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, similar to genetics) 3. Karma niyama – Order of an [...]

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, let’s look at how the components of the trio are each [...]

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 (that affected many), and really knows it is 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 too ‘off’. (But there are young fuddy-duddies and old folks [...]

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 [...]

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: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/10/i-think-you-need-to About aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/02/logo-for-a-tit-for-a-tat-series

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 go. Understanding this clearly, [...]

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 too!

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: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/10/sooner-or-later-2 About aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/02/logo-for-a-tit-for-a-tat-series

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, and ran, before he faced his fears, before they forgot this, and ran…

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 no way you’d understand All I want All I [...]

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 couldn’t really say, because I don’t know your specific inclination. But I do propose [...]

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 [...]

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 enough.

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 corner on a [...]