Awaken12 - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

Editor’s NoteThis year has been a pretty eventful one. The world weathered Cyclone Nargis and theSichuan Earthquake (pg 38) and witnessed the untold suffering and destruction theybrought to the human world. Often, we take many things in life for granted until somethingdrastic happens — internationally, nationally or personally — to shake us from our ‘stupor’that things will always be the way they are, or that life is essentially one long joy trip whenin fact it is full of all sorts of dissatisfactions big and small.In the last of the three themes for 2008 — attachment, anger and ignorance — we closethis year by looking at how to deal with life and all its complexities with greater wisdom.Hence in this issue, we learn how karma can affect free choice (pg 36) and how throughmindfulness and contemplation, we can learn to be an enlightened leader instead of beinga victim of our karmic winds reacting impulsively to our inner drives (pg 41).Mindfulness leads to awareness. In Vipassana meditation, our goal is to achieve anawareness so intense that Venerable Henepola Gunaratana says we will be able to piercethe inner workings of reality itself. However, first we need to clear our misconceptionsabout meditation (pg 53).Ordinarily, people behave like the foolish, timid rabbit (pg 60) or the man in the story ofHalf a Rice Cracker (pg 58), but with greater insight into the nature of life that comes frommindfulness, awareness and contemplation, we learn to appreciate the powers of gratitude(pg 37), humility, kindness (pg 35) and pure motivation (pg 57). Our hearts soften and weare transformed. We learn to restrain the mind (pg 63) and start to see the Buddhas andBodhisattvas as role models (pg 47). We understand that life can really be simple yet happywith few wants. Exuding great energy and light with abundance in our hearts, we wouldbe able to care for others sincerely in every moment (pg 49) instead of being saddled withjudgments and expectations.May all awaken to greater insight and wisdom with the Dharma. May all find peace andhappiness in their hearts.Yours in the Dharma,Esther Thien34

Vege Fast Food ClassDate/Time : 21 & 28 Sep, Sun, 2.00pm – 4.00pmFee : $30 (2 lessons)Conductor : Conducted by Mr. Wong Kew YewOrganic Educational TourDate/Time : 1 Oct, 8.30am – 6.40pmFee : $60 (inclusive of 3 organic meals)Conductor : Mr. Wong Kew YewVegetarian Cooking Workshops – Reunion DishesDate/Time : 16 Nov – 30 Nov, Sun, 2.00pm – 4.30pmFee : $60Conductor : Mr. Oh Chong FahDetails : Please visit www.awarenessplace.com, emailsemd@kmspks.org or call 6336 5067 to register or enquire.Relaxation & Vipassana MeditationDate/Time : 26 Aug – 28 Oct, Tue, 8.00pm – 9.30pmVenue : Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, 2nd LevelFee : $10Conductor : Ven. Chuan RenDetails : For more information, please call 6849 5300PKS English Dharma ClassYear 1 Module 3Date/Time : 7 Sep – 23 Nov, Every Sunday,2.00pm – 3.30pmFee : $30Venue : KMSPKS Monastery, Dharma HallYear 2 Module 3Date/Time : 11 Sep – 13 Nov, Every Thursday,7.30pm – 9.00pmFee : $30Venue : 1st floor, Ven Hong Choon Memorial HallDetails : For more information, please call 6849 5300AP @ Shan You Charity Concert 2008Date/Time : 27 Sep, 5.00pm – 10.00pmVenue : Hong Lim GardenDetails : Awareness Place will be taking part in themeaningful fundraising project with Shan You CounsellingCentre. Member can enjoy up to 30% discount. For moreinformation, please call 6337 7582AP Sale @ Holistic FestivalDate/Time : 10 – 11 Oct, 11.00am – 8.00pmVenue : Fort CanningDetails : Awareness Place take part in this Bi-annuallyholistic festival. Do come and spend this time with familymembers. For more information, please call 6337 7582Spiritual Countdown 2008Usher your new year with party, fellowship, Buddhisthymns and aspiration pujaDate/Time : Wed evening, 31 Dec 2008 (overnight toThursday morning)VenueDetails: KMSPKS: For more information, please call 6849 5346 oremail youth@kmspks.org*w*s*d*pan excellent 1st step in learning about Buddhism and itsapplicationDate/Time : Every Thursday 7.30pm – 9.30pmVenue : Awareness Place Well-Being CentreDetails : For more information, please call 6849 5346or email wsdp@kmspks.orgY_Cultivationshort courses introducing Buddhist teachings, concepts andpracticesDate/Time : Every Saturday eveningVenue : Awareness Place Well-Being CentreDetails : For more information, please call 6849 5345or email ycultivation@kmspks.org3GEMS Guided ToursBuddhist guided tours to various Buddhist monasteries byexperienced volunteersDetails : For more information, please call 6849 5346or email 3gemstour@gmail.comVisit www.kmspks.org/youth to learn more about the aboveprogrammes.Medicine Buddha Sutra Recitation (Chinese)Date/Time : Every Saturday, 7.45pm – 9.45pmVenue : Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, 2nd LevelPureland Sutra Recitation (Chinese)Date/Time : Every Sunday, 9.00am – 11.30amVenue : Hall of Great CompassionDiamond Sutra Recitation (Chinese)Date/Time : Every Sunday, 2.00pm – 3.45pmVenue : Hall of Great CompassionThe Great Compassion Puja (Chinese)Date/Time : Every 27th of the lunar month,10.00am – 12.00pmVenue : Hall of Great CompassionRecitation of 25th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (Pu Men Pin)Date/Time : Every Friday, 8.00pm – 9.30pmVenue : Hall of Great CompassionDetails : For more information, please call 6849 5300Words of Wisdom Heard or ReadI’ve never seen anything like this in all my time in jail. As soon as this Venerable walked in, thewhole wing just stopped and went dead quiet. The aura he gave out was so strong yet humble at thesame time. I knew I may never meet a man again with so much wisdom. So I asked, “What is mypurpose in life?” He said my purpose was to do as much kindness as I can. I was expecting somethingmore, cos’ the answer seems so simple. But the more I contemplate, the more it makes sense to me.For starters, the kinder and more loving you are, the better your next life is going to be. Also, if yourevery action comes from a heart of kindness, imagine the amount of good karma you are going to getback. The Buddha’s teaching is so simple, no big words or anything, just plain, simple and straight tothe point.– Les, Inmate at Long Bay Prison, AustraliaCalendar of EventsawakenIssue 10 • January – April 2008 35

Can Karma Affect Free Choice?Q: Can karma affect free choice? How is free choice affected by karma?— A senior citizenA: We all have karma, or mind-habit. It is not a special quality orcondition. When a person is attached to his thinking, he develops ahabit. When he is attached to his habit, he gets karma. And if he’s attached tothat karma, he gets more karma. It’s just a case of unending cause and effect.Although the person still has free choice in that cause and effect, it is affectedby the karma he has created. Thus, the personcreates karma and in turn, the karma affectshis free choices, either severely or lightlylimiting his free choices. In Buddhism, whena person really meditates, he will see that hiskarma is fundamentally empty, that it has nonature. But when you think your karma isreal, it affects you. In meditation, when yousee the substance of karma, of thinking andof the mind is fundamentally empty, thenkarma cannot affect you and your free choiceis unhindered.If we are attached to desire, angeror ignorance, we make karma andthis karma consequently controlsour free choice, like a windblowing on a moving object.Q & Aawaken36If you just follow your karma, it controls youand many kinds of actions appear. Therefore,if you are attached to your karma, you makemore karma. You have to see that your karmais essentially empty. It is like when you have adream of a big, hungry tiger chasing after you.In the dream, you think it is real, so you runreally, really fast to get away. But when youwake up, you realise you are in your room, onthe bed and that the tiger is not real. When youthought the tiger was real, the tiger affectedyou. But the whole time, the tiger wasn’t there.It was completely empty. When you wake upand realise the tiger is a dream and see that itis empty, there is no more running. Karma isexactly like that. Any kind of karma is just a dream, created by the thinkingwhich you are attached to. When you let go of the attachment and see thatkarma is empty, then you are free.— Ven. Hyon GakPhotos: Samuel Lim

BY | Poh Yong HuiCelebratingGratitude with a Musical FareSINGAPORE — The Gratitude Concert ( 感 恩 快 乐 音 A short but memorable skit performed by veteran乐 会 ) conducted on May 31 and June 1 to a total of entertainer Marcus Chin ( 陈 建 彬 ) and concert host3,200 people at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Dennis Chew ( 周 崇 庆 ) brought out the importanceMonastery did not merely entertain; it encouraged of filial piety, where they comically satirised theits audience to practise and celebrate gratitude and drastic differences in how children from pastenvironmentalism as a way of life.generations and modern times treated their parents.Apart from drawing much laughter from theA minute’s silence was observed before the concert audience, the lively everyday situations portrayedto mourn for the victims in the recent Sichuan struck a chord with them and helped them reflectearthquake and Cyclone Nargis. It was the organisers’ upon the way they interacted with their parents.hope that by promoting gratitude as a way of life Marcus Chin also touched the hearts of many withwould help create a positive future for the well-being his rousing delivery of Call My Name Again ( 叫 阮 的of the Earth and reduce future natural disasters. 名 ), a Hokkien song depicting the profound sadnessof losing one’s mother.Said the monastery’s abbot, Ven. Sik Kwang Sheng,“We cannot take the environment we live in for Another excerpt on filial piety is performed bygranted; many positive conditions were needed to Mediacorp artiste Nick Shen in a Teochew operacreate it. The Earth’s temperatures are currently duet, titled Liu Ming Yue Saves the Orphan ( 柳 明 月 救rising — how would our future generations live? We 孤 儿 ) with his mentor Goh Gek Lan, a veteran localmust do what we can before it’s too late. Don’t ever Teochew opera actress.belittle the collective power of individual actionsthat seem trivial.”Next, Joanna Dong serenaded the crowd with heroutstanding performance of Mai Phen Rai, a songFour video clips featuring environmentally-aware from the musical Chang and Eng. Meaning “Neveryouths and Xiaohuang, the resident canine of the Mind” in Thai, the Siamese twins’ mother singsmonastery, also educated the audience about soil, this comforting song in the musical to give her sonswater, air and sound pollution in a light-hearted strength in the face of discrimination.way. Renowned Y.E.S. 93.3 FM deejay Peifen( 佩 芬 ) also made a cameo appearance to share green The diverse array of performing talents ensuredlifestyle tips.there was an item that everyone can resonatewith. From rap-and-breakdance by the MalaysianGratitude towards our parents was another theme Buddhist hymn group Messengers of Dharma (MOD)emphasised at the concert. Playing the violin for to the pitch-perfect songs by veteran singer Julie Ngthe first time in public, Ven. Kwang Sheng put up ( 黎 川 ).a moving rendition of the familiar tune Mother’sLove Is the Greatest Love on Earth ( 世 上 只 有 妈 妈 好 ), Towards the end of the concert, the audience wastogether with budding theatre actress and singer invited to pen their words of gratitude on theJoanna Dong ( 董 姿 彦 ) and the monastery’s percussion Gratitude Card, before joining the performers in theensemble. He also performed Praise to the Buddha emotionally-uplifting finale Paradise on Earth ( 快 乐( 赞 佛 曲 ).天 堂 ).Issue 12 • September – December 2008 37awaken Buddhist News in Brief

