Home-cooked goodness

I always miss home-cooked food when I am away or when I have been eating out for a while.  I always have certain cravings of some of my mom's dishes. And I am so used to our brown rice we have at home.

Curry Chicken

Braised Dark Sauce Chicken Wings

Olive Rice with Fried Prawns, Fried Fish & Veggies

49th day of passing of Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup

Today is the 49th day of passing into Nirvana of Khensur Rinpoche Lama Lhundrup. 

During the whole 49 day period,  Vajrayogini and Yamantaka Self Initiation is performed every day as well as the recitation of the Golden Light sutra and many mantra recitation in Kopan Monastery.

This is the offering of the Kopan sangha community to our kind Guru who has taken care of all in Kopan for 40 years, and has sacrificed his life in order to benefit the community, and who out of his kindness, has manifested many relics.

This day we are all commemorating the 49th day of of Lama Lhundrup's passing and a lot of people would be present to participate in the ceremonies.  Also there will be on display viewing of his holy relics.

For those who are not in Kopan, centers and individuals can perform the Medicine Buddha Puja, to create the conditions for the true and unmistaken reincarnation to return swiftly.

Below is the English translation of the prayer for the return of the incarnation that was composed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

The Melodious Sound of the Kalapinga

A Lamentation Requesting the Quick Arrival of the Incarnation 

of Khensur Geshe Lhundrub Rigsel

One taste in the dharmakaya of great bliss, of all the buddhas’ transcendental wisdom;

All pervasive creator of everything, whose kindness cannot ever be repaid;

Glorious Holy Lama clearing the darkness of ignorance;

Compassionately descending from Sky Enjoyment - the pure land;

Whose kindness is great and unequalled by all ten direction conquerors;

The sole wish-fulfilling jewel, fulfilling all hopes;

Kind Lama, remembering your kindness more and more;

Please reveal the saintly face of the emanation benefiting the Dharma and migrators!

Since beginningless samsara, through the power of karma and afflictions,

We have been sinking in the oceans of suffering of contaminated samsara,

Have experienced and are still experiencing unimaginable and inexpressible sufferings.
Glorious Holy Lama, liberating from the ocean of samsara,

Please reveal the saintly face of the emanation benefiting the Dharma and migrators!

We are the wretched child disciples placing our hopes in you,

We are orphans pierced by the sharp thorns of misery,

Kind Lama engaged in destroying this state of misery,

Please reveal the saintly face of the emanation benefiting the Dharma and migrators!

Alas, migrators are caught in the tornado of bad conditions of this degenerate age,

And the essence of the teachings of the Good Minded One becomes a mere reflection.

Please pay attention on to our situation, haven arisen from a devastated mind, 

while thinking of this.

Please reveal the saintly face of the emanation benefiting the Dharma and migrators!

Being inspired by the melodious prayer of those with devastated minds,

Magical emanation of the of the glorious Lama for those to be subdued,

Come quickly, so that the spring of our benefit and happiness may arrive,

And show the stainless life that benefits the Dharma and migrators!

The collection of child disciples assembled here with their pure samaya,

For all our lives we rely closely on you the savior, owner of the Dharmakaya lineage.

May we children catch the father’s teachings – the biography that is

Essence of the Good Minded One’s ear whispered lineage 

that is held by the explanation and realization.

Are you prepared to die?

Excerpts from an article written by Shen Shi'an about death:

Death is often portrayed as the grim reaper of life itself - a creepy and sneaky skeletal old man in a cloak, holding a giant unforgiving scythe. Death is simply the ultimate killjoy - the one who threatens all with the impending loss of everything, who is tough to bargain with... the dark and mysterious stranger who will claim us all. However, there is a refreshing alternative depiction of Death. It's the direct opposite take of the grim persona. Death becomes a good friend to all, who casually yet wisely counsels those about to pass away, helping them to resolve their regrets, teaching them to let go of their worldly attachments. She belongs to a family called the Endless, who represent the timeless "realities" of the universe. 

Yama, Lord of Death

In Buddhist culture, death is personified as Yama in paintings. Indeed, as long as unenlightened, we are in the clutches of Yama. Some see him as a literal being, while some see him as a metaphor for the terror of death. Either way, it's rather effective imagery as a wake-up call on the nature of transience - to treasure life but not be attached to it, and to seek wisdom for liberaton. Though wrathful in form, Yama is never unfair, for death is the great equaliser, which occurs only according to the natural laws of karma. But what is death really? It is change. 

