Spreading the Dhamma

 By: ryan    11:40 AM  Dear Diary   No comments

Well I'm a Buddhist and brought up in a Buddhist family. Follows the path of Buddhism mainly in Mahayana but I do practice teachings from both Theravada and Vajrayana too. I am also interested in Religious Studies. This post is created generally as my first step to spreading the Buddha Dhamma and to share my collections of books, music’s, images, free e-books and thoughts on Buddhism. Hoping that, from this post and more to come in future, I will able to share it with you all who are interested in Buddhism. I am not a Buddhist having vast knowledge about Buddhism, but I do hope that I can start turning the Dharma wheel in the form of blogging. Hope that the information here can bring out the interest of Buddhism to everyone who read this blog. May the Metta be with you.

There are many Buddhist center in Malaysia. Yet only a few have their on website. Here are the few where I visited the most.

Buddhanet
Buddhist Links
Nalanda
Fo Guang Shan
Kechara
Than Hsiang
Buddhism Now

(Will update more links if I found more)

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 By: ryan    11:38 AM  Books, K Sri Dhammananda   No comments

Author : Dr K Sri Dhammananda's
Title : What Buddhists Believe

What Buddhists Believe answers many questions which are asked about Buddhism by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. there are so many misconceptions regarding superstitious and misinterpretations which are associated with this noble religion that it has become imperative to explain the Teachings in a manner which has contemporary relevance.

Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda's What Buddhist Believe is already a classic in that it has proved to be extremerely popular not only with practicing Buddhists who are born into the religion, but also those who are really interested in knowing what the Buddha taught. Its popularity can be attested into Spanish, Dutch, Singhalese, Nepali, Parshi, Burmese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indonesian.

This revised and enlarged volume covers almost every aspect of Buddhism, and is written in clear and precise language which will appeal not only to the casual reader but also to the intellectual student of Dhamma. Directed mainly to an average person, this book adopts a non-textual approach to explain the Buddhist viewpoint on a wide range of doctrinal and contemporary topics, including those not normally touched upon by traditional buddhists writers.

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This is a very good book indeed. It touches many topic regarding questions that normally Buddhist will asked or having doubt. This book can be downloaded for free here from Ven. K Sir Dhammananda's website / wikipedia or you can go to Brickfield Maha Vihara temple to puchase the book. I strongly recommended that you buy it from the temple either for your own collection or as a gift to your friends or relatives as all the money goes to the temple foundation. Not only you gain merit by purchasing the book (help the temple) but also gain more Dhamma knowledge. One stone hitting two birds leh (sound greedy)...May the metta be with you.

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Percy Jackson & Olympians - The Sea Of Monsters

 By: ryan    11:02 AM  Books, Rick Riordan   No comments

Title: Percy Jackson & Olympians - The Sea Of Monsters
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Puffin Books
ISBN: 9780141319148

Back Cover text
"You can't tell by looking at me that my dad is Poseidon, God of The Sea"
It's not easy being half-blood these days. You mortals can't even see the monsters we have to fight all the time. So when a game of dodgeball turned into death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, I couldn't exactly ask my gym teacher for help.

And that was just for starters. This is the one where Camp Half-Blood is under attack, and unless I get my hands on the Golden Fleece, the whole camp will be invaded by monsters. Big ones.

Can Percy survive the treacherous sea of monsters and restore order to Half-Blood Hill?

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Second book of Percy's adventure. The movie is to be release in 2012. Maybe we're doom by then. Remember the 2010 Apocalypse? Haha....

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Percy Jackson & Olympians - The Lightning Thief

 By: ryan    10:05 AM  Books, Rick Riordan   No comments

Title: Percy Jackson & Olympians - The Lightning Thief 
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Puffin Books
ISBN: 9780141319131

Back Cover text

"Look, I didn't want to be a Half-Blood. I never asked to be the son of a greek god."

I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things really started going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends and generally trying to stay alive.

This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea. 

Can Percy find the lightning bolt before a fully fledged war of the god erupts? 

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When I first read the book, I feel that I am reading Harry Potter's series. With all the magic, trio make a team, monsters, ordinary boy become hero and lots more (read it). But it seem unfair for Rick as Potter's movies went up first before Percy's. So maybe we keep compare it with Rowling's works. But seriously, I really think that Percy's is better than Potter's, maybe I like Greek mythology and Greek's gods moreover the movie is better lots than Potter's first movie.

You might have seen my older post where Percy's book that I reviewed. Just for your info, that book comes with the Movie-Tie-In cover. And I bought this book because I want to collect the whole set of 5 books with the same covers.