Monastery Raised S$1.02 Million forSichuan Earthquake VictimsSINGAPORE — Therecent spate of naturaldisasters caused muchsuffering to many, butit also brought outthe best in humanity.Many were moved tohelp in any way theycould, volunteering inrelief efforts or makingmonetary contribution.BY | Esther ThienThe monastery didits part by puttingtogether a touching andastounding fundraisingconcert in just 18 days for Sichuan earthquakevictims. Titled Great Compassion, Great AspirationCharity Concert, this fundraiser was co-organisedwith Super Coffeemix Manufacturing Limitedand Scorpio East Holdings Limited. Voluntaryperformers for the night include Gallen Luo ( 罗 嘉 良 )and Perry Chiu ( 焦 媛 ) from Hong Kong, Zhou Hui( 周 惠 ), WOW and Alan Kuo ( 柯 有 轮 ) from Taiwan,Mindee Ong and Qi Yu Wu of 881 fame, Jack Neo& J Team, Kelly Poon, Tan Di Ya and many moretalented local artistes.About 2400 people attended the three-hour longshow, and a total of S$1,026,366.90 was raised fromthis concert. The cheque was presented to the ChinaEmbassy on 24 June 2008.Buddhist News in Briefawaken38Auspicious Phenomenon Unfolded DuringTaiwan’s Shanti Stupa CeremonyTAIWAN — An amazing and auspicious phenomenon was witnessedunfolding in the sky by thousands during the opening ceremony tounveil the Shanti Stupa in Taiwan. Held on the 22nd of June this year, thephenomenon was observed in awe shortly after the speeches by variousdignitaries and ribbon cutting. First, a halo around the sun appeared.Next, a pair of dragon and phoenix-like cloudformations materialised like a backdrop tothe Stupa. A red beam that seemed to issuefrom the tip of the Stupa was also captured onphotographs by many cameras. Everyone at theceremony marvelled at the spectacle.Thousands of people from Taiwan, Hong Kong,China, Singapore and Canada, including 22delegates from China and the Mayor of theprovince and county attended this historicalevent.

SHANTI STUPA15 Phillip Street #09-00Singapore 048694Buddhist News in BriefWebsite: www.yanqing.netIssue 12 • September – December 2008 39awakenTel: 9632 8959Fax: 6345 0912email: kungalegpa@gmail.com

Pizza 意 大 利 饼It is that time of the year again when people generally loosen up for somemerriment and celebrations. But in the midst of all that merry-making withfamily and friends, do not forget about the need to spread kindness, offeringrespect and embodying love to all sentient beings, big or little. With puremotivation and bodhicitta, here are two vegetarian recipes you can cook upa storm during this festive period.Chocolate Banana Pudding 香 蕉 巧 克 力 布 丁Skin ingredients:(a) Milk 200ml, yeast 11gm, sugar 2tsp, salt 1 1 /2tsp,Planta margarine 2tbsp – all mixed well(b) Flour 500gmFilling ingredients:(c) Tomatoes, green pepper, vegetarian ham, cannedpineapple, button mushroom, cheese – cut into smallstrips(d) tomato sauce, chilli sauce, sugar, sour plum sauce,vegetarian oyster sauce – mixed wellRecipeawaken40Method:1. Mix (b) and (a) into a smooth, soft dough, cover with atowel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.2. Roll dough flat and round. Apply oil on baking tin andplace dough on it. Spread (d) evenly on dough followedby (c).3. Let oven heat up for 5mins, bake at 200 0 C – 250 0 C for30mins and serve.皮 材 料 :(a) 奶 水 200 豪 升 、 酵 母 粉 11 克 、 糖 2 茶 匙 、 盐 1 1 /2 茶 匙 、 面 包 油 2 荡 匙– 全 部 打 均 匀(b) 普 通 面 粉 500 克馅 料 :(c) 番 茄 , 灯 笼 椒 , 素 火 腿 , 罐 装 黄 梨 , 白 蘑 菇 , 乳 酪 – 切 条 状(d) 番 茄 酱 、 辣 椒 酱 、 白 糖 、 酸 梅 酱 、 素 蚝 油 – 混 合做 法 :1. 将 (b) 倒 入 (a), 搓 匀 后 盖 上 湿 毛 巾 , 让 发 酵 约 1 小 时 。2. 用 木 棒 辗 平 圆 薄 片 , 放 入 涂 油 的 烘 盘 上 , 用 叉 刺 小 孔 , 涂 上 (d) 及 排上 所 有 馅 料 (c)。3. 烘 烤 炉 先 热 5 分 钟 , 将 备 好 的 意 大 利 饼 放 入 200 0 C 至 250 0 C 烤 约30 分 钟 既 成 。Ingredients:2 cups of ripe bananas1 pc of soft tofu1 tbsp cocoa powder1/2 tsp of cinnamon powder1/4 cup organic honey or raw sugarMethod:1. Place all the ingredients into a blender. Blend untilsmooth.2. Put in a bowl and chill for an hour.材 料 :两 杯 熟 香 蕉一 块 豆 腐一 大 汤 匙 可 可 粉1/2 茶 匙 桂 皮 粉1/4 杯 有 机 蜜 糖 或 庶 糖做 法 :1. 把 全 部 材 料 搅 拌 均 匀 。2. 倒 入 容 器 , 冷 冻 一 小 时 即 可 。

Chris Tamdjidi presentsthe Shambhala tradition ofenlightened leadership, andintroduces some of the basicprinciples of leading withcompassion and wisdom.Enlightened LeadershipBuddhism is a spiritual tradition best knownfor its emphasis on meditation to cultivatewisdom, and compassionate activity to help others.Within the many Buddhist teachings, there are alsoteachings on leadership. The Buddha gave Dawa Zanpo,the first King of Shambhala extensive teachings onhow to be a King and bring about a good society.motivate a group of people, an organisation or asociety to realise goals that fundamentally improvetheir situation and unlock the potential that existsin all humans. Such leaders are not self-serving,but see leadership as a way to serve others — theydemonstrate true, selfless, compassionate, wise andthus enlightened leadership.IntroductionLeadership is commonly defined as a process bywhich a leader (or group of leaders) persuades orconvinces by example or manages a group of peopleto do something which is treasured in the valuesystem of the group or the leader.In today’s working world, faced with multiplechallenges — tighter deadlines, increasingcomplexity and growing financial pressure — thetypical example of leader we see is often a stressedindividual, who partly manages, partly pressureshis or her subordinates to achieve short-termfinancial results or deadlines, often to benefit mainlythemselves or their companies.In contrast to this, we all have an innate longingfor wise or enlightened leadership from leaders,who by virtue of their example and their skills, canIssue 12 • September – December 2008In this article, we explore the path to such“enlightened leadership” and in particular, theinitial steps on this path — something we could call“mindful leadership”.The disciplines of meditation,mindfulness in life, contemplationand decision-making form the basis ofsuch mindful leadership.These disciplines and the concept of mindfulleadership are almost conventionally sensible.Almost nobody, when presented with these concepts,would have any problem accepting their usefulnessto the modern working world. They serve as veryimportant first steps in the development of whatwe could call compassionate or even enlightenedleadership.Featureawaken41

Featureawaken42In the Shambhala tradition of Buddhism, whichcontains extensive teachings on leadership and onhow to create a good society, the development of thevirtues of an enlightened leader is taught. Thesevirtues are called Tiger, Lion, Garuda and Dragon.What we have described so far in terms of mindfulleadership is presented by the Sakyong, MiphamRinpoche, in his book Ruling Your World as some ofthe aspects of Tiger. The Shambhala teachings goon to describe the path of developing the qualities ofenlightened leadership in steps, and these steps areclosely connected to the practices and disciplines ofa bodhisattva.Enlightened Leadership — Realisticor Unrealistic?It might seem difficult, or even naïve, to try to bea compassionate or enlightened leader given thepressures leaders face nowadays. However, oneshould not give up. If one looks a little more deeply,a different picture emerges. There are many reasonswhy it is both necessary and possible to cultivatewisdom and compassion in the working world, andbecome an example of an enlightened leader.There is an emerging interest from modernmanagement and leadership thinkers about thebenefits, and in fact the necessity, of mindful oreven enlightened leadership for the corporate world.Consider these three points:• Managers and employees in today’sorganisations are faced with an avalanche ofinformation and a need for speed to deal withall the urgent tasks at hand. The result is toomany activities in too little time — and there isa growing realisation that people are sufferingfrom a permanent state of inner distraction.An article in the Harvard Business Review,a leading journal of management thinking,speaks about the dangers of this: “Modern officelife and an increasingly common conditioncalled ‘attention deficit trait’ are turning steadyexecutives into frenzied underachievers.” Outof this realisation, there is an emerging interestin mindfulness practices and a style of being atwork that we could call “mindful leadership”.Clearly, just applying basic Buddhist teachingson mindfulness and awareness couldpotentially provide great benefit.• In a recent study of 1435 US Fortune 500companies by renowned managementresearcher and author Jim Collins, only 11were identified as displaying long-lastinggreatness — garnering three times the returnof the stock market for a period of at least 15years. What did they have in common? Theyeach had an exceptional leader at the helm,who displayed tremendous personal humilityand exceptional discipline. In the book Goodto Great and a Harvard Business Reviewarticle, he describes such qualities as humility,lack of an overbearing ego, commitment toinspire standards, calm, quiet determination,channelling ambition to the company or othersand not to oneself. And he talks of those leaderswho have the seed of this kind of leadership inthem — perhaps we would describe this seedas Buddha nature manifesting. These peopleseem to display what we could call “authentic”or “compassionate leadership”.• Businesses are affecting more and moreaspects of our life and societies. They determinethe nature of our work life and income;productivity, social opportunities, equalityand economic wealth of societies; and ourviews of what a good, successful human beingis. Consider what the benefit will be if thereare examples of compassionate, enlightenedleaders, and what the dangers are if businessesare run primarily on the basis of a self-centredand materialistic model of leadership.So we can see that the world of businesses andorganisations are recognising that both “mindfulleadership” and “compassionate leadership” arenecessary, helpful and in fact successful. In essence,the working world is endorsing the need for thewisdom and the sanity of the Buddhist traditions.So, how do we actually practise it?How to Start — MeditationThe basic starting point of such a journey, and in factof the entire Buddhist path, is the basic practice ofmindfulness-awareness meditation. As Buddhists,we all know the benefits and different aspects ofthis practice. Two important points to highlight inthis context are:

