S.O.S – save the Innocent One who suffers with Leukemia

This evening I received this forwarded message from my friend, regarding to a beautiful little girl, age 3 suspected of leukemia urgently need your help to find blood donours for Blood Type AB+. Please help and copy-forward this message to everyone you know. You can contact her father Ramli, 013-802 6325.

Show your love and concern to Her, you’ll make the different.

A Sentimental Midnight

I’m half way completing my major assignment, got distressed. And I don’t know what to write as I lost all my ideas once I listened to my current favourite love songs. Just feel like hugging someone who I’ve been missing every night before I sleep. I can’t help myself stop thinking of…sigh. Life still has to move on.

Again, to those who keep me company when I was down, thank you for making me standing up again. I’m glad to have you guys.

*Source of survey: From my junior (posted on Friendster’s Bulletin)

1. Do you know anyone's Friendster password?
- Nope

2. Do you think ur love life right now will last long?
- I’m single and tender. We’re all alone…

3. Are u an emo person?
- It depends on the situation.

4. If u had one last breath to say something to someone u love what would u say?
- Live to the fullest in you life. Don’t worry, I’ll be your guardian angel

5. Do you believe in love at first sight?
- Sometimes, again, it depends on that person’s character / attitude

6. Ever felt so jealous of your friend?
- Well, what more I can say since I’m solitary…

7. What was the last thing you did?
- Doing assignment, and forwarded songs to my friends

8. Who is right next to you?
- Wandering meritorious spirits who look after this house, by the name of the Buddha…

9. Who was the last person you ate with?
- With family at BDC’s Expert

10. How many times was your profile been viewed?
- No idea

11. How's the weather right now?
- Cooling, it’s midnight already.

12. Last person you called today?
- Cynthia

13. Last person who called you?
- Maximillian

14. Last song you sang?
- What’s left of me, by Nick Lachey

15. Last time you danced?
- Last night at Hilda’s place. When I was out of mind.

16. Lost a friendship over something stupid?
- For a short period, because of misunderstanding.

17. Smoke?
- Not now, going to take a puff when I really need it

18. Dumped someone before?
- Neh. I’m not an ideal guy to be with.

19. Been really depressed before?
- Yeah

20. Faked being sick to miss school?
- Neh

21. What time did you wake up today?
- 0835

22. Current taste?
- Tasteless

23. Do you like the person who sent you this?
- I never talk to her before. Just grasped her testimonial, refill and post it here on my blog

24. What are you wearing right now?
- vest and M&M’s boxer

25. Are you too shy to ask anyone out?
- Neh, just feel like staying at home, complete my assignments

*Yawn* feel sleepy now. Good night Desmond…

~ Thank You (It’s Over Now) ~

Ever since I see you smile

My heart just feels alright

Seeking for a chance for redemption

But I couldn’t turn back time

It’s all over

It’s hard for me to take

The last word you’d said

Sooner or later

It will happen again

It’s reasonable

Thank you for the time we’d been through

Thank you for everything that makes me so different

Thank you for making me firm and resolute

Thank you for being a special companion

Kindness you, shine on me

You’re always my good chum

I need time to get this off

We shall leave it to fate

But will never forget the ecstasy

Can you tell me it’s over?

It’s over now

Weeping this stream of tears

Gaze the broken dreams

Telling myself that I’m solitary

Gotta believe it’s true

It’s reality

Thank you for the time we’d been through

Thank you for everything that makes me so different

Thank you for making me firm and resolute

Thank you for being a special companion

Kindness you, shine on me

You’re always my good chum

No lies beneath,

It’s fair for us

It’s good to be true…

Thank you for the time we’d been through

Thank you for everything that makes me so different

Thank you for making me firm and resolute

Thank you for being a special companion

Kindness you, shine on me

You’re always my good chum

Thank you my beloved friend

I still miss you…

The “Vibrator” that doesn’t vibrate…

Let me share with you what we are busying with in this semester, which is one of our very major assignment for this subject called (HBM330) Marketing Innovation Management. We required inventing an innovative product for each group, by producing a report of innovation plan, as well as delivering the presentation on the executive summary of the invention. The deadline for the assignment is on next Monday! Holy mamma. Guess what we’re inventing for this particular innovation? Yeah, it’s a pen, the WonderPen. I bet you guys (for those who haven’t been ‘supplicated’ to fill up the questionnaires or being our classmates) have no idea of what this pen is all about. Indeed it looks like a pen, but why would we need the Detachable Plug? To Recharge? (smirk). OK OK, this is not just an ordinary invention of a pen, it’s a hi-tec hand-held device which will give you more confident to your facial complexion especially.

