Words of Wisdom 31/12 : Words

"Rather than a lot of words, say a few words;

Rather than a few words, say good words." - Master Cheng Yen

Words of Wisdom 24/12 : Wonderful

"Having the wonderful is not being the wonderful.

Being the wonderful is much more wonderful." – shi’an

Words of Wisdom 19/12 : Relationship

"Don’t let someone become a priority in your life,
When you are just an option in their life…
Relationships work best when they are balanced."
– Pravs J

智慧法语 14/12 ：生命起落

生命的起落，就像海里浪涛，
没有起落，就会失去警觉心。
平心静气对待生命中各个关卡，
就算难事，也会轻而易举。
~ 圣严法师

11/12 : Small Matters, Say Sorry?

Came across a buddhist blog which mentioned something interesting :

"There are those who expect apologies for small matters,while not apologising for small matters.

There are those who expect apologies for small matters,while apologising for small matters.

There are those who don't expect apologies for small matters,while not apologising for small matters.

There are those who don't expect apologises for small matters,while apologising for small matters."

Which one are you?

~ Not sure which category I belong..depends on situation I guess. Anyway, better to strive towards the last category. Not expecting is the best way to avoid disappointment..while apologising on small matter is necessary if it can resolve misunderstandings. Not apologising on small matters (whether intentional or unintentional mistakes) reflects one's ego...and the fear of losing it. ~

智慧法语 7/12 ： 生活中的琴弦

“在生活中，应该以轻松却不轻浮的态度来处理事情。就像琴弦，也只有在不松不紧的时候，才能奏出美妙的音乐。”

故事一则 3/12 ：和尚与鹰

老鹰有一次被捕鸟机困住，恰好有一和尚路过，把他救起。

后来，老鹰看见和尚赶路。累了就坐在一堵危墙下面休息，十分危险。老鹰就飞过去抓走了和尚的包袱，和尚起来追赶， 於是老鹰就又把包袱丢了下来。

等和尚捡回包袱，回到原处，发现他曾待过的地方，墙已经倒塌了。和尚因此对那只知恩图报的老鹰非常感激，因为老鹰也救了他一命。

~ 有时候，帮助别人只是举手之劳，但对别人来说，作用却是巨大的 ~

Words of Wisdom 29/11 : Peace of Mind

" A peace of mind is the greatest blessing we can enjoy in this world."

Words of Wisdom 27/11 : Materialism

"Instead of getting everything you want, get only what you need - with not a thing more or less.
The line separating materialism and spiritualism is also a murky one. What makes the material spiritual is when it aids the increase of spirituality. "

Joke of the day 23/11 : Corporate World

Two guys were hiking through the jungle when they spotted a tiger that
looked both hungry and fast. One of the guys
reached into his pack and pulled out a pair of Nike.
His friend looked at him 'Do you really think those shoes are going to make
you run faster than that tiger?'
I don't have to run faster than that tiger, his friend replied. 'I just
have to run faster than you'.
Welcome to the corporate world!!

心语分享 19/11 ：学佛态度

那天听法师说了一个关於学佛态度的比喻， 觉得很有趣。
学佛不该超之过急，就像你想用力抓住从天空飘下的羽毛，
你永远抓不着, 只能耐心的等待羽毛缓缓飘落在手中。
学佛也是一样，欲速则不达。唯有不断精进修行，等待因缘。。

Words of Wisdom 15/11 : Watch Your Character

照片分享 12/11：祈祷 Pray

昨天在光明山， 看见这位女生，虔诚地跪在观音菩萨前，闭着眼睛，若有所求。她跪了好一阵子，我拿起了相机，随意地拍下了这一幕。回到家，下载照片时，想起了她当时的神情， 有点感触。人生总有许许多多不如意，在最无助的时候，总是期待菩萨的加持。不管她是谁， 希望菩萨保佑她。。。

Words of Wisdom -Think Twice, Act Wise 9/11

"Don’t make promises when you are in joy.
Don’t reply when you are sad.
Don’t take decisions when you are angry.
Think Twice…Act Wise." – Pravs J

故事一则 5/11 - 八风吹不动 ，一屁打过江

宋朝苏轼在江北瓜洲地方任职，和江南金山寺只隔着一条江，他和金山寺的主持佛印禅师经常谈禅论道。

有一天，苏轼觉得自己修禅大有进步，立即提笔赋诗一首，派遣书童送给佛印禅师看，诗云：

嵇首天中天，

毫光照大千；

八风吹不动，

端坐紫金莲。

（注：“八风”在佛教里指的是“利、衰、毁、誉、称、讥、苦、乐”等八种影响人的情绪。）

禅师看了诗，保持卢笔批了两个字，就叫书童带回去。 苏轼以为禅师一定会赞赏自己修行参禅的境界，急忙打开禅师的批示，一看，只见上面只有两个字：放屁！ 苏轼气坏了，乘船过江找禅师理论。 没想到佛印禅师早站在江边等待了。

苏轼气呼呼地说：“禅师！我一直拿你当好朋友。我的修行，你不赞赏也就罢了，怎可骂人呢？” 禅师若无其事地说：“骂你什么呀？” 苏东坡把诗上批的“放屁”两字拿给禅师看。 禅师哈哈大笑：“哦！你不是说自己‘八风吹不动’吗？怎么‘一屁打过江’了呢？”

苏东坡惭愧不已。

~在静坐中得定，确实不容易。但要在生活上时时保持在定境中， 更是难上加难！ - 佩仪

Words of Wisdom - Right Speech 2/11

No need to think of Right Speech being too difficult...