• Cultivating mindfulness of the breath or amental object leads to a degree of mentalstabilisation. We are able to remain in thepresent moment, undistracted, aware and witha stable mind. Less buffeted by the winds ofour own thoughts or the phenomenal world,we are able to bring out the inherent strengthand clarity of our minds. This naturally has adirect benefit in the working world.• Mindfulness leads naturally to awareness,a degree of environmental and spaciousawareness. We learn to raise our gaze from ourown endless self-concerns to begin to take ina wider picture of the world. This also allowstrue insight to arise. We begin to see our nature— to see our personality and also to see deeperinto the wisdom that exists in us and all otherpeople.A regular practice of mindfulness-awareness is anessential element for us as Buddhists if we actuallywant to extend our spiritual path into the workingworld.It is a little like exercising ourbody — if we know we are going toface a challenging period, we allknow it is good to be physically fit.We can handle more stress then.In the same way, we can look atmeditation as a training of ourminds to better equip us to handlethe working world and not beswayed from our determinationto be compassionate and wise.Extending Our Practice — Mindfulnessin LifeOur formal practice of meditation may only be 10minutes or 30 minutes a day. So the question is howdo we extend this throughout the day? There are twoapproaches to this, which naturally mix over time.The first is exerting ourselves in mindfulness in aformal sense for some particular activities. So wecould select certain activities and do them withheightened mindfulness, potentially almost makingrituals out of them. Many examples exist, that includetaking moments to rest, acknowledge, appreciate andconsciously tune into our current experience. So forexample, rather than jumping out of bed first thing inthe morning, we could rest in bed when we wake upand just realise we are awake and present. We couldcontinue this by showering or brushing our teethwith heightened mindfulness or dressing with asense of mindfulness, perhaps even ritual. Reflectingon the nature of the day ahead of us, reflecting on ourstate of mind and beginning to discern what clothesseem suitable for this particular situation. This leadsto a heightened appreciation of the flavours of thedays, and how we appear in the world. The table onthe next page includes many further tips for mindfulnessat work in Singapore.Naturally, such a practice of mindfulness isstrengthened by having basic time managementskills. In fact,one can developa rather profound“mindfulness-basedIssue 12 • September – December 2008 43timemanagement,”which is moreconducive to avoidingfragmentationand is as, if notmore effective thanordinary methods oftime management.Once you have becomea little familiarwith active exertionof mindfulness atwork, the secondmanner of extendingmindfulness becomesmore apparent. Thisis the ability to ride moments of mindfulness whenthey suddenly arise and extending them. Once weare familiar with the observance of mindfulness inour life, we notice that throughout the whole day,our thoughts suddenly stop and we are present —even if only for a short second. Recognising this, wecan rest in this presence and extend it.Featureawaken

MINDFULNESS AT WORKDriving mindfully, or being mindful in theMRT on the way to work. Or potentiallyleaving the MRT one to two stations early onpurpose and walking slowly to gather one’smind and energy before getting to work.Watching the breath and not doing 10 otheractivities impatiently while MicrosoftWindows starts up on the office computer.Simply sitting in our chair when we arrivefor 30 seconds and taking stock of the scenein the office.Creating a special tea or coffee ritual as a wayto cut through endless activities. Actuallypausing and taking a moment to savour orappreciate an experience.Being very mindful of our posture while wework, especially on the computer.Arriving at a meeting 10 minutes early andsettling in quietly into the space. Staying ina meeting room after the meeting is over andjust being for a little while.Being very mindful of our posture and ourstate of mind during a meeting, and noticinghow our change in posture can actuallyaffect our state of mind.Always taking a moment to really connectwith people when talking to them — invitethem to take a seat, resting together for amoment before starting to work together.lives. Contemplation is a formal method in manyBuddhist traditions. Rather than placing our mindon a physical object such as the breath, or a verbalobject such as a mantra, we can place it on a mentalobject, such as a thought. This is a common approachto analytical Vipassana.So, in our working life, having begun to know howto hold our minds to an object in meditation, andbe less discursive during the day by extending ourmindfulness, we can begin to hold our minds to athought in a non-discursive way and penetrate itsmeaning more deeply.When we look at our lives, it is actually frighteningto see how little we really contemplate things. Weusually spend our day in one uninterrupted streamof activities, mixed with mindless relaxation, beforewe slump into bed. While such a day might includea lot of thinking or strategising how to get what wewant (the right coffee, the right result in a meeting,the right bonus….) we usually spend very littletime actually reflecting or trying to contemplate thedeeper meaning of things.However, having learnt to hold our minds moresteadily and to create islands of mindfulness in ourdays, we can use these times to reflect more deeplyon issues. Spending 10 minutes after a meeting justreflecting on what happened in that meeting, andhow the outcome arose, or why it did not, can savehours of further meetings to analyse or implementfurther projects. We can begin to penetrate themore subtle interplay of phenomena in office life— the kinds of things management trainers get paidthousands of dollars to point out to us — and tolearn to be mindful and aware of these factors. Webegin to be wise to the ways of teams or projects ormanagement.Featureawaken44Taking time to actually savour our lunch.Eating lunch in silence, without readinge-mails, newspapers or engaging in otherdistractions.Deepening Our Understanding —ContemplationHaving begun to work with our mind and tocreate islands of space in our day, we can beginto deepen these experiences and use them for ourSuch formal time for contemplation also naturallyinvites spontaneous insight to arise, often when weleast expect it. Having contemplated the nature ofsuccessful or unsuccessful meetings or projects, webegin to be able to smell a bad one a mile away —and can take steps to remedy them. Being open andmindful to our day and life, we can see things otherscannot. For instance, we may hear a presentation ofa new product launch, and we recognise that unlessthe motivation of the sales force is improved, successwill be elusive.

Changing the Course of Things— Decision-makingOnce we learn to contemplate more,we begin to discover that actually wehardly make decisions. Most of thetime, we are trapped in the chain ofkarmic cause and effect, and we onlyactually react impulsively to our innerdrives or those of the organisation weare in.• Second, we do not understand the full causesand conditions for taking a decision.Usually, the first statement is an insult to businessleaders or people who work in an organisation.People think they make hundreds of decisions aday — what to wear, what coffee to drink, whiche-mails to answer first, what to say in meetings,how to relate to their team etc. But actually, most ofthese “decisions” are really just speedy responsesto impulses, not conscious, deliberate decisions. Itis an interesting exercise to think each morning ofa single important decision one willmake that day, and be mindful of itas it approaches. How will I relateto my employee? Will I contemplatecarefully what task he will do wellwith? And will I explain to him thetask carefully and guide him? Or willI just dump a to-do list on his desk?Or bark at him when he does not do itwell? How will this help him?Equally, we may resolve to behavedifferently, but because we do notunderstand the causes and conditionsfor our behaviour, we cannot changeit. We might decide to be a better bossand delegate instead of abdicatingor dumping our tasks, but if we aretoo overloaded, too late for work, toostressed inside or unappreciative ofthe value of our employees, we willfind it hard to change the course ofour activities. We do not know howto cut our karma. So cultivatingmindfulness, contemplating andallowing for space in situationsactually allow us the opportunityto decide to behave differently, andnot simply be a victim of our karmicwinds.We follow all the other lemmings in a headlong rushtowards the cliff.This happens for two reasons:• First, because we are not mindful of the factthat we are making a decision or mindful ofthe magnitude of a decision;Mindful Leadership andEnlightened LeadershipIn the Shambhala tradition, there is a furtherexplanation of the development of enlightenedleadership, as the virtues of the Lion, the Garudaand the Dragon. We cannot go into this deeply here,but a small outline of the journey includes:Issue 12 • September – December 2008 45Featureawaken

