Thursday, May 22, 2008
How small are you?
CNN reports that the explosive death of a star was caught on film.Apparently, all stars will die someday. It suddenly dawned upon me that the Sun, too, will die. Maybe in a few hundreds or thousands million years later.
A long time, yes. But death is eventual.
What will become of Earth then?
This explosive death reminds me of something. Things may just happen. It's nature. It's a cycle, and in a cycle, there's no start or end.
And it applies for Earth too, I think.
According to Buddhism, it is of little value to debate over how the world started. It's all part of Samsara.
But it does make a difference when you realise we are, but one small insignificant speck in the vast universe. And we haven't even talk about other universes.
And what a chaotic speck we are. Often clashing, often fighting, often at conflicts.
Where is the peace that all of us seek?
We say, we have weapons to protect ourselves. But if none of us have weapons, we can't hurt each other and there'll be no need for weapons.
We say, we fight for truth and justice. But the real truth needs no fighting and is always self-standing.
We say, we execute to have peace. But peace is when we let go of anger and hatred and any ill-feelings - only then can we have peace.
The difference between a dog fight and a war or between two groups of people is only in its organisation.
All these fights... there are all within our minds, right? Second guessing, precaution, attacking as defending... it's all in the mind.
We say, scientific development. But where is the development when all we 'develop' is weapons of mass destruction that aims to kill more faster?
It's time.
To realise how small we are.
To realise that we need to stop.
To realise that what the world is doing is not helping.
Before it's too late.
Before WW3 really start.
Before the Earth is gone before the Sun goes poof.
Labels: Buddhism, emo, life, news, religion
posted by QueenPig @ 11:58 AM
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Monday, May 19, 2008
Olympic torch relay suspended
China will begin mourning today, 1428, exactly one week after the devastating earthquake at Sichuan, China.The mourning will take place over three days. The Olympic torch relay will be suspended. The torch is due to be in the eastern cities of Ningbo and Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province on Monday, then in Shanghai on Tuesday and Wednesday.
China doesn't have Vesak Day holiday like Singapore, and neither have the Chinese heard of the important day. But coincidentally, they decided to start mourning on Vesak Day.
Bear in mind and pray for the suffering.
The fire stops burning
The people lose their smiles
But the warmth of unity
Like the white lotus' purity
Brings cheers and relief to all
Labels: Buddhism, China, news, religion, Shanghai, Singapore, travel
posted by QueenPig @ 10:18 AM
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Happy Vesak 2008!
On this important day, I will be reminded of the Great B who attained enlightenment and entered the final journey into Nirvana.On this important day, I welcome Buddhism with double the open hearts and contentment.
On this important day, I pray for all who are suffering, for them to be relieved from the cycle of suffering.
On this important day, as well as every other day, I strive to praise the Great B in my action, speech and thought.
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Interestingly, I found this while surfing around Wikipedia. It's about the physical characteristics of the Buddha, specifically, 32 signs of the Great B.
<3
Labels: Buddhism, life, religion
posted by QueenPig @ 12:09 AM
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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
It's the end (?)
For one, Wikipedia is super efficient. Take a look at the article on the recent earthquake in China Sichuan.That said, the televisions and newspapers here are flooded with news and pictures/visuals of the disaster.
It is totally heart-wrenching when you see parents wailing over the bodies of their children.
It tears you apart when you see bodies of teachers over the young kids.
It breaks you down when you see blood and debris all over a once bustling town.
But disasters happen. Every single day, every single hour, every single minute.
Let's observe a moment of silence for the casualties and pray for world peace (please do, you'll see why later in the post).
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My colleagues and I were having lunch and talking about the earthquake. A few of them are from Sichuan province. One described how her dad reacted to the earthquake.
"My dad felt the sofa shaking, but he thought it was due to some heavy construction going on. He continued watching TV as if nothing's wrong. But when the biscuit tin above the water dispenser vibrated so violently that it fell to the floor, he sensed that something was wrong. Without putting on his shoes, he quickly evacuated the 5th floor apartment.
"On his way down at the third floor, he realised that he forgot to close the doors! He ran up again to close the doors and dashed back down. However, at this time, the building was swaying left and right. It was difficult to hold his footing. He thought to himself, 'I'm doomed.' But he continued running down. Right at the ground floor, he stopped again. To run out into the open, he needs to go through a long long stretch of corridor and he didn't think he can make it. Somehow, survival instincts still made him sprint out.
"And out in the open, he found many others already there. All they could do was stand and sway together with the buildings."
Her dad aside, her daughter (I think, if I'm not wrong) was very sensible.
