Thursday, 17 April 2008
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Rent Buddha statue
Thai people never buy Buddha statues but rent them.
It is illegal to export antique Buddha images and statues without a license from the Department of Fine Arts. The export of Buddha images and statues is regulated by the Department of Fine Arts. A new piece can be exported by requesting a certificate. But to be frank, people who went to Thailand would ONLY want to have antique statues and not brand new ones, since they believe "old" statues are more "Powerful".
In year 2007, in a small ceremony at Phuket International Airport, Airport Customs officials handed over to the local Museum around 100 Buddha images seized from departing tourists over the past year. Most of the images were seized from tourists who bought them from shops unaware that they needed permission from the Fine Arts Department to take them out of the country.
In year 2008, an increase in robberies of valuable artifacts from ancient temples in Ayuthaya are driving monks to despair. Thieves have even removed gold foil from reclining Buddha images. In old times, people caught in this act were threatened with harsh punishment. Authorities would force-feed them with boiling liquid, the chemical used in the gold-making process! Temple robberies mostly involve the theft of ancient Buddha images and valuables such as dharma cabinets and brass accessories. Few stolen goods are ever retrieved.A source said that the theft of gold foil could originate from rising demand in the Buddha amulet market. Buyers want gold from ancient Buddha statues, which are thought to be sacred, for use in the frames of Buddha amulets.
Thieves even steal the eight "sema", leaf-like boundary stones (สีมาเล็ก), from around temple's ordination hall.
It is illegal to export antique Buddha images and statues without a license from the Department of Fine Arts. The export of Buddha images and statues is regulated by the Department of Fine Arts. A new piece can be exported by requesting a certificate. But to be frank, people who went to Thailand would ONLY want to have antique statues and not brand new ones, since they believe "old" statues are more "Powerful".
In year 2007, in a small ceremony at Phuket International Airport, Airport Customs officials handed over to the local Museum around 100 Buddha images seized from departing tourists over the past year. Most of the images were seized from tourists who bought them from shops unaware that they needed permission from the Fine Arts Department to take them out of the country.
In year 2008, an increase in robberies of valuable artifacts from ancient temples in Ayuthaya are driving monks to despair. Thieves have even removed gold foil from reclining Buddha images. In old times, people caught in this act were threatened with harsh punishment. Authorities would force-feed them with boiling liquid, the chemical used in the gold-making process! Temple robberies mostly involve the theft of ancient Buddha images and valuables such as dharma cabinets and brass accessories. Few stolen goods are ever retrieved.A source said that the theft of gold foil could originate from rising demand in the Buddha amulet market. Buyers want gold from ancient Buddha statues, which are thought to be sacred, for use in the frames of Buddha amulets.
Thieves even steal the eight "sema", leaf-like boundary stones (สีมาเล็ก), from around temple's ordination hall.
Friday, 11 April 2008
Miracle Buddha Image
Local villagers crowd around an amazing image of a revered Buddhist monk which survived a devastating blaze at Wat Paknam in Rayong Province. The fire destryoed the 100 year old sermon hall but left this image untouched and still beautiful. (Thai Rath)曼谷著名佛寺古佛像失窃
本报讯】曼谷三圣路瓦波佛寺失窃，两尊佛像、1尊观音菩萨像及捐款箱内1000多铢现金被偷。佛寺里的尼姑说，窃贼今年内已两次作案，但没有报案，所以窃贼食髓知味再度作案。 曼谷市三圣区警署昨天上午获报案，在瓦波佛寺发生偷窃案。警方即赶到现场调查，案发地点是该寺的佛堂，供桌上被贼人搜翻得一塌糊涂，3尊古老佛像和捐款箱的1000多铢款项被窃，另有包在塑料袋里的6个烛台，掉在地上。看管佛堂的尼姑汶吹（74岁）向警说，本佛寺有400年历史，寺内有很多古董。昨天清晨，她来到佛堂时发现两尊古佛像、1尊观音菩萨像和捐款箱里的1020铢款项被偷走。 她说，今年1月16日，该佛寺财物也失窃，尼姑的钱也被偷去，损失1万多铢。今年4月4日，又有窃贼偷去寺内两尊佛像，对此市方均没有报案。警方经检查现场，发现佛堂的屋顶瓦片被掀起1大片，窃贼可能从此爬进来，警方收集到窃贼留在玻璃柜和佛像上的指纹，作为破案线索。警方估计作案者可能是住在佛寺附近的人。
本文引用地址：http://www.udnbkk.com/article/2008/0408/article_33960.html
本文引用地址：http://www.udnbkk.com/article/2008/0408/article_33960.html
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Rahu and Ketu – The Moon’s Nodes
Rahu and Ketu are the Lunar Nodes in Vedic Astrology. They are Grahas in that they grab and attach us to our karma just like the starry Grahas, yet they do not rule over Rasis like the other starry planets. They are shadows, the eclipse points where the Earth’s orbit around the Sun intersects with the Moon’s orbit around the Earth. Even though they are not physical planets they are perhaps the most influential forces in the chart. It is along the Rahu / Ketu axis that the main forces of karmic desire are seen.
