Master Chin Kung gives Buddha teaching in SriLanka for one month start from 28 May 2013. Let's watch the video here 安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第6集
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第4集
Master Chin Kung gives Buddha teaching in SriLanka for one month start from 28 May 2013. Let's watch the video here 安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第4集
安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第3集
Master Chin Kung gives Buddha teaching in SriLanka for one month start from 28 May 2013. Let's watch the video here 安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第3集
安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第6集
Master Chin Kung gives Buddha teaching in SriLanka for one month start from 28 May 2013. Let's watch the video here 安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第6集
安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第5集
Master Chin Kung gives Buddha teaching in SriLanka for one month start from 28 May 2013. Let's watch the video here 安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第5集
Thursday, May 30, 2013
安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第1集
Master Chin Kung gives Buddha teaching in SriLanka for one month start from 28 May 2013. Let's watch the video here 安心、安身生活之方法 專題講演 第1集
Time to change for the better
Time to change for the better. Think for a moment, do you want to continue the soulless life or you want to have the mind of origin. Life is ready short, we ready do not know when we will leave this world. Frankly speaking, it is not easy to leave this world peacefully without any sickness, any accidents, any misfortunes like encountering all types of natural disasters earthquakes, cyclone, tsunami etc.
But We can change our destinies if we want to make it happened in good ways. Yes, mindset can ready make our life changed. Many people can not change their destinies because they do not want to change their mindset and then they are just like the dried leaves flowing away from the strong current.
I now realize the significance of changing our life to be better. With the purer and clearer mind, we can enjoy the blissful life in this earth.
We need not indulge on all types of desires yet we can feel internal joy. This type of enjoyment is not physical excitement like drinking bears, foul around with opposite sex, or traveling here and there, we just need to have awaken mind then we can gradually attain the true happiness.
We need not be the bad people to enjoy the worldly short joy. We adopt the opposite and normal ways to enjoy the life in the positive manner.
We need to be the different and not following the crowd. Through the life experiences and the advice of good and model teachers, I finally move towards the gate of true happiness.
Do not miss the chance to have the true happiness now, I mean in this moment. Namoamituofo to all of you. Wish all of you have the pure mind, clear mind and then peacefully go to the pure land-beyond heaven the land that fill with only goodness.
If you happen to see this post, ask you a question? Do you like this post? Do you hate this post? Do you feel comfortable with this post? Do you feel angry with me? Please tell me,thanks.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Peace at home, Peace in the world Tangchi Town
| Peace at Home, Peace in the World |
| A small town in China tells the world about how to make peace |
| By TANG YUANKAI |
Tangchi Town is more famous than
ever, not for its hot spring spa that it has always been well known for,
but for its new culture. Its reputation has attracted visitors such as
Greg Budd, a writer from Australia and his entourage, as well as experts
from many other countries, including representatives from the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). A
small town with more than 2,000 years of history and about 48,000
residents, Tangchi Town in Lujiang County, central China's Anhui
Province is now a synonym for peace and harmony.
Greg Rudd is a Chinese expert, as are
several of his family members. Rudd heard of the ancient Chinese saying
that some places are so safe that people do not need to lock their doors
at night. He found this true of the hotel he stayed in Tangchi. "In
this town, people are very polite and friendly to each other, even
strangers are greeted with smiles," Rudd said.
"Many things in the world are not easy
to do, but have to be done," Rudd commented. He was especially impressed
with Lujiang Culture and Education Center, a non-profit school in
Tangchi.
Lujiang Culture and Education Center has
just entered its third year. The center is staffed with volunteers from
home and abroad, including specialists who quit high-paying jobs to
teach there. Teachers in the center are known to teach ethics and
etiquette by example. "Before I came here, I was skeptical. Now I
realize that the teachers are very faithful in practicing what they
preach," Rudd remarked.
Chin Kung, the founder of the school, is
in his eighties. He has served as visiting or honorary professor at
Renmin University of China and several other universities home and
abroad, teaching courses in conflict resolution and sociology. In recent
years, Chin Kung has attended many international peace conferences,
advocating classical Chinese ethics education as a tool to resolve
conflict and promote peace and stability. Many people agree with his
lofty ideas, but think they are too good to work in practice.
Chin Kung piloted his ideas in his
hometown by establishing the Lujiang Culture and Education Center. Local
residents are taught classical philosophy, which embodies wisdom and
experiences accumulated in over 5,000 years. "In the beginning, I
thought that it would take three years to change the local culture. Yet I
was surprised to find that local social capital has improved in less
than half a year," he confided.
In early October 2006, UNESCO invited
the officials of Tangchi, and the management and teachers of the center
to its headquarters in Paris for a three-day visit. The representatives
from Tangchi showcased their programs to the world. Experts from many
countries have expressed strong interest in Tangchi and an increasing
number of people visit the center.
"After a brief stay in Tangchi, I felt
the rich traditional Chinese culture brought serenity to my heart," said
Dr. Preeyanuch Jariyavidyanont, Deputy Permanent Delegate of Thailand
to UNESCO. "The achievement of cultural education in Tangchi has
illustrated that what works to bring peace and harmony to the family may
bring peace and stability to the world."
The Chinese ethical system implemented
in Tangchi is centered on the family. At the heart of the Confucianism
ethical system are the five moral disciplines of human relations, which
state that: Faithfulness, or trust and loyalty, should exist between
sovereign and subject; intimacy, or fatherly love and filial love,
should exist between father and son; distinction, or differentiated
responsibility, should exist between husband and wife; the younger
should give precedence to the elder, or sisterly and brotherly love, and
sincerity should reign over the relationship between friends.
Three of the five disciplines govern
relations between family members. "Like the stars that follow their
orbits, human beings also need to follow their tracks," Cai Lixu, Head
of Training of the Lujiang Culture and Education Center said. "When each
of us follows the right track, we are behaving ethically, and collision
is avoided."
Cai added, "The teachers all have a
strong conviction that nurture can prevail over nature." This has been
illustrated in Chinese classics, which said, "Men are born nice, with
similar human natures though different dispositions. If not taught
properly, some will go astray."
During their cultural-exchange tours to
Tangchi, many visitors have discovered stunning similarity among
individuals, cultures, ethnical groups and religions. "If we let go of
prejudices, open our hearts, and treat each other fairly and
forgivingly, peace will ensue," said Jariyavidyanont. "From the eyes of
Tangchi residents, I can read the happiness in their hearts. From them I
learned that happiness comes from giving and loving. Sincerity breeds
joys and joys are contagious."
Teachers at the center have empowered
themselves and their students with ancient teachings such as, "Extend
the respect for the elderly in one's family to that of other families;
extend the love of the young ones in one's family to that of other
families."
"In fact, traditional culture teaches us
not only to love ourselves but also other people in the world. It
broadens our horizon, and gives us an asset that we can hand down to the
next generations," said Li Yiduo, Deputy Director of the Law School in
Peking University, who instructs master students there.
Li Ying, a teacher in Beijing who
visited Tangchi several times within half a year, believes that one
should understand peace with the big picture in mind. Peace and harmony
will prevail if the walls between homes are torn down, and people open
up their minds and hearts. "Here are peace and harmony. In silence we
can hear the voice of Tangchi speaking, which touches our hearts."
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Monday, May 27, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
救救孩子 Save your kids
【救救孩子】彭鑫博士
元氣與智力
中醫認為：“腎主骨生髓，腦為髓之海”，腎精常泄的人腦
最近在門診看到一個患者，看到我在天涯社區上面寫的帖子《傷精（腎虛、元氣虛）的種種表現和治療方法》之後來到診所找我看病，他所描述的就比較有代表性：
小可，男，26歲，從上初三開始染上手淫的惡習，而且當
他看到我寫的傷精的表現之後認同感特別強，跟我說：“彭
我打斷他：“你一天手淫幾次？”
“多的時候三次，少的時候一天一次，反正上中學那段時間
“哎……很多小孩就這麼把元精喪失了，不僅腦力不夠、體力也開始下降，對不對？”
“您說的太對了！我以前踢足球是全隊的中場，數我能跑，
“人老腿先老，”我說，“腎氣衰敗的表現之一就是腿沒勁、發沉……”
“對，我的腿就是發沉，而且走路時間長了兩條腿那個累啊
”
我問他：“那你後來都怎麼治了？”
“先去醫院，醫院查了說沒事，可能有點神經性頭痛，就為
...See More
、頭痛的原因最終學習成績下降，沒有考上好的大學，在一個我問他：“那你後來都怎麼治了？”
“先去醫院，醫院查了說沒事，可能有點神經性頭痛，就為
...See More
你不要灰心，戒除手淫，早睡覺，我再給你開方子調理，可
看了您的帖子之後，我越看越明白，我現在特想回到初中再
現在的青少年，外在的誘惑太多太多，色情刊物、訊息、視頻、圖片隨處可見，內在又因為營養的過盛、食品中的激素含量過高、導致性發育過早，再加上很多所謂的 “手淫無害健康”，“精液沒有營養”之類的似是而非的理
『年少之時，血氣未定，戒之在色！』
孔老夫子在兩千多年前已經有了明訓，祖先在醫書裡面記載
救救孩子！！！！
圖文分享自『戒邪淫』臉書↓
Vesak day
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sends his greetings to all Buddhists on the occasion of Vesak Day.