"My daughter was having lessons when she started seeing her teacher sway. She grabbed her table and said to her friend, 'It's an earthquake!' Her friend said it's impossible. Her teacher then instructed them to evacuate in an orderly manner. In the mad rush, many of her classmates were crying and they lost their teacher. She even consoled them and said 'Don't worry. Earthquake wouldn't kill anyone.' One teacher shouted over the din for all to assembly at the field. My daughter quickly grabbed her friend and dashed to the field."
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There's a mad frenzy of things going on in the news (more orderly, mostly about how the leaders are helping the victims) and the internet. We have newscaster who weaved a fib and narrated false stories, live. We also have stories on how people called to ask if there'll be an earthquake days before the disaster (they noticed nature's warning, such as migration of toads and frogs, sinking of groundwater with loud rumbling sound etc).
There're also stories on psychics who predicted these disasters years ago.
According to another of my colleague, there was a woman who claimed she was from the year 2030 (or is it 2035?) and is on a 'mission' to retrieve an Intel computer chip. That was in year 1998.
On her website, she talked about how the 2004 Olympics at Athens will be the last. She correctly predicted many disasters and historical events, including the Iraq war and the Indian Ocean tsunami. In her predictions, the recent 7.8 earthquake at China Sichuan was also mentioned.
Above these 'accurate predictions', she said China Beijing will experience an earthquake on September 13th, 2008. This will happen during the Olympics! (Coincidentally, or not, another group also mentioned that Beijing will face either earthquake, stock market crash, water disaster or air disaster, this September. I have no idea what group it is.) My guess is that the disaster was so great that Olympics was called off every since. Only in 2030 will there be plans to reinstate Olympics.
On top of that, she mentioned that World War III will happen in 2011/2012. More than two-thirds of the world population will be dead, U.S. will be divided and there'll be nuclear bombings.
I hope what she said will not come true. I sincerely pray for world peace.
May wisdom befall on those who are ignorant.I'm scared. >.< Not of death, but by what we humans beings do to each other on top of all these natural disasters.
May loving kindness befall on those who bears hate and burdens.
May mindfulness befall on those who are forgetful of history's cruel lessons.
The doves will soar
The spirits will fly
The mind will flutter
But the peace should stay
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Latest: Singapore offered help.
P.S. Sorry for the wordy post. :)
Labels: China, life, news, random, religion, Shanghai, Singapore
posted by QueenPig @ 3:30 PM
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Monday, May 05, 2008
The Great B
Dear B,The place you are at is beautiful, I believe. Thank you for discovering that world, as well as teaching us how to get there. But the road there is long and arduous - I'm still working hard in that direction. I can, and I know that one day I'll be home with you.
I know I shouldn't ask this of you, B, but I think I need more guidance this year than the years before. If possible, please help me with the wisdom and effort to overcome the difficulties I am facing and will face. There are thing, places, and more importantly, people that I know I should not desire and long as strongly for. Yet, it is so difficult to let go.
I have the awareness, I think, and I am putting in the effort, albeit seemingly insufficient now. All I need is a little more mindfulness, a little reminder now and then to be strong. Can I ask this of you, B?
Maybe you would say that all these in my life now, good and bad, are results and cumulations from my past efforts, but I still want to say a big "thank you".
Thank you, B, for finding the way, teaching the way selflessly, and making me aware. Thank you, B, for letting me appreciate what I have around me better.
Tough obstacles in my path are opportunities to exercise my effort.
Spiteful people in my path are chnces to practise my mindfulness.
Losing, or possibly losing - are they training detachments?
Dear B, I wish you are here with me. Actually, I know you are always around. Where the great Truth and Wisdom are, I see you too.
So dear B, I want to say I love you. But in love is desire, involvement and attachment. Thus, instead, I respect you.
With great respect,
QueenPig
P.S. For a clear mind, thank you.
P.P.S. Hope there's blogspot and internet at 'paradise', unlike China. ^^
posted by QueenPig @ 11:39 AM
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Monday, April 14, 2008
Work hard!
There are these six dangers associated with idleness.Thinking: "It's too cold," one does not work.
Thinking: "It's too hot," one does not work.
Thinking: "It's too early," one does not work.
Thinking: "It's too late," one does not work.
Thinking: "I am too hungry," one does not work.
Thinking: "I am too full," one does not work.
D.III.184
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P.S. I have tons of photos! From 无锡，黄山 and 上海植物园! And I'm going to 南京 this weekend with the school. NO TIME NO TIME!
Bear with the lack of updates ok! ^^
Labels: religion
posted by QueenPig @ 5:23 PM
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Monday, December 31, 2007
The last of 2007
Since this is the last of 2007, I shall dedicate this post to it.
2007 has been a roller coaster ride for me. In chronological order as follows:
1. I took a whole semester of Economics.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Economics was something that made me feel that knowledge is tangible and measurable. I felt good after every lesson, knowing that I walked away with something new.
