My reply to the Tibetan Scholar Thubten Jinpa

The Dalai Lama and Thubten Jinpa

I read some statements made by Thubten Jinpa on dorjeshugden.com about his late Guru's practices. Unfortunately, I was told by monks the truth and that could only mean that Thubten Jinpa had lied. Why would such a reputable scholar lie?

Here's the link to the original article called 'Thubten Jinpa Prostrates to His Guru's Throne' and the link is http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/features/thubten-jinpa-prostrates-to-his-gurus-throne/ In it, you can also read Thubten Jinpa's comments and mine. I am posting my comments here for easy reading:-

Thubten Jinpa wrote quite a long reply refuting a few crucial points stated in the article that referred to a recent incident of him prostrating and making offerings to his Guru’s throne. I was taken aback and was confused by his reply so I consulted a monk friend of mine. He just laughed when I asked him and this led me to ask his opinion on this matter. What he told me blew my mind away because I realized that what Thubten Jinpa said was not true at all!

Contrary to what Thubten Jinpa wrote, he does practice Dorje Shugden. He may have gone underground with his practice but in the monastery, many senior monks know of Thubten Jinpa and that he sponsors Dorje Shugden pujas at Gaden Shartse Tenkhang as thanksgiving for a safe journey after every trip that he goes to translate for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. On top of that, Zemey Ladrang is in Shar Gaden and that means all the monks, students and patrons of the ladrang are practicing Dorje Shugden.

Then, my monk friend paused and he told me that he recalls vividly that an old friend had told him of how Thubten Jinpa first entered the monastery.  Apparently, Zemey Rinpoche first encountered Thubten Jinpa in Bylakuppe. It was during this time that Zemey Rinpoche consulted a Dorje Shugden oracle about the boy and Dorje Shugden in trance told Zemey Rinpoche to take care of this boy because he will one day become very famous. In fact, there were many people who had witnessed this.

So, this got me to the point of Zemey Rinpoche and I asked if this High Lama had practiced Dorje Shugden or not. According to Thubten Jinpa, Zemey Rinpoche did not practice Dorje Shugden because he is a worldly protector. When I told him that, he just snorted. He said everybody in the monastery knew Zemey Rinpoche practices Dorje Shugden because the monks at Zemey ladrang would prepare tormas and rituals for a Dorje Shugden puja every month.  It is obvious that if everyone in the ladrang is practicing Dorje Shugden, Zemey Rinpoche must have taught them to practice.

In fact, he said he knew of a few older monks and Geshes in Gaden Shartse who would fold their hands with tears in their eyes and talk about witnessing Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche performing Dorje Shugden pujas together in the old days. He also said that he knew the attendant of the late Choyang Duldzin Kuten and that in the old days; he was told that it is quite normal for Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche to consult Dorje Shugden via the oracle because he trusted Dorje Shugden’s counsel very much especially on important matters. On many occasions, when the oracle took trance of Shugden, Zemey Rinpoche would pose questions and follow through the answers. On top of that, Zemey Rinpoche’s monastery called Yangting Dechen Ling Monastery in Kham, Tibet, continues to practice Dorje Shugden to this day.

Then I asked the monk what he thought of Thubten Jinpa’s statement of Dorje Shugden as a worldly deity. The monk shook his head and said sadly that he doesn’t know why such a brilliant Geshe and student of Zemey Rinpoche would say such things. Zemey Rinpoche is a great student of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and everybody in the monastery knows that Trijang Rinpoche is one of the highest lamas of the land and the tutor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s Sumbum or collected works, especially on the volume of Dorje Shugden, Trijang Rinpoche clearly states that Dorje Shugden is a super-mundane protector or a protector that is enlightened. All of us know that Zemey Rinpoche was a fierce and loyal student of Trijang Rinpoche. So, he must have propagated the same belief in Dorje Shugden’s nature. In fact, if you ask any Geshe in the monastery to debate on the nature of Dorje Shugden, Thubten Jinpa’s views would easily be refuted.