• Further cultivating our mindfulness andawareness and wise decision-making leads usto a fuller understanding of cause and effect,and the ability to make courageous, selflessdecisions and to rouse the motivation of thosearound us. This is the virtue of the Lion.• Insight into the interdependent nature ofphenomena leads us to having a deeper wisdomand we learn to let go of all hope and fear,including the hope of attainment and the fearof non-attainment. Wisdom begins to flowerfully and we learn to make profound and farreachingdecisions. This is the wisdom of theGaruda.• Through this we realise courage and trueconviction to be completely without fear, andto have unshakeable trust in the goodness andpotential of all sentient beings. With suchunshakeable confidence and the completeflowering of wisdom, we can then becomea genuine ruler. This is the wisdom of theDragon.sovereigns, such as Ashoka Maharaja, the BuddhistKing of India, and Prince Shotoku Taishi, whointroduced Buddhism into Japan, as examplesof brave, wise and compassionate rulers who aregenuine representations of enlightened rulership.Such examples are not distant historical figures.If we open our eyes and heart, we can also seeexamples of business and political leaders whoembody some degree of or a complete floweringof enlightened leadership, and who serve as aninspiration to take this path seriously in our lives.In fact, many people make bold attempts to lead inthis enlightened way. By beginning with endeavoursto be mindful leaders to make our work experiencemore pleasant and meaningful, we ourselves cantake the first steps on this path.Chris Tamdjidi is the Director of Shambhalain Europe. Shambhala is a worldwideorganisation of over 200 Buddhist centres andgroups throughout the world. Chris has alsoworked as a management consultant for theBoston Consulting Group in Europe and Asia,and has a degree in Physics and an MBA.In the Shambhala Tradition, we speak of enlightenedWords of Wisdom Heard or ReadFeatureI remember this Buddhist teaching I have read that leaves a deep impression. It says thatwork is one of the most subtle ways of acquiring discipline. We should not look down onsomeone who works in a factory or produces materialistic things because we can learn a lotfrom such people. It continues to say that usually, people interested in spiritual developmentthink in terms of the importance of the mind. But strangely enough the profound and thetranscendental are to be found in the factory – that somehow reality is to be found there, inthe way in which we relate with everyday problems. If we relate to them in a simple, earthyway, we will work in a more balanced manner, and things will be dealt with properly. If weare able to simplify ourselves to that extent, then we will be able to see the neurotic aspect ofthe mind much more clearly. The whole pattern of thought, the internal game that goes on,becomes much less of a game but a very practical way of thinking in situations.– Citra Susanto, a common employeeawaken46

BY | Esther ThienAwaken speaks to thewidely-acclaimed and wellknownBuddhist producercomposer-vocalistImee Ooiwho touches many with herkind of Buddhistmusic.Imee Ooi is just like the music she composes— soft, gentle and true to the heart. She iscandid and down-to-earth with nary an air aroundher. Yet this is also the lady who arguably augmentsthe world of Buddhist music with her lovelyinspiring chants of Buddhist mantras and dharanis.And perhaps one of the very few in the world whocan survive making Buddhist music for a livingwithout having to hold any other day job.Born in Malaysia, this talented multi-hyphenates(producer-composer-arranger-vocalist) was raisedin a family where music was constantly heard. “Mymum was a music teacher and she had a music schoolback then in our hometown. So since young, mysiblings and I always knew that we would succeedher when we grew up. Our paths were charted for us— we would finish our education and teach musicin the school,” she revealed.HumilityImee was actually teaching music when sheencountered an opportunity to do Buddhist musicin 1997. “I had always liked listening to Christianhymns and wondered why Buddhist mantras havenever been presented in a musical and melodiousmanner.” One thing led to another and today Imeehas 22 albums under her belt and is the owner ofI.M.M Musicworks which produces and distributesher albums. She is also the musical director andcomposer of four highly-acclaimed stage musicals,Siddhartha, Above Full Moon, The Perfect Circleand Jewel of Tibet.Introducing Mantras theMusical WayYet, she’s humble about her own achievements andsaid, “I wouldn’t have come this far if it wasn’t forthe support of my listeners and the public, and reallyit’s no big deal to produce 22 albums in nine yearsbecause each album contains only two, three or atIssue 12 • September – December 2008 47awaken Profile

most four tracks unlike commercial albums with10 tracks each.” She believed people were movedby the Dharma itself and not solely by the music.“My compositions have to blend in and bring outwhat the mantras have got to say to bring joy andcomfort to people.” And although many may knowher as a singer, she does not consider herself as one.“When singing the mantras, I’m merely singing witha very personal touch in translating how I feel aboutthe music more intensely. If you asked someoneelse to sing, she may have her own feelings aboutthe compositions.” In fact, she’s rather surprisedher singing prowess is more recognised than hercomposing ability.Pure motivationEven after 10 years of doing Buddhist music, Imeewho is a classical pianist by training is still verysincere and passionate about her work in using“music as a bridge to bring across the Dharma topeople, especially those who may never step intoa monastery or read a Buddhist book.” Even hercompany was established based on the motivation“to donate the albums to monasteries and Buddhistcentres, especially those from the poorer countries,without too many restrictions from a commercialrecord company” and to be in control of where heralbums go.better than her preceding albums. Because of that,she’s grateful that she has never encountered mentalblocks when creating new compositions. “I use avery relaxed approach, and I just do whatever I haveto do as best as I can in the moment. I guess in thissense you will never have a mental block becauseyou are not trying to surpass the last success,” shequipped.Due to her relaxed approach to life, nothing is too biga problem for her. Even piracy. “Why further stressmyself? Since it’s a situation beyond my control, Idon’t worry unnecessarily. Instead I would rejoicethat more people would be listening to Buddhistmusic with more pirated copies around becausemy main motivation for doing Buddhist music isto allow more people to come in touch with theDharma,” she laughed.According to Imee, each day is better than the last asshe tries to practise and put to use whatever Dharmateachings she has learnt. “For me, Dharma is to becultivated every minute of our daily lives. I learnfrom the people around me. Due to the nature of mywork, I come into contact with many Venerables,and I try to learn from them. I also try to catch upon my reading of Buddhist teachings from the booksthat the many kind teachers gave me.”Profileawaken48Relaxed approachFor Imee, her kind of Buddhist music has to bepeaceful and calming with slow and steady beatsthat are able to bring forth feelings of compassion,joy and happiness. But she does not discount otherforms of Buddhist music, even those with hardrock tunes “as long as that form of music is able totransmit the Dharma across to those for whom thatform of music appeals to and acts as an entry gate forthem to learn about the Dharma.”Inspiration for her albums come from Buddhistfriends following various traditions and lineagesand from her own search for a sutra or mantra thatresonates to her. She doesn’t keep late nights beingvery much a 9-5 person unless she has deadlines tomeet or musical rehearsals to attend.As Imee is a person who doesn’t plan ahead but goeswith the flow of what life has to offer in the presentmoment, she does not give herself pressure orbenchmark that her latest compositions have to fareGuanyin Bodhisattva as role modelImee, who was brought up a Buddhist — “Myparents and grandparents have been such kind andgenerous people and are exemplary examples ofwhat Buddhists should be.” — shared that since shestarted producing the albums, she has been havingauspicious dreams containing messages of how sheshould help others.She disclosed that she has always felt a sense ofcloseness to Guanyin Bodhisattva since young. “Sheis someone I have always tried to emulate becauseshe is so compassionate.” Thus, her motto in life isto be kind and helpful to others at all times.In her own words, “I’m trying as muchas I can to practise selflessness whenI relate to others, by putting othersfirst instead of thinking about my ownpersonal benefits. By seeing othershappy, I feel happy too.”

Entering Santi Asoke –Embracing Nature, Loving the EarthLong heard about Santi Asoke, Luo Ning visited the place notexpecting to be so richly rewarded in so many ways.Not speaking much Thai, I placed my faith inthe Universe and trust that the bus conductorwould inform me to alight at the right stop forSanti Asoke — a self-sufficient Buddhist community.Upon alighting, I was a bit doubtful. Was I at the rightplace? I had heard from a friend that Santi Asokeis a “village” of natural surroundings. But right infront of me was apparently a main road laden withbusy traffic. On both sides of the road were shopsand restaurants. I looked around and spotted a shopthat seemed to be selling natural products. I enteredthe shop and after another round of referring to myEnglish-Thai phrase book, it was confirmed that Iwas indeed at Santi Asoke, except that I had to turnin from the side alley to enter the village.As I turned into the alley, a beautiful sight — abuilding with a stupa on the rooftop amidst somelush foliage — at the end of the lane welcomed me.As I walked on, I noticed that all the shops on bothsides of the alley were selling vegetarian and naturalproducts.A wooden signage and a bronze eagle greeted me atthe entrance of Santi Asoke. Once I stepped in, I wasimmediately transported into another realm. Allover the place were lush greenery, rocks of differentshapes and sizes, wooden tables and chairs, and softgolden sand covering the ground. I felt as if I hadstepped into a different space and a different time.Feeling the tranquillity in the air, I almost forgotthat I was actually in Bangkok.Next to the waterfall was a group of devoteeslistening to a monk’s teaching. The singing of thecicadas accompanied the soothing voice of themonk. A quiet afternoon, free of the bustle of themundane world, I could feel my own breathingbecoming easy and smooth.Simple LifeIt is hard not to fall in love with Santi Asoke. I hadwanted to visit the place just for the afternoon.But as I immersed myself in the stillness of thesurroundings, a strong thought arose in my mind,Issue 12 • September – December 2008 49Featureawaken

“How I wish I could stay here.” With much blessings,I met a volunteer who could speak a little English.She introduced me to another Mandarin-speakingpractitioner, Kun Pa Pa Cha. The helpful Kun Pa PaCha brought me to see the elder nun. Generally, aforeigner without any recommendation or guaranteewould rarely be allowed to stay in Santi Asoke.The stern elder seemed to be giving Kun Pa Pa Chaa lecture. It didn’t sound too good. Eventually theelder instructed, “If she can wake up at 3.30am toattend the teachings, she can stay!”Later, Kun Pa Pa Cha told me that I was permitted tostay mainly because I’m a vegetarian. This remindedme of what Dr Chiu-Nan Lai and Drubwang KonchokNorbu Rinpoche had said, “It takes a lot of meritand good causes to become a vegetarian. And avegetarian possesses a lot of merit and good causes.”How blessed and grateful I felt.All the people at Santi Asoke are vegetarians.The residents consist of male and female sanghamembers, non-ordained practitioners, volunteersand secondary school students of Santi Asoke. Thepeople here would always greet each other withtheir palms together, a sincere bow and a beautifulsmile. Here, except for the old and the sick, all theadults observe the eight precepts, taking only onemeal a day, whereas the students observe the fiveprecepts.Featureawaken50Life here is really simple and basic. Everyone walksbarefooted and sleeps on a straw mat on the ground.The lay people wear a dark blue uniform, whichserves as their daily wear, school uniform andpyjamas. All the adults wake up at 3.30am daily andgather for Dharma teachings and meditation. Whenthe session ends at 5am, they go about doing theirown morning exercise for about an hour. After thatthey will each attend to their own duties.Serving the Public, Loving the EarthAt Santi Asoke, there is no separation betweenDharma practice and daily life. There are severalsections serving the public — library, free haircutsand even a production area making eco-friendlycleaning agents containing natural enzymes. Thecommunity has also founded a vegetarian society.They have a café along the main road sellingvegetarian cooked food. Great variety, great tasteand super low prices. All the fruits and vegetablesused are naturally cultivated without chemicals.The volunteers at the café start working everyday at3.30am until 2pm when the café closes. Throughoutthe opening hours, recordings of Dharma teachingsare played over the speakers and the volunteers workwith mindfulness. No wonder I felt a deep sense ofsatisfaction eating the food here, with no craving forother junk food like I normally would.What touched me most is the community’s effortand dedication in protecting the environment.All the kitchen scraps from the café are collectedeveryday. Some are used for making enzymes, someare sent to the rural farm for composting. Withinthe community’s canteen, every single plastic bagused to contain food, no matter how small, wouldbe washed, dried and reused. And the recyclingwarehouse is filled with items of all sorts from theneighbourhoods — tyres, wooden frames, plasticbottles, etc. The volunteers patiently sort out the