Let me explain or describe with you how actually this thing works… It is light and small, allowing users to bring and use it anywhere and anytime they want. To use it, users would just have place the laser above the acne or acne scar tissue and waves the pen back and forth, vaporizing only the unwanted tissue and creating a new surface for skin cell growth. The yellow light from the pen will destroy the bacteria that cause acne when it interacts with a substance inside the bacteria called porphorine to create oxygen, which destroys the bacteria. It also promotes the growth of collagen to prevent scarring.

And this is the illustration of the Pen. Check it out.

Believe it or not, this is just an innovative invention for our subject requirement anyway. Of course, we won’t launch this new-to-the-world product in the market, as I mentioned earlier it’s for the goodness sake to pass this appalling subject. Guess what some of my friends (the respondents who filled up the questionnaires) when they looked at the WonderPen printed on each questionnaire, “Whoa, that’s shocking! New vibrator for the women, interesting. How does it work?”. Good grief. That’s why I’d rather explain to them while they’re looking at the WonderPen. It’d be great if we could think of duo functional pen for both sexual fulfillment and skincare (grin).

Besides, I still have another two more assignments to complete, JavaScript and Communication Strategy Plan, which are due after Gawai. Being in the final year, life’s getting more hectic and tiring. Frankly, this is the only semester where I always yawn in the classes. It’s bad I know, but I couldn’t control with it. Felt like dozing off in the class, and enjoy pampering my somnolent brain. Alas, I’m forced to attend the lectures. We’ve no choice (moan).

Dona has a baby?! Mimo the innocent one…

Arrived at university’s library, computers were fully utilized by students. Some were busy with their major assignments, some were replying messages/mails, checking Friendster, doing research, chatting, playing online games etc. I was waited for someone to sign out so that I could use the computer and do some research for my final assignment. Well, it seemed like they were not going to move the butts off the places, I’d decided to chat with my friend who works in student administration department, Miss Vanessa, just to pass my time.

After that, I went to the library again, tried my luck to check whether there was any computer available…still they were all occupied. Sighed. I just walked to the study area, and met my two girl friends were there doing revision – Myzura and Hui Sia. The students surrounded them were busy completing their assignments, exercises, revising lecture notes etc. [As usual, when comes towards the end of the semester, pupils would get busy with revision, discussing on potential questions which will be asked in the final paper and so forth.] Actually they planned to go to Dona’s place after her class. While waiting for Dona, I chatted with Myzura and Hui Sia. Few minutes later, Zura arrived. She went to university just to do research for our major assignment, unfortunately there was no computer available. Too bad. So we just briefly had a talk on the assignment.

After Dona had class, we went to Unaco buy some vegetables and ingredients, as we were planning to cook and have dinner at her house before we went to evening class. We cooked cabbages with radish and mushroom for soup, Ulam and fried Sambal paste as for the girls since I do not eat those kinds of food. It was quite fun to cook together with friends. We could share our knowledge, experience while we wanted to prepare dishes. We might learn some new tips or methods somehow.

Guess what? Dona’s a baby! A sapphire eyes, white fur baby cat with tad greyish tail, Mimo (I don’t know whether this spelling is correct or not) the kitten. The kitten was brought home from her boyfriend’s workplace. She loves the kitten so much. Till now I haven’t asked what’s her kitten’s gender. LOL. Mimo is kept in a box, with milk, water and Whiskas provided by Done, the ‘mommy’ of Mimo. LOL. I wonder will Dona treat Mimo nicely when it grows up one day.

Basically, this is the journal of today.

Not another survey question from Friendster…

It’s been almost 2 weeks I didn’t post anything new in my blog. Just browsed Friendster and tried to look up for something to post. And here it’s. Posted by a friend of mine, who’s my ex-classmate. I really have no idea of what to post, for the moment being my mind is not fully functioning. I guess it needs more rest. I felt so sleepy for the entire daytime (during classes), and got hungry easily. Can’t imagine I will become obese if I only eat and sleep. Then you have to call me Fat Ass!

Actually, am waiting for my friend to call me up for drink. He just came back from Singapore on 13 May. I don’t know when he’s free to meet up as he has to meet his long-time friends, spare time with family etc. However, he’s going off this coming Thursday. I think better make up one day to hang out with him for drink.