 

As Stonepeace put it, "Dying can be gradual, and death can be sudden. But life is always now - even when dying or dead. As there is rebirth and redeath, there is no true birth or death. Seek then, for the truth - the unborn; the deathless - Nirvana."The wheel that Yama holds up for us to see is like a mirror for spiritual reflection. Indeed, death is a mirror, for reflecting upon the significance of our lives. Given that death's eventual, what is it we should accomplish, that would make this life well-lived, meaningful? Without death as a mirror, life would feel largely aimless and inconsequential. Death might reap our physical lives, but viewed wisely, it "bestows" spiritual life too. Death then, can be seen as either an enemy or a friend. Whether death is more grim or cheery depends on your perspective. Perhaps, it is better to see death as grim when we have taken life for granted, and to see death as cheery when we have taken life too hard and seriously, urging us to lighten up with kind good humour. The "Middle Path" of seeing death is probably the best - as empty of any fixed characteristics. How well you live decides how well you die. Will you have a happy ending? 

- Shen Shi'an

Naan for thought

I love my butter naan or garlic naan.  From Ananda Bhavan, the butter naan is so well made I can eat it on its own!  Usually it comes with 3 different types of gravies to dip your naan in.  I also love the crunchy raw onions with a tinge of lime.  When I am very hungry, I can finish 2 whole naans!

But when I saw this picture, I totally lost my appetite, somehow.  

My Vesak 2011

Had wanted to share this for some time but just forgot to. This was a very nice video clip by Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling which I like very much. A beautiful summary of how I spent my Vesak evening earlier this year. These are beautiful memories of the Sangha, fellow practitioners, and friends, as we walk towards the Path of complete bliss.

Instant karma

Karma is often hard to understand, and leads many to doubt its  existent in life. When something is visualized it becomes more real.

Many people, as in the picture, act in the now, without regard for future consequences. Karma, however, is lived in the present. The last domino may take a day/hour or week to actually hit you, which is the effect of pushing the first. The decision to push the first domino over is actually the karma (action).

The action (karma) or cause is linked to the effect, and in this way, you are always living your karma. This is why, right thought, right action and the eightfold path are so practical. Unskilled thought, unskilled aInction can be seen working in the below diagram. Buddhism, and the path are not about addressing the effects, they are about the cause and intention. They are about making empowering decisions, not de-powering.

Workplaces are generally filled with unskilled thought and action. There’s a mentality of pushing hard now to get something over the line without taking into consideration what the result is of this action later on. We as humans need to change this mentality for good of the individuals and the good of the company. No one wants a domino landing on them.

Nothing mirrors that

I remember once I was very worried over a certain matter, that it affected my mood and emotions adversely. That sinking heavy feeling was so real and strong that I was sure it was not just palpitations. I remained with that sinking feeling the entire night until the next day, almost 24 hours. I even skipped dinner. I was so momentarily lost that I sat at the stone seat along a pavement next to the bus stop and main road. I was in my own despondent world that I did not even hear the noisy cars and buses passing by. I did not notice the people walking by. I was so deep in thought and overcame with fear that gripped me and overpowered me. I utterly hate that feeling, a first I ever experienced in all my whole  life.

In that state, I finally understood how people in that situation really felt or could have behave. I never want to be caught in that situation again.

Then & now

 

 

Have a great weekend !!!

Secret Recipe's Fish-In-A-Bowl

Somehow I enjoyed Secret Recipe's FISH-IN-A-BOWL which is Dory fillet stew in rich cream sauce with crunchy capsicum and onions. Served with freshly bakes bun and flaky pastry.  Although it was a little messy when you break the flaky pastry top, what lies underneath is chunky pieces of the dory in very creamy stew. Wholesome and awesome.

Choden Rinpoche, truly Vajradhara

His Eminence Kyabje Choden Rinpoche is one of my precious gurus.  In fact, he is also the guru of my guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche.  One friend said in jest, that makes him (Choden Rinpoche) our 师公 (grandmaster), since he is the 师父 of our 师父 (guru's guru)!  Jokes aside, I do feel a very respectful and strange closeness to Choden Rinpoche, like I would to my grandfather. Although I am not able to spend a lot of time attending his teachings (as he is always travelling around the world for teachings),  I do treasure every opportunity to meet him when he is in town or nearby in Malaysia, even though I believe he does not even knows me or remembers me. Choden Rinpoche is a very quiet guru who does not talk much, apart from teachings, prayers, and giving initiations. Beneath his serious and quiet demeanour, lies a great practitioner. Rinpoche’s connections to past spiritual masters were evident from early childhood in his exemplary conduct and superior intelligence as well as in the miraculous signs often witnessed in his presence. 

