This is a very personal post..
君子有所为，有所不为
There are certain issues where we can use skillfulness and wisdom to overcome so as to live in harmony with others, however, there are certain issues that one should never relent no matter what. (i.e. especially precepts)
祝愿大家，
心想事成，
万事如意。
见到你我的心不由自主地跳，
见不到你心又开始酸酸的，
痛在你的身，
苦在我的心，
我问， 世间情为何物？
情是拥有？还是无条件的祝福？
情是保护？还是真心诚意的放手？
情啊情，
如若我能与你真正的会面，
我会对你如何？
那又如何？
生， 老 ， 病 ， 死 ，
情能消除吗？
问世间情为何物？！？！
叹
Although I cannot upload and download this mentalities to the mind of the younger generations, I do have the intention to do my best to educate them on how studying can be enjoyable, practical and fun – just like my teacher mr tan peng yeong did.
Although I haven’t come up with a definitive plan , I hope that I’ll be able to attract like minded individuals in Singapore to start doing this for our younger generations.
May my wish come true.
This period probably allows me to recognise who are those I called brothers whom will call me “Bro” back.. But I wont draw a conclusion with regards to this matter..
Life is full of ups and downs.. sometimes its the people whom lift you up when you’re down and to share your joy that makes you feel its all worth it..
Thats is why the buddha say that a good friend is one who rejoice in your gains and supports you when you loss..
How many friends do I have that follows strictly to the protocol of what the lord buddha mentioned?
What is NOT a friend ?
(1) he who appropriates a friend's possessions,
(i) he appropriates his friend's wealth,
(ii) he gives little and asks much,
(iii) he does his duty out of fear,
(iv) he associates for his own advantage.
(2) he who renders lip-service,
(i) he makes friendly profession as regards the past,
(ii) he makes friendly profession as regards the future,
(iii) he tries to gain one's favor by empty words,
(iv) when opportunity for service has arisen, he expresses his inability.
(3) he who flatters,
(i) he approves of his friend's evil deeds,
(ii) he disapproves his friend's good deeds,
(iii) he praises him in his presence,
(iv) he speaks ill of him in his absence.
(4) he who brings ruin.
(i) he is a companion in indulging in intoxicants that cause
infatuation and heedlessness,
(ii) he is a companion in sauntering in streets at unseemly hours,
(iii) he is a companion in frequenting theatrical shows,
(iv) he is a companion in indulging in gambling which causes heedlessness."
What IS a friend?
(1) he who is a helpmate,
(i) he guards the heedless,
(ii) he protects the wealth of the heedless,
(iii) he becomes a refuge when you are in danger,
(iv) when there are commitments he provides you with double the
supply needed.
(2) he who is the same in happiness and sorrow,
(i) he reveals his secrets,
(ii) he conceals one's own secrets,
(iii) in misfortune he does not forsake one,
(iv) his life even he sacrifices for one's sake.
(3) he who gives good counsel,
(i) he restrains one from doing evil,
(ii) he encourages one to do good,
(iii) he informs one of what is unknown to oneself,
(iv) he points out the path to heaven.
(4) he who sympathises.
(i) he does not rejoice in one's misfortune,
(ii) he rejoices in one's prosperity,
(iii) he restrains others speaking ill of oneself,
(iv) he praises those who speak well of oneself."
If anyone of else has a friend that fulfill all 4 criterias as stated above, one should be truly thankful. i am thankful =)
从小到大，我所付出的努力都会有耕耘。在加上家庭的教育是赏罚分明-一个公平的制度，这可能造就了我对世界的看法- 凡是都是一份耕耘，一份收获。这也许在很多方面都是一个优点，但今天我发现， 如果误以为世界就是对每个人都是那么的公平， 那我也太过天真了。Today my grading concerning my work performance was confirmed , and it was a disappointing “C” – GOOD. And the reason why it was just only a GOOD, was because I had taken too many medical leave throughout the course of my past 1+ years in my job
I find it difficult to accept it initially, because my work ethic and work quality – in my opinion – is nothing short of an “A” – Outstanding. Out of all my responsibilities as an employee, the only thing I didnt managed to fulfil was to leave the office later than my boss.
I was always in early, never complained about too much work, always delivering on time (with high quality) and way before deadline etc. To even put my overall grading anything less than a “B” – Very Good , was already a huge blow to me.