(1) Who did you last go out with?
* Whole bunch of Buddhist association’s aunties and a master from Penang.

(2) What do you want to receive on your birthday?
* Duh, it’s in last April. Anyway, being hoping to receive more money. But where does it come from since I’m not working?!

(3) Reach your hand out to the right.What do you touch?
* The CPU casing

(4) What time did you sleep last night?
* Around 0000

(5) What's the wallpaper on your computer?
* A greenly scenery taken from a village

(6) What can you hear besides the computer?
* The sound of the wind made by the stand-fan, and song playing now – Howie Day, She says

(7) Do you agree to the saying "to forgive is to forget"?
* Somehow we’ve to accept the reality and try to fix it so that it won’t happen again…

(8) When and where was the last time tears started to roll down your cheek?
* Wesak Day eve

(9) What/who makes you happy?
* People who make resolute and firm…

(10) What makes you sad?
* Not at the moment.

(11) What are your favorite books?
* I don’t have particular most preferred books

(12) What would you like to have right at this moment which seems totally impossible?
* Money, career, airfare to KL to meet someone who I miss, badly.

(13) Who will you turn to if you have a huge problem that not all your friends know about?
* Farney, of course I know who you’re jerk…LOL

(14) What's your favorite song at the moment?
* Can’t think of any. Trying not to get sentimental at this moment especially having workloads..

(15) What was the last song that kept ringing on your mind last night before you sleep?
* Nothing

(16) What was the best event that happened last year?
* When there was a laughter

(17) Where did you go today?
* Classes and clinic

(18) Last ride?
* Back from dinner at MJC

(19) Who were you with?
* My parents.

(20) Have you gone to the beach just with your buddies?
* Yeah, with Kevin and Pei Foon in last February

(21) Do you love sunsets?
* Yea

(22) When is your bday?
* 25^th April (Don’t forget, readers)

(23) What are your wishes for your birthday?
* None. It’ll never come true.

(24) Who do you wanna be with on the day of your birthday?
* The one I’ve been missing…and some close friends

(25) Have you ever felt that you've been taken for granted?
* Hahaha..this is me.

(26) Things you regret?
* Never look back, just move on

(27) Is there anything else you want to do besides answering this survey?
* Sleep

(28) What's the most important sentences that lingers in your mind right now?
* Be cool

(29) Cookies n cream or double dutch?
* Cookies and cream

(30) Chocolate cake or brazo de mercedez?
* Both will do

(31) Do you know how to drive?
* Yes.

(32) Do you like spongebob?
* Yea

(33) Do you know how to play the guitar?
* haha…

(34) Who's the last person you texted?
* Anthony

(35) KFC or Kenny Rogers?
* KFC

(36) Beach or camping?
* Both?!

(37) Do you find yourself sexy and beautiful?
* Ask my friends will ya?

(38) Hotdogs or cheesedogs?
* Neither

(39) Do you like Shawarma?
* Never try

(40) Is there someone you're missing right now?
* Yea…a lot

(41) Do you love someone right now?
* Still I’m loving someone…

(42) Where did you go last Friday?
* Buddhist association and procession

(43) What did you do there?
* helping out, chanting, cleansing the Buddha and joined the procession at night

(44) Who were you with?
* The V.I.P., masters, representatives from different associations, devoutees and friends.

Top 10 Super Job Interview Tips
It's a tough job market out there today. And getting the job you want requires more than just a killer resume. In other words, you can't just sell yourself on paper. You also have to be able to do it in person--in a face-to-face job interview.

Here are a few interview tips to help you make a great impression on the person who interviews you.

1. Market your skills and related experience in the field that you are applying for. Be sure to do it in a way that is positive, but not cocky or aggressive.

2 . Research the company before your interview. It's a great way to know where you would fit into the organization. It also lets the employer know that you really want to be a part of the company.

3 . Prepare answers to common interview questions ahead of time, and practice saying them, so you aren't stumped during the interview.

4 . Dress for success, in the manner you would dress for the position you're seeking.

5 . Bring a list of your own questions with you in a folder with the company's name on it, so that you don't forget them. You should keep your extra resumes in there too.

6 . Be a good listener and focus. Some job seekers talk too much during interviews.

7 . Be prepared to describe your weaknesses as strengths.For example, saying that you are overenthusiastic about performing at your best.

8 . Make eye contact with your interviewer.

