Sell
No. 98 - BAD
You try to attempt something yet you fret and you fear you create trouble for yourself. You are a trapped bird. You will not succeed as you are not decisive. Best to stay where you are.
Interpretation - Wait till a Benefactor comes to assist you. In asking for things, be patient.
Rent
No. 81 - MEDIUM
Trees are barren of leaves in Autumn. Return journey always seems faster. Thanks to Heaven's grace. A ship sails faster with the wind blowing in the right direction.
Interpretation - Heaven will give you their blessing to what you seek. Proceed with what you are hoping to do.
Post Date: 6 Jul 10
Showing posts with label The Lord's Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Lord's Work. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Vesak Day - a day of reflection
The last time I had an opportunity to do this was 3 years ago. I failed, because I ate meat at Dad's wake on the last day.
This year, there's a chance to do it again. For 3 days from today, Vesak Day, to Sunday, Dad's 3rd death anniversary, I will go vegetarian.
If there are merits, may they be transferred to my family.
Post Date: 30 May 09
This year, there's a chance to do it again. For 3 days from today, Vesak Day, to Sunday, Dad's 3rd death anniversary, I will go vegetarian.
If there are merits, may they be transferred to my family.
Post Date: 30 May 09
Monday, January 25, 2010
佛七 / 八关斋戒
This year is the second time 打佛七, but the first time taking the 八关斋戒.
Many positive vibes, learnt many things.
The positive take-aways:
- During one of the meditation sessions, I managed to stay very clear-headed, and seemed to establish a "connection" with 阿弥陀佛, and started rocking gently side to side. Sadly it was not repeated.
- 2 days of vegetarian food is almost like a detox programme
- 2 meals per day is do-able, with lots of water
- Strengthening of my belief that, sutras and ceremonies, not just the precepts, ARE a part of Buddhism
And now, my mistakes and wrongdoings:
- the lack of sleep did not allow me to fully appreciate and benefit from the event
- the lack of sleep led me to sleep drowsily at night, potentially missing out on post-event reflections
- I broke the 8th Precept: 不坐卧高广大床
- My biggest mistake: wearing my 海青to the toilet. I am so disturbed by this one that I suspect whatever merits I may have accumulated may not be enough to offset the "demerit" points. Sigh. It was a big boo boo.
This time next year little princess would be 9 months' old already. I really hope we would be able to participate again. If yes, I really have to learn not to repeat this year's mistakes.
This morning, when I was doing my morning chants, I heard birds chirping. I was distracted because the sound appeared quite near. My first thought was: hmmm, distractions! Before I knew it, 2 hummingbirds flew into the house and happily rested themselves on the pussywillow. Then 1 flew away, shortly followed by the 2nd. One flew back in, before flying off.
Wifey just told me she spotted one similar-looking bird at the temple yesterday. Hmmm : )
Post Date: 25 Jan 10
Many positive vibes, learnt many things.
The positive take-aways:
- During one of the meditation sessions, I managed to stay very clear-headed, and seemed to establish a "connection" with 阿弥陀佛, and started rocking gently side to side. Sadly it was not repeated.
- 2 days of vegetarian food is almost like a detox programme
- 2 meals per day is do-able, with lots of water
- Strengthening of my belief that, sutras and ceremonies, not just the precepts, ARE a part of Buddhism
And now, my mistakes and wrongdoings:
- the lack of sleep did not allow me to fully appreciate and benefit from the event
- the lack of sleep led me to sleep drowsily at night, potentially missing out on post-event reflections
- I broke the 8th Precept: 不坐卧高广大床
- My biggest mistake: wearing my 海青to the toilet. I am so disturbed by this one that I suspect whatever merits I may have accumulated may not be enough to offset the "demerit" points. Sigh. It was a big boo boo.
This time next year little princess would be 9 months' old already. I really hope we would be able to participate again. If yes, I really have to learn not to repeat this year's mistakes.
