Enter the Dragon

Do you know the story of the true dragon? In ancient China, there was a person who liked dragons very much. He talked about dragons to his friends, and he painted dragons, and he bought various kinds of dragon sculptures.

Then a dragon said to himself, “If a real dragon like me visited him, he would be very happy.” One day the real dragon sneaked into his room. The man didn't know what to do! Whaaaah! He could not run away. He could not even stand up. Whaaaah!

For a long, long time we have been like him. That should not be our attitude. We should not be just a fan of dragons; we should always be the dragon himself. Then we will not be afraid of any dragon.

All the fascination with and worshipping of the Buddhas is ultimately pointless if it does not in the least inspires us to become Buddhas. Mindfulness of the Buddha is to bring us closer to the Buddhas, not to merely keep them at a “respectful” distance. What will you do when your favourite Buddha suddenly visits you?

- adapted from Moonpointer

Funshine and more!

Today is Boxing Day, I went shopping. Bought myself some new clothing for the Chinese New Year which is coming real soon (end Jan).

Also bought more birthday presents for my niece whose birthday is on 11 Jan. I had bought a Disney Princess Sleeping Beauty watch for her a few weeks ago. It's quite expensive considering it's for a going-to-be 7 year old girl, who is just starting Primary school next week. But then, in the midst of many Christmas shopping trips, I saw so many cute little stuff that she would love, so I could not help but buy those as well.

My sis has always scolded me for spoiling the kids. She would shake her head in a disapproving manner when I hinted of buying Raee a soft toy she loves. Raee also did not dare incur the wrath of her mommy, so she always kept quiet, refusing to admit she liked or didn't liked the toy. She is that timid. I always think... isn't my sis "encouraging" her daughter to "bottle up" her feelings just because she (my sis) doesn't like certain stuff? I always feel that kids should behave like kids, being direct and upfront about their feelings, innocent as they may be. What is so wrong with that? And isn't it ironical that Raee would tell me her very own opinion when her mommy is not around.

Anyway, I ended buying the big Care Bear soft toy (the yellow Funshine bear) she was eyeing. And also, I bought her Care Bear pyjamas, a set of DuckBill blouse and skirt. Then I saw a beautiful beaded pink necklace with Sleeping Beauty Aurora as the centerpiece. I know niece would love this. So there, I bought her 4 presents for this birthday. Hehehe...

Real Disaster

"Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.

No matter what sort of difficulties,

how painful experience is,

if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.

-His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

Clover magic

Hehehe, on Christmas day, I striked lottery. It's only $60 but I am happy anyway. The number is 1063, which is my membership number which I got from Drophenling Buddhist Center a few weeks ago. Remember in my earlier blog I said it was an auspicious number?

Could it be due to my lucky four-leaf clover pendant necklace which I bought a few weeks ago? It's a real 4-clover leaf encased in a pendant which is taking Singapore by rage now. Four-leaf clover is considered very lucky as out of every 10,000 three-leaf clovers, you can only find ONE four-leaf clover. My four-leaf clover is shaped such that it has heart shape on all 4 leaves and a round white aura on the core of the leaf. It's quite amazing. The shop which I bought it from has live testimonials from more than 400 customers striking lottery after their purchase.

Got this write up from a website:

The four leaf clover is a widely accepted symbol of good luck with its origin dating back to ancient times. According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden. The significance invested in four leaf clovers pre-dates Christianity, going back to the pagan period, when four leaf clovers were Celtic charms.

St Patrick used the three-leaf clover, called the Shamrock, to preach on the "Holy Trinity" to the Irish. On average, there are 10,000 three leaf clovers for every instance of a true four leaf clover. The leaves of four leaf clovers are said to stand for faith, hope, love, and luck. It has been known that whenever one finds the four-leaf clover, "something good always happens".

The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! My blog is one year old today. Thanks to all who have read my blog for the past 365 days. Perhaps it's the only medium you can get to know me better?

Gifts

Today my office had our little party, on the eve of Christmas Eve. Quite fun actually. This year, I've got lots presents. My angel turned out be one of my girls. She didn't get me the accessory watch which I listed as my first choice, she got my vouchers instead (my 2nd choice). Anyway I am quite particular with the style I wanted for a watch ....

My the other girl D, gave a cosmetic pouch, just what I wanted. My 2 girls gave me chocolates! I love bitter chocolates! My admin girls gave me a handmade silver and gold accessory necklace. My other colleagues gave me my brand of skincare moisturiser spray, facial masks, handphone couch, perfume bottle etc..

Actually I prefer giving presents instead of receiving, especially when what I have chosen for people are really what they wanted. The perfect gift which I want is to see people happy with the gifts I gave them. That's all, seriously. It's good to give and give and give. I look forward to the day which I am able to give and give and give my beloved dearest and kiddies my love. One day soon.