The myth of Rahu and Ketu sheds much light on their function and greater possibility. Shortly after the beginning of time, the Gods and demons were in a terrible war over the pot of immortal nectar at the bottom of the Milk Ocean. (A metaphor for The Milky Way) Neither side was making much progress so they decided to join forces and churn the milk ocean to get the pot of nectar, agreeing to share the yield of their joint efforts. Once the nectar was extracted then came the job of distributing it. The Gods, not wanting the nectar to fall into the hands of the demons, devised a plan. Lord Vishnu disguised himself as the enchanting and beautiful Mohini to distribute the nectar. The Gods and Demons were seated on two different sides of an aisle as Mohini distributed the nectar to the Gods only. The demons were too enchanted by her beauty to notice she was not giving them the nectar. However one demon, Rahu, noticed what was happening and disguised himself as a God and managed to get a drink of the nectar. As soon as this happened, the Sun and Moon told Lord Vishnu what was happening and Vishnu returned to his form and let fly his sudarshan and chopped Rahu in half, but only after Rahu managed to take a drink of the nectar. Thus he is immortal, but chopped in half. The head is Rahu and the tail is Ketu. Rahu is a head without a body. Everything he comes into contact with he becomes obsessed with, like an immature person or a person with a voracious appetite. Rahu represents material desires that we want to experience, but because he is not a physical planet he operates on the subconscious level. He distorts our perceptions and colors the world according to his desires. He tends to obliterate the essence of things, focusing on their material substance. Rahu obsesses over the things we need to learn so we can eventually be freed of them. There are certain lessons we can only learn in a physical body, in the physical world. Rahu’s obsessions indicate those things. All human beings are at least slightly crazy in some way, Rahu shows the area of life where we are unbalanced and obsessed. Rahu keeps us obsessed until we learn detachment from what he is influencing. As such, he represents our most powerful attachments. Losing our higher self to the things of this world is the main reason we suffer in life. Rahu’s obsessions bring much suffering as long as we desire experience. However, once we desire liberation, Rahu is incredibly spiritual. Rahu will tend to feel like Saturn in that both of these planets bring stress and fear. The stresses of Saturn are based on the tangible known things in the universe that can go wrong, our health, our income, etc.
Rahu feels stress and worry about the many unknown, undeveloped qualities of our mind and experience. His obsessions are all attempts to strengthen the undeveloped part of our consciousness.
The myth of Rahu and Ketu sheds much light on their function and greater possibility. Shortly after the beginning of time, the Gods and demons were in a terrible war over the pot of immortal nectar at the bottom of the Milk Ocean. (A metaphor for The Milky Way) Neither side was making much progress so they decided to join forces and churn the milk ocean to get the pot of nectar, agreeing to share the yield of their joint efforts. Once the nectar was extracted then came the job of distributing it. The Gods, not wanting the nectar to fall into the hands of the demons, devised a plan. Lord Vishnu disguised himself as the enchanting and beautiful Mohini to distribute the nectar. The Gods and Demons were seated on two different sides of an aisle as Mohini distributed the nectar to the Gods only. The demons were too enchanted by her beauty to notice she was not giving them the nectar. However one demon, Rahu, noticed what was happening and disguised himself as a God and managed to get a drink of the nectar. As soon as this happened, the Sun and Moon told Lord Vishnu what was happening and Vishnu returned to his form and let fly his sudarshan and chopped Rahu in half, but only after Rahu managed to take a drink of the nectar. Thus he is immortal, but chopped in half. The head is Rahu and the tail is Ketu. Rahu is a head without a body. Everything he comes into contact with he becomes obsessed with, like an immature person or a person with a voracious appetite. Rahu represents material desires that we want to experience, but because he is not a physical planet he operates on the subconscious level. He distorts our perceptions and colors the world according to his desires. He tends to obliterate the essence of things, focusing on their material substance. Rahu obsesses over the things we need to learn so we can eventually be freed of them. There are certain lessons we can only learn in a physical body, in the physical world. Rahu’s obsessions indicate those things. All human beings are at least slightly crazy in some way, Rahu shows the area of life where we are unbalanced and obsessed. Rahu keeps us obsessed until we learn detachment from what he is influencing. As such, he represents our most powerful attachments. Losing our higher self to the things of this world is the main reason we suffer in life. Rahu’s obsessions bring much suffering as long as we desire experience. However, once we desire liberation, Rahu is incredibly spiritual. Rahu will tend to feel like Saturn in that both of these planets bring stress and fear. The stresses of Saturn are based on the tangible known things in the universe that can go wrong, our health, our income, etc.
Rahu feels stress and worry about the many unknown, undeveloped qualities of our mind and experience. His obsessions are all attempts to strengthen the undeveloped part of our consciousness.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
The Good and Bad Men
Good men and bad men differ from each other in their natures. Bad men do not recognize a sinful act as sinful; if its sinfulness is brought to their attention, they do not cease doing it and do not like to have someone inform them of their sinful acts.
Wise men are sensitive to right and wrong; they cease doing anything as soon as they see that it is wrong; they are grateful to anyone who calls their attention to such wrong acts.
Thus good men and bad men differ radically. Bad men never appreciate kindness shown them, but wise men appreciate and are grateful. Wise men try to express their appreciation and gratitude by some return of kindness, not only to their benefactor, but to everyone else.
Wise men are sensitive to right and wrong; they cease doing anything as soon as they see that it is wrong; they are grateful to anyone who calls their attention to such wrong acts.
Thus good men and bad men differ radically. Bad men never appreciate kindness shown them, but wise men appreciate and are grateful. Wise men try to express their appreciation and gratitude by some return of kindness, not only to their benefactor, but to everyone else.
Story of the snake
At one time the tail and the head of a snake quarrelled as to which should be the front. The tail said to the head:- "You are always taking the lead;it is not fair, you ought to let me lead sometimes." The head answered;- "It is the law of our nature that I should be the head;I cannot change places with you."
But the quarrel went on and one day the tail fastened itself to a tree and thus prevented the head from proceeding. When the head became tired with the struggle the tail had its own way, with the result that the snake fell into a pit of fire and perished.
