Wat Boromracha Kanchanapisek Anusorn

The Chinese Buddhist temple was chiefly built to commemorate at that time His Majesty the King's 50th anniversary on the throne and his 80th birthday.

This temple, in Bang Bua Thong District, was conceived 12 years ago by Phra Kanajanjin Khamma Punya Jariyaporn, vice-patriarch of the Chinese Buddhist Sect and abbot of Wat Mangkornkamalavas.

He found his temple - the original home of the Chinese Buddhist sect in Yaowarat district, which the King and Queen visit every year - too crowded for its 200 novices and monks and hundreds of worshippers.It is quite a large complex with various interconnected buildings with three or four levels.
There was this room which had at least 12,000 little Buddha images covering all of the walls. The main hall contains three very large Buddha statues made of brass and weighing 18 tonnes each. On each side of this building there were statues of 18 Buddhist saints. On the walls were large wood carvings. On the third floor is the Goddess of Mercy which was carved with Burmese teakwood The fourth floor is the Meun Buddhasukkhavadi Buddhakset Hall with the thousands of small Buddha images.

Wat Boromracha Kanchanapisek Anusorn’s gorgeous art created by using vibrant colours is influenced by the Chinese Qing and Ming dynasties. The majority of the handmade building material was produced in China such as the carved wood murals, the brass Buddha statues and the wonderful granite engraved columns.
This temple can’t be any less luxurious because it is meant to honour the King.

By the way, the entrance is free!

泰国母牛产人形怪物 被村民当神明供奉

当地居民把怪胎放在一个专用的小屋里，用电风扇降温

据外国媒体报道，近日世界卫生组织的一个小分队在泰国南部一个村落进行工作时，意外发现了当地居民竟然把一头母牛产下的怪胎当作神明在供奉。据当地人讲，这个“怪胎”是当地一头母牛在今年1月中旬产下的。没有文化的当地居民认为这个怪胎是神明转世，就对怪胎进行了防腐处理（2月当地的温度为23度左右），放置在一个小屋里进行供奉。由于当地位置闭塞，思想文化非常保守迷信，当地居民无法理解母牛为什么会生出怪胎，才作出这样愚昧荒唐的举动。

可以看到当地居民供奉这个怪胎是多么的虔诚

好坏儿女

一般人的观念里，「生儿育女」是人类与生俱来的使命，生养儿女不但是为了延续家族香火，也是人类民族命脉的维系，所以养育儿女是一份责任，也是对国家社会的贡献，因此儿女不是个人所有，而是国家社会的共财。

过去中国人一向有「养儿防老」的观念，现在的父母，辛辛苦苦把儿女养育成人以后，得其利者较少，受其害者较多。现在世风日下，伦理道德观念日渐淡薄，孝亲思想也不再被重视，因此多数父母对儿女无怨无悔的付出，但儿女长成后能尽心孝养者固然有之，忤逆不孝的也时有所闻。例如，社会上各行各业的菁英人才辈出，然而科学家尽管对社会贡献良多，疏于照顾父母者有之；企业家虽然事业有成，只是承欢膝下者几希？

甚至据佛经所说，有的儿女今生是来报恩的，因此正当为人，独立自主，凡事无须父母操心挂念，平时对父母嘘寒问暖，承欢膝下，而且兴邦旺族，让父母引以为荣。反之，有的儿女是来讨债的，平时不孝养父母，在外花天酒地、挥霍无度，不但败光家产，甚至作奸犯科，锒铛入狱，让父母无颜做人。因此，好与不好的儿女形成强烈对比，区分起来，好坏大概各有四种：
一、孝顺与忤逆的儿女
二、报恩与讨债的儿女
三、兴旺与败家的儿女
四、留芳与遗臭的儿女。

每个人的一生都扮演着各种角色，大部分的人既是父母的儿女，也是儿女的父母；如果自己为人父母，你想生养什么样的儿女呢？如果是为人子女者，又要做什么样的父母呢？

其实，总结以上四种儿女，都是各有因缘，都与「前世今生」的因果有关，所以不必太计较。
所谓「儿孙自有儿孙福，莫为儿孙做马牛」，只要从小把儿女训练成具有独立、感恩、善良、勤奋性格的人，让他有国家社会的观念；只要他的心中有家国，怎么会不孝顺父母呢？只要他有慈悲的观念，怎么会不懂得反哺呢？所以对儿女要教育，但是不可以过分宠溺，古人有谓「棒打出孝子，宠爱忤逆儿」，值得今日父母深思。