Tonight brought my family out for dinner in a Japanese restaurant. My niece and nephew were thrilled they could sit next to the conveyor belt and take whatever they wanted to eat. They don't know, of course, we have to pay for it. Haha. Anyway, am happy that my Mom and Dad liked their food, delicious succulent well-cooked fish.

My ex-staff "Dash" called me too to wish me a merry christmas. Am happy he still remembers me, and glad that he is doing ok. Anyway he sounded as confident as ever! So good luck to him.

Peace on earth, love to all, happiness within.

Ho Ho Ho

I just came online and wow, this is the first time where all my friends in my MSN list are not online. They are probably shopping now. Phew, luckily I have finished all my shopping I needed to do for this year. Tomorrow onwards will be the start of feasting and more feasting. I guess people are merry or trying to be merry, as the end of the year is coming to a close, where they have more money, bonuses, and many more reasons to celebrate.

For me, what's there to celebrate anyway? Frankly I am dreading 2006. My mom is going for an operation in mid Jan, after which the Chinese New Year will be end Jan. I hope that my Dad's mood swings will not happen so often. Early Jan, I will be missing the opportunity to go Dharamsala to see His Holiness Dalai Lama, to attend his teachings and Kalachakra initiation. I had wanted to go so much, but I know that when the time is right, I will be able to. My friend is having problems with her business partners with a looming court case. Next year I will be busy with arrangement of my new house. I hope I have a new job by then too. Next year seems to be a year of many happenings, both good and bad, many starting points and also many endings. I guess that's what life is about, its ups and downs. We are just a part of that balancing act. Just make sure we don't get thrown off balance, we will be alright.

Ho ho ho....

Moving on

I think it's time I move on. Move on to a new environment, a new workplace. I have felt my life has come to a standstill being in the company for 5 years. It's simply too long. There is nothing wrong with my boss or the people or the job per se. But I could do with more sparks and creativity. And more cash, actually.

I have been told that I am the most ideal and loyal employee for a company, because I will tend to stay in a place long. Unless something drastic happens, which will wake me up, and ignite that fire in me. I desperately want a change, a new life. I hope Buddha will guide me and give me an indication soon.

This Person

I find it really strange. Really very strange indeed. While shopping this evening, I saw a familiar person. I do not know this person. This person is a stranger actually. But it was not the first time I bumped into this person. Many times over the last few years, I keeping bumping into this person in different places, different shopping centers. Every other month I will bump into this person. I recognised this person because this person is good looking and very well-dressed. This person is around my age.

But what mystify me was, how could anything be this coincidental? Even we do not bump into our own friends or relatives or acquaintances that often. Yet with this stranger, I seem to see this person ever so often.

I read somewhere that when we feel we know a stranger on first meeting, the soul may recognise a friend from the past. When we react negatively to a stranger, it could be the soul's recognition of an old enemy. These affinities, or warnings, come from deep within. We remember but, as the body and brain are new, we are not able to recall the details. Have we been here before?

Have you ever met someone who you found it almost impossible to stop thinking about? Who you felt that the instant that you met them that you have met them before, and that they had never been a stranger to you? When you look into their eyes, do you seem to have a deep "knowing" of that person, without knowing how you possibly can, as you've never met them before?

This is exactly how I felt tonight when I met this stranger. Affinity no less.

The Buddha & I

I met the Buddha in a dream
I asked Him to tell me
Why it seemed so real
Although it was just a dream?
He smiled with Compassion
And spread His palms
From which dropped one
Perfect pearl...

I picked up the pearl
And looked inside
And saw within it
Me standing in front of
The Buddha...

- Atanu Day: (Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop)

Reunited

My granny has 11 children; 3 sons and 8 daughters. Two of them were given away when they were young as times were hard then, and my grandparents did not have the means to feed so many children. The 6th daughter was given away to a Chinese businessman, who has no children of his own. The 3rd daughter was given to a Malay couple too.

4 years ago, my mom was in Chinatown shopping, when she saw and recognized her 6th sister. After chatting up with her, the daughter was re-united with my grandmother. She has a teenage daughter. Everyone was so surprised and happy then.

Last night, my mom learnt from my youngest uncle that the 3rd daughter had tried to contact him. Apparently she used to teach my youngest uncle when he was in primary school, hence she could still remember his name. So there might be a chance the family would be reunited again.

I am just so amazed that through a twist of fate, both my granny’s daughters who were “lost” but “found” again. And the entire family clan will reunited again. It’s just so touching. Especially for my 81-year-old granny. I can’t wait to meet this 3rd aunt and her Malay family.

Reminds me of an old song by Peaches & Herb.....

"Reunited and it feels so good

Reunited 'cause we understood

There's one perfect fit

And, sugar, this one is it

We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey..."

Hi Kira

Kira, thank you so much for stumbling upon my blog and for leaving me your message. Although only a handful of friends know of my blog, it has indeed been most heartening to pen down my thoughts and dreams here, so that many more people can read and experience my experiences.

Indeed this year has been a great turning point in my life as I have got to know Buddha more, especially through the teachings and visits from so many lamas, both in real life and in my dreams. If after so many personal encounters, I have not been touched or remained complacent, I would be such an useless fool.