In the world of nature there always exists an approriate order and everything has its own function. If this order is disturbed, the functioning is interrupted and the whole order will go to ruin.
But the quarrel went on and one day the tail fastened itself to a tree and thus prevented the head from proceeding. When the head became tired with the struggle the tail had its own way, with the result that the snake fell into a pit of fire and perished.
In the world of nature there always exists an approriate order and everything has its own function. If this order is disturbed, the functioning is interrupted and the whole order will go to ruin.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
小故事
宽容
一只小猪、一只绵羊和一头乳牛，被关在同一个畜栏里。
有一次，牧人捉住小猪，牠大声号叫，猛烈地抗拒。
绵羊和乳牛讨厌牠的号叫，便说：「他常常捉我们，我们并不大呼小叫。
小猪听了回答道：「捉你们和捉我完全是两回事，他捉你们，只是要你们的毛和乳汁，但是捉住我，却是要我的命呢!
立场不同、所处环境不同的人，很难了解对方的感受；因此对别人的失意、挫折、伤痛，不宜幸灾乐祸，而应要有关怀、了解的心情。要有宽容的心！
靠自己
小蜗牛问妈妈：为什么我们从生下来，就要背负这个又硬又重的壳呢？
妈妈：因为我们的身体没有骨骼的支撑，只能爬，又爬不快。所以要这个壳的保护！
小蜗牛：毛虫姊姊没有骨头，也爬不快，为什么她却不用背这个又硬又重的壳呢？
妈妈：因为毛虫姊姊能变成蝴蝶，天空会保护她啊。
小蜗牛：可是蚯蚓弟弟也没骨头爬不快，也不会变成蝴蝶他什么不背这个又硬又重的壳呢？ 妈妈：因为蚯蚓弟弟会钻土,大地会保护他啊。
小蜗牛哭了起来：我们好可怜，天空不保护，大地也不保护。
蜗牛妈妈安慰他：「所以我们有壳啊！」
我们不靠天，也不靠地，我们靠自己。
神迹
法国一个偏僻的小镇，据传有一个特别灵验的水泉，常会出现神迹，可以医治各种疾病。
有一天，一个拄着拐杖，少了一条腿的退伍军人，一跛一跛的走过镇上的马路，旁边的镇民带着同情的回吻说：「可怜的家伙，难道他要向上帝祈求再有一条腿吗??」这一句话被退伍的军人听到了，他转过身对他们说：「我不是要向上帝祈求有一条新的腿，而是要祈求祂帮助我，叫我没有一条腿后，也知道如何过日子。」
试想：学习为所失去的感恩，也接纳失去的事实，不管人生的得与失，总是要让自已的生命充满了亮丽与光彩，不再为过去掉泪，努力的活出自己的生命。
一只小猪、一只绵羊和一头乳牛，被关在同一个畜栏里。
有一次，牧人捉住小猪，牠大声号叫，猛烈地抗拒。
绵羊和乳牛讨厌牠的号叫，便说：「他常常捉我们，我们并不大呼小叫。
小猪听了回答道：「捉你们和捉我完全是两回事，他捉你们，只是要你们的毛和乳汁，但是捉住我，却是要我的命呢!
立场不同、所处环境不同的人，很难了解对方的感受；因此对别人的失意、挫折、伤痛，不宜幸灾乐祸，而应要有关怀、了解的心情。要有宽容的心！
靠自己
小蜗牛问妈妈：为什么我们从生下来，就要背负这个又硬又重的壳呢？
妈妈：因为我们的身体没有骨骼的支撑，只能爬，又爬不快。所以要这个壳的保护！
小蜗牛：毛虫姊姊没有骨头，也爬不快，为什么她却不用背这个又硬又重的壳呢？
妈妈：因为毛虫姊姊能变成蝴蝶，天空会保护她啊。
小蜗牛：可是蚯蚓弟弟也没骨头爬不快，也不会变成蝴蝶他什么不背这个又硬又重的壳呢？ 妈妈：因为蚯蚓弟弟会钻土,大地会保护他啊。
小蜗牛哭了起来：我们好可怜，天空不保护，大地也不保护。
蜗牛妈妈安慰他：「所以我们有壳啊！」
我们不靠天，也不靠地，我们靠自己。
神迹
法国一个偏僻的小镇，据传有一个特别灵验的水泉，常会出现神迹，可以医治各种疾病。
有一天，一个拄着拐杖，少了一条腿的退伍军人，一跛一跛的走过镇上的马路，旁边的镇民带着同情的回吻说：「可怜的家伙，难道他要向上帝祈求再有一条腿吗??」这一句话被退伍的军人听到了，他转过身对他们说：「我不是要向上帝祈求有一条新的腿，而是要祈求祂帮助我，叫我没有一条腿后，也知道如何过日子。」
