@ PALELAI

The place where dhamma is established...Chedis are meant to arouse a sense of saddha (faith/conviction) in the Teacher, his Teachings and the community of followers who have followed his footsteps in the path to awakening...at the same time, they are also meant to arouse a feeling of samvega (dismay over the dangers of continued death and rebirth) to encourage a sense of urgency in putting his teachings into practice. Time is short...

Have been to Palelai so many times over the years and the completed renovation project really blew our minds away...buddy J mentioned that she felt really peaceful and serene walking on Palelai's grounds and that's something $$$ cannot buy...49 Bedok Walk holds a special place in my heart. Credit: All photos taken by BlackArts.http://www.blackartsfolio.com/

~Photo taken @ Palelai Buddha Hall. This hall is dedicated to the Palelai Buddha image. It reminds of the occasion when Buddha went into retreat in the Parileyyaka Forest where he went in search of solitude. During the retreat in the forest he was cared for by an elephant and a monkey.

A large version of the yantra on the qualities of the Buddha has also been installed on the window just behind the Palelai Buddha image. The romanised Pali of the script along with english and Chinese translations are also incorporated so that members and devotees can read and reflect on them while visiting the hall. Inspiration at its best.

The Yantra (sacred script) is written in ancient Khmer script and is known in Thai as "Yant Kropetch". It is a set of verses that Buddhists recite to reflect upon the qualities of the Buddha. As a fitting tribute to the memory of the Lord Buddha, this yantra is engraved in gold letterings on the window immediately behind the Palelai Buddha image. It allows visitors like us to take time to reflect upon the qualities of our Great Teacher while admiring the beauty of the manuscript, just as any good pilgrim would do while visiting pilgramage sites.


~May all beings always live happily, free from animosity.

"And even, Ananda, as with the body of a universal monarch, so should it be done with the body of the Tathagata; and at a crossroad also a stupa (chedi) should be raised for the Tathagata. And whosoever shall bring to that place garlands or incense or sandalplaste, or pay reverence, and whose mind becomes calm there - it will be to his well being and happiness for a long time:..~Lord Buddha . Mahaparinibbana Sutta

~peace

LET THE RIVER RUN...

Celebrated our boss's + another colleague's birthday yesterday...this Carrot Walnut Cake from CedeleDepot @ Republic Plaza is their best seller and its generous amount of California Walnuts even gets squirrels coming back for more!..They have 13 outlets sprinkled all over the island! No excuse not to try one todaY! hehe :O) They have 18 other yummilicious varieties to choose from..so spoilt for choice!!!!
Luv their sandwiches too..can have them everyday...esp the grilled mushrooms..portobello, button and shitake ...am in mushroom heaven..












We also went to a fellow devotee's place to have a look @ his altar over the weekend...pretty is all i can say.. Another special place reserved for all his precious gurus past & present..
~~

Let the River Run a good song
Eradicating the root of life's problems
The rhythm of life in harmony with every flutter
.
True vessel but wheres the key?
He holds the truth to the fleeting nimbus
Enter the dragon on a child's nose
.

Roar of a great king beckons
Intertwined invisible treads reposessed
Vows to save locusts on a hot summers day
Even still, the bright blue sky encompasses all
Reaching out, pervading with inifinite light
.
Realm of distant thunder evaporates
Uplifting the golden lotus pedestal
Nobody packing anything in this great river of life



"Let the River run..."figure skating..simply beautiful..

LIGHT FOR THE WORLD

Monlam means "wish-path" - the Buddhist path of helping others through kind prayers and thoughts..On the fifteenth day or the full moon day of the first Lunar month, the highlight of Monlam Chenmo would be the "Butter Lamp Festival" .

The 7 days recitation program ended with the MonLam Prayer and here, a tealights & incense are given out to everyone to make their most feverent and sincere wish. Some prayed for peace, happiness and harmony to prevail; others prayed for all sentient beings to be free from inner/outer obstacles and to be liberated swiftly.

It only takes a spark to get the fire going...and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing

Whatever prayers are wished for, may they all come to fruition and all negativities & obscurations purified.

Watchin the wicker praying for a miracle

Infinite blessings of sunlight shining forth in all directions

Selfless gentle murmurings

Happiness in the lotus hearts of hearts fulfilled

Love in any language...