Minister Heng Swee Keat also posted a greeting on Facebook, wishing "all Buddhists a Peaceful and Joyous Vesak Day!"
Vesak day is the important day for mankind. I am so happy that I have the chance to learn the Buddha ways of living, that's mean I am worth living. Buddhism has already in this world more than 2500 years, yet the Buddha teachings are still very useful nowadays. From India, it spread to Asia including China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, SriLanka or Ceylon, Thailand, Philippines etc and now it spread further to western countries, even Africa also has Buddhist monks. Buddha was the man but his influence was so great as the human. Today is Vesak day, it is time to all human beings to ready sit down and think what go wrong in this world? Today is Vesak day. it is time to think deeply why Buddha ways of living can being total peace to this world, no violence, no greed, only have wisdom, awakening type of wisdom.....Vesak day is the day for me to think. Yes Many Buddha statues in many countries even today. Buddha was the excellent example of being the extremely good man. He was the teacher of highest morality. Through his teachings, we feel true peace because of our peaceful acts. Peaceful acts in everything, can you imagine that no hurting of any sentient beings like animals,etc. Buddha told us the various paths to get enlightenment. He said that the whole universe and I are the one, so we should have sincerity, purity, equality, Buddha wisdom or awakening wisdom, compassionate love and then we need to understand the universe and human world, learn how to let go of all desires because it block our inner wisdom, we them must have freedom without any fear, accord with the surrounding harmoniously and mindful of achieving the ultimate aim of enlightenment. Every person regardless of what your religions must adopt the peaceful ways of living. Remember Buddha was the good man, so he was the good teacher who shown us the excellent example. I wish everybody can become the Buddha. In flat we all are future Buddha. If we are willing to purify our mind, the hope is there. This is my thought for today and my Vesak day's thoughts.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Master Chin Kung united nation vesak day
http://www.unesco.org/ Vesak day Master Chin Kung united nation vesak day
Vesak day in Singapore
Vesak day is fall on 24 May 2013, Many Buddhists celebrate in Singapore. Thailand also celebrate Thailand Singapore Tourism Board official web site also highlight the event, United nation also celebrate Vesak day on year 2013
Seeking Peace
Vesak Day is the most significant day of the year in the Buddhist
calendar and is celebrated by Buddhists the world over. The day
commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha and is a
day of immense joy, peace and reflection. In Singapore, Vesak Day
usually falls in the month of May, on the 15th day of the fourth month
of the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
On this day, devout Buddhists and followers alike congregate at their various temples before dawn for the ceremonial, where the Buddhist flag will be hoisted, and hymns sung in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings), and The Sangha (his disciples). Devotees often bring simple offerings of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their spiritual teacher. These symbolic offerings remind followers that life too, is subject to decay and destruction when the offering burns out or wilts away.
Buddhists believe that performing good deeds on Vesak Day will multiply merit many times over. Buddhist youth sometimes organise mass blood donations at hospitals, while general rites and rituals practiced on Vesak Day include chanting of mantras; releasing of caged birds and animals; having vegetarian meals; and "bathing" a Buddha statue, a reference to the legend of the child Buddha being showered with the waters of nine dragons soon after birth. These acts of generosity observed by the Buddhist temples are also known as Dana.
Most statues of the Lord Buddha are illuminated on Vesak Day, and the celebrations conclude with a candlelight procession through the streets. The Buddhist community in Singapore is made up of various sectors, each of them offering variant ways of celebrating the occasion – The Mahayana or "Greater Way" constitutes mainly Chinese Singaporeans and form the majority of Buddhists here, while the Mahayana strain of Buddhism arrived on these shores in 1884 through individual missionaries from China's southern province.
The central pillar of Mahayana Buddhism is that Nirvana can be obtained not just through self-perseverance but also through the help of bodhisattvas or "enlightened ones". One such bodhisattva highly regarded in Singapore is Guanyin, the "Goddess of Mercy". Mahayana Buddhist temples in Singapore like the Phor Kark See Temple on Bright Hill Road, practise the "three-step, one-bow" ritual on Vesak Day, where devotees take steps on both knees, bowing at every third step as they pray for world peace, personal blessings and repentance. The exhausting two-hour procession actually begins 24 hours before, when many would reserve a place in the procession, sometimes with only a small tissue packet.
Meanwhile another main variant of Buddhism is Theravada Buddhism, with a focus on seeking one's own path to salvation. Mainly practised by Singapore's Sri Lankan and Burmese communities, the Burmese Buddhist Temple at Geylang and the Sri Lankaramaya Temple at St Michael's Road practise a ritual of cooking a pot of rice in milk on Vesak Day, reminiscent of Buddha's last meal before his long fast toward enlightenment.
A great place to observe and mark this holy day in Singapore is at the majestic Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple which literally translates to the Twin Grove of the Lotus Mountain Buddhist Temple. Built between the years of 1902 to 1908, it is Singapore’s oldest Buddhist temple and the second largest in Asia. You can also soak in the spirit of the Vesak Day celebrations at The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a four-storey spiritual centre in the heart of Chinatown. It is architecturally inspired by the harmonious combination of the Buddhist mandala and the art culture of Buddhism in the Tang dynasty.
On this day, devout Buddhists and followers alike congregate at their various temples before dawn for the ceremonial, where the Buddhist flag will be hoisted, and hymns sung in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings), and The Sangha (his disciples). Devotees often bring simple offerings of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their spiritual teacher. These symbolic offerings remind followers that life too, is subject to decay and destruction when the offering burns out or wilts away.
Buddhists believe that performing good deeds on Vesak Day will multiply merit many times over. Buddhist youth sometimes organise mass blood donations at hospitals, while general rites and rituals practiced on Vesak Day include chanting of mantras; releasing of caged birds and animals; having vegetarian meals; and "bathing" a Buddha statue, a reference to the legend of the child Buddha being showered with the waters of nine dragons soon after birth. These acts of generosity observed by the Buddhist temples are also known as Dana.
Most statues of the Lord Buddha are illuminated on Vesak Day, and the celebrations conclude with a candlelight procession through the streets. The Buddhist community in Singapore is made up of various sectors, each of them offering variant ways of celebrating the occasion – The Mahayana or "Greater Way" constitutes mainly Chinese Singaporeans and form the majority of Buddhists here, while the Mahayana strain of Buddhism arrived on these shores in 1884 through individual missionaries from China's southern province.
The central pillar of Mahayana Buddhism is that Nirvana can be obtained not just through self-perseverance but also through the help of bodhisattvas or "enlightened ones". One such bodhisattva highly regarded in Singapore is Guanyin, the "Goddess of Mercy". Mahayana Buddhist temples in Singapore like the Phor Kark See Temple on Bright Hill Road, practise the "three-step, one-bow" ritual on Vesak Day, where devotees take steps on both knees, bowing at every third step as they pray for world peace, personal blessings and repentance. The exhausting two-hour procession actually begins 24 hours before, when many would reserve a place in the procession, sometimes with only a small tissue packet.
Meanwhile another main variant of Buddhism is Theravada Buddhism, with a focus on seeking one's own path to salvation. Mainly practised by Singapore's Sri Lankan and Burmese communities, the Burmese Buddhist Temple at Geylang and the Sri Lankaramaya Temple at St Michael's Road practise a ritual of cooking a pot of rice in milk on Vesak Day, reminiscent of Buddha's last meal before his long fast toward enlightenment.
A great place to observe and mark this holy day in Singapore is at the majestic Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple which literally translates to the Twin Grove of the Lotus Mountain Buddhist Temple. Built between the years of 1902 to 1908, it is Singapore’s oldest Buddhist temple and the second largest in Asia. You can also soak in the spirit of the Vesak Day celebrations at The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a four-storey spiritual centre in the heart of Chinatown. It is architecturally inspired by the harmonious combination of the Buddhist mandala and the art culture of Buddhism in the Tang dynasty.