来源：人间福报

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淋镪水转运法！

Can you believe it? Acid, not just holy water!
How I wish I got this amulet...anyway, 信就有，不信就无！
Do not try this at home! 师傅是有练过的哦！

淋镪水转运？？？ 未免太恐怖了吧！这的确是真人真事，在马来西亚的某一个地方，不只是那里的人，就连本地人也大老远跑到那里去。为了什么？应该是财吧，谁不要钱？特别是现在行情那么坏，人们当然希望能让手头松一点。我也想，不过就只是想而已，不会这么做。从报纸看到了这篇报道就和大家分享。至于地址，抱歉了，我没有耶！

Doubts Separates People

There was this incident~I saw my friend's husband whose car broke down at the TPE. Since there is no way we can stop the car and render our help, I thought I'll just give his wife a call to inform her. I was SHOCKED when i called her, she sounds so hostile! Yes, Hostile!

For God sake, all i did was telling her that i saw her hubby's car broke down at the TPE, a towing car is with him and she start behaving as though i'm sitting next to her husband. I'm really surprised with her behavior, I didn't expect her to behave that way, since I Thought we are friends and even though i can't help much, but at least as a friend the minimal i can do was inform her. Her tone was rude, she was asking me question like " how do you know? where is his location? where are you?" What a question to ask, and being patient which i'm usually not, i answered all her queries. I reported to her " I was in a car with a friend, on my way home, i saw him at the TPE towards Sengkang and that's all! Then i hang up the phone. Minutes later, she start calling me and her voice again was rude, she said " you said you saw Stephen, how come i don't see him there?' Hello aunty, I told you he is with the towing car, maybe he took a ride from the man? Do you expect him to stand at the highway and wait for your arrival? Why don't you call him! And again, I didn't even get a Thank you from her!

This is sad, to think that she claim to be a devoted Buddhist, but she had forgotten to be thankful and she was blinded by Jealousy which i don't see the need. She have no trust with her friends and spouse. She have no confident of herself.

"There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts, it is a sword that kills."~~The Buddha

Ignorance, or not having real wisdom, lies at the basis of all our problems, up to the fact that we are not fully enlightened Buddhas, who only experience bliss and no suffering or frustration. Due to our ignorance, we do negative actions and thus create misery in our future. According to Buddhism, all our negative (unhelpful) emotions have their origin in misunderstanding in general and not realising the wisdom of emptiness. The road to a full realisation of this wisdom is usually very long, and can easily take many life-times, but a journey needs to begin with a first step....

"If we have a good heart, we experience much happiness and relaxation. We have no reason to feel angry or jealous and we have a very happy mind. When we speak, sweet words come out. Even our face is happy and smiling. At night we go to bed with a happy mind and have a very comfortable sleep, without any worries.

The reason why I've put it down, not because i'm angry, but i just want her to know she have a long way to go.. to be a real follower of buddha.

Phanthai Norasing

Phanthai Norasing is a symbol of integrity and honesty and his virtues are taught to all students.

Norasing lived during the Ayutthaya period about two hundred years ago. He used to be a coxswain on one of the barges of Phra Chao Sua, the King at the time. In 1704 A.D., the King was travelling along the curved Khok Kham Canal on the Ekkachai Royal Barge. There were so many bends in the canal that poor Norasing was having trouble controlling the rudder. This caused the prow of the boat to be broken off when it hit the trunk of a tree. Norasing knew very well the palace law of the time and although the King forgave him, he begged the King to have him executed.

After his death, the King built a shrine on Khok Kham Canal and commanded to have a new canal, later to be named Klong Mahachai, to be dug in a straight line in order to make a safer passage.

Facts and figures of Buddhism in Singapore

THE three major schools of Buddhism in Singapore are:

1. Mahayana Buddhism ~ Brought here by early Chinese immigrants and is the main practice of the Chinese. Followers strive towards the attainment of enlightenment or Buddhahood and place emphasis in the cultivation of compassion and wisdom.
2. Tibetan Buddhism ~ Originating in the Tibetan and Himalayan regions, it is getting popular among the younger set here. Like the Mahayana followers, they also strive to attain Buddhahood, but they do more mantra chanting and meditation.
3. Theravada Buddhism ~ This school of Buddhism, the oldest, was brought here by the Thais, Burmese and Sri Lankans. Its followers believe every person is responsible for his own liberation. The practice of concentration and insight meditation are key.