Just don't -

speak lies,

speak harshly,

speak the useless

or speak to divide.

Just do the opposite -

speak truthfully,

speak gently,

speak the helpful

and speak to harmonise. - by Shian

Joke of the Day 31/10 -Don't Mess With Kids (2)

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at
the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands
of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your
hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said,
"Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

智慧法语 - 人间摆渡 29/10

"人间是一条长长的河，

有时平静无波，

有时波潮汹涌，

在人间的长河里，

摆渡着生命之船，

用慈悲和智慧做成的浆，

划向涅磐的彼岸，

证得无上的清凉与自在。" - 圣严法师

故事一则 26/10 ：退步原来是向前

布袋和尚契此曾受田家斋饭布施，田家向他求道：“何谓道？” 契此答曰：
“手把青苗插满田，低头便见水中天。六根清静方为道，退步原来是向前。”

农人插秧，一面低头，一面往后退。正因为低头，才能看清楚水田中倒映的蓝天；正因为退步，才能把所有的秧苗全部插好。我们往往认为退一步代表懦弱，失败；其实，退让不完全是消极的。 在适当的时候，选择退一步，让自己的心清静下来，反而是积极修道的表现。就像双浆必须往后划动，船舶才能前行， 同样的道理。
原来有时候，退步其实是向前。。 - 与你共勉之~佩仪

Joke of the Day 24/10 - Don't mess with kids (1)

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.' A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

Words of Wisdom - Peace 23/10

"Inner peace comes from making peace with oneself.

Outer peace comes from making peace with others.

Complete peace comes from making peace with all." - stonepeace

Words of Wisdom - Cry 22/10

"We make them cry who care for us.
We cry for those who never care for us.
We care for those who will never cry for us.
This is the truth of life…it’s strange but true.
Once you realize this, it’s never too late to change." – Pravs J

智慧法语 - 觉察自己 19/10

"觉察自己的言语与行动是很重要的。你的业不只朔造自己的未来， 也朔造世界的未来。" - 圣严法师

智慧法语 - 宽容 15/10

"处处宽容别人，绝不是软弱； 选择宽容就是选择快乐，快乐才是心灵的依归。" - 李均

Words of Wisdom - Practice 13/10

"It is important to include everyone and everything that you meet as part of your practice. They become the means by which you cultivate compassion and wisdom." - Pema Chodron

智慧法语 - 发脾气？12/10

"如果你是对的一方， 你没必要发脾气；
如果你是错的那一方，你没资格去发脾气。
这才是真正的智慧。" - 远山

Words of Wisdom - Time 9/10

"Time is like a river.
You cannot touch the same water twice,
Because the flow that has passed will never pass again.
Enjoy every moment of life." – Pravs J

智慧法语 - 珍惜 8/10

"生命因为珍惜而可贵，生活因为学习而丰富！" - 释法照

Words of Wisdom - Liberating Yourself 5/10

"Liberating yourself with examining & analyzing"

"Know your own mind with honesty and fearlessness. See what leads to more freedom and what leads to more suffering. This can liberate you from continually getting hooked by self-centered thoughts and emotions, the root of all dissatisfaction." - Pema Chodron

智慧法语 - 惩罚 4/10

"惩罚别人就是惩罚自己，永远都是如此。" - 一行禅师

智慧法语 - 借境观心 3/10

"借境观心， 境界撩起我们的情绪，境界有如一面镜子，让我们观察到自己的内心。没有境界，尤其是没有逆境， 我们还以为自己很有功夫，一有境界就知有没有了。" - 郑振煌教授

Words of Wisdom - Bodhi Path Bodhi Heart 2/10

"When the world is filled with evil, Transform all mishaps into the path of bodhi."

"Whatever problem occur in your life, instead of reacting to them in the usual habitual way, you could transform them into the path of the bodhi heart. That is to say, you could awaken your compassionate and open heart. Breathe in the pain of the situation, wishing that all beings could be free of it. Then breathe out and send loving-kindness to all suffering beings, including yourself!" - Pema Chodron

Words of Wisdom - Joyful Mind 1/10

"Constantly apply cheerfulness, if for no other reason than because you are on this spiritual path. Have a sense of gratitude to everything, even difficult emotions, because of their potential to wake you up." - Pema Chodron

Words of Wisdom - Peace 28/9

"Peace comes from creating peacefulness in our own minds. Wisdom and skilfulness in action are not bestowed upon us. We need to work to obtain them." - Robert Sachs

智慧法语 - 处理痛苦 26/9

"我们要学习如何处理自己的痛苦， 才不会让它四处扩散。" - 一行禅师

智慧法语 - 放下得失 24/9

"没有什么是绝对的，
也没有什么是恒常的，
何必将自己层层困缚。
放下无谓的追求与得失，
就得豁达清明。" - 圣严法师

Words of Wisdom - Changes is the Basis of Life 21/9

"The work of acknowledging everything in mindfulness leads us to a deeper view of what life is.
It is very important to understand that impermanence is not a negative aspect of life. Impermanence is the very basis of life. If what exists were not impermanent, no life could continue. If a grain of corn were not impermanent, it could not become a corn plant. If a tiny child were not impermanent, she could not grow into an adult.

