BMSM WELFARE SECTION

Charity trip on Deepavali Day

2011-11-10T23:05:00.011+08:00

On 26 October 2011, Welfare Section organised a trip to two welfare homes in Klang Valley, which were participated by thirteen members and friends.

In the morning, we visited the Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Welfare Home at Lorong Air Putih, Off Jln Air Panas, 53200 Setapak. It was our third visit for year 2011.

Kim Loo Ting was set up by a Mahayana monk who helps terminally ill elderly patients but have to leave the hospital(s), homeless and single without any dependents. The patients are given a decent and clean place to stay with proper care until they leave this world. The founder had already passed away. Currently, the home is managed by Rev. Seck Fa Yin. We donated RM1,600 towards the home's bereavement fund.

In the afternoon, we visited the Xin Hui Buddhist Society Welcome Home in Taman Ikan Emas, Cheras. The home has 8 children and 6 old folks. It was our second visit for year 2011.

We were informed that DBKL has issued them an eviction notice due to redevelopment of the land which belong to the Government. We hope DBKL will relocate them to an alternative premise with adequate space. We donated RM500 to the home.

Raub Charity Trip 2011

2011-09-21T23:45:00.018+08:00

We organised a charity outing in Raub on 6 - 7/8/2011. It was participated by 40 members and friends.
On 6/8/2011, our bus departed from Buddhist Maha Vihara, KL at 8:45am. Upon our arrival in Raub, our host, Raub Buddhist Association (RBA Committee) gave us sumptuous welcoming vegetarian lunch at Silver City Restaurant.

Sis Cheoh, Sis Janifer, Sis Mary & Sis Sally surely had enjoyed their lunch very much. All the bowls and plates before them were empty.

After lunch, our host brought us to visit five needy families to give them moral and financial support.

(1) Two brothers who suffers from glaucoma. The elder brother's wife has breast cancer and his grandson has eye cancer. Bro. Terry Ng (a Reiki expert) gave reiki treatment to the two brothers.
(2) A jobless single father with an eleven year old daughter. He also has to look after his 86 year old mother. Sis. Tiau Min also arranged a single lady who suffers from a stubborn skin disease and arthritis to meet us at the same place. Sis. Mary and Sis. Tan gave Reiki treatment to the single lady.
(3) A single mother with two mentally challenged sons.
One of her son bid farewell to us when we were leaving their house.

(4) A couple with two children. The husband is ill and unable to work.
(5) A single mother who suffers from SLE and kidney failure.
After dinner at Ah Fatt Restaurant, we attended an inspiring dhamma talk delivered by Dato' Ang Choo Hong. The title of the talk was "Engaged Buddhism and self-cultivation".
On the 2nd day, we commenced our program by visiting the "Pasar Tani" (Farmers' Market). Due to Muslims' fasting month, there were fewer stalls than last year.
We then visited three old folk homes and and another six needy families. Below are the snapshots of our visits.

At Sg Lui Old Folk Home. This home has 7 inmates.

Group photograph at Sg. Ruan Old Folk Home. This home has 10 inmates.

A single mother, who has breast cancer and uterine cancer. She has two daughters.

A mentally challenged boy. He is looked after by his maternal grandmother, who has breast cancer.

Photograph with a bachelor who has cancer.

A bachelor with brain tumour.

An Indian family with 11 children. The husband is bedridden.

We have a group photograph with the committee of Raub Buddhist Association before bidding farewell to them.

Charitable Visits to Two Welfare Homes in Kajang

2011-04-18T22:42:00.002+08:00

On 16 April 2011, we visited two welfare homes in Kajang, i.e. Thousands of Love Care Centre (Pusat Jagaan Beribuan Kasih) which is located at No. 3, Lot 1547, Belakang Taman Bangi, Jln Reko, 43000 Kajang and Home For Special People Cheras at No. 35, Jln Rakan 11, Taman Rakan Cheras, 43000 Kajang.

Our visit to Thousands of Love Care Centre was in response to an SMS appealing for financial aid from the caretaker, Ms. Kavitha.

The centre takes care of 38 inmates, consists of 22 children and 16 senior citizens. Its financilal resources rely solely from public support. The premise of the centre is rented at RM500 per month.

We brought them some sundry provisions (rice, cooking oil, beehoon, vico, biscuits, oats, nestum cereal, eggs, onions, instant noodles, etc) and donated RM500.

Our visit to Home for Special People Cheras was recommended by Sis. Leong Lan (one of our supporter).

The home has 14 children with various disabilities, such as down syndrome, asperger syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, spastic etc.

Mr. Ten, one of the committee gave us a briefing about the Home. I was quite impressed that they keep a detailed record of all their children, such as date of birth, place of birth, their characteristics and condition of their illnesses , their favorite food and favorite game/toys and what they dislike etc. So far I have yet to see any of the special children homes we visited did that (perhaps other homes do that too but didn't put up the complete children profile for public viewing)

They also draw up a time table for the children's daily activities,

6:00am - 7:00am Wake up & shower

7:15am - 8:15am Breakfast followed by exercise

9:00am - 10:00am Tea Break & rest

10:00am - 12:00pm Study, writing, coloring book, handicraft learning, playing & puzzle

12:00am - 1:00pm Lunch time

1:00pm - 2:00pm Study, writing, coloring book, handicraft learning, playing & puzzle

2:00pm - 3:00pm Music time/playing toys/games

3:00pm - 3:30pm Tea Break

3:30pm - 4:30pm TV time

4:30pm - 5:30pm Shower & cleanup

5:30pm - 7:00pm Dinner preparation followed by dinner

7:00pm - 8:30pm Free time

8:30pm - 6:00am Sleep

The home spent about RM12,000 monthly, which is solely funded by public donation.

The kids love visitors, but some of them are camera-shy

We donated RM500 and gave them some sundry provisions (cooking oil, rice, vico, biscuits, beehoon etc). Of course, as usual, we took a group photograph together.

Second Visit to Jenjarom Old Folk Home

2011-02-28T22:26:00.011+08:00

On 26/2/2011, we visited Jenjarom Old Folk Home again. There were 10 of us in 2 cars, we started our journey from KL at around 10:30am. As the traffic was quite heavy on the way to Jenjarom, we reached the Old Folk Home at around 12:00pm.

This old folk home is currently supported by Sis. Lim Mee Sew and Mrs. Tang's group who sponsor one lunch to the inmates every month. The lunch is catered by Restoran New Shiang Sze Lou (新湘子楼酒家）in Jenjarom. Sis. Lim told me that they were recommended by a temple in Jenjarom to support this home. The group members visit the home, particularly, when any of the members' birthday fall on that month.

Since Chinese New Year was just over, Welfare Section sponsored angpows for the old folks. Several members distributed angpows and some gifts to the old folks too.
Sis Lim and Sis. Mei Sze were the birthday girls in February 2011. Sis. Chi Lan couldn't find any birthday cake around, she bought a "pau" as a substitute to wish them a happy birthday. A big sadhu to the birthday girls for giving us a treat at Restoran New Shiang Sze Lou

Visits to Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home and Xin Hui Buddhist Society Orphanage Home

2011-02-21T23:31:00.007+08:00

On 19 February 201, we visited Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home and Xin Hui Buddhist Society Orphanage Home.

Kim Loo Ting is an old folk home that deserves to be supported as it sincerely helps the elderly patients who are terminally ill but have to leave the hospital(s), homeless and single without any dependents. The patients are given a decent and clean place to stay with proper care until they leave this world. We donated RM1,600 towards the home's bereavement fund.
Dhamma sharing at Kim Loo Ting. Seat in the middle (in blue T-Shirt) is Bro. Eddie, an American red Indian who frequently volunteers at BMSM bookshop.