After telling me all that, the monk pondered and he said that he felt that the point of the Thubten Jinpa’s article on the website was actually about Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche being a Dorje Shugden practitioner and so is Thubten Jinpa. With that in mind, much of what Thubten Jinpa wrote in his reply about the Dalai Lama forgiving Kyabje Zemey Rinpoche and seeing him again seemed irrelevant to the original intent of the article. The monk thought that perhaps, it was just a distraction or a smokescreen to cover the fact that he too may have practiced Dorje Shugden.

Having come to this point, I asked the monk what he thought was the reason behind Thunten Jinpa’s anti-Shugden views. He shrugged his shoulders and just said that Thubten Jinpa is well-known to be a hard-line supporter of the Dorje Shugden ban. He wouldn’t say more after that.

Politics in the Office!

Every office and working environment have this one evil person everybody loves to hate. I am sorry for sounding sexist here but its usually and unmarried woman who's always sticking by the rules and using it to get her enemies back. This is the classic devil-wears-prada woman. Well, I wear Prada too but I ain't no woman and I ain't no devil...well, unless you provoke me.

I guess I just want to vent my frustration for having some annoying b*tch in the office play games with me. She pulled rank with me and won the CEO's favor. She may have won the battle this time but I will fight her tooth and nail that she doesn't touch my projects. Wish I could slap her silly. I went to play darts just now at the nearby bar. I am sorry but I could only see her face on the dart board. I know what kind of Buddhist am I? I should be practicing compassion and be a walking Bodhisattva with rainbows coming out of my ass. Sorry, don't mind me French.

Anyway, I have no real intentions to reciprocate her actions. It's more fun imagining all the nasty things one can do with one's enemies. However, when its back to the office tomorrow, it will be all smiles of course and putting up a convincing act. I should be awareded an Academy Award I tell you. Anyway, thanks for hearing me out. 

How a man/lama becomes a God...

Mahasiddha Birwapa

I have been reading up on the comic and although I have read this story many times over but it has never ceases to amaze me. I am just amaze how a a Lama ascends to become a God. I know! I know that in Buddhism, a Godly existence is hardly the most ideal mode of existence according to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche and so forth in their teachings on the Lamrim. Well, what I was talking about is how a man/lama ascends to become a Dharma Protector.Anyway, Dorje Shugden is no worldly God but a fully enlightened Dharma Protector. Dorje Shugden has emanated from Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. 

Sakya Pandita

Dorje Shugden's incarnation lineage stems from the Bodhisattva Manjushri on a successive line of highly enlightened lamas, each leaving a incredible contribution to the propagation of the teachings. It's amazing how a promise made in one of his incarnations created the cause for the lama to eventually assume the form of a Dharma Protector. Unlike other powerful and harmful beings of the past, Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen was not bound by oath but willing made a promise that became the cause for this transformation. 

Panchen Sonam Drakpa

However, Dorje Shugden is unlike other Dharma Protectors because he is totally suitable for one to take refuge in him. In fact, Dorje Shugden has a tradition of taking possession of oracles to give predictions and personal advice. There had been a tradition of Dorje Shugden taking possession in a peaceful form, that of a lama - of Lord Duldzin. In this form, Dorje Shugden gives accurate predictions and advice. In fact, Dorje Shugden is able to give scripturally-sound teachings and advice. He is also able to give oral transmission and initiations. He had been requested to give initiation but Dorje Shugden would humbly decline in difference to the senior Tulkus, Geshes and great masters. 

Dorje Shugden

Dorje Shugden is not the ordinary emanated protector. He is special in his swiftness and power to deliver us from our obstacles and problems. According to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche and other great masters continue to reassert the suitability of Dorje Shugden for our times. Even the Chinese Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty had sent emisseries to test Dorje Shugden's prophetic abilities out. Dorje Shugden's prophecy turned out to be highly accurate and delighted the emperor and Dorje Shugden was duly enthroned in a lavish ceremony by the Regent of Tibet, the 7th Dalai Lama and the Emperor of China. 

Bar Stories

Went with some friends to Haji Street and came to Bar Stories, one of the most interesting bar establishments in Singapore. This is apparently very popular these days after Anthony Bordain had paid a visit. 

They had no drinks menu and we have to do is tell the bartender/mixologist what kinda flavors we would like and they would recreate that in the drink. I must say it was delicious but they say don't go on a Saturday nights as it would be packed. Drinks were ridiculously expensive at $25 per cocktail. 