9 . Don't volunteer your personal opinions to your interviewer about any subjects unless you are asked.read more at http://online-articles.org/careers-employment/site-map.php

10 . Try to establish a good rapport with your interviewer.Be casual but professional, and most importantly BEYOURSELF! Take the time to implement these interview tips before your next job hunt. It'll give you a leg upon your competition!

*卫赛前三天吉祥祈祷夜*

如同往常一样，每星期二晚砂劳越佛教会都有共修。由于昨晚较得空，并到佛教会带领信徒诵经共修。多三天就是卫赛节了，所以昨晚我带他们颂吉祥经 --- 祝祷卫赛节到来，感恩佛陀的教诲；忏悔所累积一切罪障；仰仗佛光加倍，回向一切众。

共修前，信徒们个个都在忙排整椅子，备好这卫赛节庆典。当天，所有佛教团体代表、出家众及贵宾们都会在那集合，共同欢庆2550周年卫赛节。以此同时，有燃灯仪式、沐佛等活动（我还不清楚其余的活动，嘻）。

虽然昨晚的信徒不多，指有几位，但个个都带着虔诚的心，恭颂吉祥经、礼佛忏悔。尔且场面都很庄严，法音宣扬偏十方…

念完回向文后，我们在佛前长跪，读念星云大师着的忏悔祈愿文：

慈悲偉大的佛陀！

弟子至誠懇切地匍匐在您的座前，向您發露懺悔－－從無始以來，

我身業所犯的殺盜淫妄，無數無量；

我口業所犯的惡語兩舌，無窮無盡；

我意業所犯的貪瞋愚癡，無邊無際。

現在只有仰仗佛陀您威神加被，賜給我懺悔的力量；

現在只有依靠佛陀您遍灑淨水，洗淨我深重的罪業。

回想我從小至今，常常不明事理，不辨善惡；常常昧於因果，顛倒是非；常常執著邪見，自以為是。為了保有自己的利益，

我多次見到苦難的眾生，卻沒有伸出援手；

我多次遇到老弱的民眾，卻沒有哀憐救濟。

由於嫉妒別人的擁有，我妄加對方的過失，我寬恕自己的行為。

甚至｜｜我對於父母的孝順奉養不夠，我對於朋友的來往信義不夠，我對於師長的尊重敬愛不夠，我對於子弟的庇護包容不夠。

慈悲偉大的佛陀！

這一切的作為，都可以看得出我的罪業無邊！今天，我跪在您的座前，以無比虔誠的心意，向您坦白發露，求哀懺悔。

祈求在佛陀您慈光的照耀下，我能一改往昔的罪行，我要以喜捨對治貪欲，我要以慈悲對治瞋恨，我要以誠信對治懷疑，我要以謙虛對治傲慢。我願努力做到：老吾老以及人之老，幼吾幼以及人之幼；我願發心做到：先天下之憂而憂，後天下之樂而樂。

從今天開始，我誓願實踐佛陀您的行儀，我要給人信心，我要給人歡喜，我要給人希望，我要給人方便；從今天起，我誓願奉行您的教誨，我要以五戒十善自利利他，我要以三學增上福慧雙修，我要以四恩總報回饋大眾，我要以四攝六度饒益有情。

慈悲偉大的佛陀！
請求您接受我至誠的懺悔與發願，
請求您接受我至誠的懺悔與發願。

念毕并礼佛三拜，祈求三宝哀摄受、福慧增长。

Weekend routine - House Chores

It’s weekend again. As usual, every morning I’ve to mop the floor, helping parents to tidy up the house. Sigh, I’m so sick of doing house chores, but I’ve no choice unless I’m rich enough to hire a maid to clean the house. I’m so envied of my friends who never do house chores. One simple reason I can tell you why I don’t like it, LAZY! Last time, whenever I told my friends that I’d to do house work first before going out with them, they would say : “What a mummy boy. No need to do house work, just hang out with us. You may sneak out from house…” Sorry, I’m not that kind of kid in Sim’s family. No matter how unwilling I’m, to drag that broom just to clean the living room, still I stay for free in this house. Somehow I received compliments from aunties and uncles, saying that I’m a good child. Hahaha. That’s what I earn apart from being responsible doing house chores at home.

Sigh, since this afternoon until now I’ve been stuck in my study room doing my assignment. All of a sudden I didn’t know why I lost the motivation to carry on. And that’s why I write this. Gee…It’s been a week I didn’t go to swim as I was busy with having group discussion with my friends. As you can see, my muscles become flabby, my tummy is getting bigger and bigger. You know I’ve a big appetite, the good thing is, I lose weight very easily. Unfortunately food I consumed turns out become a waste. How am I going to make use of it to form into muscle?