"All phenomena arise from circumstances and because good circumstances can arise through good intentions,whatever we pray for will appear."~ Lord Buddha

~peace

MERIT MULTIPLYING MONTH...

The first month of the Tibetan calendar is known as "the multiplying of the blessings month." During the life of Shakyamuni, many people asked him to perform miracles to prove his enlightenment. He ignored their requests and moved from town to town giving teachings. Finally, when he taught in Shravasti, the people beseeched the King to order Shakyamuni to hold a contest of spiritual or miraculous feats to prove his greatness. The Buddha agreed and as it so happened the first day he began these demonstrations was the first day of Losar till the last day, which falls on the full moon.
This auspicious period is also known as Chotrul Duchen. Whatever good deeds or negative actions one performs or merits one accumulates during this period, those actions will be multiplied by 100,000 times. Still not too late to do our sums..we all have till tonight...;o)

~peace

ODE TO WOODY

An Old Sailor's Tale

Willy and Karl, two old sailors who had crewed together as lads but lost touch over the years, happened to meet each other one day on the street in a foreign port. After exchanging their greetings, they entered a nearby Pub and sat down to catch up over a few beers. When they were both a bit drunk, Willy told Karl about his last, and final, voyage. Will heaved a deep sigh and then set his beer down on the table and looked Karl in the eye.

"We were a month out," said Willy, turning grim, "when the Boson discovered our main mast had been eaten away inside by termites!" His knuckles grew whiter as he gripped his mug tighter. "They were moments away from crumbling down on our heads, I tellya."
"Oh, for Heaven's sakes, Willy, what did you lads do?" said Karl, imagining the terror of being stranded at Sea with no way to reach land, starving to death... Karl shuddered. "That's a terrible predicament, that is."

"Well, that's what I thought too, Karl. At first, anyway..." said Willy, "but it turned out to be a somewhat fortunate thing. Y'see, the very moment we brought all the sails down to repair the mast, we were suddenly hit by a powerful squall! It appeared so fast, it would easily have capsized us if our mainsail had still been aloft."

"Oh!" Karl exclaimed, "why, that were luck indeed, Matey!"

"Aye... and that's exactly what I thought at the time meself," said Willy. "But with the sails down, the rudder was useless in the storm. The wind turned into a hurricane like I'd never seen before. It blew a hundred knots or more, and we were blown all hither and thither, clinging for our dear lives. Then, the monster winds flung us straight onto a jagged reef..." Willy's voice trailed off for a moment and he took a drink. "Most of the crew was crushed to death on that terrible reef," said Willy, his voice cracking slightly. "I heard 'em all screaming as they drowned or were crushed..." Willy wiped his nose, obviously affected by the memory of his shipmates perishing before his very eyes. "Aye, 'tis a memory I shan't forget as long as I lives. And, were that not all, the reef ripped a huge hole in the hull, far too big a one to patch. The handful who survived were stranded half-conscious on the beach of that island."

"Oh my," said Karl, glad his old friend had escaped Davy Jones' Locker, but mourning his fellow sailors lost at sea in that terrible way. "Sure and that's the worst luck."
"Aye, a terrible misfortune befell us that stormy night, 'tis true," muttered Willy, taking another sip of beer. "At least that's what I was thinkin' to meself when I finally came to, anyway. But thanks be to heaven, six of me hardies and me had made it to the beach, barely alive but breathin' still. The next day, when the storm had blown past us, we found the wreckage of the Ship amidst a tangle of upended trees. But, we also found food to eat. Unfortunately, the worst thing yet happened to us then."

"Good Heavens, Willy, what could possibly go wrong at that point?!" cried Karl. "Sea-monsters?"

"Well, there we were, shipwrecked on that tiny island, cryin' over our terrible luck. A few of the men decided to dig through the wreckage and try to build a small boat we could all sail back to Civilization. So it was there, on the beach, amidst the flotsam and jetsam, that we discovered a huge treasure chest that had been buried under a tree unearthed by the storm. The damned thing was crammed full of gold and jewels beyond our wildest imaginings, making each of us very wealthy men."

"But Willy!" exclaimed Karl, leaping from his stool, overjoyed, "that's fantastic!"
"Alright, alright," said Willy, "calm yerself down, mate. Sure, I admit it could have gone worse..."