This morning, when I was doing my morning chants, I heard birds chirping. I was distracted because the sound appeared quite near. My first thought was: hmmm, distractions! Before I knew it, 2 hummingbirds flew into the house and happily rested themselves on the pussywillow. Then 1 flew away, shortly followed by the 2nd. One flew back in, before flying off.
Wifey just told me she spotted one similar-looking bird at the temple yesterday. Hmmm : )
Post Date: 25 Jan 10
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Reminder to self ...
... don't lose the plot.
Wifey and I just came back from the temple. Since just now, my mind has been pre-occupied with what we have to do, following the procedures, how will things turn out, etc etc.
I can't seem to be able to relax, and in the process, am missing the point.
Didn't we go for consultation so that we can be instructed on what to do and what not to do? Didn't we go so that we can have the peace of mind? And didn't the lady say, "娘娘会保佑她"?
Chill, goondu, CHILL!
Image credit here.
Post Date: 26 Nov 09
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tough
Yesterday was the first time we brought a friend along for our weekly prayer sessions.
In my simplistic mind, this good friend deserves to be on the "same plane" as us if we are going "somewhere better". I believed that by joining us, he is well on his way to earning his "plane ticket".
However I was a bit disappointed when, at the end of the session, he said he had to ascertain "if this was what I wanted". I mean, how wrong can one be if he has already taken the (hardest) step towards jumping out of 六道轮回?
Wifey said he was referring to the commitment of going every week, and to give him some time.
I can now understand how difficult it can be to convince people onto the correct path. Of course in shows, the bodhisattvas had it tougher cos they had to convert the evil ones.
Post Date: 23 Nov 09
In my simplistic mind, this good friend deserves to be on the "same plane" as us if we are going "somewhere better". I believed that by joining us, he is well on his way to earning his "plane ticket".
However I was a bit disappointed when, at the end of the session, he said he had to ascertain "if this was what I wanted". I mean, how wrong can one be if he has already taken the (hardest) step towards jumping out of 六道轮回?
Wifey said he was referring to the commitment of going every week, and to give him some time.
I can now understand how difficult it can be to convince people onto the correct path. Of course in shows, the bodhisattvas had it tougher cos they had to convert the evil ones.
Post Date: 23 Nov 09
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Hat trick
Went for FA scan yesterday.
Everything was ok - her major organs, limbs, facial features. Our girl kept moving, and the doctor exclaimed "Wah, so active, ah!"
However there was one area that was potentially dangerous. There was swelling at the part of the umbilical cord that joins to her tummy. The doctor is worried that her intestine may have been "sucked out" into the umbilical cord. If that was really the case, then operation is required after birth. Close monitoring is required, via the monthly scans and the next detailed scan in 10 weeks' time.
This little girl of ours really makes us worry, and this is already the 3rd time ...
Post Date: 23 Nov 09
Everything was ok - her major organs, limbs, facial features. Our girl kept moving, and the doctor exclaimed "Wah, so active, ah!"
However there was one area that was potentially dangerous. There was swelling at the part of the umbilical cord that joins to her tummy. The doctor is worried that her intestine may have been "sucked out" into the umbilical cord. If that was really the case, then operation is required after birth. Close monitoring is required, via the monthly scans and the next detailed scan in 10 weeks' time.
This little girl of ours really makes us worry, and this is already the 3rd time ...
Post Date: 23 Nov 09
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
早课
Yesterday I re-started something that I had not done for the last maybe 30 years - chanting at home.
I used to chant at night before sleeping. Thinking back, somehow, those days seemed more peaceful, event- and mind-wise. I admit I am starting because of our baby. Apart from protection from her possible medical condition, I also need to calm my nerves down.
I hope this can help my girl to 逢凶化吉. Amitabha Buddha.
Post Date: 23 Nov 09
I used to chant at night before sleeping. Thinking back, somehow, those days seemed more peaceful, event- and mind-wise. I admit I am starting because of our baby. Apart from protection from her possible medical condition, I also need to calm my nerves down.
I hope this can help my girl to 逢凶化吉. Amitabha Buddha.