Anyway, I’m hungry now. Feel like eating pasta.

浴佛節的意義

《 南无本師釋迦牟尼佛 》

農曆四月初八日，是漢傳 本師釋迦牟尼佛的佛誕日。在日子裡，諸天

聖眾，無量眾生都非常的歡喜。因為一位人天眼目的降生，影響著無

量無邊眾生的未來。正因為佛陀的出世，開演出涅槃妙法，使六道輪迴

的眾生，得到離苦解脫的大法。

佛教界在此日，都有慶祝的儀式及修法的儀軌。為了就是慶祝佛陀

的誕生。也緬懷大覺世尊的慈悲與智慧，在此先獻上讚佛偈：


“天上天下無如佛、十方世界亦無比

世間所有我盡見、一切無有如佛者”



在中國漢地，佛誕日最重要的一個活動就是『浴佛』的儀式。浴佛，其

實在各國佛教中皆有此法，但是在中國佛教中，將其浴佛儀式與佛誕日

合併舉行，就有其重要的意義。

根據唐朝義淨三藏法師所譯的『佛說浴佛功德經』中所載，

清淨慧菩薩在靈鴆山上向佛陀請示：諸佛如來以何因緣。得清淨身相好

具足。復作是念。諸眾生類得值如來親近供養。所獲福報無量無邊。未

知如來般涅槃後。所有眾生作何供養修何功德。令彼善根速能究竟無上

菩提。

佛陀於是開示，一切眾生應修習菩薩六度波羅密、四無量心等等善法。

佛陀又慈悲地開示，佛有三種身，法身報身化身。欲供養佛三身者，應

先供養舍利。舍利有二種，身骨舍利及法身舍利。身骨舍利即是如來示

現的肉身舍利。法身舍利即是如來成佛開示的涅槃妙法。



經中開示，佛涅槃後，欲供養如來，得到莊嚴圓滿的身相及智慧，

應當設一佛陀出生像，用香湯來為佛陀像灌沐佛身。

香湯的材料即是：牛頭栴檀。白檀紫檀沈水。熏陸鬱金香。龍腦香。

零陵藿香

浴佛的時候，須將香湯，淋在佛身的雙肩上，不可淋在頭上。而且浴佛

的時候，須先合掌唸誦浴佛偈：

"我今灌沐諸如來淨智功德莊嚴海
五濁眾生離塵垢同證如來淨法身"


唸誦完畢，即可浴佛。

修習此浴佛法，可得十五種功德：

一、常有慚愧，二、發淨信心，三、其心質直，四、親近善友，

五、入無漏慧，六、常見諸佛，七、恒持正法，八、能如說行，

九、隨意當生淨佛國土，十、生人中大姓尊貴人所敬奉生歡喜心，

十一、生在人中自然念佛，十二、諸魔軍眾不能損惱，

十三、能於末世護持正法，十四、十方諸佛之所加護，

十五、速得成就五分法身。



而且常浴佛者，眷屬安樂，無病延年，相貌莊嚴等等善報。浴佛完的香

湯，不可隨意瀉倒，此香湯稱為吉祥水，可以用來飲用乃至擦拭身體。

“浴佛功德殊胜行；无边胜福皆回向；

普愿沉溺诸众生；速往无量光佛刹；

十方三世一切佛；一切菩萨摩诃萨；

摩诃般若波罗蜜”

『浴佛』真正的意義，在於時時觀照身心，以如來淨智法水，澡浴

我們污穢的身心，令我們的身心能得到清淨、自在、安樂。進而修持如

來正法，速證菩提。

◎ 一般道場浴佛時，為求方便，大多僅用甘草水或是一般清水來浴佛，

當然功德亦是無量。

"天上天下唯吾独尊"

2550^th Wesak Day Celebration

尊重人权，互相谅解

Respect human rights, promote mutual understanding

<<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>>

* Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa.

* Homage to Him, the Exalted, the Worthy, the Fully Enlightened One

<<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>>

Date of Wesak Day:

12^th May 2006, Friday

农历丙戌年肆月拾伍日， 星期五

<<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>><<o>>

*CELEBRATION OF WESAK*

by Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda

The best known date on the Buddhist calendar, familiar even to non-Buddhists, is the thrice sacred day of “Wesak”. Wesak is the name of a month in the ancient Indian calendar and it usually falls in May though sometimes it may commence in the later part of April or extend to the early part of June. Wesak is derived form the original Pali word “Wesakha” or Sanskrit “Waishakha”. In some countries it is also known simply as Buddha Day.

