Sam & Sara #369 Sara: He thanked me profusely. Sam: That’s nice! Sara: Er… the thanking was so profuse it was embarassing! Sam: No thanks for too much thanks? Sara: Well… too much is too much! If too much of a ‘good’ thing makes it not a...

A participant of my latest Pure Land class (http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2012/01/course-understanding-amituofo-via-the-amitabha-sutra-9th-run) had an interesting experience. While chanting the name of Amituofo in class for five minutes, right after hearing instructions on how to do so,...

Those we encounter, are seldom totally good or evil. If so, we choose to have gratitude for their goodness or to bear grudges against their evil. The first rewards oneself. The latter punishes oneself. Do choose...

To be unapologetic for one’s evil done makes one more evil. To be ungrateful for others’ goodness done makes one less good. - Stonepeace Another instance on the importance of acknowledging one’s misgivings and acknowledging others’ gifts (of...

有恩不报恩，即是自我心。 不弃自我心，即是住魔心。 有错不认错，即是我慢心。 不弃我慢心，即是住魔心。- 石子 To be indebted but not repay kindness, is the mind of self-centredness. To not renounce the mind of self-centredness, is to abide in...

A special present with a thank you card from a student from this class that ended last Sunday: http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/07/understanding-amituofo-via-the-amitabha-sutra-8th-run Under the grey wrapping paper is another box, with red paper. Wait! It’s actually a paper box...

The foreign man suddenly extended his phone to me, instructing me to listen, in a matter of fact way, as he can’t understand the speaker. I ignored him for a few moments, before taking the phone, though I had absolutely no obligation, to pass the speaker’s message. Returning...

Question: On the article ‘The Cabbage & the Cow’ at http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2011/09/the-cabbage-the-cow , I think we should simply be grateful to have food to eat, be it a cabbage or a cow. It’s easy to condemn meat-eaters and conveniently forget that...

From Itivuttaka 4.8:  This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: “Monks, brahmans & householders are very helpful to you, as they provide you with the requisites of robes, alms food, lodgings, & medical requisites for the sick. And you, monks,...

For the very first time, I became genuinely apprehensive of a Dharma class being oversized due to space constraints and shortage of chairs. This is called a ‘good problem’ and I have to agree. When I first started publicising the fifth run of the ‘Introduction to Pure Land Buddhism:...

(From a friend to her Mother) Never knew the loss is so painful, never knew you are so important in my life, never knew your support was so vital to the wholeness of me, never so deeply appreciated and touched by the things you did for us, never discovered the jewel of ‘Buddha’ within...

Something heartening happened on Sunday afternoon. During the self-introduction session of Project Rebirth (see http://moonpointer.com/new/2010/05/project-rebirth-rediscover-reflect-recharge), I asked the participants to share their names and why they signed up for the course. One said she...

Q: If a friend owes me money but says she is not able to pay me back because of financial difficulties, which seems to be true, will she create negative karma, if I have decided not to pursue the matter? S: Here are some questions to think over: [A] Did you give any time limit – that...

To avoid all evil, To do all good, And to purify the mind - These are the teachings of all Buddhas. - The Buddha (Dhammapada) How readily you say ‘Sorry’ reflects how well you recognise evil. Because you can see your inner ‘badness’, you can see ‘badness’...

One of the most poignant poems I ever read, followed by some related sentiments: (The above is a scene from ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral): Funeral Blues (Stop All the Clocks) by W.H. Auden Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy...

A Tit for a Tat (73) Part 1 Tit: Thank you. Tat: Huh? Are you being sarcastic? Tit: Thank you… really! Tat: Why? Tit: For training my patience, be it intentionally or incidentally. Part 2 Tat: Thank you… too. Tit: Huh? Are you being sarcastic? Tat: Thank you… really! Tit:...

The award-winning graphic novel ‘Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic’ (actually ‘Funeral Home’) is a bittersweet tale, of how the author Alison Bechdel grew up with a father, who seemed distant, yet demanding in expecting obedience from his children – especially in...

A Tit for a Tat (62) Tit: Why didn’t you thank the waitress? Tat: Why should I? Her service was atrocious! Tit: Well, you can thank her for serving you, while telling her she should improve her service. Tat: But to serve is her job. Tit: Yes, which is different from serving well, which...

A Tit for a Tat (61) Tit: Why didn’t you thank the waiter? Tat: Why should I? Tit: Why not? Tat: Well, I was providing business to the restaurant! Tit: So? Tat: The waiter should thank me instead! Tit: Why do you think the waiter didn’t? Tat: Probably because he thinks he’s...

Sharing the Dharma in person is great spiritual training for me. Through it, I learn to be more generous, patient and caring. Beyond sharing by writing Dharma articles online, I get the chance to connect to various kinds of fellow Buddhists in real life, to practise compassion and wisdom, to...