Reverse your words, reverse your thoughts

This is a must watch video..cleverly manipulated the words

you are rich too

原來你也很富有

有一位青年，老是埋怨自己時運不濟，發不了財，終日愁眉不展。這一天，走過來一個鬚髮皆白的老人，問：「年輕人，為什麼不快樂？」「我不明白，為什麼我總是這麼窮。」「窮？你很富有嘛！」老人由衷地說。「這從何說起？」年輕人不解。

One teenager always complaints that he can't be rich. He gets upset about it all the time. This day, an old man come by and asked ,“young one, why are you so unhappy"
"I don't understand why I am always so poor"
"poor? You are very rich!" the old man replied sincerely.
"Why make you say so?" the young man was confused.

老人反問道：「假如現在斬掉你一個手指頭，給你 1千元，你幹不幹？」「不幹。」年輕人回答。「假如砍掉你一隻手，給你1萬元，你幹不幹？」「不幹。」「假如使你雙眼都瞎掉，給你10萬元，你幹不幹？」「不幹。」「假如讓你馬上變成80歲的老人，給你 100 萬，你幹不幹？」「不幹。」「假如讓你馬上死掉，給你 1000 萬，你幹不幹？」「不幹。」

"If you chop off one of your finger now, I will pay you 1000 dollars, will you do it?"
"No." the teenager replied.
"If you chop off one of your hand, I will pay you 10 thousand dollar, will you do it?'
'No"
"If blind both you eyes, I will pay you 100 thousand dollar, will you do it?'
"No"

"If you became an 80 years old now, I will pay you 1000 thousand dollar, will you do it?'

'No"
If you are dead now, I will pay you 1 million dollar, will you do it?'
'No"

[這就對了，你已經擁有超過1000 萬的財富，為什麼還哀怨自己貧窮呢？」老人笑吟吟地問道。青年愕然無言，突然什麼都明白了。

"that is right, now you have owned more than a million, why are you still complaining of being poor?" the old man grinned. The teenager remains speechless, he understands now.

心靈導航

親愛的朋友，如果你早上醒來發現自己還能自由呼吸，你就比在這個星期中離開人世的人更有福氣。

Dear my friends, if you find yourself still breathing when awake from bed, you are more fortunate than people who passed away this week.

如果你從來沒有經歷過戰爭的危險、被囚禁的孤寂、受折磨的痛苦和忍饑挨餓的難受 ……。你已經好過世界上五億人了。

If you have not experienced any war, being prisoned, tortured and starved. You are much luckier than 5 millions people in the world.

如果你的銀行帳戶有存款，錢包裡有現金，你已經身居於世界上最富有的 8％之列！如果你的雙親仍然在世，並且沒有分居或離婚，你已屬於稀少的一群。

If you have saving in the bank and have cash in your wallet, you are listed in the 8% of the richest people. If your parents are still alive and had not divorced, you are under the minority.

如果你能抬起頭，面容上帶著笑容，並且內心充滿感恩的心情，你是真的幸福了。因為世界上大部分的人都可以這樣做，但是他們卻沒有。

If you can look up with smile on your face, and your heart is filled with appreciation, you are really fortunate, Because most people in the world can do so, but they did not.

如果你能握著一個人的手，擁抱他，或者只是在他的肩膀上拍一下。你的確有福氣了。因為你所做的，已經等同於上帝才能做到的。

If you can hold someone's hand, hug him, or give his shoulder a tap. You are really fortunate. Because what you have done, is equal to what God can do.

親愛的：如果你能讀到這段文字，那麼你更是擁有了雙份的福氣，你比20億不能閱讀的人不是幸福很多嗎？看到這裡，請你暫且放下手邊事情，然後非常認真地對自己說一句話：「哇！原來我是這麼富有的人！ 」

 

Dear all : if you are able to read this, you are even more fortunate. You are more fortunate than the 2000 millions illiterate people, aren't you? After reading this, please hold on to the tasks that you are currently doing, then tell yourself sincerely , " Wow! I am such a rich person! ”

Colours of Vesak - A Wrap Up

Hi everyone,

I'm writing on behalf of Rushi Buddhist Youth Group and the SA Zhu-Lin Buddhist Association to deliver our many thanks to everyone who have helped out in the concert, making this event a successful one.

The play on overall, was successful and everything ran so smoothly like clockwork. Even the changing of scenes was done and lightning speed. Thumbs up to the stage crew and props group! The props were so nicely done and the audience was very impressed. Thanks so much to all who helped in the props production during your days off! Really can't thank you guys enough! And congrats to the stage crew who managed to allocate tasks and change scenes so effectively!

To actors and actresses, thanks for sticking with all our practices and rehearsals. We know that we have been disorganized and sometimes, harsh to you guys, and I would like to apologize for that. For sticking and putting up with our grouchiness, I would like to thank you all. Thanks for putting aside your precious time even during tests and assignments to come to our dance and drama practices. :) I can't thank you guys enough.

And to all other backstage crew, including hair and make-up artists and other miscellaneous helpers, a big thanks to you all. Even though you don't really receive much exposure to the crowd and receive thanks, without you all, we wouldn't have pulled it through this event. :)



In case you guys didn't receive any notice, or don't have a facebook account, we are having an after-event celebration tomorrow at UV Apartment, 12 noon. It's a steamboat party and the food is FOC, as thanks for everyone helping us!