试想：学习为所失去的感恩，也接纳失去的事实，不管人生的得与失，总是要让自已的生命充满了亮丽与光彩，不再为过去掉泪，努力的活出自己的生命。
Monday, 7 April 2008
泰国乌隆男子与蟒蛇结成夫妻
【本报讯】乌隆他尼府平县1名35岁男子前天举行1场奇特的婚礼，竟和1条蟒蛇结婚。这消息轰动了全县。婚礼在从上午10时开始，这条蟒蛇身长3米，还被取名为「实提达」。并由75岁的巫师乃软主婚，约有200名村民前来参加。
这名35岁新郎名叫沙田，他的姑母努娜说，沙田的父母离婚，自幼由她抚养。上月26日深夜，沙田到家附近水塘捕鱼，突然有1条蟒蛇游过来缠住他的身子，而且是轻轻地缠住，蛇头来回慰依在沙田的腮部。於是沙田带著蟒蛇回家，她见了大吃一惊，她帮忙解下蟒蛇，但蟒蛇又缠上沙田的手臂，怎么都不肯下来。他们看到这是1条母蛇，就备下香烛膜拜，才解下蟒蛇，并把蟒蛇放走。
翌日，沙田回到水塘抓田鸡，又遇到这条蟒蛇，蟒蛇又缠上他的身子，又解下放走。同样的情况发生了3次，该事件令人惊奇，却不知是好是歹。本月1日，他们一起去找村里的巫师乃软，乃软落神，说沙田和蟒蛇结有缘分长达635年，蟒蛇前世为女子，爱上前世的沙田，但做不成夫妇，今世生为蟒蛇，再来找沙田，想结为夫妇。所以沙田需和蟒蛇举行婚礼消灾，要不全村人都遭殃。
在巫师与亲友的协助下，沙田於前天上午10时「良辰吉时」举行1场特别的婚礼，沙田备下聘金7000铢，及手线礼金690铢。婚礼结束后，新郎将带蟒蛇到家里拜祭祖先，再到巫师乃软家住宿6天后才回家。
本文引用地址：http://www.udnbkk.com/article/2008/0405/article_33811.html
这名35岁新郎名叫沙田，他的姑母努娜说，沙田的父母离婚，自幼由她抚养。上月26日深夜，沙田到家附近水塘捕鱼，突然有1条蟒蛇游过来缠住他的身子，而且是轻轻地缠住，蛇头来回慰依在沙田的腮部。於是沙田带著蟒蛇回家，她见了大吃一惊，她帮忙解下蟒蛇，但蟒蛇又缠上沙田的手臂，怎么都不肯下来。他们看到这是1条母蛇，就备下香烛膜拜，才解下蟒蛇，并把蟒蛇放走。
翌日，沙田回到水塘抓田鸡，又遇到这条蟒蛇，蟒蛇又缠上他的身子，又解下放走。同样的情况发生了3次，该事件令人惊奇，却不知是好是歹。本月1日，他们一起去找村里的巫师乃软，乃软落神，说沙田和蟒蛇结有缘分长达635年，蟒蛇前世为女子，爱上前世的沙田，但做不成夫妇，今世生为蟒蛇，再来找沙田，想结为夫妇。所以沙田需和蟒蛇举行婚礼消灾，要不全村人都遭殃。
在巫师与亲友的协助下，沙田於前天上午10时「良辰吉时」举行1场特别的婚礼，沙田备下聘金7000铢，及手线礼金690铢。婚礼结束后，新郎将带蟒蛇到家里拜祭祖先，再到巫师乃软家住宿6天后才回家。
本文引用地址：http://www.udnbkk.com/article/2008/0405/article_33811.html
蛇的诅咒？ 北榄1户人家几乎灭门
【本报讯】北榄府纳叻镇沙卡寺庙前天（30日）为乃彦（82岁）举行超渡仪式，来参加超渡仪式的近500名亲朋好友都表示，乃彦是被蛇的诅咒害死的，因为乃彦全家打死一条大蛇，还剖蛇腹取卵食之。
事发今天年初，乃彦与家人建造新房，有一天有1条长约1.5米的大蛇误入新房的工地，被乃彦用木棒打死。乃彦随后剖开蛇腹，发现5个准备成型的蛇蛋，便取出蛇蛋烹调并与5名家人一同分食。
2天后家中名为朱拉的女子因病住院，不久后便因糖尿病而死亡，再过了2天乃彦因为胸闷也死於家中。1个月后儿子蒙德里驾驶机车发生车祸而丧命，过后第2个星期，乃彦家中又有人发生车祸，1人丧命，1人变成植物人。消息很快便传开来，乡亲们都认为是乃彦杀蛇取卵食用，触犯了蛇的灵魂，遭到蛇的诅咒导致全家都遇到意外事故而丧命或受伤。
本文引用地址：http://www.udnbkk.com/article/2008/0401/article_33614.html
注: 并非鼓吹迷信,但世界上就有很多无奇不有的事情每天都在发生, 不管是人类也好,禽兽也吧,得饶人处且饶人,千万不要自相残杀.
事发今天年初，乃彦与家人建造新房，有一天有1条长约1.5米的大蛇误入新房的工地，被乃彦用木棒打死。乃彦随后剖开蛇腹，发现5个准备成型的蛇蛋，便取出蛇蛋烹调并与5名家人一同分食。
2天后家中名为朱拉的女子因病住院，不久后便因糖尿病而死亡，再过了2天乃彦因为胸闷也死於家中。1个月后儿子蒙德里驾驶机车发生车祸而丧命，过后第2个星期，乃彦家中又有人发生车祸，1人丧命，1人变成植物人。消息很快便传开来，乡亲们都认为是乃彦杀蛇取卵食用，触犯了蛇的灵魂，遭到蛇的诅咒导致全家都遇到意外事故而丧命或受伤。
本文引用地址：http://www.udnbkk.com/article/2008/0401/article_33614.html
注: 并非鼓吹迷信,但世界上就有很多无奇不有的事情每天都在发生, 不管是人类也好,禽兽也吧,得饶人处且饶人,千万不要自相残杀.