Photography courtesy of Luo Ningitems one by one. Those that are still usable wouldbe sold at very low prices on the weekends.No excuses, no delays. Everyonesimply does it in his or her own littleway. Because they know that theseseemingly simple actions carry greatimpact to our earth and for our futuregenerations.Genuine ConversationThe high school in Santi Asoke consists of six yearsof education with a total of about 100 students. Afew of the senior students who could speak Englishwere very happy to meet me. They were eager tospeak with me in order to practise their Englishskills. During my conversations with them, whatsurprised me were their simplicity and innocence.18-year-old Dhong asked me if I liked my job in thecity. I said not too much. He was puzzled. He asked,“Then why are you still doing it?” He would also askme caringly, “Are you happy? Are you tired?” Such asimple question, yet it struck me greatly. I can’t evenremember the last time I sincerely asked a friend,“Are you happy?”Children of the EarthEach week, one level of students would be sent tothe community’s farm 60km away. They would liveon the farm for four days to gain more practicalexperience. 17-year-old Chim chose to go to the farmevery week. He told me that he wanted to strengthenhis body and his heart. I was puzzled by this ladwho was close to six-feet tall. He explained thatbeing a single child, his life at home had been verycomfortable since young. So he felt the need to goto the farm to build up his physical strength. As forhis heart, he said that had he stayed in Santi Asokethroughout the week, he would spend all his timefantasising about the internet and computer games,as these were easily available in the neighbourhood.He felt that spending time with nature by cultivatingthe vegetables on the farm would be much better forhis heart.I was very fortunate to be able to follow Chim andthe secondary one students to the farm, known asSooan Boon, which means “garden of virtues”. Assoon as we reached Sooan Boon, I was greeted by astretch of green rice fields and an abundance of choysum, eggplants, dragon fruits, bananas, papayas andso on. There, the sleeping quarters were constructedThai style “sala” with no walls. It was basicallyan open hut but equipped with straw mats andmosquito nets.The simplicity eradicated all burden of expectationsfrom my mind. With no burden and no expectation,my heart was free and open.The 13-year-old students impressed me greatly.Farming, cooking, swimming — they performedevery task with ease. They would also learn to makecurry puff, tofu, pancakes and buns. Besides thepractical training, they continued their academicIssue 12 • September – December 2008 51Featureawaken

learning here on the farm. I was pleasantly surprisedto see that among the 18 students, only one woreglasses. Sadly, in our own so-called advancedsociety, many kids start wearing glasses when theyare only eight or nine.These Santi Asoke kids are indeed children ofMother Earth. They run barefooted on the rockypath, swim in the pond, wash their clothes withtheir own hands. They exude such great energyand light. Watching them, it dawned on me thatchildren should be loved but not pampered. To letour children be in nature is the deepest love that wecould give them.Garden of VirtuesSooan Boon is managed by three Asoke residents.39-year-old Ploy Prai is the chief here, while 54-yearoldNam Dee and 25-year-old university graduateHee De are her able assistants.family. Their openness and sincerity touched medeeply. I was also very honoured to sleep in the VIProom — the balcony outside the bedroom of PloyPrai and Nam Dee. At night, the dancing stars sentme into my dreamland. And early next morningwhen I awoke, the stars were there to greet me.Ploy Prai has been at Sooan Boon for four years.Her physical strength impressed me greatly. Shewakes up at 5am everyday for her morning exercise.As soon as the sky lights up at six plus, she startsworking in the garden. She rests for two hoursduring lunchtime. Then she starts working again allthe way past 6pm. Whether it’s five in the morningor eight in the evening, all the cells in her body seemto be dancing joyously all the time.Throughout the day, Dharma teachings rang out fromthe loudspeaker on the farm. Ploy Prai, Nam Deeand Hee De work and listen to the teachings at thesame time. Initially, I was a bit puzzled;I didn’t see any earthworms. Neither didI see any pest. All the fruit trees andvegetables seemed to be growing happilyas well. I believe this is because Ploy Prai,Nam Dee and Hee De work with greatmindfulness and a joyous heart.Although I had spent only four days inSooan Boon, it felt like four weeks. Itwasn’t because life was slow-paced there.Rather, my heart had received so muchfrom Sooan Boon, my adopted family andthe students that I felt like I had stayedthere much longer. The work in the gardenwas really tough for me physically, but Ifelt joyful all the time.FeatureThey live with great simplicity —wall-less bedrooms, door-less toilets,and they bathe in the river. Seeingtheir “rooms”, I realised how littlepossessions they had. Yet from thesparkles in their eyes and the beautyof their smiles, I know that they havegreat abundance in their hearts.Nam Dee was worried that I would bepetrified by the tough work and wouldnot visit Sooan Boon again. She kept asking me to goback to see them. Hee De said he would miss me — asister who laughed at herself non-stop after fallinginto the mud. Ploy Prai said to me, “Come, come. Wewill share our food with you. You can stay as longas you like.”Actually, I’ve already left my heart there…awaken52The first day I spent working with them in thegarden, I was already adopted by them as part of theI’m deeply grateful. Life can really be so simple andyet so happy.

WhatMeditationIsn’tAll sorts of ideas are associated withthe word ‘meditation’. We are dealingexclusively with the Vipassana system ofmeditation … to watch the functioning of yourown mind in a calm and detached manner soyou can gain insight into your own behaviour.The goal is awareness, an awareness so intense,concentrated and finely tuned that you willbe able to pierce the inner workings of realityitself.There are a number of common misconceptionsabout meditation. … It is best to deal with thesethings at once, because they are the sort ofpreconceptions which can block your progressright from the outset. …Misconception #1 – Meditation isjust a relaxation techniqueRelaxation is a key component of meditation,but Vipassana-style meditation aims at a muchloftier goal. All meditation procedures stressconcentration of the mind, bringing the mindto rest on one item or one area of thought. Doit strongly and thoroughly enough, and youachieve a deep and blissful relaxation whichis called Jhana. It is a state of such supremetranquillity that it amounts to rapture. It is aform of pleasure which lies above and beyondanything that can be experienced in the normalstate of consciousness. Most systems stop rightthere. That is the goal, and when you attain that,you simply repeat the experience for the rest ofyour life. Not so with Vipassana meditation.Vipassana seeks another goal – awareness.Concentration and relaxation are considerednecessary concomitants to awareness. They arerequired precursors, handy tools and beneficialby-products. But they are not the goal. The goalis insight. Vipassana meditation is a profoundreligious practice aimed at nothing less thanthe purification and transformation of youreveryday life.Photos: Samuel LimMisconception #2 – Meditationmeans going into a tranceInsight meditation is not a form of hypnosis.You are not trying to black out your mind so asto become unconscious. You are not trying toturn yourself into an emotionless vegetable. Ifanything, the reverse is true. You will becomeIssue 10 • January – April 2008 53Do You Know...awaken

awaken Do You Know...54more and more attuned to your own emotionalchanges. You will learn to know yourself withever greater clarity and precision. In learning thistechnique, certain states do occur which may appeartrance-like to the observer. But they are reallyquite the opposite. In hypnotic trance, the subjectis susceptible to control by another party, whereasin deep concentration the meditator remains verymuch under his own control. The similarity issuperficial, and in any case the occurrence ofthese phenomena is not the point of Vipassana. Aswe have said, the deep concentration of Jhana is atool or stepping stone on the route of heightenedawareness. Vipassana by definition is the cultivationof mindfulness or awareness. If you find that youare becoming unconscious in meditation, then youaren’t meditating, according to the definition of theword as used in the Vipassana system.Misconception #3 – Meditation is amysterious practice which cannot beunderstoodHere again, this is almost true, but not quite.Meditation deals with levels of consciousnesswhich lie deeper than symbolic thought. Therefore,some of the data about meditation just won’t fit intowords. That does not mean, however, that it cannotbe understood. There are deeper ways to understandthings than through words... Meditation... is to beexperienced. Meditation is not some mindlessformula which gives automatic and predictableresults. You can never really predict exactly whatwill come up in any particular session. It is aninvestigation and experiment and an adventureevery time. In fact, this is so true that when you doreach a feeling of predictability and sameness inyour practice, you use that as an indicator. It meansthat you have gotten off the track somewhere and youare headed for stagnation. Learning to look at eachsecond as if it were the first and only second in theuniverse is most essential in Vipassana meditation.Misconception #4 – The purposeof meditation is to become a psychicsupermanNo, the purpose of meditation is to develop awareness.Learning to read minds is not the point. Levitationis not the goal. The goal is liberation. There isa link between psychic phenomena and meditation,but the relationship is somewhat complex. Duringearly stages of the meditator’s career, such phenomenamay or may not arise. Some people may experiencesome intuitive understanding or memories frompast lives; others do not. In any case, these are notregarded as well-developed and reliable psychicabilities. Nor should they be given undue importance.Such phenomena are in fact fairly dangerous to newmeditators in that they are too seductive. They canbe an ego trap which can lure you right off the track.Your best advice is not to place any emphasis on thesephenomena. If they come up, that’s fine. If they don’t,that’s fine, too. It’s unlikely that they will. If voicesand visions pop up, just notice them and let them go.Don’t get involved.Misconception #5 – Meditation isdangerous and a prudent personshould avoid itEverything is dangerous. Walk across the streetand you may get hit by a bus. Take a shower andyou could break your neck. Meditate and you willprobably dredge up various nasty matters from yourpast. The suppressed material that has been buriedthere for quite some time can be scary. It is alsohighly profitable. No activity is entirely withoutrisk, but that does not mean that we should wrapourselves in some protective cocoon. That is notliving. That is premature death. The way to dealwith danger is to know approximately how much ofit there is, where it is likely to be found and how todeal with it when it arises. Vipassana is developmentof awareness. That in itself is not dangerous, but justthe opposite. Increased awareness is the safeguardagainst danger. Properly done, meditation is a verygentle and gradual process. Take it slow and easy,and development of your practice will occur verynaturally. Nothing should be forced.Misconception #6 – Meditation is forsaints and holy men, not for regularpeopleYou find this attitude very prevalent in Asia, wheremonks and holy men are accorded an enormousamount of ritualised reverence... It is true, of course,that most holy men meditate, but they don’t meditatebecause they are holy men. That is backward. Theyare holy men because they meditate. Meditation ishow they got there. And they started meditatingbefore they became holy. This is an important point.A sizable number of students seems to feel that aperson should be completely moral before he beginsmeditation. It is an unworkable strategy. Morality