Vesak day Yes, Vesak day is the very important day for SriLanka , Vesak day in SriLanka
Master Chin Kung is going to Sri Lank
Master Chin Kung is going to Sri Lanka for the celebration on vesak day organized by United Nation. After the vesak day 4 days events. Master Chin Kung is going to give lectures in Sri Lanka for one month, this was invited by Sri Lanka president through his religious mentor. The mentor sent the invitation letter personally by plane.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Vesak day on 24 May 2013
Vesak day is on 24 May 2013. When We see the Buddha image, we feel relaxed because of his cool image, stable image. Some people who do not know about Buddhism, they say " wow, Buddhists are praying wood, idol...". When you are hearing this, you must stay cool because these people totally have zero knowledge about Buddha and Buddhism, The Buddha image are everywhere in this world, when we see the Buddha image, it remind us to be like Buddha. Buddha never told people to worship idols. He constantly told us to let go all desires through many lectures. Because human beings were not same intelligence, so Buddha gave a lot of illustration so that they can understand better. Some people are so stupid that they think Buddha want to eat fruits like apples, etc or they think Buddha wants to drink water. actually Buddha don't need all these, offering fruits to Buddha is to remind ourselves causes and effects, we plant bad seeds, we will get bad fruits ( retribution or outcome good or bad ". Why Buddhists offer plain or pure water is simply to remind Buddhists to be as pure, as clean as water, to get rid of greed, hatred.and stupidity. Buddha teachings are so useful in this world at this moment. If we are not killing, then we are all healthy. Buddha said" do not give fear to animals, we will healthy." Buddhists adopt different methods to attain enlightenment. We all need to have right thoughts, right livelihood, we need to do all good deeds. This is the teaching that wants us to gradually or totally in pureness. I am very happy to have the chance to learn Buddhism. This is the peaceful teaching, compassionate ways of living.....harmony with all. And one important message is all are one, we are all have inborn wisdom. Even animals also got hope already.
Vesak day cow appreciate the compassion
Vesak day PremiersMessage2013 is the day for Buddhists to think whether they have good hearts or not. Good hearts is not just talk only, it must be done in action. Buddha told us not to kill then we just don't kill. Because we all believe that these animals are human beings previously, they can be our ex-father, ex-mother, ex-brother, ex-sister,etc etc. How can we kill them just because our greed. By doing the killings, we will face the same fates like these animals. And then we will not spare so luckily like this cow. Vesak day cow appreciate the compassion
Vesak day Bulls are future Buddha also, stop killing
Vesak day is the important day for Buddhists worldwide. In this day, Buddhists will go to temple praying, chanting Buddha name, donation, listen Buddha teaching. Buddha and all of us are the same except he was the enlightened person. Buddha was the best example for showing us the ways of ending our suffering. Every human being is to responsible for his own action. Buddha mind and our mind are totally different but we can attain Buddhahood or completer/true enlightening through the ways that Buddha taught us. In simple word, we ordinary human beings can not ready understand his teaching well because of our Illusion, comparison and attachment. If we get rid of all these elements completely, then we can be like Buddha full of inborn wisdom, virtues and excellency. Let's share with the unique way of BUDDHA-no killing of all kinds. Buddha told us that all are one, Buddha saw all human beings, animals, ghosts, hell beings are Buddha, the only difference is that they are deviated from enlightenment. Buddha told us the reasons why we must not kill, steal, improper sex, telling lies, alcohol,etc because all these are blocking our enlightenment. In flat only enlightened person can fully understand Buddha. Buddha told us to live beyond six realms like animal world, hell, heaven etc. We need to attain the pure state. Some people do not understand Buddhism well unless they can ask those monks who ready follow the Buddha teaching well. Let's see this Buffalo was so lucky that it was saved, thanks for the man who saved this Buffalo. Bulls are future Buddha also, stop killing
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Nhat Hanh and peaceful mind
Nhat Hanh and peaceful mind, Most of the sufferings people experience in relationships are not really caused by others but themselves, says Vietnam’s celebrated Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Yes, it is so true that we get our suffering because of ourselves. His visit garnered rapt attention in a country where “healing” has become a buzzword as people look for ways to make their overstressed lives healthier. Yes, it is so important to have the right and proper ways to make us have peaceful mind. Without peaceful mind, what is the point of living in this world, am I right?
“Listening to and understanding our inner sufferings will resolve most of the problems we encounter,” said Nhat Hanh during a three-hour talk held at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, Monday evening, under the theme “Stop and Heal.”
Nhat Hanh, who arrived in Seoul on May 1 as part of a global trip to celebrate Buddha’s birthday which falls on May 17, will be finishing off his official schedule in Korea today.
“In order to heal others, we first need to heal ourselves. And to heal ourselves, we need to know how to deal with ourselves,” said Nhat Hanh, who is also an influential poet and human rights activist. Yes, in order to solve problems for others, we have to solve our problems in the first place. Many people try to solve other people' problems but fail because they even can not solve their own problems, what Nhat Hanh saying is so true.
“If we know how to go back to ourselves, listen and heal, we can change. But most of us don’t know how to listen to ourselves and understand the sufferings.”
In fast-paced contemporary society, people tend to be reluctant to confront the roots of their sufferings and try to conceal their distress with material consumption, Nhat Hanh observed.
“Our thoughts, speech and action are what cause anger, fear, and suspicion of the other side. So we can’t blame others. We should use language that can help the other side understand better. We should not condemn, accuse or blame while listening to them,” he said.
Addressing the strained relations between the two Koreas, Nhat Hanh claimed Pyongyang’s pursuit of nuclear weapons was not the root cause of diplomatic difficulty, but fear, anger and suspicion between the two countries.
“Nuclear weapons are an obstacle for a good relationship between the South and the North. It reflects the fear, anger, and suspicion in us. If we don’t have anger or fear, we wouldn’t be building nuclear weapons,” he said.
“For peace, the basic thing to do is not to remove nuclear weapons but to remove the fear, anger and suspicion in us. If we reduce them, reconciliation is easy.”
He recalled the three-week reconciliation program he ran for Israelis and Palestinians at the Plum Village, a monastery he runs, in southern France.
“When they arrived, they wouldn’t talk to each other, let alone look at each other. It took three weeks to transform and heal themselves,” he said.
The key to reconciliation is “compassionate listening” according to Nhat Hanh.
“Compassionate listening is to help the other side suffer less. If we realize that other people are the same people as we are, we are no longer angry at them.”
He advised politicians, especially, to learn the Buddhist way.
“If you’re a politician, you might want to learn the Buddhist way of negotiation. Restoring communication and bringing back reconciliation is clear and concrete in Buddhism.” Yes, it is the right time for us to learn the awaken ways , Buddha's ways simply because it work.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The way of a leader no. 7
Nothing can do more harm to a leader than widespread knowledge of the fact that he craves adoration and popularity. Once a leader falls into the traps of wanting an inflated name for himself, his officials will know what he wants and conform to his wishes.Scroll 48: Ti Lun
The way of a leader no. 6
Hence, a ruler who can ruin a country will be a leader zealous about expanding his territory but unconcerned with his duty to advance benevolence. He is concerned with pursuing a position of great authority but does not care too much about promoting virtues. By doing this, he has in fact given up all the conditions that can assure his country’s survival. Inevitably he will lead the country to a path of destruction.Scroll 35: Wen Zi
The way of a leadert no. 5
King Yu of antiquity said: “If a ruler is obsessed with womanizing and hunting, drinking fine wine, singing and dancing, living in lofty mansions with intricate wall paintings and carvings; any one of these will surely bring forth the ruin of his country.”Scroll 2: Shang Shu
The way of a leader no. 4
Craving for visual splendor can distort our vision and impede our ability to see the truth about things. Basking in musical amusement can numb our hearing and impede our ability to appreciate the finer meanings in music. Excessive indulgence in fine cuisine can dull our taste buds and impede our ability to appreciate the food. Wallowing in the thrill of game hunting can make us reckless and lose our sanity. Being desirous of rare and precious objects can cause our greediness to grow and drive us to behave wickedly.Scroll 34: Lao Zi
The way of a leader no.3
Duke Yi of the state of Rong was known for monopolizing wealth and profits for himself and for being oblivious to its adverse effects on the society. One should know that wealth and profits are the very sources of survival for hundreds of materials nurtured between heaven and earth. To monopolize them will give rise to an unbalanced situation thereby causing much harm. How can one monopolize the resources when they are needed by so many? To do so will arouse anger from the public. If we teach our lord to monopolize resources instead of urging him to take precaution against major disasters, can his reign last long?Scroll 11: Shi Ji, Vol. 1
The way of leader no.2
In general, anything that develops too fast will fall apart just
as quickly, whereas a slow and steady development is more assured of
yielding favorable results. Plants that unravel into full bloom in
early morning may wither and fall by the evening, but the slow-growing
pine trees will not wither even in the extreme winter cold. Hence,
a superior person* does not hasten to achieve results. Scroll 26: Wei Zhi, Vol. 2
person, sometimes meaning a power holder, which is its original sense. The term is a compound word composed of two written characters, which separately means “ruler’s son.” Under the changing social conditions of the Warring States period, the concept of birthright was replaced by the notion of an “aristocracy of merit,” and in the Confucian school, the term junzi came to denote an “ethical aristocrat” rather than a future king. The hallmark of the junzi was his complete internalization of the virtue of ren (benevolence) and associated qualities, such as, yi (righteousness) and full socialization through ritual skills. –Bob Eno, The Analects of Confucius, 2010.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The way of a leader
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| Almost a thousand years have passed since the heyday of King Cheng
and King Kang, and many rulers having tried to attain the same glory.
