Craving (tañha) occupies the mind when wisdom is not applied to pleasant and unpleasant experiences. Without the wisdom of seeing their impermanent and transient nature, we react in unwise ways that lead to our affliction. We are unable to see straight because we are blinded by craving, and even allow emotions to control us. The Buddha explains the unwise reaction to tañha in Sallatha Sutta (SN 36.6).
Read moreThe Paralympics Games Tokyo 2020 concludes today after two weeks of competition. The Malaysian contingent had its best performance ever this year by winning three gold medals and two silver medals. We rejoice in the sportsmanship of all the Paralympics athletes who have upheld the Olympic spirit of friendship and harmony throughout the games.
Read more31 August 2021 marks 15 years since the passing away of Venerable Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nāyaka Thero. Venerable Dhammananda spent most of his life building and nourishing the growth of the Theravāda Buddhist community in Malaysia. Under his spiritual leadership, many Buddhist societies were established since the 1960s and continue to benefit Dhamma learners and practitioners today.
Read moreToday, Malaysians celebrate the 64th anniversary of our nation’s independence, marking another year of unrelenting patience and perseverance. We have not only put on hold our desires and fancies as a means of safeguarding our communities, we have also made sacrifices due to our care, respect and compassion for our fellow countrymen.
Read moreAt times, we may be in a state of doubt, either in ourselves, or in the Dhamma principles. “I meditate everyday but still can’t calm the mind”, or “I have learnt so much over the years, yet I don’t have the deep level of faith”; thoughts like these are common. We may even think that we are too deep down the ‘rabbit hole’ in this life to realise our mind’s full potential. If left unchecked, the sceptical mind will ebb our determination to reach our spiritual goals.
Read moreThe XVI Paralympics in Tokyo starts today and for the next 12 days, the world will be able to witness outstanding athletes compete in goodwill and amity with their peers. Reflecting on this year’s Olympic Torch relay dubbed “Share your light”, so too do these differently-abled athletes illuminate the world with their courage and hope having overcome all odds to be among the best in their chosen sport.
Read moreAnger and aversion arise when someone does or says something we don’t like, or things are not done our way. It is the result of unwise attention to the un-ending desires in our mind. The Buddha taught that anger inflames the mind and only brings about loss, pain, loneliness and misery; an angry person does not see the true nature of things (Kodhana Sutta, AN 7.60).
Read moreIn the next few weeks, we will reflect on Dhamma talks held during the this year's Gimhāna Retreat on ‘Steps to Happiness’. These talks discuss the manifestations of the mind which obstruct our spiritual progress, and how we can take steps towards removing them. We hope that this series are useful reminders and contemplations for you.
Read moreToday is the Republic of Singapore’s 56th National Day. The theme for this National Day, “Together, our Singapore Spirit” celebrates the unity and solidarity of all Singaporeans in persevering and rising through today's challenges, just as their founding fathers had in turning the city-state from a third-world back water into a first-world economic powerhouse.
Read moreOn 1 August, Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi defied the competition by sharing a historic Olympic gold medal for the men’s high jump. We laud Barshim and Tamberi for their impressive display of sportsmanship and amity. They have shown us that the power of friendship can transcend barriers and allow us to push ourselves towards achieving our true potential as humans.
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