Editor's Note - Dharma Resources - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See ...

To top it off, Mr Hri Kumar Nair, Member
of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh Group
Representative Constituency gamely abseilled
down from the third level of Ven. Hong Choon
Memorial Hall to thunderous applause. The abbot
of the monastery, Ven. Sik Kwang Sheng also
conducted a prayer ceremony together with the
representatives of other religions for world peace
and harmony.
10 Things To Be Understood
1. Understand that outer appearances are unreal because they are mistaken.
2. Understand that inner mind is empty because it is devoid of self-identity.
3. Understand that thoughts are momentary because they occur due to conditions.
4. Understand that both your physical body and your voice are
impermanent because they are conditioned.
5. Understand that the consequences of your actions are inevitable
because all pleasure and pain of sentient beings results from karma.
6. Understand that pain is your spiritual friend because it is
the cause of renunciation.
7. Understand that pleasure and happiness is the demon of
attachment because it is the root of samsara.
8. Understand that many engagements are obstacles for merit
because they hinder spiritual practice.
9. Understand that enemies and obstructors are your
teachers because obstacles are inspiration for spiritual practice.
10. Understand that everything is of equal nature, because all
phenomena are ultimately devoid of self-nature.
These are the ten things to understand.
– Gampopa, from The Precious Garland of the Sublime Path
(translated by Erik Pema Kunsang)
Buddhist News in Brief
awaken
Issue 13 • January – April 2009 39