But this golden era of peace and prosperity never returned. Why has this
been so? It is because rulers have forsaken the law and moral
standards, and have instead pursued selfish desires, spoiling themselves
with extravagance, and totally neglecting the practice of benevolence
and righteousness.Scroll 19: Han Shu, Vol. 7 |
Friday, May 10, 2013
止语的好处
黄忠昌居士：止语的好处
（1）真正做到「善护口业，不讥他过」，使自己能尽最大的努力修好十善业，积累往生的福德资粮。同时可以防止辛苦修积来的一点福报从说话之中流失掉，也可避免因口过而招来的麻烦和灾祸，在较大的程度上断绝了菩提道上的业因业缘。
（1）真正做到「善护口业，不讥他过」，使自己能尽最大的努力修好十善业，积累往生的福德资粮。同时可以防止辛苦修积来的一点福报从说话之中流失掉，也可避免因口过而招来的麻烦和灾祸，在较大的程度上断绝了菩提道上的业因业缘。
（2）能够避免犯破六和敬，破坏正法道场的重罪。谚 语有谓「人平不语，水平不流」，易经上也说「吉人寡语」。凡夫喜欢杂心闲话，其实是由于内心里贪瞋痴慢的烦恼习气太重，不说话就难受，总要找话题来消遣消 遣，太喜欢说话的人确实是心不在道。而且可以说明他几乎还没有觉悟，还没有真正生起了生死出三界之心。如果是真正的修道人，心里常存惭愧，一定会珍惜光 阴，把精力用在听经、讲经、看书、念佛、拜佛。凡夫说出来的话既然是由烦恼习气所引发，就难免对他人的害处远远大于好处，而且又缺乏真诚恭敬心。言谈当中 不知不觉就会误导人、伤害人，于是由许多的小磨擦而演变成大磨擦，终于破坏了彼此之间的和谐，于是就在犯了破六和敬的罪过，而自己往往还不知不觉。既然破 了六和敬，当然也破坏了正法道场，干扰了他人的正常修学，制造了恶劣的修学气氛，这个罪过当然不轻。
（3）能够提升自己的忍辱功夫。凡 夫烦恼习气很重，遇到不称心如意的事情就会发牢骚，看人不顺眼就想去纠正人、批评人。譬如见人说话太大声，就想去制止他，见人关门动作粗鲁，发出巨大的声 响，又想去纠正他，见人小便后不冲水，就想去批评他。止语就可以避免这些过失，逼着自己样样都要忍耐，克服自己的烦恼习气，慢慢地就会做到「不见他人过， 只见自己过」，逐渐就会懂得「境缘无好丑，好丑在人心」，心渐渐不再被外境所转了。
（4）能够提升自己的诚敬心，能够得到佛菩萨更大的加持。诚敬心多一分则多消一分罪，多增一分福慧，多得佛菩萨的一分加持。止语是佛菩萨之所欢喜，是依教奉行的表现，比起不修止语，对佛法、对护法、对众生、对道业的诚敬心是大大地提升了许多。
（5）能够提升自己的警觉心。因为止语，受到别人的干扰会比较小，于是就有更多的精神照顾自己的起心动念，烦恼习气生起之时能比较迅速地察觉，并且令其息灭，久而久之，烦恼习气就会被控制住。同时也常常比较容易觉察出自己的毛病和过失，也能较快地改正过来。
（6）能够比较有效地保护自己的清净心。不跟人说话时间久了，人家也不会找自己说话，不用常常应付人，受到的影响就小，就有更多的时间听经、读经、看书，凡事不闻不问，心里没有忧虑牵挂，心常能保持空灵，心就愈来愈清净，心愈清净就愈有智慧。
（7）能够更好地学习随缘度日。因为止语，人不得不老实，不得不放下种种的要求和意见，凡事合自己的意思很好，不合自己的意思也很好，有也好，没有也好，得也好，失也好，渐渐地就学会了随缘度日，同时也不断学习在一切顺逆善恶境缘中保持心平气和，久而久之，烦恼就能伏住了。
（8）能够放下种种恩怨。与 人多说，谈得投机则生感情，谈得不投机则免不了产生磨擦，就很容易与人结下怨仇，这些恩怨就会对往生造成很大的障碍。常常找人说话，有时无意中也会得罪 人，如果特别喜欢和某人说话，另一个人也许会想怎么就不跟我说话，是不是看不起我，所以也产生让人生烦恼的过失。同时也使自己失去了平等心，不能一视同 仁，平等对待一切人。
（9）能够增长谦卑、恭敬的心。因为不再发表意见了，人家也不会再问您这样那样的问题，贡高我慢、自以为是的烦恼习气渐渐就会淡了下来，人人都不再对您多加关心，时间久了，就会感到自己是微不足道之人，谦卑、恭敬的心不知不觉也渐渐地增长起来了。
（10） 不提供机会让人与自己谈话，也减少了别人造业的机会，同时也能防止有人烦恼起现行而找借口来障碍自己的正常修学。
（11） 止语其实是在享清福。止语久了的人，会觉得说话是很麻烦、很辛苦的事，请他说话他会感到很不愿意，也很不自然。
Thursday, May 9, 2013
黄忠昌居士求生净土
今天发给诸位有一份黄忠昌居士求生净土的发愿文，后面有他的简单介绍。这个人就是听我讲经，他受了很大的感动，决定要求生净土。听说这些年灾难很多，他自己说过，他不想受这个灾难，也不愿意看到这个灾难，希望在灾难未发生之前他就能到极乐世界，所以他闭关，闭关三年念佛。
他是止语不说话，就是一句佛号念到底，一天听六个小时《无量寿经》，《无量寿经》总共听了五遍，从头到尾听过五遍，一句佛号不中断，二年十个月，前几天
往生的，预知时至，瑞相非常好，火化之后有舍利、有舍利花。我让他们把它捡出来，做一个塔来供养。他发的心是给我们念佛人做一个示范，看看三年是不是真的
能成就，果然成就。
今天他母亲还给我打个电话，非常欢喜。本来人家认为他母亲好像会难受受不了，没想到母亲很欢喜，她说她这个小孩度了她自己，现在对念佛有信心，儿子做出
榜样出来。我说他不但度他的母亲，他会度很多人。所以这份东西我们把它印出来供养大家做参考，同时这篇东西，他这个发愿文，把它放在网路上流传，让大家都
能看得到。这是真的，这个才叫真正解决问题。
如果你真正念到功夫成片，他是功夫成片往生的，念到功夫成片可不可以不走？可以，到这时候这是生死自在，但是大部分人他会走，不走是为什么？不走就是他
跟这个世间还有缘，就是他来弘法讲经劝人念佛人家相信他，他有这个缘。有这个缘，多带几个人去，没有这个缘，自己先去，去了再来，生死自在！这就问题解决
了。所以对这个世间决定没有留恋，住这个世间无非是帮助一些有缘人，能信、能理解，真正肯干的，这一生决定成就。
所以一个道场的兴旺，古大德教导我们，这个道场得禅定的人多，开悟的人多，证果的人多，往生的人多，这道场兴旺！不是人多，人再多一个都没有成就，这个
道场不是兴旺道场。兴旺道场要有四种人，得禅定的，这是最低的等级，第二个是开悟，第三个是证果，最殊胜的是往生。诸位要晓得，往生就作佛了，比那个开
悟、证果高得多！证果，证个阿罗汉、证个菩萨，哪有往生极乐世界殊胜？不能比！所以往生是第一殊胜。
怎样才能往生？你看看人家这个发愿就晓得，没有别的，放下，这个也要那个也要，那就很糟糕，你就去不了。彻底放下，心里面毫无牵挂，就是一句佛号，你看
他生病，这两年多中也生过病，生病的时候他断食，这是佛教给出家人的方法，不看医生也不吃药，断食，只喝水，断食，慢慢的调养，他自然就好了，他用这个方
法，很有效。所以你看他的愿文，非常坚定，一丝毫疑惑都没有。
往生的前一天，他托梦给一个同修，告诉他，就是第二天，往生的时间在下午五点之前。往生之前，那时候我们正好讲经，我们讲经是四点半开始，他要到香港来
感谢，来谢谢法师，到这边来，然后就走了。你看，四点五十分就走了，五点钟之前，预知时至。是真的不是假的，三、四天之前的事情。（净空法师·答香港参学
同修之三十七 2006/6/16）
黄忠昌居士，三十八岁，念佛二年十个月，预知时至，往生佛国，瑞相希有。足为念佛作证转轮。愿我同修增坚信愿，努力效法，一门深入，三年薰习，同生净土。
净空6月14日
2006年6月8日黄居士晚上发烧，不仅拒绝医药，一反常态的，连滴水也不沾。6月9日上午，图书馆负责人征得黄居士本人同意，送医治疗。检查结果是肺部严重感染，有生命危险。医生说，黄居士从进医院开始，神智始终清楚，口中不停念着阿弥陀佛，从无间断。
6月8日晚上，图书馆负责人曾于梦中见到一男子要走，请为他安排时间，希望不超过9日下午五点。因他第一站要到香港，在老法师讲经时谢恩。果然，黄居士于6月9日下午4时50分往生。足以证明古大德于往生传记所记载，真信切愿，三年念佛决定往生之语，真实不虚。
信德图书馆成立于2001年至今，黄忠昌居士已是第三位往生西方的典范。
第 一位，是七十五岁的吴振峰居士，也是预知时至。往生前三个月，请求道场负责人全权帮忙处理后事。特别嘱咐，务必于往生二十四小时以后，才能告知居住在邻近 的两个女儿。老居士往生当天的上午，将银行所有存款领出，供养道场。请求负责人七天后帮他办一场三时系念法会。往生当天下午，至道场向义工一一道别。晚上 即于家中吉祥卧安详往生。2004年7月4日＜农历5月17日＞往生
第 二位于图书馆往生的，是五十九岁的吴粉玲居士，患有脑瘤。往生二十天前，请求道场负责人让她的小儿子至道场做义工，并请道场帮忙办理后事。之后，即请假回 家。往生当天前二十分钟，一一打电话向道友告别，并嘱咐家人全力配合道场为她处理后事。这天，吴居士上洗手间时，觉得有些头晕，不慎跌倒，头撞了墙，出现 像拳头大的黑紫色的肿包。家人立刻打电话给道场，请求为吴老居士助念。老居士随着大众的佛号，微笑往生。往生后半小时，头上的包即消失了。
2005年2月26日＜农历1月18日＞往生