I love the experience but it sure burned a hole in my pocket with the a couple of drinks setting me for over a $100 dollars. Nonetheless, the novelty did make it a worthwhile expeirece. 

A Japanese Manjushri

I saw this on dorjeshugden.com's forum. Someone posted this lovely image of Manjushri accompanied by 4 attendants. I love this statue! Just in case you didn't know, Manjushri means Gentle Brilliance and that is actually an epithet for the Buddha's Wisdom. Praying to Manjushri or any of his forms bestows great wisdom.What that means is good memory, critical thinking, creativity and the development of skillful means to overcome our negativity in order to become enlightened and benefit others.

That's of course my own rumination after reading lots on this beneficial Bodhisattva. Dorje Shugden is an emanation of Manjushri and both Manjushri and Dorje Shugden rides on a lion. The lion of course symbolizes fearlessness. The Chinese emperors were regarded by the Tibetans to be emanations of Manjushri. And Wu Tai Shan mountains in China is extremely famous to be the earthly abode of Manjushri. So, those mountains are also popular pilgrimage spot for many Mahayanists. I am making a mental not to travel there one day. 

Meanwhile, its Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha and Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi for now. Those are sacred mantras of Dorje Shugden and Manjushri respectively. 

What's on my shopping list...

I am this hedonistic fella and I have been thinking of getting a Prada bag like this one for work. I really like this one with the army fatigues that was a few seasons back. Most Singaporean guys my age wouldn't appreciate it because it reminds them of national service but I don't care, its real cool. But anyway, its just too bad because they don't have this anymore. 

Laduree flew from Paris and set up shop in Ngee Ann City on orchard I heard. Those yummy macarons are now available at a crazy $3.80 per macaron. Well, the last time I strolled over to Ngee Ann was a long time ago but what the heck, I might try going there this weekend. I have a sweet tooth especially after a workout. Wish the packaging was not so girly though. 

After Yong He Gong in Beijing, I am really inspired to invite a Lama Tsongkhapa statue. I read on the net that Lama Tsongkhapa is particularly powerful blessing to ensure harmony of the family and stability of livelihood at home. Will take one of those strolls to Fu Lu Shou to check out the shops there. I heard they do have quite a good selection of Tibetan statues. 

I know I have a strange mix of hedonism and spirituality on my shopping list. That's just very much like me, a spiritual hedonist! A sort of paradox. ; P

Yong He Gong Lamasery

The grand imperial entrance to Yong He Gong Lamasery, a rather impressive Chinese Tibetan Buddhist monastery...

Over the weekend, I was in Beijing for a business meeting with a client there. I heard so much about Yong He Gong and I decided to go check it out while I was there. What I saw blew my mind away as I didn't anticipate so much Tibetan Buddhism is entrenched in Chinese history and culture in such a big way like this. 

Apparently, Yong he Hong was built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi known to the Tibetans as the incarnation of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen or better known as Dorje Shugden, initially as a palace quarters for eunuchs and then as the residence of the Royal Prince, Prince Yong. When Prince Yong ascended the dragon throne as the Emperor Yongsheng, he converted his royal quarters into a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in honor of his parents. 

I had the honor to discover this in Beijing and was delighted to pay homage to the Chinese Lama Tsongkhapa image enshrined in the huge Falun Hall. I made prayers there for my parents and loved ones and took a stroll around the temple complex.

Lama Tsongkhapa just looks resplendent here and represents a very powerful link between the Chinese people and that of Buddhadharma. Perhaps one day, an image of Dorje Shugden would be constructed by the temple authorities when the ban comes down. 

This 18meters tall statue of Maitreya rendered in the Indo-Tibetan style is just spectacular. Apparently, it is carved out of a single trunk of a large Sandalwood tree. This is also the largest statue in this temple. I fortunate enough to be able to capture almost the entire statue within this picture. 

Halls with shrines to the Tantric deities and the great Dharma Protectors of India, Tibet and China. These living evidence of Tantra having been practiced by the great Sangha of Yong He Gong. 