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum....it's midweek..hang on in there...

~peace

MONKEY MANIA.......

Flavours of the mind?.....


Constant craving. ..a dream animal in a mirage
Running in the scorching heat intensifies craving....
Anger, Anxiety, Agitation & Agony
Valiums to the beautiful mind
Impermanence always catching us by surprise
Negativities hoisted high begins to strain
Gentleness ... a voyage on the boundless ocean prevails..


MONKEY MANIA
Once there was a monkey king who looked down the walls of a canyon and saw the bright moon reflected on the water. What a beautiful precious jewel and I must have it! he exclaimed. When he told the other monkeys, they all agreed that it will be very difficult to obtain; but the monkey king said, " I have a brilliant idea. One monkey will hold onto to the giant tree and everyone else will form a line, each one holding tightly to the tail of the monkey in front.

We can then lower our monkey chain down to the water and the last one will be able to reach the jewel." So 500 monkeys dangled down to the water, but the weight was too much for the one holding on to the tree and all 500 monkeys fell into the lake and drowned."



"Every single thought, every moment of experience, has a silent nature within it that we can
contact directly. If we understand this silent, meditative quality, there is no need to fight or subdue anything or anyone". ~ Tarthang Tulku

SWAMP THING ~ HAUNTED PASIR RIS PARK

We had another recce on 1st December which started way past midnight at Pasir Ris Park Tower..our first pitstop...The story goes that one guy jumped down from the tower . He hit the ground head first and was killed instantly...Suicide victims do not know that they are dead! The incident will be repeated over and over again at the same spot and exactly the same time of the day. It is only an energy enactment of the thought forms.There are many reports of sightings of his restless spirit over there since.

(Park during the day.. )
Well, we started walking towards the tower in pairs and it was really really dark and eerie! ...Tyan was the first to exclaim that it was really chilly and cold over here. I second that. Almost instantly when we entered the swamp area and walked on the wooden platform, i could hear deep low growling all the way to the platform.. Initially I thought it was Bro Richard playing tricks on me again as he always love standing behind me and go BOO!

But well, this was another thing altogether...my back started to feel itchy and warm but then I thought it was my imagination....It was so dark I couldn’t even see my outstretched hands in front of me…the occasional crack from the 2 jokers Tyan and Justin brought me back to earth… Tyan then quietly asked all of us not to drag our feets when we were walking and to tone down our voices....I could still hear feets dragging all the way....was it made by humans or other entities? It sounded as tho "something" was following our footsteps too.... I admit I am a scaredy cat ..but then again most people fear the unknown and would not know what to expect at every turn…

Suddenly Tyan stopped dead in his tracks and whispered to Richard and exclaimed "there is something following us and its right behind you...just a floating head!"...whoa..when i heard that...i jammed my breaks too....Richard then replied that yes, he could feel his hair standing on end...Tyan asked Richard to make sure that nobody is left behind and be the last man standing...Tyan then made a physical headcount of the group...didnt want to loose a man or worse, have one more extra head! We almost had a heart attack when we couldnt "see" Richard .for a split second..it was as though he totally vanished from the group....something must have blocked him from being visible i thought...

Tyan proceeded to light up some joss-sticks and stuck it on the ground...the wind got stronger....and the deep low growls got deeper .....I could really feel some presence and weird energy over here...i thought to myself...and I expected the hantu to go BOO right in my face...luckily.it didnt happen All this while, Tim was filming using the night vision videocam and the battery went dead when we reached the top of the tower...it was full when we started off..but wonder why all the battery drained out so fast! Guess the entities ‘sucked’ out whatever is left of the equipment as well as us humans as we got so hungry after the recce… We stopped at the end of the platform walk and looked around for any signs of their presence.

Tyan : “nothing here” ..

we turned around and headed back..just then, we heard a crackle and a pop.

Elizz: “SORRY, SORRY”…

real butter fingers !…ahhaa..she dropped her keys and we all nearly got a heart attack..ahaha. When we reached the clearing at the foot of the platform, the wind suddenly picked up speed and the trees rustled like mad and along with it came the dogs incessant barking. But the deep growl that followed me all the way stopped and was replaced by a low hushing sound…..Tyan and Justin went ahead to the top of the platform to make sure the coast was clear before asking us to come up two by two. Gingerly, we worked our way to the top and all these while going up the creaking stairs, I could feel a tinge of sadness and despair at the pit of heart. I wonder where that feeling came from…it was not overpowering but all the same, it was like as it I could feel the spirit’s sadness….

