
自惭形秽，用尽全身的力量，奋身挣破蛹茧，变成一只蝴蝶，才能自在飞舞，享受绚烂的阳光。所以，
残缺是生命的本质，也是世间的实相。我们应该了解残缺，欣赏残缺，进而运用残缺，转化残缺，
最后我们将会发现「残缺就是美」。

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dreamed of racing on 11:28 am

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Tuesday, 16 November 2010

我坐在椅子上，看日出復活。
我坐在夕陽裡，看城市的衰弱。
我摘下一片葉子，讓它代替我，
觀察離開後的變化。

曾經狂奔，舞蹈，貪婪的說話，
隨著冷的濕的心，腐化。

帶不走的丟不掉的，讓大雨侵蝕吧!
讓它推向我在邊界，奮不顧身掙扎。
如果有一個懷抱，勇敢不計代價，
別讓我飛，將我溫柔豢養。

我坐在椅子上，看日出復活。
我坐在夕陽裡，看城市的衰弱。
我摘下一片葉子，讓它代替我，
觀察離開後的變化。

曾經狂奔，舞蹈，貪婪的說話，
隨著冷的濕的心，腐化。

帶不走的留不下的，我全都交付它，
讓它捧著我在手掌，自由自在揮灑。
如果有一個世界混濁的不像話。
原諒我飛，曾經眷戀太陽。

帶不走的丟不掉的，讓大雨侵蝕吧!
讓它推向我在邊界，奮不顧身掙扎。
如果有一個世界混濁的不像話，
我會瘋狂的愛上。

帶不走的留不下的，我全都交付它，
讓它捧著我在手掌，自由自在揮灑。
如果有一個懷抱，勇敢不計代價，
別讓我飛，將我溫柔豢養。

原諒我飛，曾經眷戀太陽。

魚－陳綺貞　词曲：陳綺貞　專輯：《太陽》　发行：2009年1月22日

又一首我非常喜欢的歌曲。陈绮贞离上一张专辑挺久没发片了。一直都希望可以听到像《还是会寂寞》、
《告诉我》、《旅行的意义》这样好听的歌曲。在21届金曲奖只要有陈绮贞入围的作品都是播放这首《鱼》
而不是《太阳》。

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dreamed of racing on 10:58 am

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Monday, 15 November 2010

Joke of The Month

Costly Mistake
I was working as a senior secretary at a small accounting firm when one day
my boss realized that a costly mistake had been made on a client's financial
statement. It had already been mailed out, and my boss was expecting the client
to call in an uproar as soon as the mistake was discovered.

He was in a quandary as to how to explain the error. Although it was his fault,
I magnanimously told him: "Well, why don't you blame it on me? That way the
client won't be as upset with you."

"No, that won't work," he said. "That's what I always tell them."

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dreamed of racing on 11:30 am

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Friday, 12 November 2010

This eight-minute animated video, produced by Free Range Studios and hosted by
Annie Leonard, explains the concept of “planned obsolescence”—products designed
to be replaced as quickly as possible—and its often hidden consequences for
tech workers, the environment and us.

The film concludes with an opportunity for you to send a message to electronics
companies demanding that they “make ‘em safe, make ‘em last, and take ‘em back.”

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dreamed of racing on 11:50 am

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Was The Buddha A Free-Thinker?

Recently, there is an increase in atheists and agnostics (free-thinkers) who
are eager to show that it is possible to be secular humanists, to be moral
(instead of immoral or amoral), as guided by reason and science; instead of
religion. Thus, some religionists see rising secularism as a ‘new enemy’ of
religion, which is partly true, as there are popular atheists who seem out to
denounce most, if not all religions, as attested by the books ‘The God Delusion’
(from evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins) and ‘God Is Not Great’
(by journalist Christopher Hitchens).

Yes, they criticise Buddhism too, inadequately though. If they represent the
best of anti-religion thinkers, they are not objective enough – at least, when it
comes to Buddhism. The problem with any generalisation is that it generally
misrepresents. That said, we should also be mindful not to generalise all secular
humanists to be equally intolerant of all religions. Paradoxically though, their
thought might harden into ‘religions’ with rigid new dogmas?