The temple museum showcases some of Yong He Gong's most refined statues of the Yidams and Dharma Protectors. According to inscription, the statues were mostly the result of some of the finest Nepalese, Tibetan and Chinese craftsmen. The fusion of style has resulted in these fantastic devotional statues. 

Made good prayers here but I had to rush off as this was just a short trip but will plan future trips to a more lengthy prayer and sight-seeing around the temple complex. All in all, Yong He Gong came out to be a nice end to a hectic business trip to Beijing. 

Dorje Shugden in Bodhgaya

I posted this on the dorjeshugden.com forum a few months ago and I recently rediscovered it on the forum and I thought I blog about this as well to keep it for posterity sake. I might do something like this in Singapore... well discreetly-la! 

For New Years 2013 this year, I went on a pilgrimage to Bodhgaya, the land of Buddha's enlightenment. Just prior to flying, I had just received a whole shipment of Dorje Shugden comic books from the eShop. At the stupa, I managed to make a lot of offerings, prayers, prostrations and mantras at the Stupa. While circumambulating, I had a sudden thought. 

I went back and discreetly brought the comics along with me and went on a distribution round by quietly offering the comic books to some of the pilgrims there. I even managed to capture the couple, reading the comic book right after they finished their meditation. On top of that, I managed to perform a whole Dorje Shugden puja every time I went to the Stupa. I love coming to Bodhgaya and would from time to time travel to Bodhgaya with some friends for pilgrimage.

PS: If you are the person in the picture, do drop a message to let me know if you read the comic or not. ; ) Thank you. 

Qing Ming - All Soul's Day

Over the weekend, I followed my parents back to Malaysia to visit the grave site of my dad's ancestors in Kuala Lumpur. I don't normally follow but I had some time to kill so I followed and to also see my Malaysian relatives, which I have not seen in the longest time.

Qing Ming is quite a popular practice of visiting and paying respects at the grave site of a patriarch or matriarch of the family. We did it early in the morning and it took a longest time to reach the grave site which was out of Kuala Lumpur. I can't remember the name right now but all I remember it took the longest time to reach. We took some time to clean up the weeds and then placed some colored notes on top of the tomb, which was held down by a stone. Then, we had a sort of picnic with the dead. The only thing was only the dead ate and the rest of us just drank Yeo's packet drinks to keep hydrated.

I didn't manage to take pictures but I saw some really cool vintage photos on the Straits Times website, which I thought I shared here. These were photos taken during the 1950s and were done in lavish style in the earlier days.

I am guessing this was a funerary procession for a rich family towards a family grave.

A modest Chinese family tombstone.

Now, this is a rich man's tomb that is big enough to accommodate family members.

This is the only picture I had and well, it was not really nice because it's a shot of my aunties behinds. Hehe! 

Dorje Shugden practitioners not allowed into Gaden Tripa's teaching!

The current 102nd Gaden Tripa Kyabje Rizong Sras Rinpoche is coming to Malaysia at the end of next month to lead a Lamrim retreat. A colleague of mine emailed me this interesting flyer a few days back. I have always wanted to engage in a Lamrim retreat and well, a lamrim teaching beforehand of course. So, I got a little excited about this proposition and everything was fine until I read the fine print of the rules and regulations. Guess what I saw?....

Dorje Shugden practitioners are not allowed to participate. 

I can't believe my eyes! I read about this happening within the Tibetan community in India but I would not think that they would actually do this in this part of the world! This is the first time for me and I must say I am very disappointed. This is clearly discrimination of the highest order and they have no right to enforce this. After all, this is the Gaden Tri Rinpoche and not the Dalai Lama. WHY do they need to enforce such an stupid ban? On what basis do they have the right to enforce this ban?

You know, the Gaden Tripa is such an eminent master, shouldn't they allow everybody in including practitioners of Dorje Shugden. If Gaden Tripa recites prayers and dedicates to all sentient being, I am a sentient being too, right? I should be allowed to receive teachings because the spirits and ghosts are allowed in to be blessed by the lama and the teachings. Why not me and others like me? If Dorje Shugden practice is so bad and evil, shouldn't we be allowed in even more? Shouldn't we be showed even more compassion? 

