Moving

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Teacher in the Pursuit of Happiness

The talk in town recently involved the suspicion of corrupted practises by a group of religious leaders from the City Harvest Church (CHC). Reading various reports and argument from both camps who defended and condemned him respectively, I tweeted the following:

“The corruption of religious leaders is worse than secular. Not just betrayal of material trust but distortion in the pursuit of happiness.”

At the time of writing, these leaders from CHC are being investigated. The verdict is yet to be announced. But that is not of my main concern with this blog entry. If they are innocent, I congratulate them. But if they are guilty, I am of the mind that their crime is worse than mere commercial fraud.

There was this famous quote attributed to John Lennon which reads, “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” 

In this adventure we know as life, there is no pursuit more important than the pursuit of happiness. Not the pursuit of health, wealth, honour or glory. Happiness!

And we have teachers for many things. For example, we have teachers in our pursuit of knowledge, proper behaviour and professionalism. But teachers in our pursuit of happiness have to be accord the highest seat of respect. And the ones playing the roles of teachers in the pursuit of happiness are often the religious leaders. Rationally, we know that there are both good and bad teachers in all fields. And we are well-advised to learn from teachers with open yet discerning minds. However, that does not diminish the responsibility of the teachers to live up to their teachings. As such, the responsibility of a religious leader is massive.

Corruption in any field is bad. But to me, the corruption in the business of providing spiritual guidance has to be the ultimate evil for it actually contributes to the confusion and distortions to followers’ pursuit of happiness. It cannot be forgiven. This is why I felt that spiritual leaders such as Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Daisaku Ikeda, who held themselves to high standards of morality, are the true shining gems of humanity.

Wisdom to discern good from evil. That is what all involved needs to cultivate.

爱让你看到 - cover

This was the theme song for Chingay 2012.

This song was also recently used to encourage my fellow trainers for NDP 2012. Recording it here to further encourage them electronically.

"Winter will always turn to Spring" - Nichiren Daishonin

= = = = =


爱让你看到 -- original by 杨海涛 & 蔡淳佳


Verse 1:
黑夜的黑 让那烛火变得更明亮
(The dark of dark nights makes the candle light brighter)
大雨的大 让雨伞更坚强
(The stormy of stormy rain makes the umbrella stronger)
忙碌地为谁撑着伞 心就会更晴朗
(The heart becomes cheerful when holding the umbrella for others)
微弱也能是一种光
(Weakness can also be a light)

Verse 2:
冷风的冷 让那拥抱可以更温暖
(The cold of cold winds makes embraces warmer)
难过的难 让陪伴可以是港湾
(The hard of hard times makes companionship a harbor)
忙碌地为谁化成桨 心就会更勇敢
(The heart becomes brave when rowing the oars for others)
我们一起越过千层的浪
(We overcome layers of waves)

Chorus:
爱让你看到人海里的孤岛
(Love lets you see the lonely island among sea of men)
爱让你听到谁心里雪融了 你知道
(Love lets you hear the thawing of hearts)
在这世界上总会有人说冬来了
(When others cries that Winter is harsh)
伸出手 让春天对他笑
(Let us reach out and Spring will smile upon them)

Never give up, never surrender!

In his latest peace proposal, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda shared the following episode which touches me. There was a concern citizen who attempted to engage in a dialogue with a general who was leading his army in many inhumane brutalities against the common people. He wanted the general to see the folly of his ways. The dialogue ended in failure. The general did not heed his advice and went on to become a cruel tormentor.

After the dialogue, the citizen fell into a lengthy silence. Finally, he turned to his friend who was with him and proclaimed:

“You must never give up. As long as a person is alive, somewhere beneath the ashes there is a little bit of remaining fire, and all our task is. . . You must blow. . . carefully, very carefully blow. . . and blow. . . you'll see if it lights up. You mustn't worry whether it takes fire again or not. All you have to do is blow. “

This was the citizen’s way of restoring his own determination. At the same time, he recognized the importance of encouragement those who stand at the precipice of despair.

Reflecting on my own personal ways of contributing to the education of youths who will bear the burden of the future, the situation is equally tough. It is not uncommon to hear of once passionate educators losing faith and losing hope. Let me in my own way, cry:

“I must not give up. As long as there capable youths, the future of humanity is hopeful. Somewhere beneath the ashes, there is fire waiting to be ignited. All our task is... to encourage… carefully, very carefully encourage… and encourage… and the potential will be realized. I must not worry whether the youths are soaring high or not. All I have to do is encourage.”

Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra 3

About one or two hundred years after the emergence of Buddhism, a Greek ambassador of the King of Syria visited India and was astonished at what he observed there. "A surprising thing about India," he exclaimed, "is that there are women philosophers who debate openly with men, pro-pounding the most difficult arguments!" The status of women in ancient India was said to be nearly as low as that of slaves. Shakyamuni's inclusion of women in the religious order he founded was a revolutionary act. 

In this installment, we examine the universality of the Lotus Sutra. Specifically, we asked: To whom are these teachings of the Lotus Sutra as a whole directed?

The teachings of Buddhism were expounded for the happiness of all people; there is no discrimination based on sex, priestly or lay status, race, academic achievement, social position, power or wealth. In fact, Buddhism was expounded precisely so as to enable the discriminated and oppressed, those who have experienced the bitterest sufferings, to attain supreme happiness. This is the true power of Buddhism, and the true wisdom of the Lotus Sutra.

To demonstrate this point, it is noted that the Lotus Sutra explicitly stressed the enlightenment of women. This is unheard of in religious and philosophical ideas of that era. Across the globe, women were then given a lower status in every aspects of life. Lotus Sutra refuted that and offer women the same status as men in the pursuit of enlightenment.

The next point is that the Lotus Sutra was designed for the future (then), in what Buddhism described as the Latter Day of the Law. In this Latter Day, mankind is plagued with greed, anger and foolishness which permeated every aspect of society. This phenomenon applies perfectly to our contemporary world. This is why Lotus Sutra is really applicable to us, more than the direct disciples of Shakyamuni.

Nichiren Daishonin says that both the essential and theoretical teachings were taught for the sake of all people living after Shakyamuni's passing; the sutra, he concludes, was taught particularly for people of the Latter Day of the Law.

Life and Death

Scissor Paper Stone

Just having some fun with Math using the classic game of Scissor-Paper-Stone (aka Rock-Paper-Scissor).

Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra 2

The second instalment of the wisdom of the Lotus Sutra seeks to define and understand what life is.

We use the word self [to refer to ourselves], but this word actually refers to the universe. When we ask how the life of the universe is different from the life of each one of you, the only differences we find are those of your bodies and minds. Your life and that of the universe are the same.

In the discussion on the philosophy of life, there are two common analogies used. 

The first described life as tree. With the source of life beginning from the roots or the stem, and each individual lives as the leaves or the flowers and fruits. In a sense, life begins from a foundational primal force and everything else is created from there. Such thinking is common in many mythologies and the Abrahamic religions. It tends to define the lives of each individual as having separate independent souls while being denominated to a common creator.

The Lotus Sutra, however, finds the above understanding of life lacking and aligned itself with the second analogy with views lives as waves on the ocean. Perceiving each individual life as even more closely related than merely sharing a creator, it views that each life actually common with the comic life itself.

For example, each of our lives is like waves on the ocean. We interact with those close to us constantly. And the winds (representing karma) influence us heavily. When we are born, it is like the wave riding high. And when we die, it is like the wave returning to the embrace of the ocean. But when we examine the nature of the waves, we find the same water that is the ocean. When we fully accept this interpretation of life, then true compassion can be developed. Because if every lives share the same entity, hurting another person would be like the cancer cells destroying their host body, they are hurting themselves ultimately.

What is life?

It is an entity which is simultaneously the infinite macrocosm and each of the microcosms that represent countless individual living beings. It is an enormous life-entity, always undergoing dynamic change and, at the same time, eternal and everlasting. The Buddha and the Mystic Law are names that we give to this undeniable entity--cosmic life. We are all embodiment of this sublime entity.

Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra 1

This year's YMD study focus is on the Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra. So here I am beginning to study this wonderful set of dialogues again. I should begin with the sharing of two segments from the opening instalment which provide the setting for my study.

First up, why do we study the Lotus Sutra?

Some people say that the prevailing mood in the world today is one of powerlessness. Whatever the case may be, we are all aware that things cannot continue as they are. Yet decisions about political, economic and environmental issues all seem to be made somewhere beyond our reach. What can the individual accomplish in the face of the huge institutions that run our world? This feeling of powerlessness fuels a vicious cycle that only worsens the situation and people's sense of futility.