equires a certain degree of mental control. It’sa prerequisite. You can’t follow any set of moralprecepts without at least a little self-control, andif your mind is perpetually spinning like a fruitcylinder in a one- armed bandit, self-control is highlyunlikely. So mental culture has to come first.Misconception #7 – Meditation isrunning away from realityIncorrect. Meditation is running into reality. It doesnot insulate you from the pain of life. It allows you todelve so deeply into life and all its aspects that youpierce the pain barrier and you go beyond suffering.There are three integral factors inBuddhist meditation – morality,concentration and wisdom. Thosethree factors grow together as yourpractice deepens. Each one influencesthe other, so you cultivate the threeof them together, not one at a time.When you have the wisdom to truly understanda situation, compassion towards all the partiesinvolved is automatic, and compassion meansthat you automatically restrain yourself from anythought, word or deed that might harm yourselfor others. Thus your behaviour is automaticallymoral. It is only when you don’t understand thingsdeeply that you create problems. If you fail to see theconsequences of your own action, you will blunder.The fellow who waits to become totally moral beforehe begins to meditate is waiting for a ‘but’ that willnever come... Meditation is certainly not someirrelevant practice strictly for ascetics and hermits.It is a practical skill that focuses on everyday eventsand has immediate application in everybody’s life.Meditation is not otherworldly.Vipassana is a practice done with the specificintention of facing reality, to fully experience lifejust as it is and to cope with exactly what you find.It allows you to blow aside the illusions and to freeyourself from all those polite little lies you tellyourself all the time. What is there is there. You arewho you are, and lying to yourself about your ownweaknesses and motivations only binds you tighterto the wheel of illusion.Vipassana meditation is not an attemptto forget yourself or to cover up yourtroubles. It is learning to look atyourself exactly as you are. See whatis there, accept it fully. Only then canyou change it.Issue 12 • September – December 2008 55Do You Know...awaken

Misconception #8 – Meditation is agreat way to get highWell, yes and no. Meditation does produce lovelyblissful feelings sometimes. But they are not thepurpose, and they don’t always occur. Furthermore,if you do meditation with that purpose in mind,they are less likely to occur than if you just meditatefor the actual purpose of meditation, which isincreased awareness. Bliss results from relaxation,and relaxation results from release of tension.Seeking bliss from meditation introduces tensioninto the process, which blows the whole chain ofevents. It is a Catch-22. You can only have bliss ifyou don’t chase it... Euphoria is not the purpose ofmeditation. It will often arise, but is to be regardedas a by-product. Still, it is a very pleasant side effect,and it becomes more and more frequent the longeryou meditate...Do You Know...awaken56Misconception #9 – Meditation isselfishIt certainly looks that way. There sits the meditatorparked on his little cushion. Why is he doing this? Hisintention is to purge his own mind of anger, prejudiceand ill-will. He is actively engaged in the process ofgetting rid of greed, tension and insensitivity. Thoseare the very items which obstruct his compassionfor others. Until they are gone, any good works thathe does are likely to be just an extension of his ownego and of no real help in the long run... Throughmeditation we become aware of ourselves exactly aswe are, by waking up to the numerous subtle waysthat we manifest our own selfishness. Then we trulybegin to be genuinely selfless. Cleansing yourself ofselfishness is not a selfish activity.Misconception #10 – When youmeditate, you sit around thinkinglofty thoughtsWrong again. There are certain systems ofcontemplation in which this sort of thing is done.But that is not Vipassana. Vipassana is the practiceof awareness. Awareness of whatever is there, be itsupreme truth or crummy trash. What is there isthere. Of course, lofty aesthetic thoughts may ariseduring your practice. They are certainly not to beavoided. Neither are they to be sought. They are justpleasant side effects. Vipassana is a simple practice.It consists of experiencing your own life eventsdirectly, without preference and without mentalimages pasted to them.Vipassana is seeing your lifeunfold from moment to momentwithout biases. What comes upcomes up.Misconception #11 – A couple ofweeks of meditation and all myproblems will go awaySorry, meditation is not a quick cure-all. You willstart seeing changes right away, but really profoundeffects are years down the line. That is just the waythe universe is constructed. Nothing worthwhileis achieved overnight. Meditation is tough in somerespects. It requires a long discipline and sometimesa painful process of practice. At each sitting yougain some results, but those results are often verysubtle. They occur deep within the mind, only tomanifest much later. And if you are sitting thereconstantly looking for some huge instantaneouschanges, you will miss the subtle shifts altogether.You will get discouraged, give up and swear that nosuch changes will ever occur. Patience is the key.Patience. If you learn nothing else from meditation,you will learn patience. And that is the most valuablelesson available.- Extracted from Mindfulness in Plain English by Ven.Henepola Gunaratana.

Dear Dharma Friends,I am so thankful to all of you for all your prayersand dedications throughout the surgery and duringthis recovery.I wanted to share with you my experience regardingthe power of intention and motivation. Severalfriends had told me about their experience of beingunder general anesthesia, sayingthat they had no recollection ofthe time during surgery. I thoughtabout this, and how this mustbe somewhat like the bardo, theintermediate state between one lifeand the next. I had no idea whatwas before me, but I knew that Icould set a very strong and clearmotivation during the time leadingup to surgery. So I thought of all thepeople in the world who had headinjuries but lacked pain relief andhospital care. Reciting the FourImmeasurables, I imagined humanbeings who faced illness andinjury alone and without Dharmapractice. Again and again I thoughtto myself, “May they be happy. Maythey be without suffering. May they never be partedfrom precious spiritual teachers.”I do not remember coming out from surgery. MyDharma friends, Julie and Leah, were there when Iwoke up. Julie said the first thing I asked was “It isover?” and then I began to recite over and over, “Mayall beings be happy.” I do not remember any of this,but I do recall feeling so happy to open my eyes andsee my Dharma friends. As far as I knew, I was in thebardo and I felt total joy and bliss.As I share this, I am moved by the loving guidanceof my teachers. I thought of Venerable Chodron andMary Grace has been practising the Dharma formany years at a Buddhist centre in Seattle. Shedeveloped a brain tumor that required surgery.She and her husband visited Sravasti Abbeybefore her surgery to reaffirm their Dharmaconnection. This is a letter Mary Grace wroteto the Abbey a few days after the surgery.could hear her say, “Set your motivation.” I didn’tknow what to expect, yet I gave everything I had thefew days before surgery. I placed my trust in her lap.I went in thinking that I could die, or come out withsevere motor impairment. Today, I am still alive inthis reality with a precious human life.I wanted to share this because throughout the years,we have all heard about setting strong intention andPreparing for SurgeryBY | Mary Grace Lentzmotivation. Previously, I thought I understood it. I’mnot saying I do now, but I do know by coming throughthis experience with five hours of no recollection ofconsciousness but hours of strong motivation thatsetting a strong virtuous motivation had helped mecome out on the other side. The hour of death willbe different. But I can hold onto this experience andknow that if we set our heart and mind for a strongaltruistic intention, it comes through to whateverreality ripens.My pain level is tolerable and perfect for practice.I love all of you. This experience has deepened mytrust and faith in the Three Jewels.Thank you to all — especially to Venerable Chodronfor her tireless guidance and constant reminder to“Set your motivation.”Love,Mary GraceJuly, 2007Issue 12 • September – December 2008 57Something to Ponderawaken

Half A Rice CrackerILLUSTRATIONS | Bee LiLong, long ago, therewas a man who wasso famished that hewent to his cupboardand grabbed sevenrice crackers fromhis meagre supply.Then, one afteranother, he wolfeddown the crackersand ended upeating six and a halfcracker before hewas full.As he looked at thehalf cracker thatremained in hishand……he regretted what he had doneand struck himself angrily.People often behave like this. Originally, there is nopleasure. But people with little understanding createan idea of pleasure, just like the fool who mistakenlybelieved he was full from eating only half a ricecracker. Then they decide that having great wealth ispleasurable and begin to pursue it. The truth is thatseeking wealth, obtaining wealth and losing it are allvery painful. Things like clothes and food are realpleasures only when they satisfy real needs.Buddhist Talesawaken“That lasthalf cracker has made mefull,” he said. “The othersix that I ate were wasted.If I had known that the lasthalf piece could fill me up,I would have eatenit first.”Look carefully and you will see that the thought ofpleasure arises only in the midst of pain. As the Buddhahas told us, “In the past, present, and future there isno ease, only pain. But, nonetheless, those with littleunderstanding are confused and mistakenly cling tothe idea of pleasure.” Don’t let yourself be caught withsuch wrong-headed views.~ story adapted from the The One Hundred Parable Sutra58