In a sense, Prince Siddhartha too was a free-thinker – who made good by
becoming the Buddha. Not relying on any divine revelation from any god, he
sought personal enlightenment for universal wisdom, out of universal compassion
to show all (including humans and gods) a path to the common goal of True
Happiness.

In fact, he was a highly diligent free-thinker, who freed his mind from the many
dogmas of his time, to think for himself, and to forge a clear way out of the
thicket of delusions. In contrast, some unenlightened free-thinkers are not
enthusiastic to learn and think deeply enough, who thus generalise and
trivialise others’ belief and thought systems.

Surely, an earnest seeker of the path to ultimate truth (wisdom) and
goodness (compassion) must include the humble and careful survey of the
possible paths already available. This the Buddha did too, before realising
they were insufficient for enlightenment. A free-thinker who keeps his mind
truly free and open in a wise and discerning manner is surely on the path
to enlightenment!

Some believe they have found adequate morality and meaning through
self-reflection. Yet, when their compassion and wisdom is compared with the
Buddha’s, they fall short. Surely then, there is much to emulate of the Buddha’s
example – who remains the world’s most enduring and iconic spokesperson
against violence, sexism, racism, casteism, ageism, speciesism, dogmatism…

He even spoke of the need to uphold inter-religious harmony! Such humanistic
issues are relevant even to free-thinkers today. History has yet to see anyone
more complete in compassion and wisdom, in word and deed. Studying his
teachings is both humbling and inspiring – for he towers over us in so many ways,
while he reminds us that we can become equally enlightened.

If you are a free-thinker, perhaps this is a good time to think twice about the
value of Buddhism? As the gently smiling Buddha beckons, don’t just believe
in anyone’s teachings blindly. You’re most welcome to intelligently doubt
and enquire about his too!

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dreamed of racing on 10:39 am

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Thursday, 11 November 2010

a friend of mine recently went into setting up a small business.. the govt. have been
actively encouraging young singaporeans to be entrepreneurs, hoping to boost
singapore economy and further reduce unemployment..

venturing into business is definitely a wise choice as it not only help the economy,
but more importantly, it help to you to pursue your goal in life, be it financial or time
freedom.. in today world, there is no such thing as job security.. my brother was
among those who were retrenched during the last financial crisis and was
unemployed for more then 6 months..

but having said that, only minority went to become their own boss.. it is because
most of us had been "programmed" into working for others or to be an employee
since young.. studying for good grades and get a good job and start climbing the
corporate ladder for the rest of your life.. and ironically, most very successful
businessman do badly in school..

good grades and good job but struggling to live with every pay check.. yet,
bad grades with own biz making huge profits.. isn't the world unfair? the world
is always unfair.. regardless you like it or not, accept it or not.. but though unfair,
there must be a reason for this.. in this world, everything happen for a reason..

the reason behind this is: traditional school teach you the knowledge to work for
people.. some people are poor in this aspect.. since they sucks in this, they have no
choice but to learn another kind of knowledge your school and my school never
teach, which is real life business knowledge and financial knowledge..

and to rub salt in the wound, most knowledge that i learnt in school are useless..
beside basic reading and writing, simple arithmetic, i'd never use any of the knowledge
i learnt.. to be honest, i can still perform my current work if i was to drop out of
school 15 years ago.. so you see, its perfectly "alright" if one cant excel in school..

now don't be mistaken with the traditional business school.. traditional business
school in college only teaches you useless business theories, not real life business
skills.. if we want to learn a skill, we need to find someone who has the skill and
has been doing, practising it.. now think again, are you going to look for a real
successful businessman or a lecturer who can only talk with his mouth and never
ever start a business before? did bill gates or thomas edison went to traditional
business school? no, they don't..

real life business knowledge don't qualified you to work for other people, it enable
you to make people work for you, or make things work for you..

recently i have also ventured into the business world.. a business which robert
kiyosaki mentioned as "the business for the 21st century".. it is different from
conventional business in the sense that it did not need huge capital and did not
involve any risk.. the beauty of this business is that one can still keep his full time
job while building this business.. and ultimately, what most important is one can
learn financial knowledge, real life business skills and personal development skills.

Another beauty is tat it is a business that help people. if you're interested in finding
out more about this business, feel free to send an email to my hottest mail at
kef_80@hotmail.com :) there is nothing to lose, as i have not lose anything till now..

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dreamed of racing on 5:29 pm

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