Home » Author Archive
Author Archive
Always Reflect On Your Thoughts, Words & Deeds
Jun. 27 | The Buddha: What is a mirror for? Rahula: For reflection, sir. The Buddha: … Actions are to be done with repeated reflection. – Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta As summarised from the second part of the Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta (Discourse...
Can Animals Take Refuge?
Jun. 27 | Question: Is it alright to get pets to take the Threefold Refuge in the Triple Gem? Although all sentient beings have Buddha-nature, can animals understand refuge? Answer: Getting animals to take refuge is done in the hope that there might be some...
How To Sleep Well Like The Buddha
Jun. 20 | To always rest well, always live well when awake, without greed, hatred and delusion. – Shilashanti According to the Hatthaka Sutta, the Buddha was staying in a forest near Alavi, on a spread of leaves. Hatthaka, while walking around for exercise,...
The Unalienation Of ‘The Alienist’
Jun. 6 | As the title card of ‘The Alienist’ informs, ‘In the 19th century, persons suffering from mental illness were thought to be alienated from their own true natures. Experts who studied them were therefore known as alienists.’ Yes,...
How To Send Off Unexpected Ghostly Guests
May. 24 | Question: There is an unexpected guest at home – a ‘man’ in olden Chinese attire. Please advise. Answer: Note that those dressed in traditional clothes might not be from ancient times as some modern folks are changed to similar clothes...
‘Toc Toc’, OCD OCD…
May. 24 | ‘Toc Toc’ is a lighthearted take on the serious issue of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). While offering humour, it also offers much needed hope. A band of strangers scheduled for group therapy decide to ‘make the group the doctor’...
‘The Week Of’ Expectation Vs Encouragement?
May. 15 | When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. – Viktor Frankl (Man’s Search For Meaning) In the movie ‘The Week Of’, Isaac the boy had to sit on a bench when his baseball coach ushered the...
Does Staff Retrenchment Create Bad Karma?
May. 15 | Question: If higher management requires reorganisation by retrenchment of workers, will I create negative karma by being part of the decision-making? Answer: Realistically, the company does not owe the staff a living. So, as the bosses decide, if some...
The Girl Who Ate Too Many Lollipops
May. 4 | The law of karma affects all, positively and negatively, according to that done, especially negatively for those who think it does not affect them. – Stonepeace | Books The girl had a short-sighted view of cause and effect. Lollipops eaten now were...
Will I Create Negative Karma By Not Being A Guarantor To Help?
May. 4 | Question: Will I create negative karma by not being a relative’s guarantor for buying a house? As he has a high rolling credit card debt, I am worried that the loan might not be serviceable. Answer: You will need to consider carefully if being...
The Sūtras With Ultimate Compassion And Wisdom
Apr. 25 | 愿我命终时， 除灭诸障碍， 面见阿弥陀， 往生安乐国。 – 文殊师利菩萨 《文殊师利发愿经》 May I [Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva], when life [is] ending, eradicate all obstacles, [to] personally see Amitā[bha Buddha come...
Verses On Looks
Apr. 19 | 见端正人，当愿众生， 于佛菩萨，常生净信。 见丑陋人，当愿众生， 于不善事，不生乐著。 – 文殊菩萨 (华严经: 净行品: 第86-87偈) Seeing proper-looking persons, [reflect that] ‘May sentient beings, in...
Existential Chats In ‘Café Society’
Apr. 19 | In ‘Café Society’ is discussion of some interesting existential issues. Bobby exclaims, ‘[W]hen the end’s near, you need something… I have to know that all this just doesn’t end… I need to believe that...
Verses On Sickness
Apr. 13 | 见无病人，当愿众生， 入真实慧，永无病恼。 见疾病人，当愿众生， 知身空寂，离乖诤法。 – 文殊菩萨 (华严经: 净行品: 第84-85偈) Seeing persons without sickness, [reflect that] ‘May sentient beings, enter...
