Boarding the southbound train at around 9.45pm after work, an uplifting sight caught my eye. The man with outstretched legs in the photo above was reading a copy of ‘Be a Lamp Upon Yourself‘ (which introduces basic Buddhism with abridged materials from a few good books plus some original sections). First published in 1999 and expanded over the years, the latest edition is the sixth. I happen to be thinking of expanding it further, though there’s the problem of it becoming too thick. To memory, it was the first local ‘one-stop’ introductory free distribution book of my generation designed specifically to be pocket-sized.
I wanted it to fit in ladies’ handbags then, which were small. Who would have known, that handbags would evolve over the years to be huge enough to contain phone books (Yellow Pages)! Over the years, I had looked forward to seeing commuters on trains or buses reading it – the way some would read the Bible or a novel. It took me 10 years to finally see the above. I wonder if the size or contents ‘worked’. A book is a bestseller when more than 5,000 copies are sold. Tens of thousands of ‘Lamp’ have been distributed so far, with a Chinese version (点亮心灯）available too. Does that make it a bestgiver, since it is a gift of Dharma given free? Even if so, there are really many other bestgivers too. Isn’t it wonderful, the Buddhist culture of sponsoring books to share the Dharma? Sadhu!
Nah, the book is not done by me, it’s compiled and edited by shian.
The 3 columns template is from WordPress, i’m sure blogger has it as well. Or you can always google search blogger compatible template on the web. 😀
Shian only thinks about ladies’ handbags, how about men who don’t bring bag! Just kidding …
Anyway, I just want to say – these books are good and the efforts put in are worth it and it spreads far too … Keep on improving too …
I took some of these books and send oversea to someone for sharing and told them if it does not suit them, asked them to pass on to other or leave them at temple/Veg Eateries that has a place for such stuff. In fact, I feel that such lovely beautiful books should go far, to the rest of the world.
Anyway, my avid reader boy loves the books on Tales of the Buddha’s Former Lives. He even sat at KMSPKS to finish reading the book on Filial piety (got picture), some years back. He reads The Stories of Refraining From Killing and Liberating Lives too.
Hmm….:) THANK YOU VERY MUCH 🙂
If those who read such books and changed their life in one way or another, it would be good to share with the rest …
Donors for publishing such books get to see that their efforts or donations is going the positive way and in deed helping others in some ways …
Keep the lamp shining folks! Sadhu! 😆
I noticed some new publications added to the free distribution collection during the Plum Village Dharma talk recently.
For those who do not visit the temple as often, do visit the ksmpks Dharma books free distribution booth at annual “Vesak @ Orchard” outside Takashimaya next month on 25&26 Apr09!
New addition!!!! yes, yes I think I saw some too 🙂 ilovebooks, you remind me of it.
I pass by KMSPKS that day! I discovered something new – “Discovering Meditation’, is this new too? Not sure how many would go and check out these spots regularly.
Usually, we see the same old one and thought no new stuff and can’t be bothered to check it out.
I actually go to pick up some books/CDs to put at the Veg Stall near my place, they have a little basket for such books, those very old and torn ones there does not present a good impression (maybe I am vain lah, that’s why think in this way) … I am thinking not all will have the time to go KMSPKS or Waterloo Street Fortune Centre or aware of this, so just put some there and I discovered, they are gone quite fast too …
Maybe a ‘mobile’ one, like some Buddhist Taxi Driver, can put such books in seat pockets for other who is interested to take and read … I get the idea from BookCrosser@SG ‘s ‘Hotspots’ – SMRT Taxis!
Clinic ??? Hair Salon??? Old folk home??? Hospice’s Library??? Buddhist Free Clinic??? These places place old magazines … maybe too sensitive to be placed there, I don’t know …
I just wish that Veg eateries, who allocated places for such Dharma books, really take good care of the area and not just make it look like ‘rubbish’ site. Clean and simple, maybe like Starbucks Coffee, where Magazine placed nicely there. The only setback once the eateries have too much such stuff, it might become too religious and non-buddhist might not want to patronize …
New Books added, is there anyway to let more know, like via moonpointer etc or book reviews of those who read it?
Sometime by doing a short book review or some short reflection of what read, is kind of reinforce, hmmm… maybe looking deeper or it can sparkle some interesting discussions, at the same time collect some feedbacks or …
Just my personal view …
The free book – ‘preparing for death and helping the dying’ by ven sangye khadro is a good quick guide.
When my mother diagnosed with cancer more than a decade ago, I did borrow books related to cancer, hospice, dying, to read. When I read the ‘preparing for death and helping the dying’, I can appreciate its content.
The section on ‘How to help some who is a not a Buddhist’ is a REAL GOOD section, I am glad it is there. Helping terminally ill, is a very sensitive task.
Many Buddhists out of good will, unknowingly talks more about their religion (Pureland Practices) and what need to be done in their practices, so it turned out to be adding unnecessary burdens, confusions to the patients and their family members rather than helping them. Of course, there are some who did a very good job and really help the dying person goes to Pureland. So far, we only hear positive stories but in real life, are all 100% went well and what are other things that need to be taken care of?
Helping terminally ill, should go for a volunteer training course in this area and be guided by a volunteer mentor till ready to go solo or work as a team. It is a compassionate and demanding task and need follow up from beginning to the end, with professional ethic. Moreover, the volunteer needs special care/support for themselves too, dealing with the tough topic – death, can be very emotional thing for some, especial they befriend the patients and next moment the person is gone forever …
On the whole, this book is a GOOD read, whether you are helping a dying person or not. It is good information, get to know this, and maybe can recommend this book to someone else that might need it …
I read this to prepare for my grandma’s death last year. THANK YOU for printing this book.
Rejoice for all these Dhama books readily & freely available…
Among the newies also CDs by Bodhicitta, yes, we do have English Buddhist song groups as well!
Congrats Shi An!:)
Hi all, thanks for the support! Let’s all support good publications by helping to fund and circulate them far and wide!
It’s true that many book distribution places are not well tended. It takes much effort to coordinate all of them. But if we all do our bit to help tidy up messily placed books we come across and top them up when we can (ideally with permission), then things will improve.
Bookcrossing is possible. In a way, it has always been done for Dharma books – though not in a systematic manner with tagging. If we know Buddhist taxi drivers, we can suggest placing books in their cabs too!
We can do our bit to publicise good books by blogging about them too. Feel free to drop links here :-]
(I have not heard of Buddhists overpushing Pureland practices to the dying so far. Phew!) Amituofo 😉