Maintaining A Clear Mind During The General Election

I send this message to a group of Vajrayana Buddhists and received quite a few positive comments and likes. Unfortunately this message only reaches a limited number of people. By right this sort of message should come from Buddhist associations to advise their members. So, I can only do what I can. The rest is up to individuals. A day or two after my initial message, explosions happened during a political talk and at a political centre. That's what happens when people get too emotionally afflicted in this general election. Read on:-

 

As our nation prepares itself to elect a new government, we find ourselves drowned in a sea of hate messages. In this age of social media, the hate messages spread even more quickly like wild fire. It is so easy to lose ourselves in this frenzy of election campaigns. It does not help that even Buddhist practitioners and organisations participate in spreading this unhealthy culture of focusing on negativities. It is therefore, high time that someone takes on the unenviable task of urging the citizens to promote the positives, rather than negatives. The hate level may be at risk of getting out of hand as
it was reported in the papers that people even fight over a flag pole. Therefore it is so important to watch the conduct of our body, speech and especially, mind. I am also not a saint. I am also tempted to get into the frenzy of elections and lose my mind in the process. But suddenly, in recent days, I am
reminded that as a Vajrayana practitioner, I should see everyone as Buddhas. This is a Vajrayana method of practice. I am reminded that I am only choosing among Buddhas and will vote for the Buddha closest to my heart. None of them are devils. Instead of all the hate and anger, we should love more and condemn less. Emphasize more of equanimity and less cursing. If we take care of our mind, we will not find ourselves with a load of unnecessary negative karma at the end of the election. If we can practice this, then we can have our peace. This is spiritual maturity. With that reminder to myself, now I can rest in silence. Now I can try to maintain my clear mind and pure vision. Clear mind… pure vision…clear mind…. pure vision…

I leave you with a quote from His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa.

"When your attention is not on yourself, but others, then you are asking for trouble. Happiness or suffering is all within, no one except yourself can make you happy, sad, angry or emotional…" - Peace is Every Step. Quote from his facebook.

Spread love, compassion, joy and equanimity. Not hate, anger, lies and greed. I bow down to all of you – I am sorry if there is any transgression!

Jade Buddha Comes to Penang

Some photos on the recent (6 - 14 April 2013) Jade Buddha held in Penang Times Square, Penang. Enjoy!

  

A Pure Aspiration Prayer To the Triple Gem: For the Benefit of Departed Ones

A Pure Aspiration Prayer To the Triple Gem: For the Benefit of Departed Ones

 

On this occasion where descendants remember, honour and respect their departed ones,

Representing my family and my line of ancestors and departed ones,
I offer these delicious food, beautiful clothes, precious jewels and precious metals,
Visualized in my mind,
Made of paper,
Or real,
I offer them all to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats,
And all holy objects and representations of the Triple Gem.
May all of these items be transformed immediately,
Those burned in a fire,
and those that are not,
Turning into delightful objects

Through sacred words,

Pleasing to the Blessed Ones.
May They be delighted!
And taking this opportunity
To repent deeds done in error,
Committed by body, speech or mind,
Representing myself, my family and my line of ancestors,
All the way up,
We sincerely repent and regret!
May all sentient beings be blessed on this day called "Cheng Beng"! 

Om Ah Hum! Om Ah Hum! Om Ah Hum!
 

As I burn those offerings,

I think of the kindness of my parents, their parents and foreparents before that

Until time immemorial...

I think of the kindness of the Buddhas and my Precious Gurus,

It is so much more.....

"Infinite" would be inadequate to describe their compassionate deeds

Spanning the three worlds and beyond.

Even though some of these offerings are made of only paper,

I pray my sincerity in this pure aspiration,

Is capable of transmuting those ashes into pure blessings,

Thanks to what I have learned from Bodhisattva Samantabhadra,

Whose great aspirations and pure deeds,
Fill the myriad Buddha lands with pure gold.....
Liberating uncountable number of sentient beings! 

Even though I am not the great Samantabhadra,

May my humble aspiration not be any less!

May all sentient beings be blessed on this day of "Cheng Beng"!

Om Ah Hum! Om Ah Hum! Om Ah Hum!

 

In front of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats,

And the holy Triple Gem,

I am sorry if I am not a good descendant to my ancestors and departed ones,

But I do my best to benefit them

The way I know how....

It is just a simple offering -

Several types of fruits,

Some dishes with plates of rice,

A few cups of coffee,

Some clothes made of paper,

And gold and silver ingots made of paper.

Importantly engaging the pure ones to recite prayers,

But also personally reciting the Amitabha Sutra, Great Compassion Dharani and the Heart Sutra.

Hopefully may my departed ones and ancestors benefit from reciting those liberating words!

Dedicating the merits to them all,

May they be free from sufferings of the three lower realms!

May they be free from physical and mental sufferings of all kinds!

May they be able to meet with the Kind Gurus who are able to teach and transform them! 

May they have the merits and virtue to continue on the Path till final, complete enlightenment!

May all sentient beings be blessed on this day of "Cheng Beng"!

Om Ah Hum! Om Ah Hum! Om Ah Hum!

 

- this aspiration prayer was first written by me on 7 April 2013 but later it was extended to this version today (8 April 2013). For whatever it is worth, may all benefit from it!