佛教教诲
Buddhist Teachings
EMBRACING CHAOS
DHARMA TALK BY VENERABLE YOU MIN (PART 1)
Chaos is defined as the state of disorder and confusion, and chaos can mean different things to different people. Regardless of the chaos, the disequilibrium and disruption can cause anxiety, fear, sadness and emotional, psychological and physical illnesses in the long run, if left unresolved. On a similar note, chaos can too offer the opportunity for discovery and growth.
In a Dharma talk by Venerable You Min on 26 February 2022, 8pm-9.30pm, titled “ Embracing Chaos”, he shared the Buddha’s teaching using parables and anecdotes to make the profound teachings relatable. Undergirding the different stories was the common theme on response to chaos, with the overarching question, “In times of chaos, how do we respond to the unexpected changes?”.
HAVE YOU GOT THE HEAD AND THE HEART?
CONNECTING WISDOM AND VIRTUES BY VENERABLE RATHANASARA
Head represents wisdom, understanding, and intellectual capacity. Heart, on the other hand, represents the human values and wonderful virtuous qualities such as compassion, goodwill, friendship, generosity and loving kindness. In short, heart represents virtues, while head (brain) represents wisdom. Just like how a bird needs a pair of wings to fly, we need both virtues and wisdom, in order to lead a pure and righteous life, and be a noble human being in the society.
What will be the outcome if one were to develop only the heart qualities or virtues but ignore the development of the brain qualities or wisdom?
FRAGRANCE CLINGS TO THE HAND THAT GIFTS ROSES
DHARMA TEACHING BY PALCHEN RINPOCHE
On 19-21 September 2019, the 10th Kagyu Monlam1, organised by Kagyu Monlam Singapore (supported by Buddhist Life Mission (Singapore), Benchen Karma Cheoling Singapore, Zurmang Kagyu Buddhist Centre and Gangkar Samdup Buddhist Association) was held at the Singapore Federation Clan Association. The Presiding Master was Palchen (Ba Jin) Rinpoche. After this 3-day grand puja, Palchen Rinpoche also accepted an interview with For You Information, on the theme of “forming goodwill and affinity with others”.
Right at the beginning, he used the proverb “Fragrance clings to the hand that gifts roses.” He followed by explaining how when one gifts someone else a rose, the fragrance of the rose leaves an imprint on the gifting hand. This act not only benefits others, but indirectly creates a positive impact on self too, especially so if done with altruism. And this is the key to forming good affinities with others – for the purpose of benefitting all sentient beings. This is the core and key element of compassion, and Rinpoche further explained that since Buddhism speaks of compassion, we must be mindful in what we do with our body, speech and mind, and always have considerations for others.
On 19-21 September 2019, the 10th Kagyu Monlam1, organised by Kagyu Monlam Singapore (supported by Buddhist Life Mission (Singapore), Benchen Karma Cheoling Singapore, Zurmang Kagyu Buddhist Centre and Gangkar Samdup Buddhist Association) was held at the Singapore Federation Clan Association. The Presiding Master was Palchen (Ba Jin) Rinpoche. After this 3-day grand puja, Palchen Rinpoche also accepted an interview with For You Information, on the theme of “forming goodwill and affinity with others”.
Right at the beginning, he used the proverb “Fragrance clings to the hand that gifts roses.” He followed by explaining how when one gifts someone else a rose, the fragrance of the rose leaves an imprint on the gifting hand. This act not only benefits others, but indirectly creates a positive impact on self too, especially so if done with altruism. And this is the key to forming good affinities with others – for the purpose of benefitting all sentient beings. This is the core and key element of compassion, and Rinpoche further explained that since Buddhism speaks of compassion, we must be mindful in what we do with our body, speech and mind, and always have considerations for others.