In the trailer of ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, this was uttered – ‘Everything will be alright in the end. So if it’s not alright, it is not yet the end.’ While this might sound like typical ‘look on the bright side of life’ possibly blind and unfounded optimism, it is actually true in terms [...]

The below are common questions that some Dharma students might have, based on hypothetical scenarios: Q: What if a family member dislikes me attending a Dharma class? A: You should do your best to share with them on the value of learning the Dharma. Q: What if the person still does not seem to understand? A: You can compromise [...]

It is sad, but true, that some teachers (monastics or laity), having gathered some fame and status, become less active in participating in Dharma retreats, talks and classes, especially those conducted by others (monastics or laity) with less fame and status than them, even if the Dharma they share is more than that they know. [...]

As a Buddhst, should you avoid all evil? Of course! As a Buddhist, should you do all good? Of course! As a Buddhist, should you purify yourself? Of course! As a Buddhist, should you be a Bodhisattva? Of course! As a Buddhist, should you be a Buddha? Of course! But because we can’t do all of the above immediately, time is [...]

Question: Sometimes, I feel tired and worried. Despite diligence in Dharma learning, I seem to still be in the darkness of delusion, uncertain of whether I am improving or backsliding. Answer: I think it could be because you lack a clear unshakable direction. In terms of the diligence, maybe you’re going towards multiple sources of [...]

In ‘Pride of Baghdad’ by Brian K. Vaughan and Nikko Henrichon, this posed question is central to the story – ‘True meaning of freedom – can it be given, or earned only through determination and sacrifice?’ The Buddhist take on this is unique… True freedom must be spiritual in nature, not just physical. It is [...]

A Tit for a Tat (302) Tit: How do you know there are enough clues, to use reasoning to solve the puzzle? Tat: I don’t. Tit: How do you know when to stop using reasoning, and to use trial-and-error instead? Tat: I don’t. Tit: How do you solve it then? Tat: Somehow, in some way, [...]

Question: Bother to catch the mistakes about Buddhism in the article at ___________? Answer: You know… if i spend my time surfing to look for stuff to clarify, it could be more than a full-time job. I used to do that quite a bit but realised it is often not very fruitful – as the [...]

True Happiness arises only with Right Effort based on realistic optimism. – Stonepeace A hungry father decided to abandon his children to starvation. Before he left, he tied a bag of sand on a high beam, telling them that it contains food that should not be touched till he returns. For five days, the children [...]

A fool, even though he is associated with a wise man all his life, does not understand the Dhamma, just as a ladle does not know the taste of soup. An intelligent man, even though he is associated with a wise man only for a moment, quickly understands the Dhamma, just as the tongue knows [...]

A student asked a Zen Master, ‘If I work very hard, how long will it take for me to realise Zen?’ The Master replied, ‘Ten years.’ The student replied, ‘If I work very very hard, how long will it take for me to realise Zen?’ The Master replied, ‘Twenty years.’ The student replied, ‘If I [...]

A Tit for a Tat (145) Tit: Hey! I could do that! Tat: Yes – but there’s a difference. Tit: What’s that? Tat: You didn’t do it. Next aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/06/distorted-buddha-head Previous aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/06/curry-favour About aT4aT: http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/02/logo-for-a-tit-for-a-tat-series

Most importantly, instead of focusing on complaining or fearing that others pull down our socks (e.g. denigrate Buddhism), is that we pull up their socks up so high, that the disagreeable find it hard to pull them down, or to pull theirs as high as ours.

An extended reply sent to someone who wishes to attend this course, but am unable to do it in full: About whether anything important will be missed, it struck me that every lesson is important, which also means it’s better to catch some lessons, though missing some other lessons, than to give the whole course [...]

The notion of Buddhas retiring forever after manifesting parinirvana once is ridiculous as they have endless compassion. They are the most hardworking ones; not the laziest ones. Why project our laziness onto the most diligent ones? Maybe the Buddhas manifest their physical passing, not just to urge us to treasure their teachings, but in case [...]