The Merits of Producing BuddhistTeachings and Buddha Images1. One’s light karmic misgivingswill dissolve, while heavy oneslighten.2. One will be protected by devas,and be unharmed by natural andman-made disasters.3. One will always be free fromthe suffering of hatred andvengeance.4. One will be unharmed by yaksas,evil spirits and wild beasts.5. One’s mind will be at peace, freefrom harm and nightmares.6. One’s complexion will be radiant.7. One will be full of auspiciousenergy.8. One who practises the Dharmawholeheartedly will haveadequate living necessities.9. One’s family will be harmoniousand be blessed with fortune andwisdom.10. One who practises what onepreaches will be respected andloved by all.11. One who is dull-minded will gainwisdom.12. One who is ill will gain health.13. One who is poor will gain wealth.14. One will be free of being rebornin the negative realms.15. One will be able to help othersgrow in wisdom and gain greatmerits in doing so.16. One will always be able to learnthe Dharma, till one’s wisdomand spiritual penetrations arefully grown and one becomes aBuddha.Dear Reader, “The Gift of the Dharma Excels All Other Gifts.”Do you wish to offer this greatest gift to others, so that more can be touched by the beauty of theDharma, and be inspired to lead happy and meaningful lives? If so, you can share in the productioncosts of AWAKEN Magazine for free distribution. Simply photocopy this page, fill in the sponsorshipform and mail it back to us together with your cheque or money order. All cheques and money ordersshould be made payable to “Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery” and sent to:Kong Meng San Phor Kark See MonasteryAWAKEN Magazine88 Bright Hill RoadSingapore 574117For overseas readers, please send bankdrafts in Singapore currency. Please include S$10 forbank charges. Please note that the monastery is NOT able to accept cheques in foreign currency.You can also donate online via eNets or Giro at http://www.kmspks.org/kmspks/donation.htm(*Please key in ‘For the printing of Awaken Magazine’ under the Other Payment Remarks column andtype in the donation amount in the Other Payment Amount column).If you have any enquiries, please call 6849 5300 or e-mail: awaken@kmspks.orgName:E-mail:Address:Tel: (O) (H) (Hp)Amount: (Cash*/ Cheque No: )Do you require an official receipt? (Yes*/ No)Where did you obtain this magazine?*Please delete where appropriateIssue 12AWAKEN to…Compassion & Wisdom on the journey of life…Published three times a year by Kong Meng San Phor Kark SeeMonastery, AWAKEN is a FREE bilingual Buddhist magazinethat aims to help readers gain insight and make sense of life’sjourney using the Dharma.Get your free copy from these outlets:SINGAPORE BUDDHIST FEDERATION375 Race Course Road S(218644)SINGAPORE BUDDHIST LODGE17 Kim Yam Road S(239329)TAI PEI BUDDHIST CENTRE2 Lavender Street S(338823)CI YAN VEGETARIAN HEALTH FOOD8/10 Smith Street S(058917)AWARENESS PLACEBlk 231 Bain Street #01-63Bras Brasah Complex S(180231)THE HERBS HOME101 Upper Cross Street #02-77DPeople’s Park Centre S(058357)GREENPEACEInternational Plaza #02-1910 Anson Road S(079903)*whilst stocks lastIssue 12 • September – December 2008 59

ADAPTED BY | Esther ThienThe Foolish, Timid RabbitBuddhist TalesAlong time ago, a rabbit wasasleep under a palm tree.Suddenly, he woke up and thought:“What if the world should break up!What would then become of me?”At that moment, some monkeysdropped a coconut. It so happenedthat the coconut fell onto the groundjust behind the rabbit. Hearing the noise,the rabbit said to himself, “The earth is breakingup!” At once, he jumped up and hopped as fast ashe could, without even looking back to see what hadcaused the noise.Another rabbit saw him hopping, and called afterhim, “What are you in such a hurry?”“Don’t ask me!” he cried.But the other rabbit hopped after him, begging toknow what the matter was.The first rabbit replied, “Don’t you know? The earthis breaking up!”And on he hopped, with the second rabbit followingclosely.The next rabbit they met too hopped with themwhen he heard that the earth was all breaking up.One rabbit after another joined them, until therewere hundreds of rabbits hopping as quickly as theycould. They passed by a deer, and shouted to himthat the earth was breaking up. The deer then ranwith them. The deer informed a fox to come alongbecause the earth was all breaking up. On and onthey ran, and an elephant joined them.At last, the king of the forest, the lion saw theanimals running, and heard their cry that the earthwas all breaking up. He thought there must be somemistake, so he ran to the foot of a hill in front ofthem and roared three times. This halted the fleeinganimals, for they knew the voice of the king ofbeasts, and they feared him.“Oh, King Lion,” they answered him, “the earth isbreaking up!”“Who saw it breaking up?” asked the lion.“I didn’t,” replied the elephant. “Ask the fox. He toldme about it.”“I didn’t,” answered the fox.“The rabbits told me about it,” said the deer.One after another, the rabbits said, “I did not see it,but another rabbit told me about it.”At last, the lion came to the rabbit that had first saidthe earth was breaking up.“Is it true that the earth is all breaking up?” the lionasked.“Yes, O King, it is,” answered the rabbit. “I was asleepunder a palm tree when I woke up and thought,‘What would become of me should the earth allbreak up?’ At that very moment, I heard the soundof the earth breaking up, and I hopped away.”“Then,” said the lion, “you and I will go back to theplace where the earth began to break up, and see itfor ourselves.”So, the lion put the little rabbit on his back, and awaythey went like the wind. The other animals waitedfor them at the foot of the hill. When they reachedthe place, the rabbit pointed out the place where hehad slept. The lion investigated the area and saw thefallen coconut nearby. The lion contemplated andthen said to the rabbit, “It must have been the soundof a falling coconut hitting the ground that you’veheard. You foolish rabbit!”And the lion ran back to the other animals, and toldthem all about it.If it had not been for the wise King of Beasts, theymight still be running.awaken60“Why are all of you running so swiftly?” queriedthe lion.

BY | Shen Shi’anSEENTraining the Mind as a Quest for the Buddha’s Crown> Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullDirected by: Alan Arkin, Steven SpielbergStarring: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, GuangLi, Andy Tennant, Karen AllenIn the latest Indiana Jones flick, Indy (played by the visibly older Harrison Ford)ventures into an ancient temple. With his son (Mutt, played by Shia LaBeouf),he discovers bizarre elongated human skulls. When he explains that they areattempts to shape heads to resemble that of ‘god’, Mutt rebuts — ‘God’s headdoesn’t look like that!’ Indy replies, ‘It depends on who your god is!’ Funnily,Mutt never saw any god personally. How we picture the divine is arbitrary.Whether it exists is another matter!Unlike past Indy movies which centre on quests for wealth or power, thisinstalment has a more mature theme. The hidden gold turns out to be somethingpriceless. To quote Indy, ‘The word for “gold” translates as “treasure.” But their (the ancients’) treasurewasn’t gold, it was knowledge.’ And knowledge can be worth more than its weight in gold. It’s a doubleedgedsword though, as it can be used for better or for worse. Wisdom however, is the ability to wield thissword skilfully — for the betterment of one and all.An ancient tribe was discovered to have worshipped inter-dimensional beings — who imparted the lifeskills of civilisation, such as farming and irrigation. Being relatively ‘enlightened’ by their kindnessand intelligence, the tribe worshipped the alien ‘gods’ out of fear, gratitude, respect and admiration.Unenlightened ones have always felt ‘alienated’ from powerful and mysterious beings. They are imaginedor appeased out of ignorance by some, while questioned and studied by the wise — who then emulate theirworthy qualities.However, shaping your skull to mimic a smart alien’s braininess is quite brainless! Attaining intangibleknowledge by tampering with the grossly physical without mind-training doesn’t work. That said, theBuddha’s skull was extraordinary too. On the crown of his head is the Ushnisha, which is a supernormalcranial protuberance signifying his supreme wisdom — his literal ‘crowning glory’! A Pali term whichdescribes him is Mahapurisa, which means ‘Great human’. A translation says ‘Super-man’ — an awakenedone who has transcended man!Superman in the comics is an alien too — with super qualities, including heroic compassion and wisdom.The Buddha is of a super ‘alien’ species too, of fully enlightened beings with perfectly evolved compassionand wisdom. Buddhas are only as ‘alien’ to us as the extent to which we have yet to completely comprehendreality. The good news is that all become Buddhas by endeavouring to evolve spiritually. Just as the tribe’sideal was to be ‘godlike’, Buddhists ultimately aim to be Buddhas — teachers of humans and gods.Able to penetrate realms like the aliens did (with spaceships though), the Buddhas can manifest myriadforms in various worlds to share the path to Buddhahood — the state of total bliss and freedom. Being aspiritual adventurer extraordinaire, the historical Buddha discovered the ‘map’ to the treasure of treasuresthat is enlightenment. If the Ushnisha stands for the peak of all spiritual attainments, the ultimate adventureIndy needs before retiring is a quest to ‘reach’ the ‘Buddha’s crown’!Issue 12 • September – December 2008Seen, Heard & Read...awaken61

READUnderstand and realise the Dharma to awaken your wisdom.BY | Esther Thien>Counsels from My HeartBy His Holiness Dudjom RinpocheIf you are looking for an easy-to-read book to better understand TibetanBuddhism, Counsels from the Heart is a good book to start with. It offers thereader a better understanding on topics such as bardo, refuge and bodhicitta,samsara and ego-clinging. It also states the essence of the path and gives adescription of the oral lineage of the Nyingmapas. Priced at S$8.90.HEARDMusical Balm for the Heart and Mind.>The Series of Ten Short Mantras Vol. 1 – 4By Imee OoiMelodious music rang out into the night’s skies as I played the CDs fromthis series. Soothing, gentle and oh-so pleasant to the ears, the musicfrom this series sound more like new age music than Buddhist mantras.My personal favourite is track two of Vol. 3. These CDs are a balm forthe harried urbanite and are sure to bring peace to your mind. You canpurchase the CDs from Awareness Place at S$15.00 each.> The Chant of MettaBy Imee OoiSeen, Heard & Read...Another quality production from Buddhist singer Imee Ooi, this CDintroduces the chant of Metta or loving-kindness in Pali chanting in avery peaceful, uplifting and joyful tune. Your heart will be bursting withlove for all beings with repeated listening as the chant plants seeds ofmetta in your mindstream. Pay S$15.00 for the CD at Awareness Place.awaken62