胡
Sunday, 6 April 2008
神奇的泰国宋干节
泰国的宋干节也称泰国泼水节，正值每年的4月13、14、15日，是泰国的新年，相当于我们的春节。“宋干”这个词是梵语，有移位的意思，指的是太阳移位进入新的黄道宫，意味着进入新的一年。和我们中国春节选在冬季农闲一样，泰国的宋干节选择在四月，正值农闲，适宜举行隆重的佛教活动和民间杂耍活动。
关于宋干节的神话故事，拉玛三世命人把它刻在曼谷菩提寺北佛殿外的亭子上，共七块石碑，故事是这样的：
有一个富翁膝下无子，被邻居一个酒鬼用粗俗的语言侮辱。富翁问道：“为何您看不起我们有钱人呢？”酒鬼说：“你虽然家财万贯，但没有子女继承。我虽赤贫如洗，但我有儿女，比你富有。”
为求子，富翁终日供奉日神和月神长达三年之久，但依然无子。当太阳运行到白羊宫的时候，富翁带着仆人到河边供奉树神，引发了仁慈的树神的怜悯之心。树神飞到天界向因陀罗为富翁求子。因陀罗命正义金童下凡投胎富翁家。富翁得子后，起名为固玛，在河边建起了一座七层宫殿供儿子住。固玛天资聪颖，七岁能诵《吠陀经》，懂鸟语。这件事被伽宾蓬仙师知道后，打算考考固玛。仙师下凡来，问了固玛三个问题。第一个问题：“早上，人的祥光在哪里？”第二个问题：“中午，人的祥光在哪里？”第三个问题：“晚上，的祥光在哪里？”并约定，如果固玛在七日内回答出这三个问题，仙师就把自己的头颅砍下来供奉固玛。但如果固玛答不上来，同样也把头颅砍下来供奉仙师。
时间过了6天，固玛没有想出答案。因为害怕，固玛逃到糖棕树下躲了起来。树上有两只鹰在垒窝，这对鹰正在谈论第二天觅食的事情。雌鹰问：“明天我们去哪里觅食好呢？”雄鹰说：“不用去很远的地方，因为明天固玛回答不了问题，会被仙师砍头了。”雌鹰说：“可怜的小固玛。仙师也是真是会问，尽问人类回答不了的问题。”雄鹰觉得讨厌就把问题的答案告诉雌鹰说；“早上，祥光在脸上，人们要洗脸；中午，祥光在胸部，人们要用水喷洒胸部；晚上，祥光在脚部，人们要洗脚。这样才能远离所有的不祥。”
固玛把听到的答案告诉了仙师。仙师不得不砍下自己的头颅供奉固玛。但仙师的头颅很毒，放在地上，大地会起火；抛入空中，雨会乱下；抛入海中，海水干涸。为此，仙师的头颅便由其七个女儿捧着，围绕须弥山向右旋转60分钟，然后供奉在盖莱山都里洞的四方形塔中。每供奉满365天，就是宋干，即进入了新的一年，女儿们就要捧着仙师的头颅围着须弥山向右旋转。
这就是泰国宋干节的神奇来历！作为泰国新年,宋干节有很多寄托,首先是感恩,感谢和彰显那些做善事和对社会有益的人；第二是忠于祖宗先民；第三是铭记自己对家人的责任；第四是颂扬佛教和僧侣；最后主张做人仁慈和慷慨。
关于宋干节的神话故事，拉玛三世命人把它刻在曼谷菩提寺北佛殿外的亭子上，共七块石碑，故事是这样的：
有一个富翁膝下无子，被邻居一个酒鬼用粗俗的语言侮辱。富翁问道：“为何您看不起我们有钱人呢？”酒鬼说：“你虽然家财万贯，但没有子女继承。我虽赤贫如洗，但我有儿女，比你富有。”
为求子，富翁终日供奉日神和月神长达三年之久，但依然无子。当太阳运行到白羊宫的时候，富翁带着仆人到河边供奉树神，引发了仁慈的树神的怜悯之心。树神飞到天界向因陀罗为富翁求子。因陀罗命正义金童下凡投胎富翁家。富翁得子后，起名为固玛，在河边建起了一座七层宫殿供儿子住。固玛天资聪颖，七岁能诵《吠陀经》，懂鸟语。这件事被伽宾蓬仙师知道后，打算考考固玛。仙师下凡来，问了固玛三个问题。第一个问题：“早上，人的祥光在哪里？”第二个问题：“中午，人的祥光在哪里？”第三个问题：“晚上，的祥光在哪里？”并约定，如果固玛在七日内回答出这三个问题，仙师就把自己的头颅砍下来供奉固玛。但如果固玛答不上来，同样也把头颅砍下来供奉仙师。
时间过了6天，固玛没有想出答案。因为害怕，固玛逃到糖棕树下躲了起来。树上有两只鹰在垒窝，这对鹰正在谈论第二天觅食的事情。雌鹰问：“明天我们去哪里觅食好呢？”雄鹰说：“不用去很远的地方，因为明天固玛回答不了问题，会被仙师砍头了。”雌鹰说：“可怜的小固玛。仙师也是真是会问，尽问人类回答不了的问题。”雄鹰觉得讨厌就把问题的答案告诉雌鹰说；“早上，祥光在脸上，人们要洗脸；中午，祥光在胸部，人们要用水喷洒胸部；晚上，祥光在脚部，人们要洗脚。这样才能远离所有的不祥。”
固玛把听到的答案告诉了仙师。仙师不得不砍下自己的头颅供奉固玛。但仙师的头颅很毒，放在地上，大地会起火；抛入空中，雨会乱下；抛入海中，海水干涸。为此，仙师的头颅便由其七个女儿捧着，围绕须弥山向右旋转60分钟，然后供奉在盖莱山都里洞的四方形塔中。每供奉满365天，就是宋干，即进入了新的一年，女儿们就要捧着仙师的头颅围着须弥山向右旋转。
这就是泰国宋干节的神奇来历！作为泰国新年,宋干节有很多寄托,首先是感恩,感谢和彰显那些做善事和对社会有益的人；第二是忠于祖宗先民；第三是铭记自己对家人的责任；第四是颂扬佛教和僧侣；最后主张做人仁慈和慷慨。
Saturday, 5 April 2008
泰国泼水节传说
传说一
西双版纳傣族传说：远古的时候，有个魔王作恶多端，人们都恨透了他，想了很多办法都没有把他杀死。后来，魔王抢来七个姑娘做他的妻子。聪明的七姑娘从魔王口里打听到他的致命弱点，即用魔王的头发勒魔王的脖子，才能将他置於死地。七姑娘趁魔王熟睡时，拔下他的头发一勒脖子，魔王的头就滚了下来。可是头一掉在地上，地上就燃起大火，姑娘一抱起头，大火也就熄灭。为了避免大火燃烧，她和六个姐姐轮流抱住魔王的头，一年一换。每年换人的时候，人们都给抱头的姑娘泼水，冲去她身上的血污，洗去她一年的疲劳，为新的一年能消灾除难而祈祷。从此形成了送旧迎新的泼水节。
传说二
相传在很久以前，金沙江边一个聚居在密林深处的傣族村寨，因树林起火，村民处在被大火吞没的危难之中，一个名叫李良的傣家汉子，为保护村庄，不畏危险，冲出火网，从金沙江里挑来一桶桶江水，泼洒山火，经过一天一夜的劳累，山火终於被泼灭，村民得救，李良因为劳累流汗流干了，渴倒在山头上。村民打来清水给李良解渴，但喝了九十九挑水也解不了渴，后来，李良一头扑到江中，变成一条巨龙，顺江而去。有的人说，他变成了一棵大树。傣族人民为了纪念李良，每年农历三月初三之一天，每家房屋清扫一新，撒上青松叶，并在选定的江边或井旁，用绿树搭起长半里的青棚，棚下撒满厚厚的松针，两旁放上盛满水的水槽，午间太阳当顶时，众人穿行於棚下相互用松枝蘸水洒身，表示对李良的怀念和对新年的祝福。这项活动延续至今，成为傣族人民辞旧迎新、祝福吉祥的节日--泼水节。
传说三
古时候，一个叫捧玛达拉乍的魔神，违抗天神的旨意，为所欲为，把人间弄得雨旱失调，冷热不分，秧苗枯死，人畜遭殃。怎样惩治这个法术高明的恶魔呢？智慧的天神英达提心生一计，即装扮成英俊的小伙子，去接近捧玛点达拉乍的七个女儿，并将实情告诉她们。这七个姑娘生性善良，本来就对父王的罪恶有愤懑，这时，她们决心杀死父王，为人间除害。一天，她们终於探听到了父王的生死“秘密”，并趁机将他灌得酩酊大醉，悄悄拨下他的一根头发，做成弓赛宰（即用心弦做成的弓），断了恶魔的头。但滚落地上的这颗头颅竟又变成了新的灾难，倾刻间邪火熊熊，竹楼被烧毁，庄稼被烧焦，七个姑娘把魔头轮换怀抱，直到腐烂。每轮换时，她们便打来清水相互泼洒，去除污秽。七姊妹大义灭亲的果敢行动和功绩，受到普天下百姓的热情赞颂。深深的怀念变为了永久的敬意。也为了纪念麻哈捧重修风雨冷热法公诸於世，人们就把魔王捧玛点达拉乍的头颅腐烂的日子，定为泼水的日子。这一天，浴佛之后，人们就用清水相互泼洒，相互祝福，以求吉祥安康，幸福久长。