Choden Rinpoche was in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia recently to give a series of teachings. Before the start of an event, all devotees were waiting eagerly and excitedly for his arrival outdoors.  Everyone has balloons with them, written on the balloons all their personal wishes.  Choden Rinpoche was scheduled to release the balloons for World Peace and for all our prayers, wishes and aspirations to come true.  While waiting for Rinpoche, it started to drizzle very light rain. It felt like light snow falling on our heads, kissing our faces and noses.  Everyone went back indoors to take shelter for a while.  Within a mere 10 minutes, Choden Rinpoche arrived, and as he walked from the car to the spot where he was to release balloons, the rain stopped. Very auspicious indeed. 

The monks chanted prayers and everyone recited the Noble Stack of Auspiciousness Sutra for this very rare and auspicious occasion.  Choden Rinpoche said prayers before releasing the balloons.  A beautiful display up the skies.      

At the end of the day, Choden Rinpoche was leaving the venue, I walked and followed him to his car.  I noticed an unusual sight up the sky.  On one end is a beautiful sunset, on the other end, right above us, I noticed clouds were gathered and divided in two sides, forming a straight long path from one end to the other end of the horizon. 

During a Lillian Too's event earlier this year, Choden Rinpoche was a special invited guest to give the audience blessings and oral transmissions.  Lillian showed this beautiful photo of Choden Rinpoche reciting prayers in a holy site.  Everyone snapped photos of the special occasion. Little did they expect to see these beautiful rainbow lights emanating surrounding Choden Rinpoche when the photos were developed. Amazing. So blessed is everyone who gets to see this photo, including you my readers. One need not be present at the occasion to receive this blessing.  

Choden Rinpoche was one of seven children born to a noble family in Dahi, the Khampa region of Eastern Tibet. Rinpoche was officially recognized as a small boy as the living reincarnation of the previous Choden Rinpoche, who had been one of the finalists in the search for the 13th Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. At the age of 7, Rinpoche took novice ordination from His Holiness Pabongka Rinpoche. His Holiness reportedly said, “I found your name in Ganden Monastery’s Golden Stupa.” His Holiness named the child Losang Gyalten Jikdrel Wangchuk.

Since his novice ordination, Rinpoche has been observing his monastic vows just as one protects one’s own eyes. Rinpoche traveled to Central Tibet at the age of 17 and enrolled in Sera Je Monastery where he was trained in the Five Canons of Buddhist philosophy. While mastering this twenty-five year course of study, Rinpoche became an outstanding student of His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche and His Holiness Pabongka Rinpoche as well as numerous other prominent lamas. Under their tutelage, he received empowerments, oral transmissions and personal instruction. He was given complete pith instructions and ear-whispered transmissions as well, which led him to an internalized understanding of the teachings. Rinpoche was also tutored during this period by the Abbot of Dawak Monastery who taught him Tibetan grammar, Sanskrit, poetry, literature and astrology. By virtue of this lengthy apprenticeship with many renowned lineage masters, Rinpoche mastered the Five Canons and earned the title Pandita. He was chosen to represent Sera Je in debate when His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama stood for his Geshe Examination in 1959. 

During the 60s, in response to the devastating destruction of Tibetan culture and religion at the hands of the Chinese, Rinpoche undertook a solitary retreat for 19 years. He never left his tiny, dark room in Lhasa for 20 years relying on the metok chuelen practice for sustenance. When practicing metok chuelen (literally: flower essence- to-take-of), one refrains from all common dietary habits, sustaining the body with a substance made of flower essences. Rinpoche states unequivocally that his productive practice, his accumulation of merit and his accomplishment of clarity of mind are directly attributable to his metok chuelen practice. When the Chinese accused him of 'disgracing the motherland' by practicing dharma, Rinpoche was forced to abandon this retreat and take up residence in a Lhasa household. The Cultural Revolution was a dark period in Tibet marked by forced participation in cultural degradation and by the protracted suffering of atrocities. Concurrent with these rampant human rights abuses in his homeland, Rinpoche chose to remain in solitude in household retreat for more than 19 years, practicing the Lam Rim, lo jong and tantra from memory.

In the 80s, Chinese policy became more lenient toward Tibetan religious activity. Endeavoring to exploit Rinpoche’s reputation as a distinguished scholar, the authorities invited him to serve on the board of a cultural committee. Rinpoche readily rejected the offer, having the forethought that he would be required to criticize his root guru His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Instead he used this five-year period of leniency to give extensive teachings, empowerments and oral transmissions to thousands of Tibetan Buddhists. In 1985, Rinpoche was able to escape Tibet, traveling through Nepal to India. In Dharmasala, his paramount wish, the opportunity for an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was finally realized. This auspicious and poignant occasion touched Rinpoche’s heart indelibly: it was as if he had met with Buddha Shakyamuni himself. The political destabilization in Tibet having reached a particularly volatile juncture, His Holiness advised Rinpoche to not return but rather to remain in India in order to teach. Therefore, while destruction of monasteries, temples and stupas continued unabated in Tibet, Rinpoche traveled to South India and, for the next twenty years, taught the precious Buddhist canon to thousands of monks in the diaspora’s monastic communities.