We then proceed to Taman Ikan Emas, Cheras （焦赖金鱼村四楼巴刹隔壁）to visit an orphanage set up by Xin Hui Buddhist Society (信慧佛学会), which is located next to a wet market.

The orphanage has about 10 children, aged 7-15, which is housed in this Buddhist Centre. Its name is "Boddhiseira Sanctuary" (菩提禅刹）．　

The centre provides free medical service too.

It has a professionally landscaped garden. Here are three snapshots of the awsome garden.

We have a group photograph with the kids before bidding farewell.

Paying a visit to Rumah Sejahtera Jenjarom

2011-01-03T13:17:00.005+08:00

Fourteen of us (consists of 4 BMSM Welfare committee, Sis. Lim Mee Sew, Mrs. Tang, Bro. Koy and Bro. Lim) in three cars paid a visit to Rumah Sejahtera Jenjarom (at Jln Norton, Jenjarom) on 2 January 2011. This old folk home is currently supported by Sis. Lim and Mrs. Tang's group who sponsor one lunch to the inmates every month. The lunch is catered by Restoran New Shiang Sze Lou (新湘子楼酒家）in Jenjarom. Sis. Lim told me that they were recommended by a temple in Jenjarom to support this home.

BMSM committee has approved to sponsor one lunch on 2/1/2011 in its meeting on 26/12/2010. However, the home caretaker told us the lunch had already been sponsored by someone, hence we sponsored the dinner instead.

The home is located at Jln Norton, Jenjarom. It takes care of 19 senior citizens, all male. Bro. Koy pointed out an interesting phenomenon in all the old folk homes we have visited (Ipoh, Raub, Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Kajang etc) which consist of predominantly male inmates.
Sis. Looi had a friendly chat with the caretaker of the home (the Indian man). He arranges meals to be prepared for the inmates and collect the food from the restaurant.
Interaction with the inmates of the home.
Group photograph
The restaurant that does the catering for us.

Participation in a Sanghikadana in Kuala Sawah Monastery

2011-01-03T11:33:00.020+08:00

Bro. Wong Ong, Bro. Koy, Bro. Lim and five other friends participated in a Sanghikdadana in Kuala Sawah Monastery in Negeri Sembilan on 1 January 2011. The Ceremony started at around 9:00am. The program included dhamma talk and Q&A, chanting and blessing, offering of robes and requisites to the Sangha and ended with Sanghikadana. The abbot of the monastery, Ven. Cittamano had invited five monks from Penang to participate in this Sanghikadana.

The pagoda at Kuala Sawah Monastery. The Chinese name of the monastery is "静修居“. I forgot to check out its English name.

The monks' quarter

Dhamma talk at the shrine hall. The hall is quite big. Some section of the hall is used as dining hall. You can see that the wall of the hall is only half-height. The Sanghikadana ceremony

I found this magazine at the Kuala Sawah monastery. Its publication (which target Malaysian Buddhists) is sponsored by Original Buddhism Society (原始佛教会） in Taiwan to propagate Theravada Buddhism. The inaugural issue of this magazine was published in July 2010. The society is headquartered in Taipei, it has another centre in Taichung (Taiwan) and a centre in New York, USA. Through this magazine, I came to know that it has set up two centres （中道禅林） in Malaysia last year, one in Penang at 77-3, Lorong Selamat, 10400 Pulau Pinang and another in Ipoh at 61A & 61B, Jln Chung Ah Ming, 31650 Ipoh. Ven. Bhikku Vupasama (随佛法师）is the advisor of the Society. He conducted a series of Mandarin dhamma talks in November/December 2010 at Butterworth Buddhist Association, Seck Kiah Eeh in Malacca, its centre in Ipoh and Penang, and Chempaka Buddhist Lodge in Petaling Jaya.
After the sanghikadana, we invited the five venerables from Penang to visit Vihara Samadhi (located at Section U12, Bukit Raja Industrial Estate).
Group photograph with the five venerables in front of the multipurpose building at Vihara Samadhi. Ven. Pannasammi was standing in the fourth position from right. The construction of the building for the shrine hall is still in progress. We were told by the site engineer that it will be ready by April 2011.

Religious & Charity Trip to Temoh/Batu Gajah/Ipoh

2010-12-11T14:45:00.057+08:00

BMSM Welfare Section organised a religious and charity trip to Temoh, Batu Gajah and Ipoh on 27 - 28 November 2010, visiting 3 monasteries, 3 handicapped children homes and 1 old folk home.

We departed from Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields at 8:45am. We brought along with us some daily supplies (i.e. milo, vico, biscuits, condensed milk, sugar, toilet rolls etc) donated by our suporters. We had also purchased 10 bags (10kg ea) of rice, 10 bottles (5kg ea) of cooking oil and 10 packs of bihoon from Buddhist Maha Vihra for distribution to the Welfare Homes. Few friends entrusted us with 10 pcs of robes for offering to the Sangha in the 3 monasteries which we would be visiting.

Our first stop was at Vihara Buddha Gotama, a 15 acre forest monastery located in Temoh. The vihara has 9 kutis for monks, a sala builing which houses the sala hall, an office, a library, sangha room and 4 male dormitories (which can accomodate up to 30 men), a 2-storey female quarters (which can accoumodate up to 32 women) and a 2-rooms building houses the Sangha Library and Sangha Store. A 3 storey building is planned to be constructed at the site of the existing Old Store. Plans have been submitted to the Tapah District Council.

We offered dana and robes to the Sangha at the sala hall and had an inspiring dhamma Q&A session with Ven. Dhammavuddho Thero (Bhante Hye) until12:30pm.

We had our lunch in Kampar. We then visited Batu Gajah Handicapped Children Home and The Foundation of Training Centre & Home for the Handicapped in Pasir Putih.

Other than the daily supplies, BMSM Welfare Section donated RM1,000 to each home. The particpants had also individually donated to the homes.

The Batu Gajah Handicapped Children Home is located at JKR511, Lorong Aman, 3100 Batu Gajah Perak. The home was established in 1968. It takes care of about 39 inmates of various severe disabilities, age 11 to 54.

Cheque presentation to Batu Gajah Handicapped Children Home.

The Foundation of Training Centre & Home for the Handicapped (FTCHH) is located at No.2, Jln Hor Hock Lung, Taman Camay, 31650 Ipoh. The home was established in 1998. It take cares of about 35 inmates of various severe disabilities.

A few participants conversed with the caretaker to find out the well being of the children at FTCHH

Sis. Patricia Cheong presented a gift to a children at FTCHH.

We completed our welfare home visits at around 5:00pm. We then checked in to Tong Lian Siao Chu (东莲小筑), a Mahayanist nunnery located in Green Town, where we would put up a night on 27/11/2010.

After having our dinner at the Marpoh Restaurant in Ipoh, we proceeded to Ipoh Buddhist Dhamma Association (IBDA) Centre to listen to a dhamma talk delivered by Bro. Datuk Ang Choo Hong.

The title of the dhamma talk was "Self cultivation vs social engagement", it was a very thought provoking talk.

The next day on 28/11/2010, we visited Sukhavana Meditation Monastery in Bercham, Dhammapiti Meditation Monastery in Gunung Lang, Rumah Sehjatera Jelapang and Loyal Handicapped Children Welfare Home in Silibin.

Sukhavana Meditation Monastery is a monastery in Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada lineage. It is housed in a cave in Bercham, next to Huat Thien Keong Chinese Temple (法天宫仙洞). Its current abbot is Ajahn Tong Bai. Unfortunately, during our visit all the monks were away in KL.

Here are some snapshots of the Monastery:

The shrine hall was partially completed.

A kuti on hillside surrounded by greenery.

A steel staircase for reaching to another kuti up the hill.

The preaching hall that is decorated like a hotel lobby.