At the top of the platform, Tyan stuck joss-sticks all around the area and waited...True enough, all of us saw lots of white and red orbs surrounding us ...we were being watched from every direction...Everyone quickly whipped out their cameras and snapped....i could hear everyone's breathing and we spoke in whispers...careful not to startle the spirits....we have to give them respect and in turn they will respect us and watch us from afar.. When Phillip's handphone rang....we all said..shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...the spirits might have heard it too and the spirits whispered back....shhhhhhhhhhhh...

Tyan then said he saw an entity at the 3rd floor landing and asked us to stay away from the top of the staircase…and remarked “quickly take foto if not it'll be gone soon! He also exclaimed “Alamak why you all ah..cameras so slow…how to snap them?? “…Tim was fiddling with the videocam and was desperately trying to figure out why the batteries went flat so fast..and then he said "No more tape liao!"...Tyan replied "Alamak of all times, the tape runs out when its at the most exciting part!"..Anyhow, we all soaked in the eerie atmosphere and decided to leave only when Tyan said “lets go down now”..

We stayed on the top for what seemed like hours and I could "feel" the sadness of the place....i guess the suicide victim really regretted what he had done...after having had enough of foto taking, we went back down the flight of stairs and down to the grassy area to make more offerings..I took a photo of an empty space in front of me as I could sense a strong energy right there...saw a glimpse of a hand reaching out from the earth...!… Tyan and Justin proceeded to make the offerings and we decided to leave after Tyan threw the divinity cups and got an OK...next stop Old Holland Road...AGAIN!... It’s a night we will never forget…

~names have been changed to protect the privacy of all involved.

DEJA VU!!

It just seems so weird & bizarre when you are introduced to someone for the very first time but it seems as if we have already known them a lifetime...I believe all of us have felt this one way or another but the power and impact of meeting someone whom I unexpectedly recognized just hit me. The strange sensation of Déjà vu hit me at the moment when i clapsed my hands together and bowed instinctively. It all seems so uncanny and i was overwhelmed with devotion as though I have done this many many times before. Connecting again with people I have known in my past life becomes unforgettable. Fragments of past life memories started coming back and it felt like I have "come home" finally...I have done so many misdeeds in this life but I guess I must have done something right for He materialized into my life when i least expected it. So many upheavals and trials and tribulations...but after all, its all worth every thorn at the end of the day.
I felt instantly connected to him through an invisible thread & as though he were someone I had known and respected for a very very long time. I believe in past lives very much and I kept thinking what took me so long to find him? I had been searching for so long and anticipated one day like this but making an appearance like this together with someone I have deep respect for just knocks me over. Past lives and reincarnation always a constant topic amongst friends and how we need to constantly purify negative karma from many lifetimes...

I have been chasing this dream for more than 5 years and now this chase ends ...there is nothing more to want...all is well. Remember this phrase from somewhere, " when u see the teacher as a Buddha, then you will get the blessings of a Buddha..but if you see him as a normal human being, then you will get the blessings of a normal human"...I have seen my attitudes and mind change little by little each day. ..Tiny baby steps better than not taking any step forward at all. A special divine being walks this face of the earth every now and then to help uplift us in our times of need. Very happy to have met mine indeed. So much blessings and guidance on this rocky road; it opens up my outer & inner eyes to a whole new world. I hope this series of fortunate events will herald a new turning point in my life and will lead me to sorrowless bliss...