At the opposite extreme of this sense of powerlessness lie the Lotus Sutra's philosophy of a single life-moment encompassing three thousand realms (ichinen sanzen) and the application of this teaching to our daily lives. The principle of one life-moment containing three thousand realms teaches us that the inner determination (ichinen) of one individual can transform everything. It is a teaching that gives ultimate expression to the infinite potential and dignity inherent in the life of each human being.

Basically, the core message in the Lotus Sutra is the empowerment of the individual. And we do need it more than ever this our contemporary world.

Another point to note is that the Lotus Sutra is described as the "King of Sutras". We have to understand here that "King" does not overwrite the other teachings. "King" here means to enhance the potential of all teachings. That means that the universality of the Lotus Sutra allows even non-Buddhists to benefit.

So how do we attempt to tap the wisdom of the Lotus Sutra?

German author and poet Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) write in his poem "Bucher" (Books):

All the books in the world 

Will not bring you happiness, 

But they will quietly lead you 

Back inside yourself.

There you will find all you need, 

Sun, stars and moon,

 For the light for which you search 

Dwells within you.

The wisdom you so long sought 

In books, 

Will then shine forth from every page-- 

For now that wisdom has become your own.

Books containing knowledge is only useful as far as we examine our lives against the teachings. With this, I turn the page.

Thoughts on Angkor

Year 2012 is upon us. Actually, it had already been a good ten-day since the start of the New Year. And it is also a traditional busy time with the evaluation of the previous year, preparing work plans and settling into a new rhythm.

Finally I had a small window of time to write about my vacation in the zenith of year 2011. I visited Cambodia with the fiancée in December 2011. Specially, Siem Reap. The main objective was to visit Angkor and Angkor Wat in particular. As an enthusiast in religious history, I was hyped to explore this largest singular religious monument.

In brief, Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindi Temple. Centuries after Hinduism lost its influence in Cambodia, it is still maintained by Buddhists. A religious building is one of the greatest acts of cultural expression. And I believed that despite the differences between Buddhism and Hinduism, I believe that it is this respect for each other’s religious culture that allows Angkor Wat to survive today.

In contrast, the destruction of Sho-Hondo by Nikken due to his jealousy of the growth of Soka Gakkai seems utterly petty and immature.

But if you think that it is because Buddhism and Hinduism have common roots in ancient Indian philosophy that they can coexist, I beg to differ. Theologically, Buddhism was founded to confront the errors in the teachings of Brahmanism which is the predecessor of Hinduism. Hinduism is the evolution of Brahmanism to adapt to modern society.

But evidence of the conflict between the two faiths can be found a short distance northwest of Angkor Wat – Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the political centre of medieval Cambodia (Khmer). Khmer was mainly a Hindu civilization with a window in its history where Buddhism thrived. In the centre of Angkor Thom was the temple known as Bayon. There was a time when Bayon was an important Buddhist temple for the royal family. But when Buddhism lost its influence among the Khmers, Hindu fanatics attacked the Bayon and much of the grand structure was vandalized.

It is interesting to note that Angkor Wat predates Angkor Thom. Why was Angkor Thom badly vandalized but not Angkor Wat?

It is my belief that this is due to the fact that Angkor Wat was a religious centre while Angkor Thom was a political centre. In medieval society, it is not possible to divorce religions from politics. But there are fundamental differences. Both religions and politics are tools. Wield by the right people, they can be a force for either great good or evil. But political tools are focused on the creation of structures and environments for the people. It has great value. But it pales in comparison to religious tools which focused on values and culture.

In a revolution, structures and environments are reset and rebuilt from the ground up. But values and cultures are eternal.

Politics has become a common point of discussion in my country since the previous election. While I respect the good that good policies can have on people’s lives, it is more meaningful for me to impart positive values and humanistic cultures to the people around me. Schooled in Nichiren Buddhism of the Soka Gakkai tradition, I am convinced that I am equipped with the tools to influence others towards a more humanistic society. It is how I wield it that I must ponder deeply and with care that I will never be corrupted.

On a side note, the GCE O Level results were released 2 days ago. Technically, my students did not perform all that bad. But as any decent teacher would feel, I had hoped they would do even better. Best wishes to them for the next phase of their education!