ga2550

when i was young, my parents got me to read comics. whose parents dun, rite?

alas, it was d adventures of 3-hair. San mao is an orphan surviving on d streets of Shanghai during the japanese war period. he had to fend for his own, against bullies, crooks, rich people, hunger and all that would rob him of his values and ideals.

so… i became a social worker when i grew up.

when i got a job in a theatre company, administering their school and community programmes, my dad gave me three questions to ponder. one of which was, “by taking on this job, how are you contributing to society?”

so… i got into a Buddhist organisation when i woke up.

when i started working on d hill of brightness, i came across the amitabha sutra, realising that there was this great great person who made all these vows to create a pureland for all sentient beings, helping them to achieve enlightenment. it seemed that this great great person thought of any and everything that hampered our cultivation on earth and went about setting up a pureland to counter these obstacles. Amitabha (the Buddha of limitless light and wisdom) created pureland because he wanted to help all sentient beings achieve enlightenment.

so… i chant amituofo when i wise up.

when i encounter any challenges or am given any instructions by my bosses that seem rather impossible to achieve, i remind myself of the spirit, vows and teachings of Amitabha.

our Shifu is right on when he encourages us over and over again, “never say die!”

as long as our motivation is pure and we truly work for the benefit of others, no scared! we will overcome

欢喜做，甘愿受

心不平安是真正的苦，身体的病痛不一定是苦。

明知心不平安是苦事，就赶快持念 ‘南无阿弥陀佛’ 或 ‘南无观世音菩萨’ 来安心吧。

愿以此功德 庄严佛净土 上报四重恩 下济三途苦
若有见闻者 悉发菩提心 尽此一报身 同生极乐国

amituofo pa ma, may you achieve enlightenment, benefitting self and all sentient beings.

with deep gratitude,

静慧

yesterday, i was queuing to pay for my groceries at a giant supermarket.

a family in front of me bought $254 worth of groceries. they oso took home more than 50 new plastic bags.

Singaporeans use more than 40 billion plastic shopping bags a year.

plastic bags are hazardous to manufacture and are said to take up to 1000 years to decompose. when burned, the polythene releases hydrogen cyanide gas, which is very hazardous. many marine animals die when they swallow or get entangled by the plastic bags.

if each family in Singapore were to use one less plastic bag a week, we can save 40 million plastic bags a year.

and you know, the family looks like a bunch of nice people. i cant help but feel heart pain. pain that nice people somehow are not thinking beyond their immediate responsibilities, pain that their children will oso grow up drawing out tens of new plastic bags each time they shop.

whose responsibility is it?

one’s own?

society’s?

parents’?

government’s?

dunno…

do u noe?

can u help?

I am reminded of how fortunate i am after viewing the email below.

AreYouBothered.pps

I’m grateful for having ample food and clothings, for being in a peaceful and prosperous country, for my parents’ continuous care and concern and for having the opportunity to study in well-equipped schools.

Sender: +65XXXX6615

Timestamp: 25/04/06,01:19:08

Message: ga2550 Father n mother, i appreciate tat both of you have spent so much time, caring for us, always placing ya needs before ours. I will never forget your support during e darkest time of my life. Thank you.