Here is an analysis of the poll question ‘What do you wish to attain by the end of this life?’ As of today, the results are: 38% : Go Pureland 20% : Be a Bodhisattva 11% : Don’t know 10% : Return a Human 08% : Be a Buddha 06% : Be a Stream-winner 05% [...]

Maitreya* Bodhisattva, the loving one, contemplates how to guide beings with love… reminding us not to dread helping others, that there’s no need to frown** when wondering how. *’Maitreya’ (Sanskrit) or ‘Metteya’ (Pali) means the one with Metta (Loving-kindness). ** Frowning here is a sign of fret or aversion, which is the opposite of Metta.

Economy of shape Economy of lines Economy of face But still expression But still compassion But still gracefulness (Picture of abstract Guanyin Bodhisattva statue at Mahaprajna Buddhist Society)

The super weight of ‘The (Daily) Planet’ on his super shoulders daily? [This article is somewhat on evolution, and somewhat in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin.] In ‘Superman: Camelot Falls’ by Kurt Busiek, Superman receives a grave warning from Arion the time-traveller, who gives him a stark vision of how humanity will [...]

Skanda Bodhisattva faces the Buddha in the main shrine, because he guards the Buddha. Skanda Bodhisattva faces the last page of the Sutras, because he guards the Dharma. Skanda Bodhisattva faces us when we face him, reminding us to guard the Buddha/dharma too. Notes: Skanda (Weituo) Bodhisattva images are usually placed to face the Buddha [...]

Kindly Guanyin Homely Chenrezig Motherly Avalokiteshvara ‘My mother is Guanyin to me when she prays to Guanyin for me.’ – Stonepeace (Painting by Feng Zikai)

As an unconventional Chinese New Year greeting, above is a simple calligraphic piece of ‘Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Admonition for the Masses’ (普贤菩萨警众偈) with a new translation below. I hope the strokes highlight a sense of fragility, transience, urgency, focus and determination, which are qualities mentioned in the verse. 是日已过，命亦随减； 如少水鱼，斯有何乐？ 大众！ 当勤精进,  如救头燃； 但念无常，慎勿放逸！ This day [...]

The Ponyo Paradox of Change & Acceptance (Review of ‘Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea’) http://buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=12,7664,0,0,1,0 The Japanese animation feature ‘Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea’ is a creative ‘retelling’ of ‘The Little Mermaid’ minus the tragedy of loss. It is largely an uplifting story on the universal themes of love, sacrifice, acceptance [...]

At 2 am of new year’s day as part of a post ‘Spiritual Countdown’ to 2009 celebration program, I helped to lead a chanting session at the largest temple in Singapore. We practised mindfulness of Amitabha Buddha (Amituofo) by reciting his name. For the occasion, I wrote a short aspiration prayer, which was read for [...]