It would be cool if I could go and protest right in front of the teaching but it wouldn't be powerful if its just me alone and I am Singaporean. I am not sure if the Malaysian police would be too happy if I did that. 

PS: The above line was taken from the registration information and rules column of their website:-

http://bodhilamrim.org/activities/2013-lamrim-meditation-retreat-registration-information/

Rap song on Dorje Shugden?

This is one real cool rap on Dorje Shugden that was probably created by a fan of Dorje Shugden and is now on YouTube. I am not sure if this is sacrilegious but I find it really cool. After all, rap is just a modern take on poetry. Didn't the old pandits and scholars of ancient India and Tibet composed praise and poems of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. I don't see how different this can be but I do like the fact that this is the only one of its kind on Dorje Shugden. I am not even sure if they did it for other lamas and Buddhas but there is one for Dorje Shugden. This is real cool and here's the lyrics for you to check it out:-

It's the D-O-R-J-E, Shugden / (Dorje-Shugden)

You know how he gets it all under his control

Peace in the place where we be livin' in

Don't worry he'll be there in a little bit

Yo, I'm not here to try bring out dysfunction

I've got peace in my heart and I'm feeling one with

Dorje Shugden not an ordinary man

It's a surprise to see what Dorje Shugden can

So many years ago Dorje Shugden came here

Protector of Nagarjuna's Middle view, yeah

It matters to me coz he's so sincere

I see him walking by and I don't have no fear

If I'm having trouble on the double he'll come in

Opposing oppositions makes a loss into a win

Next thing you know, he's gone with the wind

Then I wonder if I'll ever see him again

Connecting me with my brothers, we're here for each other

Spiritual and the physical there is no other

He can help us avoid things that try to keep us down

And turn a smile from what used to be a frown

You know how he gets it all under his control

Peace in the place where we be livin' in

Don't worry he'll be there in a little bit (x2)   

Images of Bruce Lee

I have always been a fan of Bruce Lee since I was a kid. He is damn famous, everybody knows him and has since become a sort of screen legend for his nationalistic portrayal of the Chinese in a few Hollywood flicks. I can't remember how many times I have watched Enter the Dragon and all the vintage episodes of the Green Hornet. I saw the recent remake of the Green Hornet last year but I must say Jay Chou was such a disappointment. He is nothing like Bruce Lee and his hair was pretty weird, almost like a helmet. 

I did martial arts in school but not Jeet Kune Do. I did Korean Taekwando till I was brown belt till I got distracted by other aspects of college life. I have always wanted to own one of those nunchakus. I am not sure what they are called in Chinese though. However, these days, the only martial arts I do these days are Body Combat classes at the gym, which is a far cry from the real deal but enough to keep my body in shape. 

Here's the classic martial arts movie Enter The Dragon:-

Dorje Shugden is HERE!!!

I just received this package in the mail today. My mum received the package for me while I was at work. She didn't know what it was of course! I was expecting it but I didn't think it would arrive so soon. I had an exceptionally stressful time at work today with team members that were playing silly games with each other. I had to settle that and I came home totally exhausted. This was truly a sight for sore eyes.  

Thank Buddha, Dorje Shugden was all intact with no missing parts. Isn't he just gorgeous? I never thought I would be this excited for a Buddha statue. The finishing is just fantastic and I just love the antique finishing. Thank you dorjeshugden.com for making this available for all of us to invite and be the object of our prayers. 

This is my little altar in my room with a printout of Trijang Rinpoche, a stupa and some offerings of crystals, tealights and Tibetan incense. I love Tibetan incense and what a perfect offering to Dorje Shugden. I did a small puja to Dorje Shugden to welcome him into my life. I took these pictures to share with the world. I dedicate this statue to Trijang Rinpoche (may I be able to have the honor to meet you and gain a blessing directly from His Holiness), my parents,colleagues, friends and ex relationships. May they be happy always and gain the blessings and assistance of wrathful Manjushri. 

Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha!

Executive-focused society in Singapore 'is bizarre'

 

Yeah right! Tell that to your traditional Chinese parents and all the nasty relatives during Chinese New Year's and family gatherings. Imagine me telling my mum that I wanna be a high-paying bus driver or a carpanter. This is ridiculous. This development is inevitable considering the high expectations and social pressure. I guess, it ain't so bad if I was a sales assistant in a posh Sincere Watch Boutique or a waiter at a nice Italian restaurant at Holland Village. Come on!