以上三位预知时至往生西方的好榜样，都是每日六小时专听《无量寿经》，十一小时精进念佛，精进不懈。黄忠昌与吴振峰居士更是止语用功，绝无闲岔。蕅益大师所云：‘得生与否，全在信愿之有无。品位高下，决定于功夫之浅深。’真信切愿，一句佛号可抵悠悠忽忽十万声都不止。《弥陀经》中所说念佛一日至七日，确实是佛的真实语，愿我同伦共勉之。
申 请书
尊
敬的馆长：您好！今天上午听了您的一番话，真是心急如焚，真的想不睡觉、不吃饭地干啊！我还敢说什么话、还敢起什么念头吗？灾难来得这么快，只恨自己业障
深重，从小就不懂得尊敬父母、师长、长辈，没有福报接受良好的教育。最近看《玉历宝钞》真是越看越惊恐，众生想离开三恶道真是万般艰难！以前我还以为自己
业障比较轻，一年半下来功夫还没能成片，心里的感受无法形容！非常感激馆长和这么多这么好的义工护持！我只希望真的如您所说，千万不要在佛菩萨脸上抹黑！
谢谢您的恩德！
申请人 黄忠昌 合十顶礼2005年4月22日
申 请书
尊敬的馆长：您好！阿弥陀佛！非常非常抱歉！今天上午心里确实太着急了，话都不想多说了，只想从此不停地念佛！所以那个申请书写得太简短了，也并没有把申请的意思表达出来。念了一个下午的佛，心里总算有点沉着而明朗了，所以觉得有必要重新补写申请书，敬请馆长多多谅解！ 很感谢馆长透露了那个惊人的消息，空前的翻天覆地的大灾难将在二００七年爆发。听到这个消息我真的心急如焚，因为我深深相信这一生不能往生必定是无量劫又无量劫地轮转。不要说三恶道的苦难我不想遭遇，就是人道的痛苦我也不愿意承受，也不愿意目睹！
下 午念佛，平时感到舒畅悦耳的佛号，今天竟然变得那么慢，真的像老牛拉破车一般，这使我明白到为什么一年半下来功夫不能成片的原因，就是因为求生西方极乐世 界的愿心并没有达到真正恳切的程度，所以常常还会轻忽养识，随顺妄想杂念。凡夫就是如此，不是真正火烧眉头就不会真正打起十二分精神拼命地干。虽然平时并 不算松懈懒散，但是心里面暗暗地总觉得还有时光，所以这就糟了。今天听您这么一说，我深深相信这次的灾难必定是空前的大灾难。从二００一年起我几乎每天观 察天气，怎么几乎天天都是白雾茫茫的，这是三十多年来所未见过的现象。而且能明白到自从科技发达之后，人类造作的罪业，短短几十年就远远超过古时候的几千 年，我真的不忍目睹这场灾难的降临。看到小孩子们不懂得念佛求生净土，心里真为他们难过啊！我现在的心情就像赶乘最后一班车的那种心情。明天一早，我要在 佛前恭敬郑重地发愿，从今以后，中午不睡觉，晚上那一餐彻底断绝，喜欢看的书也彻底放下了，一定要分秒必争拼命，赶在二００七年之前功夫成就，预知时至， 希望能在三十三楼顺利往生。
这 使我想起曾经看过的一张往生的光碟，也许馆长您也看过，那是老法师的弟子悟正师的弟弟陈俊彦，三十一岁那年突然得了癌症，医生断定他只有六个月的时间，于 是他彻底放下万缘，每天都像在闭关一样勇猛精进地念佛，果然因祸得福成就了。我虽不敢肯定自己的善根福德因缘能如同他一样，但是我比他多念了好几年的佛， 多听了几年的经，有底子啊！而且往生的愿心也能如他一般，所以我还是觉得自己有那么一线希望。我深深希望馆长能成全我的愿望，我不敢像别人那样要求终生在 本馆念佛，但是希望至少能念到二００七年之前，恳请馆长同意和支持！
在 这段时间，因为恳切求生净土，勇猛精进，相信必定有种种魔障现前，我深深希望自己能谨记老法师的教诲，不管逆境顺境、善缘恶缘，都以平常心对待，都能看成 是道业成就的增上缘。如果得了病，不管大病小病，一律不吃药不看医生！一定要拿出坚强的意志，以坦然的心情面对种种魔障，因为已完全没有退缩的余地了！自 从学佛以来我就常向人说，我最怕的就是壮志未酬身先死，这一天真的来了，我是多么由衷地羡慕诸佛菩萨以无尽的慈悲和无量的善巧方便普度虚空法界无量无边苦 难众生破迷开悟，离苦得乐，圆成佛道！而这个愿心始终都没有退减啊！
最后再次由衷地感激馆长、法师和各位义工说不尽的恩德！
申请人 黄忠昌 合十顶礼 2005年4月22日
黄忠昌求生净土发愿文
弟子至心恳切祈求佛陀慈悲威神加持：
弟子至心恳切希望起心动念、言语造作能远离一切罪恶，不容毫分不善夹杂。
愿能不见世间过，不被外境所转。
愿能时时处处正念现前。
愿能认真努力念佛，愿能唤醒自性本具之真诚、清净、平等、正觉、慈悲之性德。
愿能努力知过改过，看破放下，积功累德，但求善根福德智慧增长，功夫早日成片。
弟子至心忏悔无始以来所造作的一切罪业，业重福轻，障深慧浅。然而弟子真心切愿脱离六道轮回，求生西方极乐世界，愿能成就无上圆满菩提。
弟子愿为正法久住世间，愿为一切众生早日破迷开悟，离苦得乐，圆成佛道而认真努力修行。
愿能努力克服烦恼习气，放下妄想杂念。愿能不见世间过，不被外境所转。起心动念、言语造作能远离一切罪恶，不容毫分不善夹杂。
愿能努力知过改过，看破放下，积功累德。
愿能认真努力念佛，愿能唤醒自性本具之真诚、清净、平等、正觉、慈悲之性德。
愿能善根福德智慧增长，早日功夫成片。
愿佛慈悲护念，威神加持。
——转载自净空法师专集网站
黄忠昌居士：止语的好处
（1）真正做到「善护口业，不讥他过」，使自己能尽最大的努力修好十善业，积累往生的福德资粮。同时可以防止辛苦修积来的一点福报从说话之中流失掉，也可避免因口过而招来的麻烦和灾祸，在较大的程度上断绝了菩提道上的业因业缘。
（2）能够避免犯破六和敬，破坏正法道场的重罪。谚 语有谓「人平不语，水平不流」，易经上也说「吉人寡语」。凡夫喜欢杂心闲话，其实是由于内心里贪瞋痴慢的烦恼习气太重，不说话就难受，总要找话题来消遣消 遣，太喜欢说话的人确实是心不在道。而且可以说明他几乎还没有觉悟，还没有真正生起了生死出三界之心。如果是真正的修道人，心里常存惭愧，一定会珍惜光 阴，把精力用在听经、讲经、看书、念佛、拜佛。凡夫说出来的话既然是由烦恼习气所引发，就难免对他人的害处远远大于好处，而且又缺乏真诚恭敬心。言谈当中 不知不觉就会误导人、伤害人，于是由许多的小磨擦而演变成大磨擦，终于破坏了彼此之间的和谐，于是就在犯了破六和敬的罪过，而自己往往还不知不觉。既然破 了六和敬，当然也破坏了正法道场，干扰了他人的正常修学，制造了恶劣的修学气氛，这个罪过当然不轻。
（3）能够提升自己的忍辱功夫。凡 夫烦恼习气很重，遇到不称心如意的事情就会发牢骚，看人不顺眼就想去纠正人、批评人。譬如见人说话太大声，就想去制止他，见人关门动作粗鲁，发出巨大的声 响，又想去纠正他，见人小便后不冲水，就想去批评他。止语就可以避免这些过失，逼着自己样样都要忍耐，克服自己的烦恼习气，慢慢地就会做到「不见他人过， 只见自己过」，逐渐就会懂得「境缘无好丑，好丑在人心」，心渐渐不再被外境所转了。
（4）能够提升自己的诚敬心，能够得到佛菩萨更大的加持。诚敬心多一分则多消一分罪，多增一分福慧，多得佛菩萨的一分加持。止语是佛菩萨之所欢喜，是依教奉行的表现，比起不修止语，对佛法、对护法、对众生、对道业的诚敬心是大大地提升了许多。
（5）能够提升自己的警觉心。因为止语，受到别人的干扰会比较小，于是就有更多的精神照顾自己的起心动念，烦恼习气生起之时能比较迅速地察觉，并且令其息灭，久而久之，烦恼习气就会被控制住。同时也常常比较容易觉察出自己的毛病和过失，也能较快地改正过来。
（6）能够比较有效地保护自己的清净心。不跟人说话时间久了，人家也不会找自己说话，不用常常应付人，受到的影响就小，就有更多的时间听经、读经、看书，凡事不闻不问，心里没有忧虑牵挂，心常能保持空灵，心就愈来愈清净，心愈清净就愈有智慧。
（7）能够更好地学习随缘度日。因为止语，人不得不老实，不得不放下种种的要求和意见，凡事合自己的意思很好，不合自己的意思也很好，有也好，没有也好，得也好，失也好，渐渐地就学会了随缘度日，同时也不断学习在一切顺逆善恶境缘中保持心平气和，久而久之，烦恼就能伏住了。
（8）能够放下种种恩怨。与 人多说，谈得投机则生感情，谈得不投机则免不了产生磨擦，就很容易与人结下怨仇，这些恩怨就会对往生造成很大的障碍。常常找人说话，有时无意中也会得罪 人，如果特别喜欢和某人说话，另一个人也许会想怎么就不跟我说话，是不是看不起我，所以也产生让人生烦恼的过失。同时也使自己失去了平等心，不能一视同 仁，平等对待一切人。
（9）能够增长谦卑、恭敬的心。因为不再发表意见了，人家也不会再问您这样那样的问题，贡高我慢、自以为是的烦恼习气渐渐就会淡了下来，人人都不再对您多加关心，时间久了，就会感到自己是微不足道之人，谦卑、恭敬的心不知不觉也渐渐地增长起来了。
（10） 不提供机会让人与自己谈话，也减少了别人造业的机会，同时也能防止有人烦恼起现行而找借口来障碍自己的正常修学。
（11） 止语其实是在享清福。止语久了的人，会觉得说话是很麻烦、很辛苦的事，请他说话他会感到很不愿意，也很不自然。
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Building the model city of peace
Respected leaders from the government, respected leaders of various religions and
faith traditions, and honored guests.
Today is a joyful day. Once again we are gathered here in this beautiful garden city,
Toowoomba. Joining the forum today are our respected mayor and many elders and friends