One of the main reasons why I was so upset was because , the work ethic of others are not even close to what I’ve delivered, and yet their grades are much better than mine – all because I am sick.
Is that how it is like? That if you are sick, then no matter how good your work is , it doesnt count ? Is that the message we’re sending out to people whom give their heart and soul to a job?
I’ve been denied everything in my stint of serving my nation, no promotion , no awards and not even a grade that should’ve been fairly given to me. thinking of this, it often draws me to tears , I find that I cannot accept such a treatment.
Upon reflection, I can only say this for myself , this is the way of the samsara.
Samsara is not fair , because of kamma, kamma is created, because of the kilesas.
Expecting a fair treatment is like expecting humans to fly. maybe humans have a higher chance of flying.
Nevertheless, I’ll continue to fulfil my duties towards my boss and my peers , if this is the way my kamma would be, I’ve do well to let it fruit and be done with it – who knows, maybe this is just a small way of repaying something i did very wrong in the past (i.e. not following the dhamma vinaya as a member of the ariya sangha?)
And if this is not my kamma, things will turn out for the better , right? I have sadda in this.
My sincere wish,is that whoever has did this to me, will not be in my position now or in the future, I do not blame anyone and I do not wish to pursue this matter anymore. Let it rest.
May all beings be well and happy.
No photos for this today because this is meant to be a post that I've to take seriously when I am going to re-read it someday.
Day:
Tuesday , IPPT day. Xin Hao & Zi Wei came over to my house for a tea session. We Drank dragon well (long jing) tea and it was one of the finer and higher grade tea compared to what I am used to. In the midst of our discussions, I learned alot of things which I must apply or else I've be practicing for nothing...
1) Alot of times I feel that whatever works for me should and must work for another person. And personally, i've get very upset if it doesnt. Because I've been taught that everyone has the same psychology and whatever that works should work throughout without biasness. However, this form of thinking seems to be hugely mistaken by me! Everyone has their own natural tendencies and inclinations, and it is wrong of me to try and force upon others what i feel is the best. Upon which , I've like to apologise to many people because I've done that on them and I would like to apologise to these people, although I may have lost alot of their contacts...
Dear Friend,
I am sorry that i've forced my thoughts on you previously, please accept my apology.
To:
Xin Hao , Mr Yang (ZW) , Shi Ping , Shi Long , Zhen Hui.
2) Things happen by their own natural accord and we shouldnt force anything's progress beyond their natural speed.
3) Conceit is another one of the weak link i've found in myself. I often like to think that I am an expert in a certain field although only knowing a bit about them , i.e. listening to a seminar, or reading a series of books. I've not given due respect to the field of interest and even attempt to teach others how to do it.
On a very very personal basis, I feel this is where blogging for $$ should not be made as a main thing unless you was or am a field expert before! I've been trying to setup blogs of my own "passion" , however I fail to realise that I am neither an expert on the area nor know any of the experts . Making such a thing into a solid source of income is hardly righteous nor beneficial.
I end my reflections here.
Today has been such a meaningful day, maybe many a times, if our heart asks a sincere question , wherever we look, a sincere reply will be obtained.
It appears all of life's question can be answered if only we knew how to listen, and really listen, not to others, but to the deep inner voice ... within.
Loving kindness is wishing others to be well and happy & Compassion is to wish that others do not suffer, hence logically, if we were to see someone suffering, we’ve do our best to help , right?
Equanimity is to know that everyone is heir to their own actions and suffer the necessary consequences for themselves , hence we should learn to accept that this world is full of suffering, right?
So how does the two mix together? Now most scholars(pun intended) on such subjects may immediately pass judgement and say that how can they co-exist together?
For someone who does not practice metta, karuna and uphekka together will never understand why they can co-exist together, only when ones see, even the reflective understanding of bringing out these sublime qualities of the heart is enough to learn that they can exist together!!
So many times people whom speak about the impossibilities of the practices actually setup a barriers for themselves without even first trying them out! this is very sad ,because then they would take what is wrong to be right.
There is no meaning in trying to lighten up people’s life if you are not a bright burning candle on your own, its akin to the blind leading the blind. So stop saying that if one practices then one would have no time to help others!! This is akin to a doctor saying that he should treat people without learning the necessary skills (because there is no time!).
Now its time to practice.