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A Moment, A Life Time & Prescription For The Heart

 By: ryan    11:51 AM  Books, Master Hsing Yun   No comments

Title: Prescription For The Heart: Between Ignorance and Enlightenment II
Author: Master Hsing Yun
Publisher: Fo Guang Publications
ISBN: 9789833478316

Back Cover text

 Though we live in an age of

technological advances and economic prosperity, 

we still face the problems of

anxiety, anger, fear and self-destruction?

To enlighten us of these problems,

Master Hsing Yun offers his insights on diverse topics such as 

time management, magnanimity, stress and power of 

positive thinking, impermanence and true love.

Much practical wisdom is contained 

in this book which is easily understood.

These insights are vivid and provocative,

challenging us step back from our conditional responses

to life to see things as they really are.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Title: A Moment, A Lifetime: Between Ignorance and Enlightment III
Author: Master Hsing Yun
Publisher: Fo Guang Publications
ISBN: 9781932293180

Back Cover text

In the essay from which the title of this book was taken, Venerable Master Hsing Yun considers the importance of pausing a moment to reflect. Buddhists are taught that, before they act, they should consider the consequences of their actions. That reflection takes just a moment, but the consequences of our actions can last a lifetime.

Hard work, he suggests, is only for a moment; but the results are for the lifetime. An unintentional word can bring serious long-term consequences; but a well-spoken word can change a life for the better. In this sense, then, a moment-which we usually think of as a short amount of time-contains within it a lifetime of consequences. As a result, the Master reminds us that "we must pay careful attention to the effect of a moment in anything we do."

The essays in the book cover a wide variety of subjects, including further reflections on the effect we have on others; the relationship between the past, present and future; and the importance of right mindfulness in living a successful life. Despite this seeming diversity, this common thread runs throughout the book: now, in this very moment, we have the power to make decisions with favorable and enduring effects.

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 By: ryan    11:43 AM  Movies, Worth A Read   No comments

Know about this project from a volunteer at Dong Zen temple. I keep telling myself that I must keep this in mind the title of this anime and search at youtube or google it when I'm home. But eventually, I totally forget about it hehe...

Just but of of the blue, while typing something very fondly on computer, suddenly the name of the anime pop-up into my mind. So curi-tulang a bit and I googled it. Well, after watched it, the clip is really good. It brings out the messages that intended on the story by Master Hsing Yun. 

Please watch it and you will appreciate what is the real meaning of "Harmony". Enjoy the clip.

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What Buddhists Believe

 By: ryan    9:39 AM  Books, Buddhism, K Sri Dhamananda   No comments

Author : Dr K Sri Dhammananda's
Title : What Buddhists Believe

What Buddhists Believe answers many questions which are asked about Buddhism by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. there are so many misconceptions regarding superstitious and misinterpretations which are associated with this noble religion that it has become imperative to explain the Teachings in a manner which has contemporary relevance.

Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda's What Buddhist Believe is already a classic in that it has proved to be extremerely popular not only with practicing Buddhists who are born into the religion, but also those who are really interested in knowing what the Buddha taught. Its popularity can be attested into Spanish, Dutch, Singhalese, Nepali, Parshi, Burmese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indonesian.

This revised and enlarged volume covers almost every aspect of Buddhism, and is written in clear and precise language which will appeal not only to the casual reader but also to the intellectual student of Dhamma. Directed mainly to an average person, this book adopts a non-textual approach to explain the Buddhist viewpoint on a wide range of doctrinal and contemporary topics, including those not normally touched upon by traditional buddhists writers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a very good book indeed. It touches many topic regarding questions that normally Buddhist will asked or having doubt. This book can be downloaded for free here from Ven. K Sir Dhammananda's website / wikipedia or you can go to Brickfield Maha Vihara temple to puchase the book. I strongly recommended that you buy it from the temple either for your own collection or as a gift to your friends or relatives as all the money goes to the temple foundation. Not only you gain merit by purchasing the book (help the temple) but also gain more Dhamma knowledge. One stone hitting two birds leh (sound greedy)...May the metta be with you.

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He Xie animation

 By: ryan    3:24 PM  Video Clip   No comments

Know about this project from a volunteer at Dong Zen temple. Out of curiosity, I told myself I must remember the title of the anime and search at youtube or google it when I'm home. But I totally forget about it hehe...but of of the blue, during my lunch, suddenly the name of the anime pop-up into my mind, thus I googled it, watched it, and found that this is a very good anime produced based on the story by Master Hsing Yun. Watch it and you will appreciate what is "Harmony". Enjoy the clip.