from Toowoomba. Together with those who are dedicated to promoting peace and harmony
to make this world a better place as well as those who have travelled from far and
near from various religions and faith traditions, we are all hoping and working as
one to make Toowoomba a model city of peace and harmony.
The Cause of Disasters and How to Resolve It
We all know that our world is experiencing ever-increasing conflicts and chaos. Possibilities
for armed conflicts are seen in many places. Natural disasters are occurring with
increasing frequency. Some worry that the end of the world is coming. We have to
ask, “What is the cause of these natural and man-made disasters? How do we resolve
them?”
Dr. Masaru Emoto from Japan, with his renowned experiments on water, has proved
that the crystallization of water can be changed from beautiful to ugly when experimenters’
thoughts change from kindness to evilness. This is perhaps a most direct proof of
the law of cause and effect. Confucius taught in the Book of Shan: “. . . do good
and a hundred good fortunes will manifest. Do evil and a hundred misfortunes will
ensue.” The Bible says: “Woe unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward
of his hands shall be given him.” Isaiah 3:11 (King James Version). The Quran says:
“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned.”
42:30 (The Noble Quran).
We can thus see that due to the ill will of humanity as a whole, our world is experiencing
both natural and man-made disasters. Selfishness, evilness, and such malevolence
have created the problems in the world. According to the Buddhist sutras, greed causes
floods, anger causes attracts fire (a rise in temperature), ignorance causes windstorms,
arrogance causes earthquakes, doubt causes environmental frailty (including cave-ins,
and landslides), selfishness and confrontation cause chaos and war, and evil mindsets
cause illness and diseases. It is said that “All phenomenon arise from our minds;
our environment can be transformed by the mind.” Quantum physics has revealed to
us that matter is the creation of our will. Matter is influenced and controlled by
our wills.
Mr. Gregg Braden from the U. S. has said that to change our world for the better
in the time period described by the Mayan calendar in 2012, we must stop our wrongdoings
and start doing good. Also, we must adjust our mindsets to become positive and kind.
Dr. Emoto once organized 300 people to conduct an experiment near Lake Biwa, Japan.
They prayed to the stagnant cove water that had become foul smelling. The water became
clean as the people kept sending it messages of love. As a result, the long-polluted
cove of Lake Biwa became clean and remained so for nearly half a year. We can see
that kind and pure thoughts truly can bring about a good and serene environment.
If we can keep our minds in a state of sincerity, purity, equality, awakening, and
compassion, then all natural and man-made disasters will gradually dissipate. The
world will become peaceful and tranquil. Our earth will regain its beauty and wonder.
World Peace Begins with Religious Harmony
In 2005, the former prime minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir, spoke with me. With
great concern, he asked if our world would ever be peaceful again? I answered that
if we can fulfill four conditions, then it is possible for peace to become a reality.
He asked which four conditions? I said first of all, all countries had to treat one
another equally and get along harmoniously. Then, the same applied to political parties,
ethnic groups, and last, religious groups. If these four conditions could be achieved,
and everyone treated one another equally and got along harmoniously, conflicts could
be resolved and peace would be realized.
Upon hearing my words, Dr. Mahathir was silent for a while. I then said that these
conditions were truly difficult and complicated to fulfill. But if we started with
religious harmony and cooperation, then it could be achieved. Dr. Mahathir understood
immediately.