Post Date: 23 Nov 09
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
My little girl talks to me
Sitting at my desk back at the office, my head was turning. There was so much information to take in, so many thoughts running amok, so many emotions to suppress ...
And then, a little's girl's voice appeared in my head.
"Papa", she called, in a sweet little voice, "if you keep worrying that I'll be different, you will bring me up in a certain way, then of course I will become different! Do what you need to do, prepare me for the world*, so that I will be ready to face the world".
(* Instinctively, I took it to mean that we continue with the exercises, healthy foods, logistics preparations and spiritual pursuits, so that she can be healthy and be blessed)
This can jolly well be a figment of my own imagination, or it can be a real father-daughter moment, our very first one.
Post Date: 3 Nov 09
And then, a little's girl's voice appeared in my head.
"Papa", she called, in a sweet little voice, "if you keep worrying that I'll be different, you will bring me up in a certain way, then of course I will become different! Do what you need to do, prepare me for the world*, so that I will be ready to face the world".
(* Instinctively, I took it to mean that we continue with the exercises, healthy foods, logistics preparations and spiritual pursuits, so that she can be healthy and be blessed)
This can jolly well be a figment of my own imagination, or it can be a real father-daughter moment, our very first one.
Post Date: 3 Nov 09
Our Baby
We got a call this morning, about the result of the amnio test.
"Your baby has an extra chromosome. And Dr Cheng would like to see you this afternoon. His schedule is packed, but we managed to squeeze in a slot at 1pm".
When Wifey called me to relay the message, my head was entirely filled with negative thoughts. What's going to happen? How serious is the problem? How will he break the news to us? I checked the Internet - seemed like there will be problems. So much negativity - I found it hard to break out of it. Worse thing was, I didn't want to outwardly show it and influence Wifey ...
It turned out our baby has an extra chromosome - XXX. Our gynae assured us it was nothing to worry about, definitely not serious enough to warrant an abortion. Yes, there may be a higher probability of learning disabilities, but it's only a higher chance. Moreover, with support and coaching, it can be overcome. He added that our all the anomaly that could happen, this was one of the mildest. The gynae also confirmed that our baby does not have Down's Syndrome.
Wifey left the clinic visibly relieved. To her, this was good news. So long as there's a chance to correct any disorder, then not all is lost.
I, on the other hand, left the clinic with a very heavy head. I couldn't figure out what I'd just heard was good news or bad news. Yes, I'm thankful our baby does not have Down's Syndrome, but a chromosome anomaly is a chromosome anomaly. Our gynae is a nice guy - he may have cushioned the impact for us. The thought that my baby MAY not start at the same starting point really saddens me. We will be very unfair to our kid if, because of our selfishness, we bring the fella into this world and the fella falls behind straight away.
But I'm determined that, no matter what happens, our child is our responsibility. We will do whatever we can to set the records straight. Moreover, Dr Cheng did say that the FA test during Week 20 will put us at further ease.
And it's a girl : )
Image credit here.
Post Date: 3 Nov 09
Thursday, October 01, 2009
It rained
After about 2 weeks of terrible skin, the eczema is finally clearing up. Throughout this period, I slept without the blanket, intially for fear of staining the blanket and thereafter to avoid dirtying the blanket with skin flakes. This is a major milestone for me, who MUST sleep with at least the blanket covering my feet.
Just last night I was thinking to myself, that I am thankful that the weather has been hot, so there has been no need for the blanket. (The Lord's work?) The moment my eczema clears up, my recuperation period will be up and there will be rain, followed by chilly weather.
And last night, it rained. And I made sure I was snugly covered under my blanket.
Post Date: 2 Oct 09
Just last night I was thinking to myself, that I am thankful that the weather has been hot, so there has been no need for the blanket. (The Lord's work?) The moment my eczema clears up, my recuperation period will be up and there will be rain, followed by chilly weather.
And last night, it rained. And I made sure I was snugly covered under my blanket.
Post Date: 2 Oct 09
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
"Feeling better yet?"
Yes, immensely!
