Christmas’ Eve with no carols or party to attend. Immersed in total silence along the pitch dark countryside. On a five hour bumpy ride to the next destination. The night was getting a bit too cold. But he was always on my mind. Such warm loving-kindness, that he (the Buddha) always radiated, like he never [...]

This life, this suffering, this Samsara, is nothing but a springboard to Pureland. Pureland is nothing but a springboard to Bodhisattvahood. Bodhisattvahood is nothing but a springboard to Buddhahood. Buddhahood is nothing but a springboard to [re-manifestation of] Bodhisattvahood [out of endless compassion].

Finally got some of the Buddha’s images from Borobudur ready. And a few hundreds more to go… Will keep you folks updated! Meanwhile, simply enjoy! http://moonpointer.com/new/album-borobudur

In ‘Superman: Redemption’ (by Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza and Walt Simonson), Superman hears the desperate prayers of an old lady (Barbara Johnson) with his super-hearing and saves her from being hit by a car. She was calling out to God for help and when Superman swoops down from the sky to heed her call instead, [...]

A Tit for a Tat (22) Tit: Do you believe me or yourself? Tat: I believe in Buddha. Tit: But I have Buddha-nature. Tat: So do I. Tit: Why not believe yourself then? Tat: Because I don’t totally believe I’m a Buddha within… yet! Next aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2009/06/procrastination-of-happiness-with-attachment Previous aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2009/06/give-a-break

A friend asked me a couple of interesting questions. I thought I would share them with their answers here – because I kind of wondered similarly in the past, and am sure some others out there would too! Q: Have always wondered about the definition of ‘佛陀’. Does it refer to Shakyamuni Buddha or Buddhas [...]

Pic: 4ocima Taking refuge in the Buddha, may I be with the awakened Taking refuge in the Dharma, may I be on the path to awakening Taking refuge in the Sangha, may I be with those on the path to awakening – Stonepeace A Dharma friend was rationalising for her refuge master’s legal allegations, who [...]

Thank goodness that we can only have one thought at a time. Imagine if 84,000 thoughts assault you at the same time! It would be impossible to cultivate the mind, to train single-mindedness. Fickle the monkey mind is, jumping rapidly from one stray thought to another. Even when our mind seems scattered or distracted, there [...]

Yup, Depeche Mode does slow and sentimental songs too. The above is the moving studio version of ‘Come Back’ from their new ‘Sounds of the Universe’ album (which some say is better than the album version). It is angsty yet calming at the same time, with the element of dark majesty that DM is renown [...]

Is one who suffers fools gladly one who is gladly a fool? Q:  What if someone is unreasonable? Should we suffer fools gladly? Should we speak up? I spoke up once but was disturbed that it displeased the person, while there was some anger in me. After that, I simply did things my way, against [...]

For the second time this week, I was at St. Joseph’s Institution International, invited to give an hour’s presentation to introduce Buddhism to Form 7 school kids. During the Q&A session, I got what’s probably the strangest ‘Dharma’ question ever. A girl raised her hand and asked rather seriously – ‘Are you a Buddha?’ I [...]

When my wallpaper is the Buddha, is when my notebook becomes my shrine, at which I mindfully make Dharma offerings… Via tapped text and attached images, sharing his Dharma via the net. Virtual maybe, but true enough I hope.

Photo: A Sri Lankan-styled Buddha image atop an office cubicle Settled but upright Silent but mindful Still but radiant

Above: [Stele with a Buddha & two Bodhisattvas, Eastern Wei (534–50 CE), Limestone, overall height 310 cm, Collection of the Qingzhou Museum, Shandong Province, China] Hmmm… a ‘smuggled’ shot from the exhibition? Who’s the naughty one!? Anyway, the museum’s shop sells a nice coffee table book with much better detailed shots of the images in [...]

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% [...]