西双版纳傣族传说：远古的时候，有个魔王作恶多端，人们都恨透了他，想了很多办法都没有把他杀死。后来，魔王抢来七个姑娘做他的妻子。聪明的七姑娘从魔王口里打听到他的致命弱点，即用魔王的头发勒魔王的脖子，才能将他置於死地。七姑娘趁魔王熟睡时，拔下他的头发一勒脖子，魔王的头就滚了下来。可是头一掉在地上，地上就燃起大火，姑娘一抱起头，大火也就熄灭。为了避免大火燃烧，她和六个姐姐轮流抱住魔王的头，一年一换。每年换人的时候，人们都给抱头的姑娘泼水，冲去她身上的血污，洗去她一年的疲劳，为新的一年能消灾除难而祈祷。从此形成了送旧迎新的泼水节。
传说二
相传在很久以前，金沙江边一个聚居在密林深处的傣族村寨，因树林起火，村民处在被大火吞没的危难之中，一个名叫李良的傣家汉子，为保护村庄，不畏危险，冲出火网，从金沙江里挑来一桶桶江水，泼洒山火，经过一天一夜的劳累，山火终於被泼灭，村民得救，李良因为劳累流汗流干了，渴倒在山头上。村民打来清水给李良解渴，但喝了九十九挑水也解不了渴，后来，李良一头扑到江中，变成一条巨龙，顺江而去。有的人说，他变成了一棵大树。傣族人民为了纪念李良，每年农历三月初三之一天，每家房屋清扫一新，撒上青松叶，并在选定的江边或井旁，用绿树搭起长半里的青棚，棚下撒满厚厚的松针，两旁放上盛满水的水槽，午间太阳当顶时，众人穿行於棚下相互用松枝蘸水洒身，表示对李良的怀念和对新年的祝福。这项活动延续至今，成为傣族人民辞旧迎新、祝福吉祥的节日--泼水节。
传说三
古时候，一个叫捧玛达拉乍的魔神，违抗天神的旨意，为所欲为，把人间弄得雨旱失调，冷热不分，秧苗枯死，人畜遭殃。怎样惩治这个法术高明的恶魔呢？智慧的天神英达提心生一计，即装扮成英俊的小伙子，去接近捧玛点达拉乍的七个女儿，并将实情告诉她们。这七个姑娘生性善良，本来就对父王的罪恶有愤懑，这时，她们决心杀死父王，为人间除害。一天，她们终於探听到了父王的生死“秘密”，并趁机将他灌得酩酊大醉，悄悄拨下他的一根头发，做成弓赛宰（即用心弦做成的弓），断了恶魔的头。但滚落地上的这颗头颅竟又变成了新的灾难，倾刻间邪火熊熊，竹楼被烧毁，庄稼被烧焦，七个姑娘把魔头轮换怀抱，直到腐烂。每轮换时，她们便打来清水相互泼洒，去除污秽。七姊妹大义灭亲的果敢行动和功绩，受到普天下百姓的热情赞颂。深深的怀念变为了永久的敬意。也为了纪念麻哈捧重修风雨冷热法公诸於世，人们就把魔王捧玛点达拉乍的头颅腐烂的日子，定为泼水的日子。这一天，浴佛之后，人们就用清水相互泼洒，相互祝福，以求吉祥安康，幸福久长。
胡
Friday, 4 April 2008
The Thai Buddhist Calendar
Visakha Puja - falls on the full moon of the sixth month of the lunar year (around the middle of May on the international calendar). It is one of the most important days for Buddhists because on this day the Lord Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and died. All three of these significant events fell on the same day. Visakha Puja is usually celebrated with a public sermon during the day and a candle lit procession to pay respect to the Lord Buddha during the night.
Magha Puja - falls on the full moon of the third lunar month (February). It was on this day that 1,250 enlightened monks converged to pay respect to the Lord Buddha without any prior appointment. The day is celebrated in a similar fashion to Visakha Puja day.
Asalha Puja - falls on the full moon of the eighth lunar month (July) and is also very important. It was on this day that the Lord Buddha preached His sermon to followers after attaining enlightenment. The day is usually celebrated by merit making, listening to a monk’s sermon, and joining a candle lit procession during the night.
Khao Phansa - falls on the first day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month (July) and marks the beginning of the three-month Buddhist ‘lent’ period. At this time, all monks and novices must remain in their temples. They should not venture out or spend the night in any other place except in cases of extreme emergency and, even then, their time away must not exceed seven consecutive nights. This is a time for serious contemplation and meditation for both monks and laymen alike. Traditionally, it is also important for laymen to ordain their sons into the monkhood on this day to get maximum benefit from the Buddhist teachings.
Ok Phansa - marks the end of the Buddhist lent and falls on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month (October). This is a day of joyful celebration and merit-making. For many families, it is also the day they welcome a son back into the home and celebrate his successful completion of a term in the temple.
