Just out of the printing house is ‘The Daily Enlightenment 3′. Look out for news of its launch in TDE e-newsletter real soon! Special thanks go to WQ, SST and zweiya for making it possible in time for Vesak. Amituofo

Shortly before the screening of ‘Handsome Suit’ this year was ‘Penelope’ last year – another real gem of a movie with an alternative but equally brilliant take on the ugly duckling theme. What’s the moral of the ugly duckling story? Sometimes, one is not a mere ugly duckling, because one can grow to be beautiful [...]

Recently in Singapore, a group of fundamental Xtians coordinated a cunning takeover of a women’s rights group called AWARE (if the leaked emails of their ploy are true). These new Exco members claim that AWARE promotes lesbianism, when it merely does its bit to speak up against lesbians being ostracised, among speaking up for many [...]

This amazing movie is just 83 minutes long, but is nothing short of incredible. It is one of the few films that I would consider near perfect in all aspects – scripting, acting, editing… Most importantly, the message is driven across in a deeply heartfelt way. I first watched it via a rented DVD. But [...]

To date, Swine Flu has killed over 80 in Mexico, while there are at least 20 confirmed cases in US and suspected cases in about 5 countries. Swine Flu is a respiratory disease affecting pigs that in caused by a strain of influenza – it has since mutated to combine with human and bird flu. [...]

The above billboard gives a hint of the heavy marketing for ‘Angels & Demons’, the prequel of ‘The DaVinci Code’ – even in heartland Singapore (Toa Payoh train station). The local premiere will be on 14 May. The ad reminded me of one of the most satisfying movie reviews I’d ever written so far (3 [...]

In the plot of the movie ‘Ploy’, the characters seem to live their interconnected dreams as alternate but believable realities, before they wake up to actual reality – albeit not that realised in enlightenment, but the usual samsaric reality. The dreams experienced are not portrayed to be technologically fantastical in the Matrix style, but are [...]

Yesterday, I took a brisk walk through the Vesak @ Orchard food fair. To my great disappointment, the organisation was using the usual non eco-friendly to package food. I remember vividly that wasn’t the case for last year, when biodegradable and recyclable packaging was used, while the packaging was designed with reasons why going vegetarian [...]

If a chubby child, who already should have had his fill cries for more and refuses to stop, what do you do? Do you feed greed for peace of mind? Is it worth the price? I think kids are challenging potential living koans that people give birth to.

A moment frozen in time with no trick photography. This is the ghostly world I ‘see’, with the abstract exactness of things as they are, before they morph, as they surely will, before they pass on by, as they surely will. Related Article: The Transience Haunted World http://moonpointer.com/new/2009/03/a-ghost-world-haunted-by-transience

The battery in the clock runs flat before you know it, before you are prepared for it, before you learn not to take it for granted. This life too, that you have, might run out before you know it, before you are prepared for it, before you learn not to take it for granted. Like [...]

Here’s a re-telling of a Jataka Tale, with additional commentary at the end… Once upon a time, the Bodhisattva (future Buddha) was walking in a forest with his disciple, when he saw from atop a cliff, that a weak and hungry tigress was about to devour one of her also starving cubs. Moved by great [...]

Capital Tower* catching the setting sun, glowing like a pillar of gold. Reminds me of Amituofo, that supreme beacon of golden light which shines in all directions, even in broad daylight! Are you mindful enough, pure enough, to see it yet? * Amituofo’s Pureland is likened to the ‘Capital’ of all Buddhas’ Purelands, which is [...]

JX: I think these days, it’s okay for monastics to handle some money (but not too ridiculously much to spur greed) for what’s needed (unless they absolutely don’t need to, which cuts the hassle) – but all accounts in terms of pay and funds should be made transparent to the public. Hey, even an electronic [...]

A Tit for a Tat (7) Tit: (Closing windows) Woah! What strong winds tonight! (Opening windows a few minutes later) Stuffy! The winds stopped as suddenly as they started. What kind of weather is this? Tat: It’s rather normal weather… Tit: Huh? Tat: … that’s fickle and impermanent! Next aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2009/06/electronic-bad-faith Previous aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2009/02/why-question-all