# One-third were converted by relatives and another third by friends and colleagues

# 35% became Buddhists to seek purpose and meaning in life

# 74% would marry someone of a different religion

# 27% expect their children to follow their religion

Source: The Buddhist Channel

信佛的层次

世界的佛教徒有多少，虽然都是佛教徒，其中却有「信佛」、「求佛」、「拜佛」、「念佛」、「学佛」与「行佛」的不同：

一、信佛：
一般人信佛，刚开始仅止于表示不反对，承认自己是佛教徒，但是并不是真的认识佛教，对佛教的义理并不了解，也没有皈依受戒，只是觉得佛像很庄严，知道佛教很好，甚至因为父母是佛教徒，因此很自然的传承父母之教，只是一种文化的继承。
二、求佛：
有的人知道佛教很伟大，认为理所当然的佛祖应该会帮人的忙，因此平时虽然没有想为佛教做什么，但是一旦遇到生病、贫穷、失意、失败、失业等人生困境时，就想到求佛帮忙。姑且不管佛祖有无帮忙，但是有此希求之心，自己的佛祖会在心中增加力量。
三、拜佛：
有的人感觉佛陀很慈悲伟大，在他面前很自然的就会谦卑礼拜，表示恭敬。有的人拜得如法，也能与佛接心，感到身心有一种轻安欢喜的变化，获得佛的力量、慈光加持，这就是信仰的升华。
四、念佛：
有的人刚开始念佛，只是随缘的念释迦牟尼佛、阿弥陀佛、药师佛、观世音菩萨，慢慢念到感觉佛与自己同在，所谓「朝朝共佛起」，念佛心中就有佛，念到身心舒畅、清安自在、烦恼减少、心开意解，当然就会欢喜念佛。
五、学佛：
经过念佛，身心有了感受之后，再经师长指导，觉得应该要学佛。所谓「学佛」，佛有慈悲，自己有学到他的慈悲吗？佛有智慧，自己有佛的智慧吗？佛有愿心、忍耐，佛是无有执着、无有计较、无不放下，如果自己也能如佛一样无牵无挂、自由自在，这就是「学佛」。
六、行佛：
学佛如果没有实践，则「如人说食，终不能饱」，因此学佛之后，更重要的是自己要慈悲喜舍，要行四摄法，要有六度万行，要「行佛所行，做佛所做」，如果能够如佛所说的去实践，到了最后即「我是佛」，这就是学佛的最高层次。

佛教讲「解行并重」、「福慧双修」，都是说明学佛不能只在义理上钻研，佛法要在生活中体验、印证，唯有透过自己力行，才能融入身心，成为自己血液里的养分，如此才能得到佛法的受用。

来源：人间福报
日期：08/04/2006

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Rahu

Rahu Amulet

This amulet is blessed by LP Kee from Wat Silamyong, Rayong, Eastern Thailand

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世界第一大佛落成开光 108位高僧大德聚河南

208米高的世界第一大佛，108位海内外高僧大德，共同成就了一场世纪佛教盛典。2008年9月29日上午9点59分，河南鲁山佛泉寺，四海高僧、十方信众云集这座千年名刹，为中原鲁山大佛开光，祈祷国泰民安。

中原鲁山大佛坐落于拥有千年历史的中州名刹佛泉寺，背依雄伟玉枕山，前有潺潺沙河水，山清水秀，为中原圣地，一方净土。佛泉寺方丈释延佛大和尚多年含辛茹苦、积善行德，求建大佛，福佑中华；大佛于1997年由大功德主，河南知名企业家李留法先生开始捐资建造，历经12年圆满落成。

Unique Rahu Amulet

I got this picture from a reader. Unfortunately not able to help much in identifiying the amulet. But it's an unique amulet so i thought i would like to share.

( pic source- Tim)

Thod Katin~ 15/10 to 12/11

This year the Thod Katin falls on October 15 – November 12

ทอดกฐิน (thod katin) is the ceremony of presenting new robes to the monks at a certain temple (each temple allowed to have only 1 katin every year), must be at least 5 monks who complete their three-month rains retreat.

‘Thod Katin’ is a time-limit robe offering, one month long, begins after the end of Buddhist Lent or rain retreat, 1st day of waning moon, 11th lunar month to 15th day of fullmoon, 12th lunar month.

"Katin" is Bali language means Sa Deung Wood. It is the frame for embroidery robe of a Buddhist. Traditionally there is a procedure started from preparing cloth, This ceremony must be completed and the cloth must be presented to the monk within one day. It needs many people to work together, and binds them together with happiness to see the success of their effort.