What am I talking about?

Read this....

and have a good laugh...


( http://news.asiaone.com/A1Business/News/Story/A1Story20130325-411027.html )

Joy Fang 
My Paper 
Monday, Mar 25, 2013

SINGAPORE - Singapore is too fixated on producing professional, managerial, executive and technician (PMET) jobs for Singaporeans, and this mindset creates a problem, said economics professor Linda Lim yesterday at a population-policy forum.

Prof Lim,
who is a University of Michigan business-school professor, said that if so much emphasis is placed on such high-skilled jobs, the prestige of lower-skilled occupations, such as bus drivers and carpenters, would be low.

So, citizens would typically not take up these jobs, as is the case, with foreigners filling in instead.

"It is bizarre to have a society where we have only PMETs and everyone wants to be a PMET. If you have that kind of society, of course you would need foreigners," she said.

Pointing out a sentence in the Government's January Population White Paper, which said that Singaporeans "aspire to be in higher-skilled and more rewarding work", Prof Lim said that this is already a value judgment by the authorities.

It suggests that being a bus driver is low-skilled, unrewarding and a job for foreigners, she said.

"Why is it only us who cannot do our own low-skilled work?'

She further questioned why it was that only Singaporeans considered these jobs low-skilled and not deserving of good pay or respect.

The forum was organised by the University of Michigan Alumni in Singapore. Held at The American Club, it was attended by 120 academics, business owners and alumni members.
Prof Lim noted that Singapore currently sets a maximum-growth target and works towards that, pumping in foreigners when the country comes up short on labour. But she questioned why there was a need to set "unrealistic" growth targets and try to attain them.

On Singapore's fertility issues, demography expert and former chief statistician Paul Cheung, who also spoke, said it is vital to tackle it by starting with the perceptions of Singaporeans first.
He said: "People in Singapore may be too caught up with their own careers and the trappings of urban living. I think they have forgotten about certain basic elements, such as human relationships and family values. We need to go back to the basics."

A Beer a Day Keeps the Blues Away

I don't think I am an alcoholic but sometimes do feel a beer or 2 keeps me sane and happy after a stressful day at work. There are a few issues that cropped up at work and I am not a liberty to share here on my blog. But anyway, I do like my beer and a cigarette or 2. Well Actually more like 6 glasses and half a pack of cigarettes does make me a very happy man.

Beer does not make me drunk but it does get me a little tipsy. And in the past, I do get into some pretty 'nasty' business and last night, I had 2 propositions. I dunno why but ladies (and some men) always try to chat me up when I am in that state. I usually don't mind. Last night 2 girls were very friendly with me and I can't remember the silly conversation I had with them. When I went to take a leak, a man followed me and at the urinal, he gave me his number. I do vaguely remember he is pretty good looking but I have his number and needless to say, I found my way back, finished my drinks and got home. Of course, I got the girls' numbers as well.

Now, which number should I call? The girl or the guy? I know this would shock the reader but I am in a quandary. I am glad I am not Christian or I would be branded an abomination. Haha!

Paranormal Accident

I received this picture and explanation from a colleague and I am extremely intrigued by it. Apparently, a few days ago,  a Singaporean lady was driving her car late at night and she suddenly saw a black shadowy shape right ahead of her.

Before she knew it, she crashed into the mysterious black shape. So, she quickly alighted from her car only to discover that there was nothing in front. There was no trace of any other cars at that time and not even an animal. There were just bits and pieces that fell out from her car. This baffled the lady and all who witnessed the damages on her car. She felt that it was a paranormal accident as she could not explain what was it that she crashed into that night.

Now, that's real scary and I wonder if you she had a Dorje Shugden chakra, would she have avoided the accident. I have read a lot of amazing abilities of this Protector deity to repel negativities and malevolent spirits and such. After reading this, I am going to order a Dorje Shugden chakra to hang in my car.

Setting up a new shrine.