The Dhammapiti Meditation Monastery is also housed in a cave. It has a monk's quarter which is built a the back of the cave. The monastery has held a Kathina ceremony with more than 60 monks in November 2010.

Front view of the Dhammapiti Meditation Monastery

The monastery has about 4 kutis, here is the one built on top of a hill.

The monk's quarter.

Listening to a dhamma talk delivered by the abbot of the monastery at the shrine hall which is housed in a cave.

The Loyal Handicapped Children Welfare Home is located at No. 17, Lorong Silibin, 30100 Ipoh. The home was established in 1999. It takes care of more than 39 inmates of various severe disabilities.

Group photograph with the children and caretaker of the home. Other than daily supplies, BMSM Welfare Section also donated RM1,000 to the home.

Sis Lim (Mrs Kow)and Sis Cheong with the children.

Sis. Wendy and Sis. Evon with the children

Rumah Sehjatera Jelapang is an old folk old which takes care about 50 senior citizens. The home was conferred with the "Excellent Organisation Award" by the Registrar of Society in 2008.

Bro. Pheng entertained the old folks with a Chinese evergreen song “春天里“

The Secretary of Rumah Sehjatera Jelapang presented a banner as a token of appreciation to BMSM Welfare Section. Other than daily supplies, BMSM Welfare Section also donated RM1,000 to the home, and RM10 to each old folks.

On our way home, we sang to our heart's content to entertain ourselves. Most first timers told us they enjoyed the trip very much.

The lead singers in the bus, Sis. Sally Teh and Sis Jannifer Koh

We wish to express our appreciation and gratitude to the Ipoh Buddhist Dhamma Association, particularly, Bro. Fong Chin Onn (the advisor of IBDA) for his thoughtful and kind assistance in our welfare program and our visits to three monasteries.

Maha sadhu to Bro. Dato' Ang Choo Hong for taking time out of his busy schedule to share his dhamma with us at IBDA, The gift of dhamma excels all gifts.

We also wish to thank all generous donors for their kind contribution in cash and in kind towards this charitable trip, and all participants of this trip for their valuable support and kind participation.

Delivery of Endowment Fund to 3 Students in Raub

2010-10-02T17:53:00.013+08:00

We (BMSM Welfare committee members, Bro. Wong Ong, Bro. Koy, Bro. Lim and Bro. Quah who represent BMSM Endowment Fund) went to Raub today to deliver endowment fund to 3 students in Raub at Taman Simpang Kallang. We also brought the family some groceries (i.e. milo, instant mee, condensed milk, baked bean, biscuits and sardine, cooking oil, beehoon and rice) which were donated by devotees from Buddhist Maha Vihara.

The 3 students' mother was injured in a road accident and will not be able to work for at least another 9 months. Currently, Raub Buddhist Association helps the students to pay for their bus transport to school.

Bro. Wong presented some cash to one of the student.

Group photo graph with the endowment recipient, together with

Sis. Mei Hua and Sis. Chao Min from Raub Buddhist Association

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to Sis. Mei Hua and Sis. Chao Min from Raub Buddhist Association for taking us to the students' house and giving us a delicious vegetarian lunch treat.

A Stupa Specially Built in MIMC in Memory of Sis. GG Tan/Sis. Julie Ang/Sis. Lee Ah Yem/Sis. Jennie Cheong

2010-09-07T23:15:00.016+08:00

On 25 August 2010, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) in Ladakh held a special prayer to commemorate the First Death Anniversary of Sis. Tan Guat Gnoh, Sis. Julie Ang, Sis. Lee Ah Yem and Sis Jennie Cheong, who lost their precious lives in an accident on 25 August 2009 near Saspol village, Ladakh. An inauguration ceremony of a stupa specially built in memory of them was also conducted on that day.

Here are some of the photographs shared by Ven. Nagasena Thupstan Lundup in his Facebook photo album:

Visits to Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home and Ti-Ratana Penchala Community Centre

2010-09-04T16:42:00.013+08:00

We made our third visit this year to Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home in Setapak (No.4 & 6 & 8, Lrg Ayer Puteh Off Jln Ayer Panas, 53200 Setapak, Kuala Lumpur) this morning. Ten of us in two cars reached the home at about 11:30am.

Ven. Seck Fa Yin (the Chief Master of the home) told us the home receives homeless patients from government hospitals ONLY. The homeless from other sources will not be accepted. The average age of the inmates is above seventy. Two inmates have passed away last month.

We donated RM1,600 towards the home's bereavement fund.

The inmates were having their lunch at about 12:00noon

This uncle has lost his eyesight. Mrs Kow helped to feed him.

We stopped by for lunch in Salak South. We then proceeded to Ti-Ratana Penchala Community Centre at 21, Jalan Penchala, 46000 Petaling Jaya. We were welcomed by Sis. Irene and Sis. Honey who gave us a very informative briefing about the centre.

A two-storey building Ti-Ratana Penchala Community Centre.

The centre has commenced operation since 26 April 2009. It is a member of Ti-Ratana Welfare Society. Its services include :

(a) Councseling to help increase self confidence

(b) Teaching and understanding of Buddhism

(d) To feed the poor, homeless & destitute. (Meals on Wheel outreach program)

The meals on wheels outreach program currently focuses on providing lunch to selected welfare homes only, which operates fortnightly. They will be sending lunch to Sri Sayang Home in Ulu Yam tomorrow (5/9/2010).

The activity starts from 2:00pm today, the food preparation volunteers (consists of 3 -4 persons) come to the centre to prepare food for cooking on Sunday. The food will be cooked by the cooking team (consist of 3 -4 persons also) on Sunday, which shall be ready by 10:30am. The delivery of the food shall reach the Sri Sayang Home before 12:30pm. The delivery team will also serve the food to the inmates of the home.

Sis. Honey also briefed us on the home's "Arts for All" program, which is a vehicle to help raise funds for the centre. It involves many forms of arts and crafts.

These handicrafts are sold at RM30-RM40 per pc to help the Myanmarese who make

them. The beads are quite costly. The centre does not make much profit.

The bag and the gift box are not made from rattan but newspapers.

How the gift boxes look like before being painted.

The bowl and beads are made from newspaper too.

Paper handicraft on display.

We have a group photograph session in the shrine hall before bidding farewell to Sis. Honey.

For more information about Ti-Ratana Penchala Community Centre, please log on to www.ti-ratana-penchala.com.my

Pesta Nalanda 2010

2010-08-22T21:19:00.004+08:00

In supporting educational and developmental programmes held by Nalanda Institute, Welfare Section participated in the Pesta Nalanda 2010 today at Taman Sri Serdang, Sri Kembangan today.

We sponsored and operated a drink stall, which we sold soya drink, tofufah and leongfun. Sis. Jannifer's friends sponsored otak-otak, tuna sandwiches and muffins. We managed to collect RM1,101 worth of coupons.

Raub Charity Trip 7 - 8 August 2010

2010-08-11T21:00:00.041+08:00

We'd a very fulfilling 2-days charity trip in Raub on 7 - 8 August 2010.

On 7 August 2010, we started our journey at around 9:00am, half an hour later than the scheduled time. Fortunately, the traffic was quite smooth and we managed to reach Raub on time at 11:30am.

Raub Buddhist Association gave us a sumptuous welcoming vegetarian lunch at City Vegetarian Restaurant.

See, how happy Sis. Dora was enjoying the vegetarian lunch!

She laughed to her heart's content with her teeth fully exposed.

Our next itinerary is to meet six skin disease patients (or their representatives) at Bukit Koman Community Centre. We reached the destination at about 1:00pm, but the coordinator was late because his daughter fell sick and he'd to send her to hospital for treatment.

The banner reveals every feeling of the residents of Bukit Koman, Raub

While awaiting the coordinator to come, the ladies in white have a photo session.