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A Moment, A Life Time & Prescription For The Heart

 By: ryan    2:53 PM  Books, Buddhism, Master Hsing Yun   No comments

Title: Prescription For The Heart: Between Ignorance and Enlightenment II
Author: Master Hsing Yun
Publisher: Fo Guang Publications

ISBN: 9789833478316

Back Cover text

 Though we live in an age of

technological advances and economic prosperity, 

we still face the problems of

anxiety, anger, fear and self-destruction?

To enlighten us of these problems,

Master Hsing Yun offers his insights on diverse topics such as 

time management, magnanimity, stress and power of 

positive thinking, impermanence and true love.

Much practical wisdom is contained 

in this book which is easily understood.

These insights are vivid and provocative,

challenging us step back from our conditional responses

to life to see things as they really are.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Title: A Moment, A Lifetime: Between Ignorance and Enlightment III
Author: Master Hsing Yun
Publisher: Fo Guang Publications
ISBN: 9781932293180

Back Cover text
In the essay from which the title of this book was taken, Venerable Master Hsing Yun considers the importance of pausing a moment to reflect. Buddhists are taught that, before they act, they should consider the consequences of their actions. That reflection takes just a moment, but the consequences of our actions can last a lifetime.

Hard work, he suggests, is only for a moment; but the results are for the lifetime. An unintentional word can bring serious long-term consequences; but a well-spoken word can change a life for the better. In this sense, then, a moment-which we usually think of as a short amount of time-contains within it a lifetime of consequences. As a result, the Master reminds us that "we must pay careful attention to the effect of a moment in anything we do."

The essays in the book cover a wide variety of subjects, including further reflections on the effect we have on others; the relationship between the past, present and future; and the importance of right mindfulness in living a successful life. Despite this seeming diversity, this common thread runs throughout the book: now, in this very moment, we have the power to make decisions with favorable and enduring effects.

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Books and CDs!!

 By: ryan    11:54 AM  Books, Music   No comments

During my recent visit to Dong Zen temple, I manage to get two books and two cd's. Both of the books are written by Master Hsing Yun and also sequels to the previous where I  think  I'd bought it during my last year visit to the temple. Seriously, Master Hsing Yun wrote many books. You can visit here for more info about all his works. These are the titles:

• Prescription For The Heart: Between Ignorance and Enlightenment 2 
• A Moment, A Lifetime: Between Ignorance and Enlightenment 3. 

Other than the two books, I also bought two new albums by Imee Ooi. You can listen to the previews of her other albums here.

The titles are

• Hyms of the Pureland 
• Heart of Repentance

Will review on the books and cds on next post cause hometown internet very slow..

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FGS Dong Zen Temple Jenjarom 2010

 By: ryan    9:41 PM  Dear Diary   2 comments

Every year without fail, we will visit Dong Zen temple. This year might be the simplest deco I ever seen. Maybe because they expanded the temple ground and their budget was tighten. The only thing with the bad side of it was visitors need to park their vehicles at the cleared palm's trees ground. I can tell you that it was a long way to walk into the temple ground. Here are the pics which I took yesterday.

The handsome Buddhas

Little monks and Boddhisatva

The Long-Men grottoes replica

Simple garden deco

Lumbini garden

Baby Siddhartha with enormous big eye

Ferris wheel

Awakening bell

Little monk meditating

Wishing Tree

33 Boddhisatvas

Marvellous Malaysia Tiger Lantern

Buddha Maitreye

Wishing pond

Cherry blossom

The Long-Men Grottoes art

I only manage to took these daytime photos on tat day, but I will visit the temple again before CNY end. And hope the time when I re-visit, I will get to take the night scene where the temple will fully lights by lantern and colorful decorations.Wait for my second visit to FGS Dong Zen....

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What I've Bought!!

 By: ryan    9:38 AM  Books, Rick Riordan   No comments

1. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
2. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Sea Of Monsters
3. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Titan's Curse
4. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Battle Of The Labyrinth
5. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Last Olympian
6. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Demigod Files

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Reunion Dinner

 By: ryan    4:34 PM  Dear Diary   No comments

Once a year, Chinese from all over the globe will celebrate CNY and not forgetting the most important custom before CNY is the reunion dinner which held on the day of CNY eve. It's believe that, once a year, it's very important for all family members gather on these day to symbolize reunion or gathering. We're not exceptional from this custom. Here are the dishes:

Steam Yam and Pork

Steam Fish with Soy Sauce (symbolize abundance)

Fried Prawns (symbolize happiness)

Herbal Chicken Soup

Fish Paste with Artificial Shark Fin

Mix Vege

Mayonise Prawns

Chicken's Feet with Mushroom

Thanks for the abundance dinner that provide by our uncle wife ^^

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Kentut

 By: ryan    4:12 PM  Worth A Read   1 comment

I know this is kind an outdated stuff, but no matter how unhappy I am, when I read this, sure I will become happy again..hope this make your day too..

