Sam & Sara #396: Easiness Sam: The back of this pot is hard to wash! Sara: Is your back easy to wash? Sam: Er… not really either. Sara: But you do your best anyway, right? Sam: Er… ya… Sara: Just do the same for the pot! What involves us directly we tend to do...

Super Short Story (185): Romantic Diehard She was speechlessly touched when despite his passing away three years ago, she still receives deliveries of flowers on Valentine’s Day. She thought he must have been so romantic and meticulous that he had planned this in advance. The truth is...

From ‘Young Blood’, as covered by Birdy… Lyrics: We’re only young and naive still We require certain skills The mood it changes like the wind Hard to control when it begins Comments: Most of us are still spiritually naive, despite our age, still lacking much skilful...

Super Short Story (153): Wallet He keeps a second wallet at home, for topping up his outdoor wallet. He calls the second one his magic wallet. Maybe it’s because it never seems to run out of cash, even though it is not with big bucks. But the truth is, he puts in magic to keep it...

Sam & Sara #379 Sam: I’m not good enough! Sara: Since you know this and are concerned, you’re already good enough to become really good enough! Sam: Huh? How? Sara: By believing you can do better and putting in the effort! If you do your best now, it is already good enough...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 the...

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...

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:...

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...

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 ...

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...