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W.F.B. Resolutions

The decision to agree to celebrate Wesak as the Buddha’s birthday was taken at the first Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (W.F.B.) held in Sri Lanka in 1950. The Resolution that was adopted at the World Conference reads as follows:-

“That this Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, while recording its appreciation of the gracious act of His Majesty, the Maharaja of Nepal in making the full-moon day of Vesak a Public Holiday in Nepal, earnestly requests the Heads of Governments of all countries in which large or small number of Buddhists are to be found, to take steps to make the full-moon day in the month of May a Public Holiday in honour of the Buddha, who is universally acclaimed as one of the greatest benefactors of Humanity.”

At subsequent conferences of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, many resolutions pertaining to the celebration of Wesak or Buddha Day were also adopted. The W.F.B. conference held in Rangoon, Burma, in 1954, passed the following resolution:-

“That this conference requests the Government of India to declare Buddha Purniama Day (the full-moon day of the month of May) a public holiday for the whole of India.

” The fourth world conference of the W.F.B. held in Nepal in 1956 also adopted a similar resolution.

“That the Government of Pakistan be requested to declare the thrice sacred Wesak Purnima, the full-moon day of May, a Public Holiday every year in future.”

At the sixth World Conference held in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia, in 1961, the Conference resolved “That the first full-moon day of May be recognized as “Buddha Day” and celebrated accordingly.”

In 1976, at the eleventh conference of the W.F.B. held in Thailand, Bangkok, the decision to fix a universal day to observe Wesak was again reiterated by the adoption of the following resolution:- “The meeting felt that it was necessary to see that the resolution to observe Wesak on one same day should be implemented, hence the Committee would like to recommend to the plenary session once again to reiterate the implementation of the resolutions passed by previous general conferences.”

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WESAK – National Holiday in Malaysia

Apart from the numerous resolutions adopted by the world conferences of the W.F.B.,the Buddhist fraternity in Malaysia, in 1961, in drafting a petition to the Malaysian Government to declare Wesak Day as a National Holiday for Malaysia, submitted lengthy arguments, which inter-alia, reads as follows:-

“In carrying out the said resolution, your humble petitioners crave your indulgence in giving this humble petition your very sympathetic consideration for the Wesak full-moon day to be declared a Public Holiday every year in the Federation of Malaya. In the past there was no unanimity among the Buddhists in Malaya with regard to the day to be set apart for commemorating the Birthday of Lord Buddha; some observing the 8^th day of the Fourth(Chinese) Moon and others the full-moon day (i.e. 15^th Day) of the Fourth Moon. This lack of unanimity has militated against a joint appeal for this holiday hitherto. In the terms of the said resolution, all Buddhists throughout the Federation have now agreed to commemorate Lord Buddha’s Birthday on the Wesak full-moon day (i.e. the full-moon day in the month of May) and it has also been agreed that ceremonies at all Buddhist temples will be performed on that day. “Wesak Day is the holiest of all Buddhist holy days and embraces a three-fold commemoration – the day Lord Buddha was born, the day He received Full Enlightenment and the day on which He attained Pari-Nibbana, i.e. the day on which He passed from this life. This threefold commemoration day is universally observed by Buddhists with great veneration. The laity especially sets aside this day in performing acts of merit such as giving alms to the poor, making offerings to the temples, reciting sutras, meditating, listening to preaching and observing the precepts,”

However, whilst a country-wide campaign was being launched to obtain signatures from all leading Buddhists in support of the petition, our Government magnanimously agreed to declare Wesak Day as a National Holiday with effect from 1962.

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Birth of a Noble Prince

Wesak Day holds special significance for the millions of Buddhists who comprise a fifth of the world’s total population. In thousands of temples across the world from Tokyo in the East to San Francisco in the West, Buddhists will pay homage to an Indian Prince who forsook the pleasures of a royal household to bring peace and happiness to mankind. The Buddha, or the Supremely Enlightened One was born in 623 B.C. on a Wesak full-moon day. The young Prince was named Siddhartha or “the one who has brought about all good.” His parents, King Suddhodana and Queen Mahamaya, ruled a small kingdom in Northern India.