The monks will have the meeting in the chapel to receive " Katin". When a group of monks arrives then the hosts will hand out Ka Tin Robes to the monk one by one and offering not more than 5 monks to receiver Katin and must receive together. After that, The hosts will pray in Bali language first before they will give "Kathin" to the monks. The monks will tell the monk who has the oldest Gee Won and the cleverness in the Buddhist teaching to be whom Kran Ka Tin. Kran Ka Tin is announcing to the monks about assign Ka Tin robe to the monk that is suitable to obtain it. After this ritual then the hosts will wait for the monks pray in Bali Language and they will say " Sa Thu" to indicate the end of this ritual. The hosts then will take the flags, which draw an alligator, from "Ka Tin" to put in front of the temple as to tell people that this temple had had "Kathin Ritual" .

Nang Kwak Mantra

Nang Kwak (นางกวัก) Thai. 'Beckoning lady'. Female statue (Nang) with one or both arms raised and summoning with her hand(s) as if to gesture or to beckon (kwak). She invites happiness and good fortune and is often found displayed in shops to attract good business. Usually portrayed with a large purse full of money.

(simplified version)

Na-Sha-Li-Thi


(Longer Version)


Omm Pu Chao Kaow Keao Mi-Look Sau Khun Diao

Ci wa Nang KwakChaiHin Chai Rak

Yin hen Yin Tak Pa Ku Pai Kar

Teng Meng Man Kar Hua Wen Ketai Sen Tar Nan

Sam Ren Krab Pan, Ren Pian Set-Ti

Sam Pee Ren bian Sam Pau Thong

Phra Suk Teh Ka Khun Diao

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Pidta Mantra

Pi Yo Tay Wa Ma

Nok Sa NamPi Yo Prom Ma Na

Mu Tar MoPi Yo Na Kar Su Pang Na Rang

Pi In Tar Read Yang Na Ma Mi Hung

Hit Chi Tang Pi Yang Mak Mak (3 times)

The Last Executioner

"The Last Executioner"

This story in particular stand out.

The execution of a man who pleaded his innocence right up to the last moment. He said that the real guilty party was the son of a policeman and that he was beaten into making a confession. During his execution, it looked like he was almost being saved by divine providence. When Chavoret, the executioner pulled the trigger the gun jammed and it wouldn’t fire. He checked the gun but couldn’t see any reason why it wouldn’t fire. They then set up the spare machine gun. After it was carefully aimed, Chavoret then pulled the trigger. But, this one jammed too. The prisoner might have been saved, however, a quick thinking guard decided to search the prisoner more thoroughly. They then found a Buddhist amulet called Luang Phor Daeng hidden in his right armpit. They do say that some amulets are powerful enough to protect you from bullets. Or maybe the monk, whose image was on this amulet, was trying to protect an innocent man. Anyway, once the amulet was removed the gun became unjammed and the prisoner was executed.

Mid Autumn Festival Dinner for the old folks

The oldest Ah Ma~~Almost 100 years old

The ah kongs enjoying themselve with the food

Volunteers serving food to the old folks

Last evening I went to help out at the Dinner for those old folks from the HOME as well as those staying alone at some rental flat in Bukit Merah. This event was organised by a chinese temple who was known to help out lots of old people around that area. The medium will prescribe chinese medicine and massage for old folks who were suffering from rheumatism, arthritis and other ailment~~ FREE OF CHARGE. And we DO NOT encourage them to give donation. Sometime we also pick up and send the old folks home after each session, as transportation is expensive for some of them.

The medium conducting blessing for the old folks

The dinner was held at the Void deck, we got a caterer to come and whip up a 10 course meal for all these old folk and volunteers like us will act as waiter and waitresses. I can see that the old folks really enjoyed the sumptuous dinner and we also got some children to gives out mooncake to all these Ah Kong and Ah Ma.

Home sweet Home.. 3 buses to send them home

This dinner was not held in any expensive restaurant, neither do we have posh set up, but it's all hard work of devotees and people from the temple. We have to do everything, including the setting of tables and clearing of the place after the event, but I really found this VERY meaningful, having to serve them, helping them moving around and helping them to the bus, I just felt so touched. This is what I always wanted to do, and some people I known from other temple could have done it many years back, which sad to say, they didn't. The amount spent for the whole event = Less than S$6000/-(120 old folks) but satisfaction from doing all this is priceless..

It's good to make others happy and help the needy.

失去的友谊!

