Question: According to Buddhism, there are five cosmic orders or processes (niyamas) which operate in the universe as follows: 1. Utu niyama – Physical inorganic order (E.g. Seasonal phenomena of the elements) 2. Bija niyama – Physical organic order (E.g. Order of germs and seeds,...

Question: While the three spheres (of self, other and connecting action) are interdependent of each other, how does emptiness come into this framework? Answer: Here is a simple illustration… First, we need to remember emptiness means being empty of a fixed unchanging self. Next, ...

If a ‘Buddhist’ teacher does evil, despite knowing it is evil, one probably does not really believe in karma. If one probably does not believe in karma, how can others learn from one, when even one’s basic morality is unsound? If a ‘Buddhist’ teacher does evil...

There is what seems to be the eternal tension between the young and old. The young think the old are fuddy-duddies, while the old think the young are too ‘off’ tradition… Till the young become old, unmindfully becoming fuddy-duddies themselves… who think the others are...

If forced bedside conversion to another religion is okay according to some, is it okay if someone else does the same to them? Why create hell for someone when all one wants when dying is peace of mind? Would not the giving of hell lead the dying to hell with anger and anguish? Would not the...

A Tit for a Tat (172) Tit: He secretly complained to me that she snores! Tat: Is it?! Tit: But she secretly complained to me that he snores… too! Tat: You know… you snore too! Tit: Is it?! Next aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/11/mindful-enough Previous aT4aT:...

A friend visited a monastery in China, and came across a monk who told her that a couplet at a hall is invaluable. She copied it down and asked me to translate it. Here it is: 见了便做,做了便放下,了了有何不了 When seeing what has to be done, just do it, and thereafter let it...

A drop of water at the hot-and-cold water dispenser dripped on a finger. For a second, I couldn’t decide if it was hot or cold. Much heat can feel like much cold. Like how ice ‘burns’ too. Laughing too hard can become painful. If only too much pain can become laughable...

A Tit for a Tat (171) Sequel to http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/10/do-you-wanna : Tit: I think you need to turn on the fan. Tat: Why do you think so? Tit: Because I think you are hot! Next aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/10/pot-calling-kettle-calling-pot Previous aT4aT:...

Watch video of Massive Attack’s ‘Angel’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaef2NgwqHY Senseless antagonism of many against one and senseless antagonism of one against many in retaliation? The chase goes on… There is nothing to fear but fear itself? One forgot this,...

A poignant song from Sarah Blasko, with some comments to share… All I Want Lyrics: I don’t want another lover So don’t keep holding out your hands There’s no room beside me I’m not looking for romance Say I’ll be here, I’ll be here But there’s...

Someone asked if I was more left-brained or right brained. Not that I’m no-brained, but I couldn’t really say. Are we mostly left-brained, too logical, too methodical, too rigid? Should we be more right-brained, more intuitive, more ‘random’, more creative? I...

If we don’t have the karma to be infected by a disease, we will not be? Yes. If you have the karma to, you might be infected even if not near the infected? Maybe? What we know is the karma ripens when there is a cause with the right conditions. The problem is we don’t know what...

It is heartening to see Dharma teachers attending talks and classes of other teachers, instead of just attending to their own. Because the best teachers, other than those already enlightened, are still students, with more to learn, even if they think they already know...

A donkey’s strength renders him trapped, to be a beast of burden, fed and used. (Two of his hooves bound together, semi-parking him like a vehicle) A dog with no particular strengths keeps him free, as a wandering stray who needs to fend for survival though. (He is napping in a cosy...

Desk – Music and Sound Design from Aaron Trinder Film:Motion:Music on Vimeo. If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign? - Albert Einstein Having come across this quote, I now have a literally ingenious reason not to declutter my desk, which has...

Deep outer space is like deep inner space. Inner worlds within outer worlds. Worlds within dust motes. Cosmic symmetry? Dust motes within worlds. Outer worlds within inner worlds. Deep inner space is like deep outer...

Confidence in sharing the Dharma can be perceived as arrogance by those who don’t understand the Dharma, the real source of the confidence, which reminds us of the importance of sharing the Dharma more skilfully. Some need firmer approaches though, precisely due to arrogance on their...

Question: Does the Buddha teach a systematic way of cultivating wisdom? Answer: The Buddha’s teachings are valuable precisely because they teach many systematic ways to cultivate wisdom. He taught many ways because different beings have different spiritual capacities. Buddhist courses (e.g....

We should avoid harsh speech unless it is really needed to wake up another (with good intentions), while we should see harsh speech from others as a wake-up call. Even if that scolded over is unreasonable, it is still a wake-up call – to practise patience, to seek more understanding on the...