Often in my prayers to Buddha: "Please bless me to complete my Dharma practise in this lifetime. May all sentient beings who see me, hear me, touch me, remember me, for your Compassion and Bodhicitta. May they be released from their suffering and miseries and experience happiness forever. May I lead all sentient beings into the Dharma path and hence may they be enlightened soon."

I guess Buddha heard my prayers. Kira, may you always be happy and do make full use of this precious human life. Stay blessed.

Baby

Last night, as usual, I have a dream again. It was either a short dream or I can't remember most of it. Anyway, I saw myself taking many snapshots of a very cute few-month-old baby boy. The baby boy was looking at me intently all the time. I don't know about the meaning of this dream but I certainly hope my future baby will look like him.

Reconnecting

Last week Tue, there was an Avalokiteshvara initiation given by HE Garchen Triptul Rinpoche. I had initially wanted to give it a miss as I have already taken Avalokiteshvara initiation a few times before.

On Mon night, I had a dream. I dreamt that I was in Teochew Building (the place where the initiation was to be held). There was suddenly a high mountain which was opposite Teochew Building. It was covered with green grass and the gentle breeze of morning dew filled the air. It was a very calm feeling looking at the mountain from where I was standing inside Teochew Building.

Many incidents happened in the building but I only remembered two. I dreamt that I conducted 2 long interviews for 2 job applicants in a room. And it was so long that I was held up in the meeting so I was late for my initiation. Also I dreamt that a man opened a door for me in one of the rooms. Then my Master appeared wearing beige long shirt and pants with faint dragon prints. But she immediately turned around and literally ran off. The man looked somewhat related to my Master. He has very slight wavy hair and tanned skin. One thing caught my attention was that his eyes were filled with sadness. Hmm... I found this very weird.

When I woke up, I knew I had to attend the initiation. His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche is a Drikung Kagyu lama who was known in the 13th century as the Siddha Gar Chodingpa, a heart disciple of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon, founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. In ancient India, he had incarnated as Mahasiddha Aryadeva, the lotus-born disciple of the great Nagarjuna. HE Garchen Rinpoche was a very friendly and humble, he was smiling widely all the time. He was also spinning the prayer wheel throughout the ceremony. At the end of the transmission, due to his kindness, he stood up and personally bless everyone present. When it was my turn, Rinpoche greeted me with a happy laugh, as if he knew me or recognised me. He put both hands on my head to bless me, almost hugging me tightly as I uttered "Thank you Rinpoche". I knew immediately there should have been a close connection with him in my past lives. I don't know how I know, but I just knew it.

"Enlightenment is as if you have been away from home for many years, when you suddenly see your father in town. You know him right away without a doubt. There is no need to ask anyone else whether he is your father or not." -- Master Foyan

Alone?

When both myself and others
Are similar in that we wish to be happy,
What is so special about me?
Why do I strive for my happiness alone?
- Shantideva

Feelings

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.
- Thich Nhat Hanh

Was it him?

I had 3 dreams consecutively over 3 nights. First dream I was in a very crowded place packed with people. Everyone was sitting on the floor. I also saw my Master sitting on the floor, wearing a blue cheongsam. Then a monk / Rinpoche appeared with several monks walking behind him. It was so crowded that I could not see his face, only his head.

Second dream it was like I was back to the same dream. The crowd was still there. This time I was walking behind the Rinpoche, following behind him in a procession. Not sure where we were heading. Again I could not see his face. In both dreams, I could not recall what happened next.

The third dream was like a continuation of the previous two, but at last I saw. I was in this huge temple or monastery with my sis and an aunt walking around. Then we met a man and we exchanged name cards. I don’t remember his name now. As I continue to explore the place, I saw a statue of a standing Buddha. Then I entered a big hall and I saw a group of elderly people, chatting happily among themselves. At the same instant I saw 3 monks amongst them. All of a sudden, they started chanting and it seemed like a puja (prayers) has began. In order not to disturb them I tried to find the exit to excuse myself. I found the door. As I was on my way out, I saw a high throne seat. Seated cross-legged on the throne was one of the monks earlier. He turned out to be a Rinpoche. I quickly clasped my palms and bowed my head in respect as I was walking out. Rinpoche clasped his palms as well and nodded his head. Then I woke up immediately.

I have not met this Rinpoche in real life before. He has a fair complexion with a moustache and short beard. I believe he was from the Kagyu lineage, because he was wearing a Kagyu hat very similar to that of the 17th Karmapa and Tai Situ Rinpoche. However, I don’t know who he was. Online, I did not managed to find a Rinpoche who looked similar to him in my dream. The only Rinpoche who came close was Guru Rinpoche aka. Padmasambhava himself! I am not sure what was the meaning of these 3 dreams. Maybe it was to tell me that a guru who has a karmic connection with me in my previous lives is going to appear. Anyhow, I am very happy.