有人问我在什么样的情形下会放弃朋友,友情? 这个问题…..我想我只是凡人,我并没有要成为"罗汉"或成仙,成道的伟大理想,所以我没有很大的胸襟!我也会有我的喜怒哀乐,缘深缘浅,我当然也有我的自尊心.
朋友是不论贫富,有钱人也是人,没钱也是人,不需要用金钱来衡量.大家开开心心在一起吃喝玩乐,有福同享,有难大家一起解决.不会因为小小的误会而影响到大家的友谊.哈…说得真好听吧!在现实的社会..难了..

• 有些人有异性没人性,可以为了他们的男人/女人而不要朋友.而当他们很对方吵架时,安慰与陪伴的却是我们这些没有用的朋友. 当他们最需要人安慰的时候,也就只有我们这些朋友在身边.但当他们和好时,就可以把朋友抛在一边!
• 有些又为了钱反脸。。放心,我不会想要用这点来逃避的..没钱就没钱..至少我可以出力,只要有人会Appreciate.
• 有些为了小小的权利斗争,来个翻脸不认人,那么爱权,当总统还是皇帝吧! 就算给你所有的权利,你是不是能够领导整个团队?你能分辨谁是真的在工作,谁又是为了自己的利益?一个耳朵轻的人,是非不分?眼睛也看不清,能做出什么大事?不要以为穿上了制服就了不起,无能就是无能,跟衣服没有关系!
• 还有些人是那种见高就拜,见低就踩.大家都是人,不是畜牲,要懂得互相尊重.就算是一个为我们看门的工人,在一起久了,也应该有点情谊吧?不要瞧不起人,地球是圆的,会遇上的.
• 还有谁叫我们没有钱当然没有朋友咯..如果我们住洋房,开跑车,就算是说废话,身边的跟班也会拼命点头赞好!所以醒醒吧!
• 还有一些是无事不登三宝殿的,当他们需要人家帮忙时,就会想到要找人,不然连个影子都不见.一个可以几个月不闻不问的人,可以忽然打来,装得好象很熟,不为什么,是想要人家帮忙回答他们的问题..帮他们的忙!最受不了这样的人所以,这种友情,不要也罢了.
• 其实最痛的是有些人不分青红皂白,自以为是,害到人家家庭不合的,害到人家身心受创的,更加不容! 有些痛是一辈子都忘不了的.

当我决定要交那么一个朋友的时候,我自问,从不会去想要结束这段友谊,毕竟,茫茫人海能够遇见是需要很大的缘分,是几世修来的福. 当对方让我彻底失望时,我就不会心软的放弃,毕竟没有什么好留恋的,人家已经不把我们当朋友了,那就算了, 何必自讨没趣. 既然他们选择放弃,只要问心无愧,失去友谊又算什么.

胡

坤聘经咒

Heart of Khatha Khun Paen

Nama Pa Tat Omsiti

那玛 巴 塔 嗡洗第

Sawaha Suna Mo Lo

沙哇哈 苏那 摩 咯

Khun Paen Mantra

Namotasa Bagawato Ahrahato Samma Samputatsa
那摩达沙 巴加哇多 阿拉哈多 善玛 善菩达沙 (3x)

A Hi Ma Ma Na Mo Buddha Ya Na Ma Pa Ta
阿 嘻 玛 玛 那 摩 菩达 雅 那 玛 帕 他

Kunmantong Mantra

**(Shorter Version, suitable for travelling and meeting client.)

Namotasa Bagawato Ahrahato Samma Samputatsa （7X)
那摩达沙 巴加哇多 阿拉哈多 善马 善菩达沙

Kumalomama Aihicitang Piyangmama （ 3X ,5X , 7X)
古玛咯玛玛 依喜及当 必洋玛玛

**(Longer Version, for those with Kumantong at home or shop, for good business. Those wearing the amulet can use this version too)

Namotasa Bagawato Ahrahato Samma Samputatsa
那摩达沙 巴加哇多 阿拉哈多 善马 善菩达沙

Ciceruni Citang Cesikang Rupang Nimitang Kumalowa Ahkacaya
及姐如尼 及当 姐洗康 如旁 尼密当 古玛罗哇 阿卡查呀

Ahkacahi Ehi Ehi Namapata Ehimama Tanapoka SammaAhrahang

阿卡查那 A喜 A喜 那玛怕塔 A喜玛玛 塔那菩康 善玛阿拉航

Tanapokang Tusamani Tana Kamo Sapatanang Tanapokang Pawatumay (1X , 3X)

塔那菩康 吐沙玛尼 塔那 卡摩 沙必塔那 塔那菩康 巴湾都眉

胡