The coordinator and six skin disease patients arrived at about 1:45pm. We were informed that villagers of Kampung Bukit Koman began experiencing headaches, breathing difficulties and skin irritation after a gold mine operator started using cyanide in the extraction method.

A photo session with the six skin disease patients at Bukit Koman Community Centre

Sis. Thum was giving a helping hand to one of the skin disease patients leaving the centre.

We then proceeded to Sg. Ruan Old Folk Home, which accommodated nine old folks. Unlike Old Folk Homes in Klang Valley, there is no caretaker looking after their daily living. The abled old folks have to take up odd jobs to supplement their incomes.

One of the old folks make a small nursery beside the home. Many of our lady members love plants and they had a good time buying some potted plant home.

We stopped by at Jeram Besu Countryview Recreation Park & Resort. Here were two beautiful shots taken by Sis. Cheoh Siew Cheng:

We then visited a handicapped bachelor (who is paralysed from waist down) at Taman Kenaga, Sempalit.

We had our dinner at Ah Fatt Restaurant at about 6:30pm. It was then followed by a dhamma talk by Rev Ru Chi at Raub Buddhist Association Shrine Hall.

We'd a great durian feast after the dhamma talk. Look at some photos below and you can figure out how much we love durians.

On 8/8/2010, we met eleven needy families/patients.

A kidney patient with one of his leg amputated. He is unemployed.

Another kidney patient, her husband who suffered from full body paralysis has recently passed away.

Another kidney patient who is a bachelor. The above three kidney patients share a taxi to a dialysis centre in KL 3 times a week, which cost each of them about RM250 a month.

A single mother, with 6 children, in coma due to a road accident. Her husband was killed in the same accident.

A mother with 5 children, suffered from breast cancer (terminal stage). I was informed by Sis. Mei Hwa of Raub Buddhist Association on 21/8/2010 that she has passed away 1 week after our visit. Our condolences to her family members. May she have a good rebirth.

A single mother with SLE and kidney failure.

A single mother with 7 children, both her legs were injured in a road accident and she will not be able to work for at least another 6 months . Three of her children are still attending schools.

A stroke patient. Her husband suffers from depression.

Her daughter suffers from depression, whom she depends upon.

Being hailed from Bukit Koman (a place plagued by cyanide problem), she suffers from hard-to-cure skin disease.

We also visited two old folk homes.

There were only six inmates in Sg. Lui Old Folk Home.

Sis. Cheoh and another twelve members were presenting a gift to thirteen old folks at Kg Sempalit Old Folk Home.

All the photos (except two photos which are not sharp) are courtesy of Sis. Cheoh Siew Cheng. Maha Sadhu to her for sharing the photos!

Visit to Thousands of Love Care Centre in Kajang

2010-06-10T21:27:00.009+08:00

We set off to do our first charity work after Wesak day on 5 June 2010. This time at Thousands of Love Care Centre (Pusat Jagaan Beribuan Kasih) which is located at No. 3, Lot 1547, Belakang Taman Bangi, Jln Reko, 43000 Kajang.

The centre was quite easy to locate. We turned right at the second traffic light after passing BMSM Kajang Buddhist Center (former Sun Theatre) along Jln Reko. After the traffic light we passed a Church followed by a factory. We found the centre as its signboard could be easily seen after the turn at the curve.

The centre was founded by Mr. Magantheran @ Boy. Our visit was in response to an SMS appealing for financial aid from the caretaker, Ms. Kavitha.

The centre takes care of 38 inmates, consists of 22 children and 16 senior citizens. Its financilal resources rely solely from public support. The premise of the centre is rented at RM500 per month.

We donated RM500 and some sundry provisision (30 kg of rice, 3 (5kg each) bottles of cooking oil, beehoon, milo, condensed milk, oat, nestum cereal and milk powder).

Let's look at some of the photographs taken by Bro. Soon Kok:

Sis. Dora and Sis. Lim were chit chatting with an auntie at the centre

The folk in the centre enjoyed Sis. Lim and Bro. Pheng's company

The children were watching TV to entertain themselves

Group photograph with the children and old folks

I would recommend everyone go visit an old folks home. Talk to them and just listen. The stories they tell you are good lessons.

Wesak Day 2010

2010-05-29T20:52:00.012+08:00

A happy Wesak to all of you and may the tripple gem with you always!

Wesak is the day every Buddhist makes a special effort to bring happiness to the unfortunate. We celebrated our Wesak by raising fund for our welfare activities for the whole year. Almost 90% of our welfare fund was raised during these two days.

The lady members (Sis. Sally, Mrs. Kow, Sis. Connie, Sis. Dora, Mrs Tang, Sis. Thum, Sis Chan, Sis Beatrice, Sis. Mae, Sis Suan See, Mrs. Tan, Sis. Janifer etc appologies for missing some of the names! ) sacrificed two days of hardwork before Wesak Day making hundred over vegetarian dumplings, cutting "tauki" and making sambal for the vegetarian nasi lemak. They also sacrificed their sleep on Wesak Day to prepare the food for sales. A big sadhu to all of them!

This year we have several specialties for our food stall : nasi lemak special by Sis. Sally Teh, vegetarian dumpling special by Mrs. Kow, ais kacang special by Bro. Richard, nyonya vegetarian dumpling etc. All of them sold like hotcakes and almost everything was sold out before 5:00pm on the Wesak Day.

Let's have a good look at some of the photos at our foodstall taken by Bro. Soon Kok:

Busy serving customers. A big sadhu to all the volunteers at the foodstall!

What better way to support a good cause than to tuck into a mouth-watering dish knowing that your hearty meal will go a long way towards helping those in need.

Most of them didn't sleep on the previous night and were very tired.
However, they were happy because they sacrificed their sleep for a good cause.

The British chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay who is best known for his acid tongue and television show Hell’s Kitchen was in Buddhist Maha Vihara on the Wesak eve to prepare a special vegetarian dish at the temple’s kitchen for the Prime Minister's visit. Our Welfare Chef, Sis Sally Teh took photo with him at the kitchen.

The former location of our exhibition counter was occupied by the structure for the thorana (Wesak Pandal).

The thorana (Wesak Pandal) depicting the life of Buddha

Our exhibition stall was relocated to the exit point of the Vihara. As a result of this, our collection had been reduced almost by half comparing to last year.

Filling up 45,000 bottles with water for Wesak Distribution

2010-05-23T18:23:00.046+08:00

The activity to fill up bottles with water for Wesak distribution is an annual activity organised by Welfare Section that many friends and members look forward to participating. Because it's the annual bonding time for buddhist fellowship for a common cause - performing veyyavaca**, to renew friendship, sharing dhamma, for reunion of hearts and enjoy each other's company.

This year, we commenced the production on 9 May and finished filling up 45,000 bottles with water on 16 May 2010.

Bro. KC Kong (a professional photographer), the first time volunteer who participated in this activity had chronicled it with his camera. Here are some of his masterpieces:

Washing bottles. First wash with chlorine, second wash with salt
and the final wash rinsed with clean water.

Filling up washed bottles with filtered water and capping.

Tying the bottles with 3 yellow strings each.

Packing

A group shot of volunteers remaining after the cleanup on the final night.

A big saddhu to all volunteers who took part in this veyyavaca activity to fill up 45,000 bottles with water in 7 days. A big saddhu to Bro. K C Kong for chronicling this activity with his professional photographs. This was the first time this activity had been chronicled in so detailed manner.

You can view more photos (total 17) from Bro. Kong's blog. Here is the link http://metta.kckongphoto.com.

* veyyavaca = rendering service to temple.