I have not seen or met any of the Buddhas..maybe only in dreams but I had the great fortune of meeting them face to face through lamas emanating as a ordinary human beings with great ocean of compassion:-

"Me with Venerable Kalsang Rinpoche ~ Vajrayana Clear Light Dharma Research Centre Taiwan R.O.C" . Ven. Kalsang Rinpoche was enthroned as the incarnation of Yeshe Gyatso Rinpoche of Shibo Monastery at a ceremony held at the Namdroling and conducted by H.H. Penor Rinpoche. At the same time, he was awarded the highest title of Vajra Acharaya with traditional hat. Ven. Kalsang Rinpoche completed the teaching of the Palyul Nyingmapa School of Buddhim and also served as the Rector of the Monkbody for 16yrs at the Namdroling Monastery.
>>http://www.taconet.com.tw/penor






Me with fellow devotees at Say Nyingon Jangchupling Buddhist Society http://www.saynyingon.org/

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Together in love
Walking in divine consciousness
Into the undeniable perfected mirror
Natural sacred resonance across the heavenly skies
.
Fanning the flame of true love
Lights the galaxy within
A string of stars in the circle of light awakens
Moments in the frozen realm of the heart melts
Energy sustaining all of life's creation surges
Soul mates....lifting the world free from the black widow's entanglements

Mushy stuffs are made of these.....

take your pick...

For all you lovers out there..Happy Valentines Day...

~Ling

WHITE TIGER IN MY HOUSE

Tranquility cove's solitary shadowless moon
Inter dimensional footprints deep in the forest
Going against nature's wind & rain
Elements of peace & respite converging
Returning to eden..without a trace

Beautiful powerful big kitty...thick white coat with big blue mesmerizing eyes, cute little pink nose and creamy furrr..purrr....my secret daemon friend...the white tiger...
Spirit of White Tiger: Size: 20 x 24 Medium: OiLs

Had this recurrent dream of a huge friendly white tiger waitin for me in this thick green forest filled with lush bamboo trees ...big glowing blue eyes always shining ...twinkling...as if he knows everything..


my two little kitties...cats always know my moods..when I'm are happy..they are happy..when I'm are down, they will come offer a little pick me up....they luv to rub their paws on my tummy...sandpaper my toes...



walkin with the majestic white kitty @ aussie zoo..


All together now..awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Save the spirit..: http://www.siegfriedandroy.com/conservation/habitat.php

May the magic & spirit of the snow white tiger fill your hearts always...

~With metta...peace

IM ONLY HUMAN...

The taxi driver had a bad day..he wanted to dig the last 20 cents from us...not his fault..he is not hating us...he just had a really really bad day...we gave him a little red packet instead and his mood changed immediately! *waves universal hatred goodbye*...

Everything changes...yet nothing changes...

<<<"Looking Through to look within"

Habitual afflictions betraying emotions

Universal pancakes with maple syrup

Mind control's pure comedy...

Animation without limit

Nothing to Change...just be.

Classic! whoa those were the dayz

Disease of Affliction:
Afflicted love, afflicted care and afflicted hatred and afflicted dislike all are the same two sides of a sword..it arises from wrong perception of the object...it is not the object arising as good or bad, friend or enemy, black or white..positive or negative...it is our wrong perception of that being...realism is compassion... Everyday we hate or love a person out of afflicted desire we sink deeper and deeper into the whirlpool.....

"Forgiveness...Letting Go..."..Hatred..taking revenge...too much negative energy consumed..creating so much unhappiness for ourselves and others...like a madman with chainsaws on drugs...hatred/anger ..not natural..not permanent..doesn't exist...

~With metta..peace out...

RAT-A-TAT-TAT!

Out with the PIGGY in with the RAT! Went to Lorong 27 @ 9pm & also to usher in the Year of the squeakclub!...
< (BIG HEAD DOLLY )Its midnight! ...and the roar starts...drums ..Dragon & Lion dances...the works . Watched the performance by Nan Shaolin Dragon & Lion Dance Cultural Association.. also superb shaolin moves by the band of brothers..breaking thick bamboo poles and even metal plates with their bodies!
"Got Wish Will Answer"Small little red packets with the lucky combination inside...wonder who will be the lucky one? May everyone's wishes be swiftly fulfilled this year!.Awesome dragon dance too..

2 HAPPY RATS saying
"GONG XI FA CAI"!
Me & Lama Lhakpa wishing everyone Sparkling Happiness, Prosperity & Good Fortune all year round!

Happy Laughing Buddha @
Mei Feng Fo Xin Buddhist Temple
next door..
Heng Heng Number ! HUAT AH!



Venerable Konchok Dhondrup Rinpoche and Lamas + Me saying
Tashi Delek! "Tashi Delek" (pronounced Tah-shee duh-lay) is a Tibetan greeting that means, "Welcome and good fortune to you."


~With metta.....peace out....