Pasal "Kentut"


1. Tidak jujur - orang yang kalau
kentut lalu menyalahkan orang lain.


2. Bengong - orang yang menahan
kentutnya sampai berjam-jam.


3. Berwawasan 2020 - orang yang tahu
masa yang terbaik untuk kentut.


4. Sengsara - orang yang ingin kentut
tapi tidak boleh kentut.


5. Misterius - orang yang kalau kentut,
orang lain tadak akan tahu.


6. Gugup - orang yang tiba-tiba
terkentut bila disergah.


7. Percaya diri sendiri - orang yang
melepaskan kentutnya dengan bunyi yang
amat lantang.


8. Sadis - orang yang kentut dalam
selimut dan terus dikibaskan baunya.


9. Pemalu - orang yang kentut tidak
berbunyi tetapi gusar orang lain terbau
kentutnya.


10. Strategik - orang yang
menyembunyikan bunyi kentutnya dengan
ketawa terbahak-bahak agar orang lain
tidak dapat mendengar bunyi kentutnya.


11. Bodoh - orang yang kalau habis
kentutnya menghirup untuk mencium angin
kentutnya.


12. Pelik - orang yang boleh
mengeluarkan kentut apabila disuruh.


13. Sombong - orang yang sering mencium
kentutnya sendiri dan bercerita akan
keharuman kentutnya.


14. Ramah - orang yang tidak kisah
mencium kentut orang lain.


15. Tidak suka bergaul - orang yang
suka kentut bila berkumpul dengan teman².


16. Akuatik - orang yang gemar kentut
didalam air.


17. Atletik - orang yang berkentut sambil
mengeluarkan tenaga dalaman.


18. Jujur - orang yang mengaku kalau
habis kentut.


19. Pintar - orang yang menghuraikan
kandungan bau kentut orang lain.


20. Kelakar - orang yang bila ketawa
sambil terkentut.


21. Romantik - orang yang kentut
bunyinya mendayu dan berirama merdu
ketika sedang berdating.


22. Tidak sihat - orang yang bila batuk
dia akan terkentut.


23. Panas baran - orang yang mudah
marah bila terbau kentut walaupun kentutnya
sendiri.
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Sources: SpiderHoo

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Happy 2010 CNY!!

 By: ryan    2:07 PM  Dear Diary   No comments

Usher the Metal Tiger and bidding goodbye to the Earth Ox. CNY is just around the corner which falls on this Sunday. This year, I hope that CNY will be more memorable and meaningful compare to the previous year because last year a few days after CNY is my final’s for my final semester on my degree. I was struggling myself to studies to refrains from the temptations of being slacking and being jolly on the 1st and 2nd day of CNY.

So this year, plans have been made to make sure what I loss from the previous year will be double up on this year with my one week long holiday which officially kick-off on this Saturday.

Day 1 – Enjoy being single which collects more ang-pau (I emphasized on the quality inside the red packet rather than the quantity I receive) and enjoy nice vegetarians dishes cook by my mum.

Day 2 – Visit granny from mum’s side (meaning collect more ang-pau) and then straight go to visit my Must-Visit  Places During CNY, Dong Zen Temple. Hope to take down many nice pictures over there and not forgetting to pray for more blessing and bliss on this year.

This year deco for Dong Zen Temple

Day 3 – A 5 days 4 nights visit to Penang. 

Day 9 – Start my first day of working on Chinese’s lunar calendar.   So here I wish all my friends A Happy Prosperous Chinese New Year!! Huat ah~~~~!!

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Percy Jackson & Olympians - The Lightning Thief (Movie-tie-in)

 By: ryan    9:49 AM  Books, Rick Riordan   No comments

Title: Percy Jackson & Olympians - The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Hyperion Books
ISBN: 9781423134947

Back Cover text
Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school....again. And that's the least of his trouble. Lately, mythological monsters and gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspects.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him: solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend: and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.
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The movie will going to be release on 11 January 2010.
Here is the trailer of the movie:

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What I've Bought!!

 By: ryan    11:49 AM  Books, Richard Templar   No comments

1. The Rules of Work, Richard Templar
2. The Rules of Management, Richard Templar
3. The Rules of Life, Richard Templar

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