Welfare Activities in May 2010

2010-04-26T21:39:00.009+08:00

1 May 2010, Saturday

We will visit a poor Indian family at 43-110, Mawar Flat, Jln Loke Yew, 55200 Kuala Lumpur. The family consists of a widow with 4 children, age 11 - 16. Their only source of income is selling nasi lemak which they make about RM300 per month. Those who wish to join us please assemble at Buddhist Maha Vihara at 11:00 a.m this coming Saturday.

9 May 2010 - 15 May 2010
The filling of 45,000 bottles of water will begin on Sunday, 9 May 2010, 2:00pm. at the washing area beside the main shrine hall of Buddhist Maha Vihara. All devotess are welcome to participate in this annual meritorious deed. The water will be blessed by the monks for distribution to devotees on Wesak Day on 28 May 2010.

23 May 2010, Sunday
We will hold our 13th AGM in the P H Henry Hall, Wisma Sri Dhamma, Buddhist Maha Vihara. Registration starts at 10:30am and the meeting will start after the Sunday Dhamma Talk.

Chanting & Potluck Fellowship on 18 April 2010

2010-04-26T16:53:00.010+08:00

We held our chanting & potluck fellowship at Bro. Soon Kok's house on 18 April 2010. The event was attended by about 20 members & friends.

A big sadhu to Bro. Soon Kok for hosting this event.

Welfare Activities in March 2010

2010-03-29T22:52:00.022+08:00

13 -14 March 2010, we set up a soya drink stall at theTemple of Fine Arts Fun and Cultural Carnival 2010 to help them to raise fund for their Derma Sivasanta community clinic in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. For the two days effort we raised RM4,895.

Busy serving the customers

Photograph session with Japanese volunteers who also participated in this fund raising event.

Visited by Human Resource Minister, Dr. S Subramaniam.

22 March 2010, in the morning, we visited Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home 甘露亭宏愿之家) in Setapak, which is located at Lorong Air Putih, Off Jln Air Panas, 53200 Setapak Kuala Lumpur. It is a buddhist nursing home which receives homeless patients who have recovered from illness from Government Hospital. We contributed RM1,600 towards its bereavement fund.

22 March 2010, in the afternoon, we held our chanting fellowhip at a premise provided by Bro. Tan Chin Lin's daughter at Sri Kembangan. After the chanting, we have a fruitful dhamma discussion followed by birthday celebration for Sis. Lim Mee Sew, Sis Dora Lau and Sis. Janiffer Koh. A big sahdu to Bro. Tan for providing the venue and contributing for the birthday cake, biscuits and drinks.

The Practice of Chanting in Buddhism

2010-01-19T12:08:00.011+08:00

Bhikkhu Dhammasami

Chanting is very common to any religion. Buddhism is no exception in this regard. However, the aim and purpose of chanting is different from one religion to another. Buddhism is unique in that it does not consider chanting to be prayer.

The Buddha in many ways has shown us to have confidence in our own action and its results, and thereby encouraged us to depend on no one but ourselves. This in fact is the sum and substance of His last message in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta. One of the passages in this discourse reads: "Ananda, be dependent on yourself, take refuge in yourself and not in others, by this mean be dependent on the Dhamma, go for refuge to the Dhamma -- the righteous principles".

When a Buddhist does chanting, he is not asking some one to save him from evil nor is he hoping to be given a place in heaven as a result after he dies. Instead, through chanting he may be learning, teaching, philosophising or re-memorising the discourse.

Actually, in the Anguttara Nikaya there are some discourses dealing with chanting like Dhammavihari Sutta. It mentions five categories of people who make use of the discourses.

The first one studies it just for the sake of study without putting it into practice or explaining it to others. He even does not reflect deeply on what he has studied. He is known as 'Pariyatti-bahulo' who is keen on studying it alone.

The second one preaches or teaches what he has learnt from the discourses but does not follow it himself. He is 'Pannyatti-bahulo' who is keen only on teaching.

The third one does chanting. He philosophises about the discourses, trying all the time to satisfy his philosophical thirst. He forgets to make use of as mode or life. He is called 'Vitakka-bahulo' who is eager only to indulge in philosophical aspects of the Suttas (Discourses).

The fourth one is the one who chants the discourses to make them last for a long time in his memory. He memorises and re-memorises. Nevertheless, he does not go further to follow it in daily life. He is 'Sajjhayaka-bahulo' who is enthusiastic only in memorising or chanting the teachings of the Buddha, He may even expect some magical power from chanting.

The fifth and last one is one who studies the discourses, teaches them to others, reflects on their philosophical points, chants them regularly and above all actually practices it in daily life. He is the one the Buddha praises to be 'Dhammavihari' -- a practitioner of the Dhamma, which he has learnt from the discourses.

Having reflected on this Sutta, it is left to us to judge ourselves to which category we belong and why we study or chant the discourses.

I would like to dwell a bit more on chanting in general. This is, after all, an All-night Chanting ceremony. It is nothing but right for us to be fully convinced of what we are doing. Initially I did mention that Buddhism is unique because it does not consider chanting to be a form of prayer.

Then why do we, Buddhists, chant?

In the olden days, before there were sufficient support materials for study like books, translations and computers we had to memorise to learn a discourse. After we had learnt it, we still had to chant regularly to protect it and hand it down to future generations. If we did not recite it daily we might forget it and omit some part of it. The Anguttara Nikaya says that if the discourses are poorly maintained this will lead to the disappearance of the Sasana.[1] It was so important those days to memorise and chant it regularly. This must have definitely contributed in developing chanting practice. Chanting meant almost for the survival of the Dhamma itself.

Now we have sufficient support materials, why we should then be still chanting? Is there any more reason to do this?

There are some reasons sufficient to continue chanting practice. Regular chanting gives us confidence, joy and satisfaction, and increases devotion within us. This devotion is really a power. It is called the Power of Devotion (Saddhabala). It energises our life in general. I do not know about the others. For me I often have a joyous feeling when the chanting goes right. I become more confident of myself. I see it as a part of developing devotion.

In Buddhist monastic education tradition, chanting and learning by heart still forms a part of it. We study some of the Theravada Abhidhamma texts -- the highest teachings of the Buddha which deal with the ultimate nature of things -- in that way in Burma. We are explained the meaning and how the logic develops in the Abhidhamma. In the night we try to chant without having learnt it by heart. We could do it because of the technique. It is known as evening-class (nya-war) over there. It means a certain technique of studying the Abhidhamma and some of the Suttas. It is very helpful as it helps you to reflect very quickly.

When we examine the nature of the discourses, the reasons for chanting will become clearer to us than ever.

THE NATURE OF THE DISCOURSES
A Sutta (Discourse) like Mangala Sutta was an answer to the Deva who asked the Lord Buddha about the real progress in social, economic and spiritual life. It is the vision of the Buddha on those issues as much as his advice to all of us who genuinely want those progresses in social and spiritual life. It is some thing that we should follow throughout our life starting from childhood to the day we take our last breath. Most of the Suttas are of this nature. They are descriptions as well as prescriptions for the common diseases like Lobha, Dosa and Moha (Greed, Hatred and Delusion).

Another nature of the discourses is protection or healing. Ratana Sutta is one of the best-known examples here. It was first taught to Venerable Ananda who in turn chanted in Vaisali to ward off all the evils and famine the people were then facing. Angulimala Sutta also falls into this category as it relieves the pains and trouble of a would-be mother. Mahasamaya Sutta and Atanatiya Sutta come under the same category because they emphasise much on protection and healing. Remember that Venerable Ananda and Venerable Angulimala did cultivate love and compassion before they chanted the discourse for this particular kind of blessing.

The three Bojjhanga Suttas [2] (Maha Kassapa/Moggallana/Cunda) [3] have been in common use to help relieve the suffering of a patient. This is the third nature of the discourses I am trying to understand and reflect.