Karma comes from thinking,when one thought appearsand you hold that thought,karma begins.When thinking arisesand disappears in meditation,you look and see thatthinking neither appearsnor disappears.– Ajahn SumedhoThere is nothing to cling to in this world.The whole path of mindfulness is this:Whatever you are doing, be aware of it.– Dipa MaIn my own experience,the period of greatest gain in knowledge andexperienceis the most difficult period in one’s life.If you go along in an easy way,With everything okay,You feel everything is just fine.Then one day when you encounter problems,You feel depressed and hopeless.Through a difficult periodUnruly beings are as unlimited as spaceYou can learnThey cannot possibly all be overcome,You can develop inner strength,But if I overcome thoughts of anger alonedetermination and courageThis will be equivalent to vanquishing all foes.to face the problem.Who gives you this chance?Where would I possibly find enough leatherYour enemy.With which to cover the surface of the earth?But (wearing) leather just on the soles of my shoesIn the practice of tolerance,Is equivalent to covering the earth with it.your enemy is the best teacher.Your enemy can teach you toleranceLikewise it is not possible for meWhereas your teacher or parents cannot.To restrain the external course of things;Thus from this viewpoint,But should I restrain this mind of mineAn enemy is helpful –What would be the need to restrain all else?The best of friends,– Shantidevathe best of teachers.– His Holiness The 14th Dalai LamaOne drop of dew is enough to sustain life.So it is with sentient beingsWhat can be said but not practisedwho are plagued moment after momentis better not said.by the heat of vexation.What can be practised but not spoken ofThe smallest amount of Buddhadharmais better not done.is enough to encourage them– Ven. Baiyunto continue to practise.It nourishes practiceand helps it to grow.– Ch’an Master Sheng YenIssue 12 • September – December 2008 63awaken Verses & Proses

GlossaryawakenAttachment: Attachments are what keep us turning on the wheel ofrebirth. In the Four Noble truths, Buddha Shakyamuni taught thatattachment to self is the root cause of suffering: From craving [attachment]springs grief, from craving springs fear; For him who is wholly free fromcraving, there is no grief, much less fear. (Dhammapada) Becomingenlightened is nothing other than severing all our attachments. Whatis meant by “attachment”? It is the investing of mental or emotionalenergy in an “object”. We can become attached to people, things,experiential states, and our own thoughts and preconceptions. InBuddhist teachings attachments are usually divided into two generalcategories: attachments to self and attachments to dharmas. For theseasoned practitioner, even the Dharma must not become an attachment.Arhant: Foe or Enemy Destroyer. One who has destroyed the enemyof dualistic ego-grasping/clinging, and thus accomplished liberationof cyclic existence. There are three types of Arhats: Shravaka,Pratyekabuddha, Buddha.Aversion: Exaggerated wanting to be separated from someone or something.Bodhicitta: The aspiration to help all beings attain True Happiness bybecoming Buddhas, by being Bodhisattvas.Bodhisattva: One who aspires to save all beings from suffering, whilesaving oneself.Buddha: An aspect of the Triple Gem - The Awakened or EnlightenedOne. A Buddha is one who has attained liberation from all suffering,attaining True Happiness, Perfect Wisdom and Perfect Compassion,among all other virtues for the sake of helping all sentient beings. “TheBuddha” refers to the historical Shakyamuni or Gautama Buddha, who isthe founder of Buddhism in our world.Buddha-Dharma: Buddhists do not call the teachings of the Buddha,which they follow, Buddhism; they call them Buddha-Dharma, theDharma of the Buddhas.Buddha-nature: The original nature present in all beings whichwhen realised leads to enlightenment. It is often called the essence ofBuddhahood or enlightened essence.Chenrezig: See ‘Guanyin’.Circumambulate: Act of going round an object of veneration (stupa, Bodhitree, Buddha image) meditatively three times or more in a clockwisedirection as a gesture of respect.Compassion: The quality that makes us aspire to help others with noselfish intention; the ending of selfishness.Defilements: Our negative qualities - chiefly Greed (Craving), Hatred(Aversion) and Ignorance (Delusion).Delusion: The quality of lacking Wisdom, not knowing the reality of allthings. Same as ‘ignorance’.Dharma: An aspect of the Triple Gem - the teachings of the Buddha or thegeneral teachings of Buddhism. ‘Dhamma’ in Pali language.Eight precepts: Include the five precepts and add three more: Refrainfrom (6) using cosmetics or personal adornments and watching songdanceentertainments; (7) sleeping on a luxurious bed; and (8) eatingfood after lunch. Lay Buddhists who have accepted the eight preceptsneed to observe them periodically for one day.Emptiness: The truth of all mind and matter constantly changing, thusbeing empty of any fixed self.Enlightenment: The realisation of the reality of all things as they trulyare. True Happiness is the result.Five Precepts: The basic guidelines of moral conduct - not killing,not stealing, not having sexual misconduct, not lying and not takingintoxicants.Four Immeasurables: Also called the Four Sublime States, it includes love,compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. They are immeasurablebecause they extend to all beings, who are immeasurable, and because wecreate immeasurable positive energy and purify immeasurable negativeenergy through developing them.Four Noble Truths: 1. Life is full of dissatisfactory experiences - ageing,sickness, separation, death etc 2. Causes of dissatisfactory experiences- craving, aversion and ignorance 3. Life can be without dissatisfaction- by attaining Enlightenment or Nirvana 4. The path leading to the end ofdissatisfactions - The Noble Eightfold path.Guanyin: Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva; the Bodhisattva who personifiesthe perfect Compassion of all Buddhas, who hears and heeds thecries of the world. Also known as Chenrezig in Vajrayana tradition.Impermanence: All compounded things are constantly changing, as aresult or effect of changing causes and conditions. All living and nonlivingelements are thus subject to decay and renewal.Karma: The moral law of cause and effect which states that what weexperience is the result of what we had done, that what we do will resultin what we will experience.Lama: Spiritual teacher. An honorary title in Tibetan Buddhism givento one who has completed particular scholastic and yogic training. It ispossible to renounce one’s monkhood without renouncing one’s lamastatus, for the purposes of marriage.Loving-kindness: The quality which makes us wish for the happinessand well-being of others. ‘Metta’ in Pali language.Mahayana: The dominant Buddhist tradition of East Asia that emphasiseson the Bodhisattva ideal.Mantra: Prescribed syllables (in Sanskrit) to protect the mind fromdefilements. They express the essence of specific energies. Recitation ofmantras is always done with specific visualisations.Meditation: A practice to habituate ourselves to positive and realisticstates of mind.Mindfulness: An aspect of the ‘Noble Eightfold Path’ - the quality thatenables us to remember, and keep our awareness and attention on what isbeneficial to one and all in terms of thoughts, speech and actions.Merits: Blessings, positive potential. Imprints on the mindstream ofpositive actions, leading to future happiness.Nirvana: Nirvana is a Sanskrit term that is interpreted in various ways:1)cessation, or extinction, referring to the elimination of the afflictionsat the time of enlightenment, 2) freedom from desire; and 3) no longereither coming into being or ceasing to be. ‘Nibbana’ in Pali language.Noble Eightfold Path: A systematic and complete formula to riddissatisfaction and attain true happiness and peace by following PerfectSpeech, Perfect Action, Perfect Livelihood, Perfect Effort, PerfectMindfulness, Perfect Meditation, Perfect Understanding, Perfect Thought(pls read Be A Lamp Upon Yourself published by KMSPKS for detailed info).Novitiate: the period that a novice or prospective member of a religiousorder who has not yet been admitted to vows has to undergo training inorder to be found eligible or qualified for admission.Paramita/Perfection: Refers to the six practices, the perfection of whichferries one beyond the sea of suffering and mortality to Nirvana.Repentance: The recognition of misgivings and the resolution to rectifyand never repeat them.Pratyekabuddha: Solitary Realiser. Follower of the Theravadatradition, concentrating on basic Buddhist teachings like the 12 links ofInterdependent Origination, Four Noble Truths etc. to attain liberation.Pureland: A world without defilements created by a Buddha out ofCompassion, for sentient beings to seek birth in, to perfect the practiceof the Dharma. The best known being Sukhavati Pureland created byAmitabha Buddha.Rebirth: The continual cycle of birth and death.Samsara: This world of rebirth and suffering. Also known as SahaworldSangha: An aspect of the Triple Gem - the holy community of monksand nuns.Sentient Beings: Living beings with feelings in the six Samsara realms ofhells, hungry ghosts, animals, humans, demi-gods and gods.Shamatha: Tranquility meditation. This is basic sitting meditation inwhich one usually follows the breath while observing the workings ofthe mind while sitting in the cross-legged posture. The main purposeof shamatha meditation is to settle or tame the mind so that it will staywhere one places it.Shambhala: A legendary kingdom in which inhabitants led meditativelives of bravery, gentleness and intelligence, where they acted withresponsibility and delight in caring for one another. Today, it is thename of a Buddhist lineage that draws on the wisdom of the Kagyuand Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism as inherited by its founder,Chögyam Trungpa, and his son and spiritual heir, Sakyong Mipham.Stupa: A pagoda for the remains of the Buddha, whether relics of bonesor scriptures.Suffering: The physical and mental feeling of dissatisfaction.Sutra (s): The recorded teachings of the Buddha. Spelt as Sutta in Palilanguage.Triple Gem: The Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. Also known asthe Three Jewels.Venerable: An honorific addressing of a member of the Sangha.Vesak Day: Wesak in Pali, it commemorates the Birth, Enlightenmentand Nirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha.Vipassana: Insight. Meditation that develops insight into the nature ofmind. The other main meditation is shamatha meditation.Zen: A school of Buddhism. Also known as Chan.64