Also, we are gonna have a DVD on our play produced. Stay tuned for more updates about it in our emails in the near future. :)


And for those who are interested in reading blogs, here's a blog link of one of our audiences. It's a blog on Buddhism and the blogger, Alvin, blogged about our play:
Buddhist Space

Last but not least, if you guys want to get pictures of the play, don't hesitate to ask any of us on facebook. I'm sure many people have uploaded pics on the site and won't mind to share it with you. :)


P/s: If you know any of your friends who have helped out but are not in the list of people receiving the email that I sent out, please forward it to them as I don't have the complete list of people who helped out. Thanks!! :)


With Metta,
Lay Sim

Meditation

Mental Discipline?

Why they like it?

It lowers oxygen consumption. It decreases respiratory rate. It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate. Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients. Leads to a deeper level of relaxation. Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the B.P. to normal. Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate. Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches. Builds self-confidence. It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches. Helps in chronic diseases like allergies, arthritis etc. Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome. Helps in post-operative healing. Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of 'natural-killer cells', which kill bacteria and cancer cells. Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress.

Why we practice it?

It’s a technique of mental training whereby the systematic process of self-observation leads to increased awareness, self control and real peace of mind.Meditation seeks a state of enlightenment, a freedom from the tyranny of our worries, and of wisdom to see things as they are.




Two types of meditation

Four Foundations of Mindfulness -- Satipatthana Sutta.

Seven Types of Suitability -- Visudhimmagga

• Place or Dwelling: a well-furnished and supported centre or monastery, secluded and quiet, easy accessible, few insects, with the basic requirements of food, clothes and medicine.


• Location: not too far from or close to a town.


• Food: a balanced diet, healthy, digestible and nourishing, taken in moderate amounts.


• People: other meditators as companions, who are considerate, with a good attitude and practice.


• Teacher: a learned and respected teacher, who speaks and listens well.


• Noble Silence: to be maintained during practice, other than at interviews with the teacher.


• Weather: not too hot or cold - ideally a temperate climate.
  

The Three Areas of Practices

From a forwarded email

出生一張紙，開始一輩子；

畢業一張紙，奮鬥一輩子；

婚姻一張紙，折磨一輩子；

做官一張紙，鬥爭一輩子；

金錢一張紙，辛苦一輩子；

榮譽一張紙，虛名一輩子；

看病一張紙，痛苦一輩子；

悼詞一張紙，了結一輩子；

淡化這些紙，明白一輩子；

忘了這些紙，快樂一輩子 !

這週是世界好友週，如果你願意，

請把這條資訊發給你所有的好朋友 。

也包括我 ⋯⋯ 看有多少人會回發給你。

當大部分人都在關注你飛得高不高時，

只有少部分人關心你飛得累不累，

這就是 友情。

再忙，也要照顧好自己，

朋 友 雖不常聯繫，卻一直 惦念。

天涼時記著多穿衣！

世界好 友周快樂！

~ Vesak Day ~

We are getting closer to the 4th month of lunar calender where Vesak Day(Buddha Day) falls. This is a time when Buddhists all over the world gather to celebrate and commemorate the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana *those who have been attending our friday dharma classes should know this term by now hehe~* of Shakyamuni Buddha - the founder of Buddhism.

This year, the SA Zhu-Lin Buddhist Association will be carrying out our yearly celebration on the 16th of May 2010 (SUN) at the temple. The whole event starts from 9am till to 3pm. As per usual, the highlights during that day will be "Buddha Bathing Ceremony" and "Vegetarian Charity Food Fair". There will be lots of sumptuous food and vegetarian delicacies sold during that day along with drinks and desserts. So don't miss out!! Make sure you bring your friends and family along to join us there. ^0^ Also there will be a Taking Refuge Ceremony in the afternoon so please let us know if you are interested. *glossary below*

Date: 16th may 2010 (SUN)
Venue: SA Zhu-Lin Buddhist Association (151-155 May Terrace, Ottoway)
9am ~ 11.30am - Sutra Chanting and Buddha Bathing Ceremony
11.30am ~ 2.30pm - Vegetarian Charity Food Fair
1.30pm - Taking Refuge Ceremony

Taking Refuge Ceremony 皈依仪式 - In order to become a Buddhist formally, you have to take refuge. For anyone who wants to take Buddhism as their path and base their life on Buddhist teachings and principles, taking refuge makes them clear in mind that they have made a commitment in cultivating loving-kindness and compassion at all times and not just when they are in good condition. Otherwise it will just like having good intentions. It means that you should be constantly trying to purify yourself, cleaning up your own thoughts or emotions. While you are working with yourself you should also try to help other people when they need you and you should appreciate everything that is good around you. These are the main principles of Buddhism.

Buddha Bathing Ceremony 浴佛- It is customary to hold this elaborate ceremony of bathing the newborn Buddha on Vesak Day, normally caried out with devotees lining up to ladle the fragrant water over the Buddha statue. This auspicious ritual serves as a symbolic reminder to Buddhists that we have to eradicate the three poisons (greed, hatred, ignorance) and cleanse our body, speech and thought to cultivate merits and wisdom.

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If you would like to join us on that day at the temple but need transportation, please contact Mr Wong 0401235452 by Wednesday night.