Even the Buddha asked Venerable Cunda to chant this Bojjhanga Sutta when He was ill. He himself did the chanting of the Bojjhanga Sutta when his senior disciples, Venerable Maha Kassapa and Venerable Maha Moggallana, were sick. These are the kind of Suttas that have both instructions for meditation practice and healing power. Karaniyametta Sutta has these same natures: instruction for daily practice to develop our spiritual benefit and to ward off the evils.

In other words, Buddhist chanting serves as a reminder of the practice we need to follow in daily life. If we understand and learn how to do it properly, it is another type of meditation in itself. It is also at the same time a healing or blessing service.

The last benefit we may get from chanting discourses is meditative one. When we chant if we try to concentrate well on the chanting, our mind becomes contemplative, not wandering, not engaging in unwholesome thoughts. The late Venerable Dr. H. Saddhatissa Mahanayaka Thero, the founder of SIBC [4], has rightly remarked in his work [5] that almost all Buddhist practices are nothing else but some form of meditation.

The Miracle man - 2

2010-01-15T14:52:00.004+08:00

Despite being cut into half (from his navel down) in a road accident, Peng Shuilin has created miracle in his life.

Watch it on youku. Here is the link : http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTM3NTgxMjE2.html

News Photograph on Peng Shuilin - The Miracle Man

2010-01-15T13:19:00.010+08:00

In March 2006, the news photograph on Peng Shuilin won the second prize in “person in the news“ category in the 2nd National News Photography in China.

Below were the photographs that won the prize:

Despite the pain that he had to endure, with so much love he received
from his family members, friends and public, he was very optimistic about his life.

Exercising on the bed.

The photograph when he was a "complete" person.

With the help and encouragement from his son and wife, he
"stood up“ to face his friend.

He exercised everyday on the bed in the hospital.

Taking weight.

Celebrating birthday with his wife and son in the hospital.

He was carried by his son to attend a court proceeding.

Going to the train station to take train to go back to his village in Hunan.
(19/12/2005)

On his way to his village in Hunan. He was carried by his son
and was received by friends and relatives.

Source : 半截人彭水林的故事（新闻人物组照银奖）

The Miracle Man - Peng Shuilin

2010-01-13T22:49:00.017+08:00

In 1995, Peng Shuilin (彭水林）went to Shenzhen from Hunan to work.

When his body was cut into two from his navel down by a lorry on 9 March 2004, it was little short of a medical miracle that he survived.

It took a team of more than 20 doctors to save his life.

Skin was grafted from his head to seal his torso – but the legless Mr Peng was left only 78cm tall and less than 40 kg.

He recovered after 7 months and was discharged from hospital.

Bedridden for about 3 years, doctors in China had little hope that he would ever be able to live anything like a normal life again.

Doctors at the China Rehabilitation Research Centre in Beijing found out about Mr Peng's plight in early 2007 and devised a plan to get him up walking again.

They came up with an ingenious way to allow him to walk on his own, creating a sophisticated egg cup-like casing to hold his body with two bionic legs attached to it.

In late 2007, the Association of the Handicapped helped him to open a convenience store (半截人便利店）in Changsha.

On 25/11/2009, Hangzhou Daily reported that his business is able to support his family of three (he is married with a son) he can make around 2,000 - 3,000 yuan a month.

He is 50 and he is confident that he can live until 80.

Source :Hangzhou Daily News 杭州日报

Our visit to Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home

2010-01-12T13:27:00.020+08:00

On Sunday 10 January 2010, we visited a Buddhist Nursing Home for the homeless (Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home 甘露亭宏愿之家) in Setapak, which is located at Lorong Air Putih, Off Jln Air Panas, 53200 Setapak Kuala Lumpur.

About 18 of us in 6 cars departed from Buddhist Maha Vihara at about 11:00am and reached the home at around 11:30am.

The home is located in the vicinity of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church. It consists of two houses, one house is used for religious activities and another as the old folks' quarter. The old folks stay at the second floor, with one room for men and another for women. There are a total of 25 beds. However, there were currently 18 stayed in the home, 7 of them were hospitalised due to illness. Most of the old folks are the homeless patients who were sent from the Government Hospitals. Some of them still need treatment from time to time and were sent back to the hospital when hospitalisation is required again.

We brought along some provisions such as rice, cooking oil, beehoon, milo, diapers, medicated oil and some medicines etc.

A group photo with Venerable Shi Fa Yin (释法因法师), who is the main pillar of the home.

Some of us visited the old folks' quarter at second floor. All the floors were sparkling clean. The home employs only one salaried helper. Most of the cleaning is done by the healthy residents.

The residents are quite happy to stay at the home, which is well managed.

This uncle was cheerful to have children visiting him.

The home also offers frees medical consultation to the public every Sunday, which is provided by two doctors from Tung Shin Hospital who volunteered their services.

Welfare Section donated RM1,600 towards the bereavement fund set up by the home. After we have left the home, I received a call from Bro. Alex that one of the resident (Mdm Tan Ah Moi) had just passed away. May she have a good rebirth!

To Visit Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home on 10 January 2010

2010-01-04T14:13:00.008+08:00

BMSM Welfare Section is organising a trip to visit Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home in Setapak on Sunday 10 January 2010.

We will depart from Buddhist Maha Vihara at 10:00 am. Transport is by car pool.

Kim Loo Ting Hong Ying Home is located at No.4, 6 & 8, Lorong Air Putih, Off Jln Air Panas, 53200 Setapak Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 03-40232350, 03-40232428).

The home is managed by Yayasan Kebajikan Hong Ying Malaysia, which is led by Venerable Seck Fa Yin.

Bro. Pheng has visited the Home last Saturday (2/1/2010) and was informed that there are currently 24 inmates at the Home.

The inmates are mainly homeless elderly patients who have recovered from Government Hospital.

Cantonese Dhamma Talk by Bhante Sakkaro

2009-09-27T23:22:00.006+08:00

Bhante Sakkaro （洒甘露法师） will be giving three Cantonese dhamma talks at Buddhist Maha Vihara, Jln Berhala, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.

Date : Wednesdays - 7, 10 & 14 October 2009
Time : 8:00pm
Topic : Thus as it is (如来..如去）

The above dhamma talks were the last few dhamma talks arranged by our late Sis. G G Tan. Her dhammaduta shall continue despite her absence. May she has good rebirth and attain the bliss of Nibbana.

Our Forthcoming Activities in October 2009

2009-09-27T22:35:00.007+08:00

Sunday, 4 October 2009

We will be attending Kathina Ceremony at Bhante Sakkaro's Buddhist Centre (Asrama Dhammapala) in Nilai.

Meet at Buddhist Maha Vihara at 7:30pm
Mode of Transport : Car pool
Dress code : BMSMWS T-Shirt

Saturday, 10 October 2009

Chanting cum Potluck at Bro. Teh's house at 39, Jln 9/42, Taman Sehjatera, Kuala Lumpur
Time : 3:00pm
Bro. Soon Kok will be arranging a herbalist to talk about cancer prevention
Dress code : BMSMWS T-Shirt

BMSM Welfare Section Uniform

2009-08-17T22:32:00.013+08:00

Did you notice the white T-shirts embroidered with the word "BMSMWS" worn by some of us during the recent Raub Charity trip ?

It is our uniform. Looking smart and neat ,isn't it?

There are two designs, i.e. male and female.

The male design is embroidered with word in dark blue and has a pocket. The female design is pocketless and the word is in maroon color.

The T-shirts are sold at cost at RM25 each. Welfare Section does not make a single sen. The committee is required to pay for it too.

We manage the welfare fund scrupulously and spend on its intended purpose only. Hence, the committee also pay for their transport, food and accomodation (if any) during any charity trips or religious outings.