Rinpoche was regularly invited abroad to teach in monasteries and dharma centers, thereby benefiting people from all walks of life. He has traveled extensively throughout South Asia, Mongolia, Europe and America. Thousands of practitioners have taken novice ordination from Rinpoche in the course of his travels outside Tibet. In sum, Rinpoche spent twenty years of his youth studying Buddhist logic, the Perfection of Wisdom sutras, Middle Way philosophy, Treasury of Knowledge treatises, and monastic code and conduct at Sera Je Monastery. Subsequently, he dedicated another two decades to contemplation, meditating on the Five Canons in order to internalize the teachings. Most recently, he has devoted a third span of twenty years to teaching in South India and abroad, disseminating the Buddhadharma to benefit humanity.

Udon at Meidya

The Japanese food counters at the basement of Liang Court inside Meidiya Supermarket is a regular haunt, if I am nearby. Each different section specialises in different Jap food; Curry, Sushi, Udon, Sashimi, etc.. The station I frequently dine in is the one selling Udon.

I just love their Pork Katsu Udon. Freshly deep fried, and submerged in the big bowl of clear soup, is so refreshing and wholesome. 

The quality of udon is good, QQ chewy and filling, compared to foodcourt standard and even some restaurants.

Even cut and cooked till perfection, the Pork Katsu is juicy and full of flavours bursting when you bite into one. 

And this is a good place to rest and relax, have a nice economical Jap meal and later on shop at the Meidiya supermarket for more Jap food and stuff. 

The boy's 10 !!!

It was my nephew's 10th birthday last week. We had a simple gathering at home as well as a little celebration for him. I hope he likes the 3 Naruto comic books I got for him as well as a little pouch bag.  

Not long ago, I passed him a clear file folder so that he can be encouraged to draw Naruto figures with pencil.  So far he has done a wonderful job and has drawn almost 40 pictures and filed them in the file.  He conscientiously brings over to my place if he knows I am home, just to show me.  I think he is improving in all his drawings and has done a wonderful job. May my nephew attain excellent results in his studies and may he grow up to be a brilliant, loving, and kind man.

King of Bhutan marries!

The internet is buzzing about how gorgeous the bride of the King of Bhutan is. Indeed she is, just like a Dakini. 

The kingdom of Bhutan is celebrating the royal wedding of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck to his commoner bride, Jetsun Pema. The people of Bhutan are relieved that their King who was enthroned 5 years ago has been delaying marriage. Thousands of Bhutanese from the surrounding villages joined the king and queen at their wedding reception at a fairground outside the country's most sacred monastery fortress, where a slate of dancers performed traditional routines for the new couple.

Check out this website for many many gorgeous photos of the royal couple and wedding. I simply love their lovely colourful costumes.  I hope to visit the beautiful sacred Bhutan one day. 

No kidding, Kit Chan!

Kit Chan's solo concert, "The Music Room", is on in Singapore ! I am not there but I feel so proud whenever I see/hear her sing, especially the song, "Home". To me, she is synonymous with Singapore, a truly homebred Singaporean singer. And she is such a humble and good natured person. It is only right to watch this "live" performance with her beautiful and glamorous stage presence during Singapore's National Day Parade in 2010. 

I personally like this Kit's cute rendition of Cantonese oldie 浪子心聲 by Sam Hui.  My ex boss used to mention this song and its meaningful lyrics. I would always remember this "命里有时终须有 命里无时莫强求". In gist, it means everything is pre-destined, what is meant to be, will be.  

难分真与假 人面多险诈
几许有共享荣华 畔水滴不分差
无知井里蛙 徒望添声价
空得意目光如麻 谁料金屋变败瓦

命里有时终须有 命里无时莫强求
雷声风雨打 何用多惊怕 心公正白璧无瑕
行善积德最乐也 人比海里沙 无用多牵挂
君可见漫天落霞 名利息间似雾化

Instant God

The sprawling rambling IKEA

IKEA is probably very close to our daily lives, not just with its reasonably-priced ready-to-assemble furniture, but also the food and shopping experience in its huge store in Tampines, Singapore. When I was there in the Swedish store a couple of months ago, I snapped most of the setups just to have some decorating ideas of the latest furniture designs available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, now the food. On and off, many of us have cravings for Ikea food. We had rushed down for its famed meatballs, done-to-perfection fried chicken wings, its Daim cake , cheese cake etc..  Here are a few blurred-out shots using an app from Iphone. As I do not take beef, so no meatball photo here...

Pasta with Salmon

Daim Cake

$1.00 Hot Dog !

S$ 1.00 Ice Cream Cone!