Tod Kratin - lasts for 30 days, from Ok Phansa through to the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. During this time most Buddhists take part in ceremonies, either directly or indirectly. Robes and other necessities of temple life are offered ceremoniously to the monks on an appointed day. Each temple may hold a Tod Kratin ceremony once each year. Originally, in the time of the Lord Buddha, this ceremony was meant to teach monks humility and show them how to cut, sew, and dye the robes for themselves. The finished robes were then offered to the members of the company deemed most suitable. Today, however, the ritual has evolved dramatically into a grand celebration where hundreds and thousands of people join in the merit making. It is also an important occasion for the temple to raise funds.
The sequence of events for each of the above three religious days goes something like this:
Early in the morning, people begin to arrive at the temple wearing their best clothes. They carry food prepared at home, usually in highly decorative gold or silver bowls, and offer it to the monks. After this breakfast, the people are blessed by the monks and many return to their homes. The more devoted may choose to remain at the temple and, later in the morning, take a vow with the monks to keep either five or eight precepts throughout the entire day. After taking this vow, they split their time between praying, listening to the monks’ preachings and doing meditation. In the evening, the monks lead a candle lit procession, making three complete circuits of the main temple building. This event signifies the end of the celebrations.
Magha Puja - falls on the full moon of the third lunar month (February). It was on this day that 1,250 enlightened monks converged to pay respect to the Lord Buddha without any prior appointment. The day is celebrated in a similar fashion to Visakha Puja day.
Asalha Puja - falls on the full moon of the eighth lunar month (July) and is also very important. It was on this day that the Lord Buddha preached His sermon to followers after attaining enlightenment. The day is usually celebrated by merit making, listening to a monk’s sermon, and joining a candle lit procession during the night.
Khao Phansa - falls on the first day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month (July) and marks the beginning of the three-month Buddhist ‘lent’ period. At this time, all monks and novices must remain in their temples. They should not venture out or spend the night in any other place except in cases of extreme emergency and, even then, their time away must not exceed seven consecutive nights. This is a time for serious contemplation and meditation for both monks and laymen alike. Traditionally, it is also important for laymen to ordain their sons into the monkhood on this day to get maximum benefit from the Buddhist teachings.
Ok Phansa - marks the end of the Buddhist lent and falls on the full moon of the eleventh lunar month (October). This is a day of joyful celebration and merit-making. For many families, it is also the day they welcome a son back into the home and celebrate his successful completion of a term in the temple.