So far 20 shirts have been sold. Some members have bought 2 pieces. We hope more members will purchase the uniform so that on one fine day, all members can wear it together for our outings to project a cohesive and uniformity image.

Raub Charity Trip on 15 - 16 August 2009

2009-08-17T17:09:00.058+08:00

On 15 August 2009, we left for Raub at about 8:45 pm after attending the blessing service conducted by Rev. Vijita at the Shrine Hall.

We reached Raub Buddhist Association (RBA) centre at about 11:30 am. We were then given a welcoming vegetarian lunch at the Silver City Vegetarian Restaurant.

We headed for Sungai Ruan at about 1:30PM. Our first itinerary was at the Sungai Ruan Old Folks Home. This home has no caretaker, the old folks have to take care of themselves. Those physically abled-old folks have to take up a job to supplement their income. When all of us occupied the front porch of the home to accompany and talk with them, they were excited of this pleasant change in their daily mundane activities, but most importantly, they needed the company. We distributed gift of cash and kind to the old folks followed by a blessing service.

Our next itinerary was visiting a lung cancer patient with 3 children.

For the rest of the afternoon, we visited another six needy families and individuals, unfortunately all the photographs I have taken have damaged and could not be downloaded :
(a) A speech and hearing impaired couple with 4 children
(b) A man with a Vietnamese wife who is paralysed from the waist down. We have visited him in our previous Raub Charity Trips. His mother who took care of him have already passed away. His relatives had arranged to marry him with a Vietnamese wife to take care of him.
(c) A single mother with 3 children.
(d) Three kidney patients and a man who is paralysed from his neck down.

We have our dinner at the Kum Leng Restaurant at about 6:30PM.

At 8:30pm, Dato' Ang Choo Hong (the immediate past BMSM president) delivered a talk about "Fire" at the Shrine Hall of the RBA centre.

Basically, the talk was about Buddha's fire sermon (Adittapariyaya Sutta), which teaches us how to achieve liberation from suffering through detachment from the five senses and mind.

On the following day (16/8/2009), due to a very tight schedule, most of us woke up quite early, some of us as early as 5:00am. The ladies had a group massage session to stretch and relax their tight musscle in the morning.

We had our breakfast at a food court opposite the Raub wet market. After the breakfast, most of us have a buying spree at the Pasar Tani.

Here were some of the unknown vegetables/fruits that I've never bother to find out eventhough I have visited the market since 1998.

The Malay auntie told me that this is "pelat". (probably spelt wrongly)

I was told these are tamboi (probably spelt wrongly). Can anyone help me?

I have also learnt that yam shoot is edible. A Malay gentleman told me that if the shoot is not probably cooked, it can cause itchiness in your mouth.

Our next charity itinerary was bringing joy to the old folks at the Sungai Lui Old Folk Home.

We then visited a single mother with 2 children and a bachelor with brain tumour. One of his eye has blinded by the tumour.

Many of us found the trip to Raub without buying the Sempalit groundnuts incomplete. Hence, we stopped over at the factory before proceeding to Gua Kechil.

Our visit to Gua Kecil was exciting. The bus has to stop at about 1 km away from the cave as the remaining journey is not accessible to buses as there is no space for the bus to u-turn. I later found out that it takes obout 15 minutes' walk to reach the destination. Thanks to Dato' Ang , Bro Li (RBA) and Bro. Teh for fecthing us to the cave.

The guide told us there are spirits in the cave. There are drawings by ancient men at some part of the cave (the drawings are similar to those found in caves in Sarawak), which is an evidence that it had been inhabited by ancient men thousand years ago.

I was surprised to find orbs appeared in some of the photographs I have taken in the cave.

Orbs are unexpected, typically circular artifacts in photograph. Those who believe in paranormal phenomeon interpret orbs as presence of invisible spirits, auras, angels, ghosts, energy fields, psychoenergetic artifacts, energy balls, etc.

Scientifically, the orb is the result from reflection of light off solid particles (e.g., dust, pollen), liquid particles (water droplets - especially rain) or other foreign material within the camera lens.

It was a pity that my camera ran out of battery and I was unable to take any photographs in the cave, particularly the naturally formed Guanyin statue.

After visiting Sempalit Old Folks Home, we had our lunch at Happiness Corner Restaurant.

Visiting three old folks home in Raub made me recalled a report in the Star which reported that 33% of the residents in government-run old folk homes were Chinese, although Chinese only make up 25% of the population. Why some people are so inconsiderate to dump their love ones to old folk home? How lonely, painful and heart-broken they must feel when after bringing up their children, they were ignored and treated like a hindrance and ultimately abandoned to live the rest of their old age alone.

Nevertheless, most of the old folk home residents in Raub are bachelors.

Bro. Li of RBA fetched me to a Supermarket (located next to the Restaurant) to buy batteries for my camera after lunch.

We visited three needy single mothers after lunch. One of them suffers from SLE and kidney failure, and another suffers from breast cancer.

We returned to RBA centre a about 3:30PM and met a mother of a young man who suffers from hepatitis C.

We had a group photograph with the RBA committee before bidding farewell to them.

We wish to express our sincere gratitude to RBA committee for their valuable assistance and hospitality that had made this trip fruitful, meaningful and enjoyable.

We also wish to thank Dato' Ang for delivering a dhamma talk at RBA and his help for providing shuttle service to Gua Kecil. Big sadhu to Mr. & Mrs. Teh too for making arrangement for us to visit Gua Kecil as well as providing shuttle service to the cave.

Chanting cum Potluck Fellowship on 1 August 2009 has been cancelled

2009-07-19T20:45:00.003+08:00

Dear BMSM Welfare members & supporters,

Please be informed that the Chanting cum Potluck Fellowship on Saturday 1 August 2009 has been cancelled.

Buddhism Won "The Best Religion in the World" Award?

2009-07-16T13:06:00.041+08:00

~~15 July 2009, Tribune de Geneve~~
This news is published in beliefnet but is probably fabricated. Source

1. The organisation (International Coalition for the Advancement of Religious and Sprituality) that sponsored this award couldn't be found anywhere on the web other than Beliefnet. Neither were the personalities quoted in the news, such as ICARUS Director, Hans Groehlichen and Bhante Ghruata Hanta.

2. Thank you Riglin for pointed out that this news couldn't be found on Tribune de Geneve online. I can't read French and is unable to verify it myself.

A lesson for me that all news shall be verified against all sources before posting it.

Nevertheless, I hope this article would stir up the minds of all religious leaders a bit.

1. Organised religions have increasingly been used to inflame rather than to bring together. Practise of compassion is the solution.

2. The spirit of modesty.

I would've verified the source if this article mentioned certain Buddhist commnunity had accepted "this award".

(updated 17/7/2009 11:45pm)

In advance of their annual Leading Figure award to a religious figure who has done the most to advance the cause of humanism and peace, the Geneva-based International Coalition for the Advancement of Religious and Spirituality (ICARUS) has chosen to bestow a special award this year on the Buddhist Community. "We typically prefer an under-the-radar approach for the organization, as we try to embody the spirit of modesty found in the greatest traditions," said ICARUS director Hans Groehlichen in a phone conference Monday. "But with organized religion increasingly used as a tool to separate and inflame rather than bring together, we felt we had to take the unusual step of creating a "Best Religion in the World" award and making a bit of a stir, to inspire other religious leaders to see what is possible when you practice compassion."

Groehlichen said the award was voted on by an international roundtable of more than 200 religious leaders from every part of the spiritual spectrum. "It was interesting to note that once we supplied the criteria, many religious leaders voted for Buddhism rather than their own religion," said Groehlichen. "Buddhists actually make up a tiny minority of our membership, so it was fascinating but quite exciting that they won."

