A good student is always learning. A good teacher is always learning too, more in fact, to keep ahead of good students, so that one can offer more to one’s students. A master is one who has mastered both learning and teaching.

An ironical problem with Buddhist academia is that it often assumes study of limited ‘facts’ as the path to objectivity, while it is practice that leads to realisation of the truth. The Buddha was not a Buddhist academic after all. Due to the above, I decided not to further academic studies after receiving my MA in Buddhist [...]

K:My Dad struck lottery today but didn’t look happy. He said, it’s only a consolation prize. S: So the consolation prize offered little consolation! It might be of some consolation to remember that not winning would offer less consolation. It’s even more consoling to know one will never lose any money if one doesn’t gamble.

四依 依法不依人， 依义不依语， 依了义不依不了义， 依智不依识。 Four Reliances Rely on the Dharma; rely not on persons. Rely on the meaning; rely not on the words. Rely on the complete meaning; rely not on the partial meaning. Rely on the wisdom mind; rely not on the ordinary mind. Comment: 不依不不依 (Rely not, and not ‘rely not’) Reply: [...]

Question: Some friends said Buddhists should refrain from playing badminton as shuttlecocks are made from bird feathers. What is your opinion, of badminton as an exercise? Answer: As a vegan (a vegetarian who also does not use any animal products, as they are derived from animal suffering), I happen to agree with that. Haven’t played [...]

Morality is not a matter of whether one can do this or not, as based on others’ suggestions, but whether one should do this or not, as based on one’s understanding. – Stonepeace

That criticised is usually… close enough to be worth criticising, but distant enough to be safe criticising. And beyond mere criticism, where action is needed, most are distant! Yes, words are cheap…. usually free too – without an apparent price or consequences, though there is karma created of course.

More than two years after the first sighting, another ‘Be a Lamp Upon Yourself’ reader on the subway. (The lady to the upper left of the picture.) You can read it online at http://media.kmspks.org/publication/be-a-lamp-upon-yourself Related Article: Be a Lamp Upon Yourself http://moonpointer.com/new/2009/03/be-a-lamp-upon-yourself

No one really wants to be greedy, hateful or deluded. Those who are simply do not realise that being so brings suffering to oneself and others sooner or later, or because they do not know any other way of being. This is the basis for universal compassion, even for the most greedy, hateful and deluded [...]

Struck me that Elmo is the opposite of Emo! Emo: One who has negative emotions often. Elmo: One who has positive emotions often,  such has loving-kindness, compassion, rejoice and equanimity.  If Oscar’s the snobbish grouch, then Elmo’s the cheery! The littlest but best monster from Sesame Street ever. If Oscar stands for the poison of hatred, [...]

I had requested feedback from a recently completed class: http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/07/understanding-amituofo-via-the-amitabha-sutra-8th-run This is a part of what I received, a nice commemorative Amituofo coin with a message. I’ve never won any major prizes in my life and this is probably the closest to getting something that resembles a medal! Thank you for the encouragement! Dear Bro. Shi’an, “The Gift [...]

It is difficult to find a song that expresses your current thinking and feelings exactly, that is the song in the moment, as most lyrics are either too estranged or too common, as most tunes are either too dispassionate or too emotional. Does your favourite song expresses your thoughts and emotions perfectly or does it make you [...]

Does how fickle you are in changing your favourite love song reflect how fickle you are about love itself?

The Paradox of Strife: Sometimes, when you push yourself, you will breakthrough. How do you know you can outdo yourself if you do not outdo yourself? Sometimes, when you push yourself, you will collapse. How do you know the difference between trying too hard and trying your best? With more and more news of apparently [...]

An acquaintance P sent me this: ‘I saw J today. He looks so frail and weak and I think his vegan diet is not well-balanced. However, I consider the odds. I shall stick to more vegetables and little meat… look at J.’ I sent the comments to J, without naming P, titled: ‘Something funny from [...]