Tod Kratin - lasts for 30 days, from Ok Phansa through to the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. During this time most Buddhists take part in ceremonies, either directly or indirectly. Robes and other necessities of temple life are offered ceremoniously to the monks on an appointed day. Each temple may hold a Tod Kratin ceremony once each year. Originally, in the time of the Lord Buddha, this ceremony was meant to teach monks humility and show them how to cut, sew, and dye the robes for themselves. The finished robes were then offered to the members of the company deemed most suitable. Today, however, the ritual has evolved dramatically into a grand celebration where hundreds and thousands of people join in the merit making. It is also an important occasion for the temple to raise funds.
The sequence of events for each of the above three religious days goes something like this:
Early in the morning, people begin to arrive at the temple wearing their best clothes. They carry food prepared at home, usually in highly decorative gold or silver bowls, and offer it to the monks. After this breakfast, the people are blessed by the monks and many return to their homes. The more devoted may choose to remain at the temple and, later in the morning, take a vow with the monks to keep either five or eight precepts throughout the entire day. After taking this vow, they split their time between praying, listening to the monks’ preachings and doing meditation. In the evening, the monks lead a candle lit procession, making three complete circuits of the main temple building. This event signifies the end of the celebrations.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
难得糊涂!
随着年龄的增长发现当今社会人是不可以太聪明的‘走的是人才，用的是庸才，留下的是蠢才’在老板,上司面前不能太聪明，这样的人时间长了还是容易被淘汰的；在朋友面前不能太聪明了，这样的人久而久之会让朋友防之再防.
颜回是孔子最得意的弟子,也是一个即聪明又勤奋的学生，老师都喜欢聪明的学生，何况孔子呢！所以，无论孔子走到哪里，无论孔子在哪里学说，都屡屡说走颜回的好，从这点上来看，影响孔子从而得宠于孔子的还是颜回的聪明。
颜回太聪明了，无论与谁谈论自己未来，总不夸耀自己的长处，从不表白自己的功劳。这样的人无论在什么地方都不会引起别人的嫉妒，从而在孔子的心中永远立于不败之地。甚至孔子说：“非礼勿视，非礼勿听，非礼勿言，非礼勿动。”颜回经典应喏：“弟子即使不才，也要照先生的话切实去做。”。
哈哈哈，这话，有几个老师不爱听啊？这样的弟子有几个老师不爱呢？ 所以做人还是‘难得糊涂’一点的好，都说这样的人会‘一生平安’的,既不招人妒也不会招人怨!
颜回是孔子最得意的弟子,也是一个即聪明又勤奋的学生，老师都喜欢聪明的学生，何况孔子呢！所以，无论孔子走到哪里，无论孔子在哪里学说，都屡屡说走颜回的好，从这点上来看，影响孔子从而得宠于孔子的还是颜回的聪明。
颜回太聪明了，无论与谁谈论自己未来，总不夸耀自己的长处，从不表白自己的功劳。这样的人无论在什么地方都不会引起别人的嫉妒，从而在孔子的心中永远立于不败之地。甚至孔子说：“非礼勿视，非礼勿听，非礼勿言，非礼勿动。”颜回经典应喏：“弟子即使不才，也要照先生的话切实去做。”。
哈哈哈，这话，有几个老师不爱听啊？这样的弟子有几个老师不爱呢？ 所以做人还是‘难得糊涂’一点的好，都说这样的人会‘一生平安’的,既不招人妒也不会招人怨!
BUDDHIST STORIES
"A young widower, who loved his five year old son very much, was away on business when bandits came who burned down the whole village and took his son away. When the man returned, he saw the ruins and panicked. He took the burnt corpse of an infant to be his son and cried uncontrollably. He organised a cremation ceremony, collected the ashes and put them in a beautiful little bag which he always kept with him. Soon afterwards, his real son escaped from the bandits and found his way home. He arrived at his father's new cottage at midnight and knocked at the door. The father, still grieving asked: "Who is it?" The child answered, it is me papa, open the door!" But in his agitated state of mind, convinced his son was dead, the father thought that some young boy was making fun of him. He shouted: "Go away" and continued to cry. After some time, the child left. Father and son never saw each other again."
After this story, the Buddha said: "Sometime, somewhere, you take something to be the truth. If you cling to it so much, even when the truth comes in person and knocks on your door, you will not open it."
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Unseen Sacred Place
Ku Kut, Wat Phrathat Chamthewi
Phra Nang Din, Amphoe Chiang Kham
Phra Prathan Chaturathit, Wat Phumin
胡
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Be free of worldly attachments
Once a beautiful and well dressed woman visited a house. the master of the house asked her who she was; and she replied that she was the godess of wealth. the master of the house was delighted and so treated her nicely.
Soon after another woman appeared who was ugly looking and poorly dressed. the master asked who she was and the woman replied that she was the goddess of poverty. the master was frightened and tried to drive her out of the house, but the woman refused to depart, saying, " The goddess of wealth is my sister. There is an agreement between us that we are never to live separately; if you chase me out, she is to go with me." Sure enough, as soon as the ugly woman went out, the other woman disappeared.
Birth goes with death. Fortune goes with misfortune. bad things follow good things. men should realize this. Foolish peope dread misfortune and strike after good fortune, but those who seek Enlightenment must transcend both of them and be free of worldly attachments.
Soon after another woman appeared who was ugly looking and poorly dressed. the master asked who she was and the woman replied that she was the goddess of poverty. the master was frightened and tried to drive her out of the house, but the woman refused to depart, saying, " The goddess of wealth is my sister. There is an agreement between us that we are never to live separately; if you chase me out, she is to go with me." Sure enough, as soon as the ugly woman went out, the other woman disappeared.
Birth goes with death. Fortune goes with misfortune. bad things follow good things. men should realize this. Foolish peope dread misfortune and strike after good fortune, but those who seek Enlightenment must transcend both of them and be free of worldly attachments.
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