I have been doing a lot golden drink offerings to Dorje Shugden lately for a project to go through smoothly. And although it was not exactly smooth sailing, I must say that the client is very happy with the project that I have done. He will personally recommend me to his higher management for other works. I am basically over the top about this and I do feel it is the blessings of Dorje Shugden. Over time, he seems to be a play a bigger and bigger role in my life through his rituals and blessings. I am very happy and glad. 

Hence, I decided to invite an blessed image of Dorje Shugden from the online store. Actually, I would like to get the 39 inch statue but I am not sure I have place in my HDB flat because my parents are actually Christian and I am self-professed Dorje Shugden practitioner. Anyway, I am excited to set up my altar. I guess there's this traditional Buddhist streak in me for making offerings and setting up altars. I am no Lama but I do enjoy the merit-making process. When I am done with my altar, I would post up some pictures here. 

The Greatest Story Ever Told!

This is what I have been watching over and over again lately. I am not really a fan of cartoons and illustrations. But I am watching this because it does a wonderful job at presenting this amazing story of one of Tibet's most controversial protector deities - Dorje Shugden. There's actually not much on the net except from this one website called Dorjeshugden.com and it was the team behind that website that produced this amazing cartoon. The cartoon avoids the controversy surrounding the deity and goes straight to explaining the origins of this deity from scriptural sources and none that explains so well, the background story of how Dorje Shugden arose. So, I highly recommend everyone to watch this and if its not for the story, you can enjoy it for the artwork.

About 4 years ago, I came across the aforementioned website on Dorje Shugden and I was reading up on the controversy and I became more and more intrigued. I read up a lot on Buddhism, especially on Tibetan Buddhism. That's how I got into worshipping Dorje Shugden although I have not met a Lama yet. I have been on the lookout and have been to the NKT center on Neil Road but only to buy their books. I loved the teachings but I am really not up to joining their center just yet because I am content with learning from the website and through books.  

A Sunday Stroll to the Gardens

I finally had a free Sunday after a whole week of completing this project. I am glad I had some time to relax and I didn't want to spend it at one of the crazy busy malls at Suntec or Orchard. Don't people want to just relax on Sunday, which is the only day off for most people. Believe it or not, I have never actually step foot at the Gardens. Well, I went once but it started to rain on the way there the last time I tried to go and I had to detour to a mall because my relatives didn't want to get wet. Anyway, I decided to go yesterday and I had a nice time look at the greens. It was a kinda futuristic and weird but nice. 

This is the Moon gate entrance overlooking the monstrous Marina Bay Sands. It has a most spectacular eternity pool overlooking Singapore but I really hate the architecture. It reminds me of the ATAT walker from Star Wars. I wonder if the architect was some kind of Star Wars buff. Anyway, I took the picture to berate it a little but that's not the whole journey.

This giant man-made hill at the Cloud Forest has green things growing all over with little simulated water falls to irrigate the hill. I was impressed with the sheer immensity of the hill and loved the concept along with the little platform from which people can climb up to in order to enjoy various views of the plants and of Singapore through the glass panels. Impressive organic fused with futuristic elements. 

The Supertree grove is futuristic cathedral of rainforest trees. I think the little bridges does add a nice novelty view of the gardens but I am not too much a fan of the man-made structures. I think real lush rainforest trees would have been a more apt organic 'structure' to crown the gardens. Anyway, it was lazy Sunday and although the crowd was thick but I guess I can't escape crowds in small Singapore but at least it is not the same malls upon malls that I am used to dread here in sunny Singapore. 

Don't get me wrong, it was nice and green, the Gardens is a huge complex but I just chose to feature the few special memorable structures. There were plenty of beautiful flowers and plants but I will leave that to your imagination and I didn't want to spoil it for you if you had plans to visit. 

I splurged this evening.

I have been eying this silver beauty for awhile now. It was to replace my again laptop and all I needed was an excuse that came today. My laptop had a nasty hard disk failure. @#$&%! But never mind, I took stroll on company time to Sim Lim Square.

When compared with my old IBM, this one is soooo much smaller. I am not really a tech guy but I really appreciate not lugging a brick around all day. I love the fact that its so light and yet, the keyboard is still the standard size. The MacBook's finishing is always top-notch but I just slowly getting used to the Mac OS. Everything is beautiful but functions quite different than in Windows.