Thank you Lord, for making me feel useful, needed and having some self worth by packing my day with decisions that I have to make and people that know what I want and know what I'm talking about. Also thank you for putting people whom I can click with around me.
Most importantly, thank you Lord for bestowing upon me the wisdom and the clarity of thought with which I tap upon to solve these problems.
Amitabha.
Post Date: 9 Sep 09
Thank you Lord, for making me feel useful, needed and having some self worth by packing my day with decisions that I have to make and people that know what I want and know what I'm talking about. Also thank you for putting people whom I can click with around me.
Most importantly, thank you Lord for bestowing upon me the wisdom and the clarity of thought with which I tap upon to solve these problems.
Amitabha.
Post Date: 9 Sep 09
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Dear Lord, are you trying to tell me something?
Dear Lord, for the 2nd day in a row, You have put me in contact with like-minded people. Both told me personal stories, that, when put into perspective, demonstrated Your infinite wisdom and the karmic effects of life.
But dear Lord, are You trying to tell me more? Does this have to do with my current predicament? My ignorance is preventing me from seeing the linkage. Or is this the start of a fellowship of dharma brothers and sisters?
I know I have an issue with self-worth, and have always wondered what my mission in this life is. Are You helping me on these fronts? Is this my calling?
Urrrgggh, my ignorance ...!
Image credit here.
Post Date: 2 Sep 09
Friday, May 08, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
中国佛教四大名山
1. 普陀山
普陀山碧海蓝天，风景奇特，号称“海山第一”。这里除可以贪图清凉海风外，还有众多的佛国景点。
- 观世音菩萨之道场
- 位于浙江省舟山群岛中的一个小岛
2. 九华山
九华山的大雄宝殿, 离最高山顶不远。九华山有两坐叫大雄宝殿的寺庙；这坐是比较底的。
- 地藏王菩萨之道场
- 位于青阳县安徽省
3. 五台山
五台山有东、西、南、北、中五个台顶，盆地与山峦交错，形成一处色彩鲜明、气候凉爽、适宜人们浏览和避暑的风光宝地。
- 文殊菩萨之道场
- 位于五台县山西省
4. 峨嵋山/峨眉山
唐代诗人李白诗曰：“蜀国多仙山，峨嵋邈难匹”。
- 普贤菩萨之道场
- 位于峨嵋山市四川省
普陀山 photo credit here.
九华山 photo credit here.
五台山 photo credit here.
峨嵋山 photo credit here.
Big map photo credit here.
Post Date: 5 Mar 09
普陀山碧海蓝天，风景奇特，号称“海山第一”。这里除可以贪图清凉海风外，还有众多的佛国景点。
- 观世音菩萨之道场
- 位于浙江省舟山群岛中的一个小岛
2. 九华山
九华山的大雄宝殿, 离最高山顶不远。九华山有两坐叫大雄宝殿的寺庙；这坐是比较底的。
- 地藏王菩萨之道场
- 位于青阳县安徽省
3. 五台山
五台山有东、西、南、北、中五个台顶，盆地与山峦交错，形成一处色彩鲜明、气候凉爽、适宜人们浏览和避暑的风光宝地。
- 文殊菩萨之道场
- 位于五台县山西省
4. 峨嵋山/峨眉山
唐代诗人李白诗曰：“蜀国多仙山，峨嵋邈难匹”。
- 普贤菩萨之道场
- 位于峨嵋山市四川省
普陀山 photo credit here.
九华山 photo credit here.
五台山 photo credit here.
峨嵋山 photo credit here.
Big map photo credit here.
Post Date: 5 Mar 09
Monday, February 09, 2009
Thank you, 佛,菩萨 ...
... for arranging someone who recognised us as new birds and patiently explained the proceedings to us
... for putting familiar faces there so that we won't feel so awkward
... for letting us be one of the earlier recipients
... for having the 主持 remember me, and giving me some tips
... for letting us find a carpark lot very quickly back at home
... and finally, for providing an empty lift so that we don't have to explain anything to anyone.
Thank you.
Image credit here.
Post Date: 16 Feb 09
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