Cooperation between religions is the key to world peace. All religious texts teach
people to learn the lessons from saints and sages, from God and Buddha, about universal
love, broadmindedness, selflessness, the abandonment of evil and promotion of kindness,
letting go of greed, the betterment of spirituality, and doing everything we can
to help all beings attain happiness and end suffering. The number of religious adherents
around the world still surpasses non-believers. If all religious adherents could
abide by their own religious teachings while at the same time treating other religious
adherents with equality, with harmony while mutually learning, could cooperate and
help one another, then this strong force for peace and harmony would surely bring
about world peace.
Since 1998, we have done our part in promoting religious harmony and cooperation
in Singapore as well as in Malaysia. The result has been joyful. Over the past ten
years, we have seen work in the area of religious harmony become more visible. In
February 2009, Griffith University and the Pure Land Learning College Association
[PLLCA] hosted the “One Humanity, Many Faiths” summit in the Brisbane City Hall.
Over 400 people from 148 religious organizations from Australia and Asian countries,
and leaders from political and financial sectors attended. There was much positive
feedback, resonating with the theme of the event. These experiences have shown us
that all religions and faith traditions in the world are members of one family. As
one family, religious harmony can be realized.
The Inspiration of the Lujiang Project of Harmony
For many years, I have had opportunities to report to various peace conferences initiated
by the UN and UNESCO in different countries. I presented the wisdom, methods, and
experiences from Chinese ancestors, saints, and sages in the area of achieving good
governance for a nation. Many participants were pleased to hear about these ancient
teachings, but they expressed doubt about its practicality. The only way to increase
confidence for everyone was to establish a place with a peaceful experimental model
in order to prove the validity of the teachings.
From 2005 to 2008, we went to the town of Lujiang, Anhui province, China. We decided
to start with this town as a demonstration area. We promoted traditional Chinese
culture, using Guidelines for Being a Good Person (Di Zi Gui) as the basic teaching
material. These teachings promoted social cohesion and taught about peace and harmony.
It was beyond our expectation that within a few months, great results were witnessed.
The divorce rate of the town went down. The crime rate dropped. More people talked
about family unity and engaged in neighborly exchanges than before. Even the streets
were much cleaner and people changed for the better. The face of this 48,000 populated
town was almost brand new.
These results have shown us that the innate nature of humanity is filled with purity
and goodness. People seek eagerly to have a harmonious society and community. But
most simply do not know the method to achieve it. Once a way is found, hope is within
sight and most people are willing to do their best to see it realized. People can
be easily taught. They can be taught to become better.
Conditions Have Matured for Toowoomba to Become a Model City of Peace and Harmony
Today, with the success of Lujiang as a point of demonstration, elders and leaders
who are ready to help build Toowoomba into a model city of harmony have a clear direction
and point of reference. Many staff members and students in the PLLCA have resided
in Toowoomba for the past ten years. We have a good rapport with local residents
and many religious organizations.
For ten years, the PLLCA has hosted a Friendship Dinner and multifaith forum on Saturday
evening. Representatives from different faith traditions and religions are able to
communicate in harmony and peace while residents are caring and kind to one another.
Visitors have felt at home here just like members of a big family. In December 2011,
at the tenth year anniversary celebration of the PLLCA, many faith leaders expressed
their support and wish for making Toowoomba a model city of peace and harmony for
the whole world. This is a deeply meaningful and tremendously insightful action.
It is a blessed endeavor of the highest order.
Toowoomba is a place with distinct characteristics. Residents come from many
parts of the world, with different communities, ethnicities, and cultures. They each
have their own customs and religious beliefs. Toowoomba is able to express its beauty
in a multicultural setting just like a magnificent flower garden in which hundreds
of different flowers blossom for the visitors to behold and gaze on in wonder.
Due to these unique characteristics, it is especially meaningful to help establish
Toowoomba as a model city of peace and harmony. We wish to preserve and treasure
the distinct features of each ethnicity and culture. With a mind that is loving,
compassionate, and accepting, we can all mutually respect, accept, and harmoniously
treat one another with impartiality.
When visitors come to Toowoomba, they will be able to see people of different colors
and ethnicities with their diverse traditions and cultures thrive here as one family.
This will bring real awakening to people of the world. This awakening is a simple
realization—due to misunderstandings caused by a lack of proper communications and
mutual understanding, seeming differences between ethnicities, faiths, and customs
have resulted in conflicts and even wars.
With the ease of travel and rapid exchange of information, our world has become a
village. If we continue to fall back on erroneous old ideas, unwilling to let go
of selfishness, narrow-mindedness, and rejecting of others, then human beings are
not worthy of the name of “crown of creation,” and disasters, man-made or natural,
will be unavoidable.
We should transcend superficial differences and deeply live the experience that we
are one. The whole universe is one living entity.
We mutually respect, love, and cooperate with one another, setting ourselves as a
model of peace and harmony to show the whole world that multi-racial, multicultural,
and multifaith harmony—and peace—is achievable.
The ideal of the human race becoming one family is attainable.
Sustainable Peace and Harmony Relies on Religious Education
Making Toowoomba a model city of peace and harmony will require the leadership and
guidance from each religion to realize peace and harmony. We hope to establish a
Goodwill Committee in which religious leaders can come together on a regular basis
to exchange ideas and share views. By participating in the religious activities held
by other religions and by helping others with their charitable work, we can share
our mutual wisdom, mutually learn from one another, and become one big family.
Sustainable peace and harmony can only be built on the solid foundation of religious
education. In fact, religion initially was an education. The word religion in Chinese
is zongjiao. Zong means primary, important, and to be revered. Jiao means education,
teaching, and transformation. Hence, when the Chinese put these two characters together,
it means primary education, important teaching, and a transformation to be revered.
There are five elements of an education: morality, virtue, causality, philosophy
and science. This kind of education is the medicine that we need to right peoples’
deviated mindsets, and also to cure the problems we are facing in the world. It is
the prescription that the world needs urgently. Founders of each religion were great
educators. They all taught virtuous deeds such as harmony, mutual help, loving kindness,
and altruism.
Each religion, based on equality and harmonious coexistence, should focus on its
educational aspects and delve deeply into the essence of its own teachings. Each
religion should share in the mission to assume the responsibility in educating society
and make our world a better place, salvaging the declining social morals and upholding
proper values of our society. Should we be able to do so, the saints and sages would
be touched by what we have done and with their blessing, there would be less disasters
for Toowoomba, and for our earth. With peace and harmony achieved among religions,
then peace and harmony among ethnic groups, political parties, and countries will
follow.
Religious organizations have one more vital task—we all need to nurture more teachers
to help promote our own religions, to carry on the sacred teachings. I would like
to suggest, first of all, to set up a Postgraduate Centre of Multifaith and Multicultural
Education Research to train religious teachers for each religion.
With a good number of religious teachers available, we can then establish a Multifaith
University to provide courses to the public in the five elements mentioned before:
morality, virtue, causality, philosophy and science to further our pursuit of fostering
future religious teachers from a wider community. The teachers should sincerely follow
the motto of “Learn to be a teacher and act as a role model for all.”
These teachers would also implement the teachings of the sages and saints in their
daily life. Not only will they delve deeply into the teachings of their own religions,
they will also humbly learn from other religions. Later in life, in teaching their
own faiths, they will be teaching their followers to treat other religious adherents
with equality, harmony, mutual respect, and mutual cooperation. Together, these religious
teachers will safeguard and make sustainable the fruit of peace and harmony in society.
Future Influences and Expectations
When Toowoomba succeeds in being a model city of peace and harmony, we should share
our experiences with others. We hope to organize an annual get-together and demonstrate
to the world our ideals, our experiences, our methods and also our achievements.
We would like to welcome people from all over Australia, and from around the world,
people who share the same vision to build peaceful and harmonious cities, to come
here to see with their own eyes and to help them gain practical insights and inspiration,
thus helping them achieve peace and harmony where they live.
If we could make Toowoomba a model city of peace and harmony, and the high standards
of achievement could be sustained for over one year, we will set up a satellite television
station here. The station will broadcast the continuous-learning way of life of the
Toowoomba people to the world so the whole world will see the true marvel of living
in peace and harmony. By that time, people around the world would all want to learn
from the experiences of Toowoomba. They would want to come and visit. Many may even
want to immigrate here. Toowoomba would certainly become more and more prosperous.
In turn, people all over the world would feel more and more strongly about the benefits
of peace and harmony. They would become increasingly conscientious of their own purity
of mind; they would treat others more equally and harmoniously. When the majority
of the human race shares such kind thoughts and mindsets, there will be fewer natural
and man-made disasters, and in the end we will be able to eliminate them all together.