I just spent hours configuring my emails and transferring important documents from the recovered portable hard disk. Folks, never forget to backup everything especially when your laptop is 7 years old. Now, I am just playing around with it. I love the brilliant screen and the clarity of the pictures on it. Don't you?

Here's a good review of the MacBook:-

Pope resigning...

Oh god! Chinese New Year is over! Thank Buddha. I think all the eating and visiting of relatives and friends are all over and behind. Work life resumes with not much fanfare. My Japanese managing director surprised me with an angpao. I didn't think he would actually embrace was is essentially a Chinese custom.

Anyway, I am not sure if you have heard but people are talking a lot about the pope resigning. I am not Christian and this hardly concern me but the thing is that the Catholic Church apparently has a prediction that the next pope is going to be the last. The last one before Armageddon. Well, this sounds very interesting to me because the church is rocked by scandal of horny priest molesting altar boys for years. Recently, Italy is investigating the Vatican for a long-held allegation of money laundering. All this plus the huge scandal with the Cardinal of Ireland embroiled in a 'inappropriate behavior' has probably made the pope 'wash his hands' and avoid any responsibility. What it is, the next pope would have to clean up these longstanding issues. It is not going to be easy. Perhaps all this is a sign that everything is winding down for the church. 

Valentine's this year...

Well, I can't believe it but I am alone this Valentine's day. I have never been alone since high school. The worse thing is that all my friends are either going out on a date or already engaged. My parents have something going on and I am all alone. I wonder if its a sign of my age? Perhaps... I should just go down to the pub for a drink and pick up someone tomorrow? I dunno. Maybe I should just grab some cheap beers from 7-eleven and go home to playstation and some movies maybe. Let's have a look at the movie listings? Beautiful creatures looks like an interesting horror movie.

Tok Chang! Tok Chang! New Year with a New blog!

Gong Xi Fa Chai!

It's the new year of the snake now and I am 27 this year. You know what? I actually have a love-hate relationship with the New Year's. I think everybody else does too. Nobody likes the crowds at the malls and the mad rush to buy and put up gaudy red decorations all over. On top of that, can you actually stand the blaring Chinese New Year songs as they play over and over every year? Come on lah! This kiasuness to get people to crowd shopping malls to shop and shop is really too much. So much for the hate.

For the like, well, the only thing is the little red packets I receive from aunties and uncles that wonders aloud when I am going to get married to my girlfriend. The answer is always the same, I have to ask which one because I just switched girlfriends. Haha! Well, I can't really tell them the truth right? Anyway, this year, I decided I needed more time for myself and I really need to rethink my career prospects soon.

The other good thing is that I started this blog as inspired by my uncle. He came and gave me a big fat $100 dollar angpao although he's not married. Sometimes, I think he's gay and I have always think that but I have no proof. I did try to explain to him about Dorje Shugden once but he didn't seemed to be interested although he's Buddhist.

However, I do feel like I am writing/talking to myself for now. But that's ok. 

Tok Chang! Tok Chang! New Year with a New blog!

Gong Xi Fa Chai!

It's the new year of the snake now and I am 27 this year. You know what? I actually have a love-hate relationship with the New Year's. I think everybody else does too. Nobody likes the crowds at the malls and the mad rush to buy and put up gaudy red decorations all over. On top of that, can you actually stand the blaring Chinese New Year songs as they play over and over every year? Come on lah! This kiasuness to get people to crowd shopping malls to shop and shop is really too much. So much for the hate.

For the like, well, the only thing is the little red packets I receive from aunties and uncles that wonders aloud when I am going to get married to my girlfriend. The answer is always the same, I have to ask which one because I just switched girlfriends. Haha! Well, I can't really tell them the truth right? Anyway, this year, I decided I needed more time for myself and I really need to rethink my career prospects soon.

The other good thing is that I started this blog as inspired by my uncle. He came and gave me a big fat $100 dollar angpao although he's not married. Sometimes, I think he's gay and I have always think that but I have no proof. I did try to explain to him about Dorje Shugden once but he didn't seemed to be interested although he's Buddhist.

However, I do feel like I am writing/talking to myself for now. But that's ok.