It is said that when he was born an ancient sage called Asita came to visit him. The sage took the child in his arms and first smiled, then wept. Questioned about his extra-ordinary behaviour the sage explained that he smiled because the Child would one day become the Greatest Teacher the world have ever known and he wept because he would not live long enough to see the boy grow up.

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A Prince of Superior Intelligence

Siddharta Gautama was provided with all the worldly comforts that could be provided in a royal palace. His parents shielded him from the harsh realities of the outside world. He excelled in sports and showed his superior intelligence but he was not satisfied with such fleeting pleasures.

He was usually a meditative person. One day he noticed a frog about to be swallowed by a snake. Just then an eagle swooped and flew away with the snake and the frog in its mouth. This set him thinking: that human life was the same whereby the stronger was

constantly destroying the weaker in never ending succession. This made him realize the happiness could only be found when this battle for survival could be ended.

One day, when he was outside the palace gates, he sighted an old man bent with age, a sick man and a corpse. The young Prince was horrified when he learnt that the human body which was so well cared for in youth could be subjected to the ravages of age, disease and death. He started to contemplate deeply and was determined to seek a panacea for such sufferings.

The Prince also saw an ascetic, dressed in simple clothes but glowing with the inner peace of one who had given up his worldly passions. He was deeply impressed by the sense of happiness and calm the ascetic radiated.

Upon his return to the palace, young Siddartha, then aged 29, decided that he would give up all the temporal power that he was heir to and seek answers to the questions that troubled him. What was the cause of human suffering? What was the path to happiness?

He went to many teachers but wise as they were, their wisdom was limited. They could not help him to gain the Enlightenment that he was searching. So he decided to seek the path on his own. The struggle for realisation of the Truth took him six long years. One of the first lessons he learnt was to seek the Middle Path that is not to go to extreme. He felt that we should not indulge too much in worldly pleasures or subject ourselves to extreme austerities. In order to calm the mind to gain purification we must be moderate in all aspects.

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Buddha’s Enlightenment

Finally, on the 35^th anniversary of his birth, again on the full-moon day of Wesak, and seated under a Bodhi tree ^*in Buddha Gaya the ascetic Siddartha became the Buddha, the Fully Enlightened One. For the next forty-five years the Buddha traveled around Northern India preaching His message of Loving-Kindness for all beings and realization of the nature of existence.

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Realisation of the Truths

He realised that man’s ignorance is the root of all misery. Man’s clinging to an illusion of the ego creates desire to satisfy the concept of self. The basis of His teaching are the Four Noble Truths; The first is the Truth of suffering. Life is filled with the miseries of old age, sickness, death and unhappiness. People chase after pleasure but only end up with more suffering, pain and unsatisfactoriness. The second is the Truth on the cause of suffering. Our greed, our ego and our eternal desires are the cause of suffering. The third is the Truth on the END of suffering. When desire is eliminated, suffering will cease. And the fourth Truth is the PATH which leads to the end of suffering.

He then explained the Path which is the Noble Eightfold Path as:-

1. Right Understanding 5. Right Livelihood

2. Right Thought 6. Right Effort

3. Right Speech 7. Right Mindfulness

4. Right Action 8. Right Concentration

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The Buddha’s Passing Away

As with all other great religious teachers the Buddha found opposition to His teaching. But many saw the truth of His teachings and followed Him, learning how to lead a proper religious life to free themselves from the misery of existence. Finally, after forty-five years, lying under two beautiful sala trees, before a large assembly of monks, the Buddha passed away at Kusinara. This passing away is also known as Mahaparinibbana or the attainment of ultimate peace and bliss. This great event also occurred on the full-moon day of Wesak. The Buddhist Era begins from the Mahaparinibbana – Passing away of the Buddha.

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A Thrice Sacred Day

Hence on Wesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate three great events: The Birth, Enlightenment and the Passing Away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India to all parts of the world, the teachings were readily assimilated with the cultures of the people who accepted the teachings. As a result, Buddhist art and culture took on a rich variety of forms with profound gentleness and kindness as the Buddha expressly forbade the use of force. The practice of Buddhism was adapted in many ways to suit the nature of the various cultures that accepted it.

As a result of this, Wesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world. But in essence many practices have become universal. It is most important to remember that this sacred day is purely and simply a religious festival and not a festive occasion for feasting, drinking and dancing. On this day all Buddhists are expected to reaffirm their faith in the Buddha Dhamma and to lead a noble religious life. It is a day for meditation and for radiating Loving-Kindness.