The power of “setting an excellent example for others” is enormous. In ancient China,
King Tang was able to rule in harmony all tribes within thirty-five kilometers of
his kingdom. His deeds have been praised and highly regarded as the model of governing
a country. His way was sought and learned by people all over China. It was the direct
cause of a long period of peace and harmony in Chinese history.
Likewise, Toowoomba, the model city of peace and harmony will inspire and encourage
people around the world, and help them to act and turn more and more cities in the
world into model cities of peace and harmony. This is also a wish that has been in
the heart of our mayor for many years. If this wish could be achieved during his
term of office, it would be an auspicious achievement. The initial positive effect
from such a model city would be emanated gradually. It would grow to become more
multilateral, and in the end we would witness holistic and complete transformation.
It would transform the chaotic world making it a peaceful place and restore the wounded
earth back to a healthy planet.
As an old Chinese proverb says, “Actions speaks louder than words.” Today, we are
here to discuss the plan to make Toowoomba a model city of peace and harmony. Later,
when we leave our seats, let us use true actions to move forward in great strides
towards our vision.
I sincerely wish the building of Toowoomba into a model city of peace and harmony
will be a great success.
I sincerely wish all of you the best, good health, and happiness.
Shi Chin Kung AM
Honorary PhD, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Indonesia
Honorary PhD, University of Southern Queensland, Griffith University, Australia
President, Pure Land Learning College Association, Inc., Australia
President, Hong Kong Buddhist Education Foundation, Ltd., Hong Kong
Honorary Professor, Griffith University, Australia
Honorary Professor, University of Queensland, Australia
Visiting Professor, People’s University of China, China
Trustee and Professor, Shandon University, China
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Najib Razak support Chinese education in Malaysia
Malaysia prime minister Mr. Najib is the very nice person towards Chinese education in Malaysia. Mr. Najib Razak is the open-minded person, he knows the importance of Chinese language can play the key role in instilling the traditional values for Chinese people. I admire his farsightedness although Mr. Najib is not Chinese.
When I hear the news, I feel very happy that Chinese people in Malaysia have the chance to learn more deeply about their culture. This is the reality not just talk only, Chinese school teachers in Malaysia mostly gone through the moral training like de zi qui or Confucius teaching. Yes, with that moral foundation, Chinese people will be able to prevent whitewash by western sub-culture. Yes, with superficial understanding of Chinese language and lack of learning its traditional values, with the hugh waves from western sub-values, they will be lost and only will follow western bad values or habits blindly. People say yellow banana because inside all white ( western bad habits or anything also can) that type of attitudes. With few generation, they will be surely washed by western tsunami
KUALA
LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is the only country outside China
that recognises Chinese education as part of the national education
system, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.
Describing this as being of great significance, he said no other country in the region recognised Chinese education.
"We are the only country outside China which has got Chinese education
as part of the national system. We have recognised Chinese education in
Malaysia, and I think that is of huge, great significance.
"Please see that in that context, in that perspective, that we have
recognised Chinese education as part of the national system," he said
during an hour-long interview with deejays of Melody FM, Astro Radio's
second Chinese radio station, here.
Najib was the guest on the station's breakfast show 'Melody FM Morning Boss' with host announcers Chui Ling and Jentzen Lim.
The prime minister was responding to a question from one of the deejays
on the efforts taken by the United Chinese School Committees
Association of Malaysia (UCSCAM), or better known as Dong Zong,
pertaining to Chinese education.
Najib explained that when he was the education minister, he had removed
Section 21(2) of the Education Act 1961 which allowed the minister to
convert a national type primary school to a national primary school.
This, he said, indicated that the government was sincere in recognising Chinese education.
He also said that the government recognised the existence of the 60 Chinese independent schools.
"The rest of the schools are conforming schools. In other words, they take the national examination," he said.
Najib also said that the government had come up with a creative
solution to a recent request from the Chinese community in Kuantan to
have a Chinese school.
"We said, you can have the school, provided you take the SPM
(examination) but if you want to take the Unified Examination
Certificate (UEC), that is up to you.
"They decided to accept that offer. So, it will be a secondary school,
the kids will have to take the SPM (examination) but they will take the
UEC in addition to the SPM. So, that is a kind of a win-win situation,"
he said.
Answering questions from listeners, Najib said he had announced a
RM100-million allocation for national type Chinese schools in the
country in Budget 2013.
He also said that the top 50 students of Chinese independent secondary
schools were given scholarships to pursue their tertiary education.
On the shortage of teachers in Chinese primary schools, Najib said the
eight-point plan to address issues in Chinese vernacular schools was
being implemented now.
"It is under the purview of the deputy minister of education and he is making sure that it will be implemented," he said.
Najib also said that vernacular schools, including Chinese schools,
would be part of the exercise to improve the quality of education under
the National Education Blueprint.
"I believe we don't have any kind of stigma. My own son, Ashman, speaks fluent Mandarin.
"I believe it is good for the Malays to learn Mandarin just as it is
important for Malaysian Chinese to be fluent in Bahasa (Melayu) as
Bahasa, of course, is our national language," he said. Najib Razak's son also learning Chinese in China and now he can speak simple English. And he is interested in learning China traditional culture in Hans studies in Malaysia han studies institution which will be opened in few years time. With the genuine support from the Prime minister Mr. Najib Razak, Chinese people in Malaysia are the blessed because they got the chance to learn their traditional culture and its value so that they can have self-confidence as the Chinese, thanks Mr. Najib Razak has the wisdom. With Mr. Najib Razak's wisdom, I think Malaysia will be the better place to live. It can be the good model for Aisa or the whole world. Harmony will be prevail in Malaysia forever.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Najib Razak received a letter from Master Chin Kung
Your Excellency Prime Minister Najib Razak, It was a great pleasure to
have Your Excellency attend the groundbreaking ceremony of theMalaysian Academy of Han Studies a few months ago. The three thousand participants present were greatly
inspired by your high praise regarding the Chinese culture of harmony. Your Excellency has provided the greatest example of mutual respect and global exchange of traditional culture that I
gratefully admire. The essence of China’s culture of five thousand years is embodied in the
Complete Library of the Four Branches of Literature, and the complete wisdom of Buddha is embodied in the Qianlong Great Buddhist Canon. These Chinese classics have all profoundly expounded the teachings of morality, ethics and causality, reflecting on the cultivation of oneself, harmony of family relationships, stability of the country, and peace of the world. These classics have captured wisdom, concepts, methods, experience and effect of
practicing loving-kindness, loyalty and consideration for thousands of years, which is a worthy goal for modern people. These classics are all written in classical Chinese, so to inherit and propagate the wisdom of ancient saints.
and sages will require the cultivation of teachers. I have been praying for many years for receiving two books that contain the utmost essence:
Compilation of Chinese Literature on Cultivation (Guo Xue Zhi Yao) and the
Imperial Compilation of Books on the Principles of Governing (Qun Shu Zhi Yao)
. I finally received them last year and printed ten thousand copies of each for immediate donation. These two books can be used as the standard textbooks for teaching classical Chinese at the Malaysian Academy of Han Studies. I will be very pleased to provide them to friends who are enthusiastically fond of Chinese classics all over the world.
We will more than welcome the teachers from local community in Malaysia to learn classical Chinese together. I previously had the opportunity to visit the United Kingdom
twice, including the University of Cambridge and various colleges of the University of London. I had a chance to witness how lecturers and students mastered classical Chinese. In no
more than three years, they became competent in both reading classical
Chinese as well as writing. The renowned British historian, Dr. Arnold J. Toynbee, once said that
in order to resolve the social problems of the twenty-first century, we must rely on the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and on Mahayana Buddhism. Both are in China. It is conceivable that in the foreseeable future the world will surely enter a brand new era of restoring Sinology and bring benefits to mankind. However, the restoration of traditional
Sinology requires an extensive amount of teaching resources. Therefore,
the merits of cultivating teachers are countless and benefits to humanity are incomparable. These merits belong to Your Excellency! I sincerely wish that Malaysia is prosperous and that
Malaysian people can live in lasting peace! I pray that there will never be
any disaster in Malaysia. My health is satisfactory. I currently lecture on Sutras and read
Sutras for four hours, respectively, every day in Hong Kong. I pray for the blessings and protection of the God of all religions and ancestors, for the restoring of traditional teachings of the saints and sages of all ethnicities, and for eliminating natural and man-made
disasters globally. Finally, I wish Your Excellency longevity, good health and the best of
good fortune! I wish your family good health and every success!
Chin Kung AM
At the age of Eighty-Six
April 19
th
,2012
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