Life is impermanent, but that does not mean it it not worth living. It is precisely because of its impermanece that we value life so dearly. Therefore we must know how to live each moment deeply and use it in a responsible way. If we are able to live the present moment completely, we will not feel regret later. We will know how to care for those who are close to us and know how to bring them happiness. When we accept that all things are impermanent, we will not be incapacitated by suffering when things decay and die. We can remain peaceful and content in the face of change, prosperity and decline, success and failure." - Thich Nhat Hanh

Words of Wisdom - One Precept One Vow 19/9

"If there is but one great precept,
it is to harm none - in any way.
If there is but one great vow,
it is to help all - in every way. - Stonepeace

智慧法语 - 尽人事， 听天命 17/9

“尽人事， 听天命” ， 不再刻意期待，不再执取有无 - 邱常梵

智慧法语 - 起落 14/9

"生命的起落，就像海里浪涛，
没有起落，就会失去警觉心。
平心静气对待生命中各个关卡，
就算难事，也会轻而易举。" - 圣严法师

Words of Wisdom - Speaking/Listening 13/9

"When you speak, you tell the deepest kind of truth, using loving speech, the kind of speech the other person can understand and accept. While listening, you know that your listening must be of a good quality to relieve the other person of his suffering." - Teachings on Love (Thich Nhat Hanh)

Words of Wisdom - Form/Emptiness 12/9

"Are all forms symbols of emptiness? Is emptiness symbolised by forms?
Form IS emptiness; emptiness IS form.
Form is NOT different from emptiness; emptiness is NOT different from form." - Heart Sutra

Words of Wisdom - Changes/Memorial 11/9

"Because everything changes from moment to moment, we can only treasure everything in this moment.
Because everything changes from moment to moment, we should not be attached to anything in this moment." - Stonepeace

Special dedication to the family members of all victims of 11 Sept 2001 tragedy. If they are still suffering from the pain of losing their loved ones, may these sufferings be diminished and transformed into realisation of impermanence in life. - Bodhiheartstrings

Not forgetting...Happy 74th Birthday to DADDY! May you be well and healthy!

Words of Wisdom - Happiness 10/9

"Worldly happiness is conditioned by countless things.Spiritual happiness is conditioned by not a thing."
– Stonepeace

智慧法语 - 宽广无限 7/9

"让心拥有更多空间， 就像天空容纳着白云，乌云一般。。
接纳，生命中一切的， 美好的， 不好的， 愉快的，不愉快的事物，视每一个遭遇的发生都是上天最好的安排，眼前世界自然会无限地宽广。。" - 邱常梵

智慧法语 - 放下 6/9

"人如果能够真正放下一切，也就能够包容一切，也就能拥有一切。" - 圣严法师

智慧法语 - 挫折 5/9

"很欢喜地一个挫折一个挫折走下去，挫折就不是挫折，而是一种成就，也是自我成长的轨迹" - 圣严法师

Words of Wisdom - Grudges 4/9

"People change. Maybe grudges should change too - by being generous, by dissolving them into nothingness."

Words of Wisdom - Fault 3/9

"Even if you 'prove' the whole world to be at fault, it doesn't make you any happier.
Even If Others are at Fault, Your Unhappiness is Your Fault" - Shen Shi'an

Words of Wisdom - Life 31/8

"Your life in the moment reflects your mind. Change your mind and your life changes instantly."
- Shen Shi'an

Words of Wisdom - Better Partners? 30/8

"There is always a possibly better partner out there, so it is pointless to always want to change partners. What matters is to personally become a better person who loves more truly; who is more lovable; not to find one who loves us more truly, or who is more lovely.Better still, become the partner you love.Then there is no need to find a partner." - Sedna

Words of Wisdom - Expectations 29/8

With less expectations, there are less disappointments!
"When you expect anything, expect disappointment too." - by Stonepeace

智慧法语 - 观照内心 28/8

"要时时刻刻知道自己的心在做什么，
若能自安己心， 必然也能安定他人。" - 圣严法师

智慧法语 - 智慧 27/8

"智慧生於烦恼而用於烦恼" - 圣严法师

智慧法语 - 快乐 24/8

“ 真正的快乐，在於珍惜我们每一个念头与行为” - 圣严法师

Words of Wisdom 23/8 - Patience

"Patience is NOT suppression of anger. It is a calm & undisturbed state of mind"

Words of Wisdom 17/8 - Difficulties

"The ones who really make our lives difficult are us - because we choose to react negatively to those around us."

Words of Wisdom 15/8 - Regrets

"Regretting non-virtues create virtues,
Regretting virtues create non-virtues"