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How to Celebrate Wesak

On Wesak day, devout Buddhists are expected to assemble in various temples before dawn for the ceremonial hoisting of the Buddhist Flag and the singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dhamma (His teachings), and The Sangha (His disciples).

Devotees may bring simple offerings of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their great teacher. These symbolic offerings are to remind us that just as the beautiful flowers would wither away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would soon burn out, life is subject to decay and destruction in similar manner as the flowers, candles and joss-sticks. Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day. In some countries notably SRI LANKA, two days are set aside for the celebration of Wesak and all liquor shops and slaughter houses are closed by government decree during the two days. Birds and animals are also released by the thousands in a symbolic act to liberation, of giving freedom to those who are in captivity. However, it is not recommended that birds be released in the heart of crowded cities, because by doing so we may cause harm to the poor bewildered birds which are unable to fly far after a long period of captivity. Unscrupulous bird dealers would recapture such birds for resale to well meaning devotees. If birds are to be released it sis recommended that this be done in rural areas where the birds can achieve real freedom. Some devout Buddhists will wear simple white dress and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe the observance of the Eight Precepts.

Devout Buddhists understand how to lead a noble life according to the Teaching by making a daily affirmation to observe the five Precepts. However, on special days, notably new moon and full moon days, they observe additional disciplines to train themselves to practice morality, simplicity and humility.

The Eight Precepts are:-

1. Not to kill

2. Not to steal

3. To observe celibacy

4. Not to indulge in wrong speech

5. Not to take intoxicating drinks and drugs

6. To abstain from taking food at unreasonable time

7. To refrain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment

8. To refrain from using high and luxurious seats in order to practice humility.

Devotees are expected to listen to talks given by monks. On this day monks will recite verses uttered by the Buddha twenty-five centuries ago, to invoke peace and happiness for the Government and the people. Buddhists are reminded to live in harmony with people of other faiths and to respect the beliefs of other people as the Buddha had taught.

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Bringing Happiness to Others

Celebrating Wesak also means making special efforts to bring happiness to the

unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick. To this end, Buddhists will distribute gifts in cash and kind to various charitable homes throughout the country. Wesak is also a time for great joy and happiness. But this joy is expressed not by pandering to one’s appetites but by concentrating on useful activities such as decorating and illuminating temples, painting and creating exquisite scenes from the life of the Buddha for public dissemination. Devout Buddhists also vie with one another to provide refreshments and vegetarian food to devotees who visit the temple to pay homage to the Blessed One.

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Float Procession

In recent years many Buddhist groups have taken to organising processions with decorated floats carrying the image of the Buddha to celebrate Wesak. Although there is really no such tradition in strictly Buddhist countries, there is no harm in it at all, if such a procession helps to increase one’s devotion and helps one to lead a more religious life. Unfortunately some Buddhist groups have become over-zealous in their construction of floats and tend to lose sight of the real meaning of Wesak. They waste enormous sums of hard-earned money simply on ostentatious floats and decorations when this money could be much better utilised for spreading the Dhamma and for charitable acts to relieve the sufferings of others. It would be best if the floats procession is confined to a single reasonably and tastefully decorated float. Temples are also decorated modestly in good taste so as to encourage people to visit the temple to attend the religious services and not merely to view the decorations. Wesak would be much more meaningful if people are encouraged to understand more about Buddhism, to practise charity, to meditate in order to train the mind, to abstain form cruelty and to uphold spiritual upliftment. People must practise Loving-Kindness and Understanding.

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Proper Way To Pay Homage to the Buddha

The Buddha Himself has given invaluable advice on how to pay homage to Him. Just before He passed away, He saw His faithful attendant Ananda, weeping. The Buddha advised him not to weep, but to understand the universal law that all compounded things (including even His own body) must disintegrate. He advised everyone not to cry over the disintegration of the physical body but to regard His teachings (The Dhamma) as their Teacher from then on, because only the Dhamma TRUTH is eternal and not subject to the law of change. He also stressed that the way to pay homage to Him was not merely by offering flowers, incense, and lights, but by truly and sincerely striving to follow His teachings.

This is how we should celebrate Wesak: use this opportunity to reiterate our determination to lead noble lives, to develop our mind, to practise loving-kindness and to bring peace and harmony to mankind.

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MAY WESAK THE THRICE SACRED DAY BRING PEACE AND HAPPINESS TO EACH AND EVERYONE