However, this semester also made me think that I'm in the wrong course. Sure, I do want a career in Communications, but studying Economics was so much easier and fulfilling. I don't have to put myself against anyone.
2. I was back to a loner for that Economics semester.
I was pretty anti-social in primary school, speaking as little as possible. Don't ask me what happened; I have no idea why I changed. But I believe that I might still be innately anti-social. I spoke only to the lecturer and had imaginary conversations with myself and the economics concepts.
And I loved it.
3. I worked at PRL.
Well, I discovered that I love being around people. This may seem to contradict the above point, but hey, I can be around people and be anti-social!
I discovered I love to see happy customers. I discovered I love to fold clothes. And I discovered that very often, I may seem not to be listening, but actually I'm taking in loads of stuff.
4. I ended my first relationship.
Sure, it was hard. Nobody said it was easy. But I survived it.
It wasn't something anyone wanted, but I know I've put in more than 100% as usual and I don't intend to regret the decision.
I learnt alot through this experience. I would like to thank the man who once made my day simply by being around. Thank you Gambat Tay, if you are seeing this! I may not be the best girlfriend for you, but you are probably one of the best boyfriend any other girl would have wished for. We may not be suited to be couples, but I do hope we can still be friends. :) Jiayou in life yea?
5. I sort of suffered a little depression for a week.
With so many negative things happening, I can't help but feel a little depressed. There were days I simply doesn't feel like doing anything. I slept through the day without food, waking up only to take little sips of water and going to the toilet (duh).
But it was also through this that I love my roomie more. Thank you roomie! *hug* And I also found DLL who, together with roomie, dragged me out of bed to have dinner. Thanks!
Well, what doesn't kill only make you stronger. It's okay that I felt down. It's okay that I let the tears flow then. It's okay that there are setbacks. 'Cos I learnt that after the down slope, there is always an up slope.
6. I specialised in Communication Research.
Being the fickle-minded Queen (ahem) that I am, I was contemplating between PPC and CR. Ultimately, I chose CR, simply because I saw more value-added in this course in WKWSCI. Very practical, eh?
Sometime in the semester, I begin to regret this decision. I didn't enjoy data collection. Research to me was very much individual/pair work. Working in groups became tough. I found that I'm a perfectionist, to the extent that sometimes I hurt others by stepping into their area of work.
But CR has also let me know some people whom I wouldn't have thought of talking to. They are the ones who make going to school more enjoyable each day. Plus, the grades show I am a little capable of research. ^^
Of course, I wouldn't forget my beloved MO. *grins*
7. Buddhism came into my life.
I've called myself a Buddhist simply because my beliefs coincide with the basic beliefs of Buddhism. But after such a roller coaster, life became much too precious to be wasted. I took a little step to understand more about this so caled 'religion'.
It has helped me deal with the negatives of the year. It came at the right time; after everything ended. I felt relieved and optimistic. Whoever said Buddhism is a pessimistic religion/philsophy probably needs to read more.
Not trying to preach here, but I can already feel the positive effects it has on me. I appreciate my friends more (thanks to the crappy councillors, CS clique, NAS peepz, airen, tortiz, hall peepz etc). I appreciate the things that happen to me, good or bad, more. Most importantly, I appreciate my family more. To praise the things I learnt would take another lengthy post, so that's another topic for another time! ^^
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Now that I've ranted the 7 (2007 mah, so 7 lor) major happenings, I'm just going to list the 7 resolutions. Perhaps at the end of 2008 (which already is an exciting year marked with overseas trip), I will look back and review my resolutions!
1. Remain optimistic
2. Continue giving more than 100% in the things I do
3. Take initiative to do things that I want
4. Keep my temper under check, especially towards people I love
5. Read more
6. Speak good words, do good actions, cultivate good thoughts
7. Be generous with my love and spread the goodwill
What's your 7 major happenings and resolutions for 2007? ^^
Labels: emo, life, NTU, religion, school, Singapore, WKWSCI
posted by QueenPig @ 3:56 AM
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Tuesday, December 25, 2007
The Journey of Understanding
There are times when we think we don't understand someone. Or more often, others don't understand us.I was pondering deeply over this yesterday night, fretting over why this is the case and feeling uneasy about it.
As part of a bedtime habit, I picked up the book on Buddhism that Shi Xiong lent me to read before sleeping.
Then it struck me.
Everything is nothing and nothing is everything. One can understand another/self, but yet not understand at the same time. Change is the only constant, making the journey of understanding a never-ending one.
When someone says "I don't understand you/myself", all he needs to do is think a little harder and he will realise that he actually does. When someone says "I understand you/myself", thinking a little harder will let him find out things that he don't understand.
Understanding someone, including the self, is a journey. Take the time to explore.
The question now is, the self does and doesn't exist - how? :/
posted by QueenPig @ 1:56 AM
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