Criteria included factors such as promoting personal and community peace, increasing compassion and a sense of connection, and encouraging preservation of the natural environment. Groehlichen continued "The biggest factor for us is that ICARUS was founded by spiritual and religious people to bring the concepts of non-violence to prominence in society. One of the key questions in our voting process was which religion actually practices non-violence."

When presenting the information to the voting members, ICARUS researched each of the 38 religions on the ballot extensively, offering background, philosophy, and the religions role in government and warfare. Jonna Hult, Director of Research for ICARUS said "It wasn't a surprise to me that Buddhism won Best Religion in the World, because we could find literally not one single instance of a war fought in the name of Buddhism, in contrast to every other religion that seems to keep a gun in the closet just in case God makes a mistake. We were hard pressed to even find a Buddhist that had ever been in an army. These people practice what they preach to an extent we simply could not document with any other spiritual tradition."

At least one Catholic priest spoke out on behalf of Buddhism. Father Ted O'Shaughnessy said from Belfast, "As much as I love the Catholic Church, it has always bothered me to no end that we preach love in our scripture yet then claim to know God's will when it comes to killing other humans. For that reason, I did have to cast my vote for the Buddhists." And Muslim Cleric Tal Bin Wassad agreed from Pakistan via his translator. "While I am a devout Muslim, I can see how much anger and bloodshed is channeled into religious expression rather than dealt with on a personal level. The Buddhists have that figured out." Bin Wassad, the ICARUS voting member for Pakistan's Muslim community continued, "In fact, some of my best friends are Buddhist." And Rabbi Shmuel Wasserstein said from Jerusalem, "Of course, I love Judaism, and I think it's the greatest religion in the world. But to be honest, I've been practicing Vipassana meditation every day before minyan (daily Jewish prayer) since 1993. So I get it."

Groehlichen said that the plan was for the award to Buddhism for "Best Religion in the World" to be given to leaders from the various lineages in the Buddhist community. However, there was one snag. "Basically we can't find anyone to give it to," said Groehlichen in a followup call late Tuesday. "All the Buddhists we call keep saying they don't want the award." Groehlichen explained the strange behavior, saying "Basically they are all saying they are a philosophical tradition, not a religion. But that doesn't change the fact that with this award we acknowledge their philosophy of personal responsibility and personal transformation to be the best in the world and the most important for the challenges facing every individual and all living beings in the coming centuries."

When asked why the Burmese Buddhist community refused the award, Buddhist monk Bhante Ghurata Hanta said from Burma, "We are grateful for the acknowledgement, but we give this award to all humanity, for Buddha nature lies within each of us." Groehlichen went on to say "We're going to keep calling around until we find a Buddhist who will accept it. We'll let you know when we do."

Buddhism thrives as China relaxes religious policy

2009-07-08T00:33:00.005+08:00

WUTAISHAN, China (AFP) — Temples thrive, monks travel far and wide in search of enlightenment, the faithful fill the halls of worship -- after decades of atheist policies, Buddhism is making a huge comeback in China.

For decades, the communist-run State Administration for Religious Affairs has said there were only about 100 million religious believers in China, but state press reports have recently said that number has grown to 300 million.

Nowhere is this revival more apparent than at Wutaishan, the most important of China's four holy mountains and home to a sprawling complex of temples, 300 kilometres (180 miles) southwest of Beijing.

In late June, Wutaishan was named a World Heritage Site by the United Nation's cultural arm UNESCO, a move expected to bring more visitors to this holy shrine that houses some of China's oldest Buddhist manuscripts.

Currently 53 temples house monks and nuns, while the ruins of more than 150 temples are scattered around hillside terraces or isolated on remote mountain tops.

The earliest temples date back to the first century when Buddhism first arrived to China from India.

"Twenty years ago, as we started recovering from the Cultural Revolution, the total number of monks here was just a few hundred," said Yi Bo, spokesman for the Wutaishan Buddhist Association.

"Since then Buddhism has not stopped developing. More and more monks have come. The numbers hit 1,000, then 2,000, then 3,000. Three years ago we hit 5,000."

At that time the government stepped in and began restricting the number of monks who could study here, he said.

Meanwhile, 2.8 million visitors came to Wutaishan in 2008, bringing in 1.4 billion yuan (206 million dollars) in tourist revenues, according to government figures. This year more than 3.1 million visitors are expected.

"The government supports us mainly with policy, but funding for our growth mainly comes from donations from the Buddhist faithful," said Miao Yi, a nun at the Buddhist Institute at the Pushou Temple, China's largest convent.

More than 600 nuns are studying in the Buddhist Institute which has received generous funding from Buddhists in Hong Kong and Taiwan, she said.

Source

8 Day Meditation Retreat at BMV

2009-07-07T17:15:00.000+08:00

There will be an 8 DAY MEDITATION RETREAT held from the 22-29 August 2009.
This Meditation retreat will be conducted by Ven Punnaji Thero.

For those who are interested, please call the BMV office at 03 22741141 for more information.

The Sichuan Cultural Troupe Variety Show has been cancelled

2009-07-05T19:21:00.010+08:00

Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia regrets to announce that the Sichuan Cultural Troupe Variety Show which has been scheduled to be held on 19 July 2009 at Buddhist Maha Vihara has been cancelled as the troupe members are infected with A(H1N1) flu.

All ticket holders will be refunded.

The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.

Fa Yu Chan Si ( 法雨禪寺) - the "Ang Kor Wat" of Malaysia

2009-07-04T21:32:00.041+08:00

Land is a scarce commodity in Singapore. Other than the existing temples, there isn't much land to build new temples in the city-state. As a result, many Buddhist devotees and monks build their temples or contribute towards the expansion of the existing temples in Johor.

Thanks to the contribution of a Singaporean collector who is also a devout Buddhist, thousands of ancient Buddha statues as well as time-honoured stone, wooden and copper statues have been placed at the Fa Yu Chan Si monastery (法雨禪寺) in Ulu Tiram. Being built in the woods on a 3-acre site at about 2km from the town of Ulu Tiram, the monastery offers an excellent haven for religious retreat.

Even though the monastery is still undergoing beautification, renovation and further development at this moment, once you step inside the temple, you will be able to find countless of stone statues of Buddha.

Other than the nost notable Big Buddha's Head and half-body Buddha statues, the most eye-catching relics are the Buddhist columns and pagoda. These masterfully crafted carvings have created an atmosphere of a thousand-year-old ancient monastery. Besides, rows of intricately carved Buddha statues have been neatly placed on both sides of the pagoda and Buddhist Columns.

The Cultural Relics Hall, meanwhile, looks like a relic site full of inscribed texts, stone statues of Buddha, etc, the most outstanding being the 500 Luo Han statues in different postures, costumes, and names.You can also find thousand-year-old stone tortoise statue, statues of Bodhidharma and the God of Mercy, among others. There are also relics from the Tang, Yuan and Han dynasties.

Other than the Sakyamuni Valuable Palace, the God of Prosperity Temple, Di Zhan Dian Cinerarium Pavilion and the Hall of Spirit Tablets which have been completed within the compound of the Fa Yu Chan Si monastery, the remaining buildings such as Buddhist Relics Hall, Cultural Relics Hall and the Bodhidharma Pavilion are under construction.

The abbot of the monastery, Master Shi Zhen Guan said many devout Buddhists gave up their faith when they got old. Hence, the main focus of development in future for this manastery is to provide a quiet retreat for these people.

He aspired to develop the monastery to something similar to the renowned Kek Lok Si temple in Penang. While encouraging Buddhist devotees to study the Doctrine and retreat, he also hoped opening the monastery for public viewing would enable more people to appreciate the relics of great artistic values.

Fa Yu Chan Si

Address: Lot 380
Jalan Sungai Tiram
Batu 133/4 Kampong Sungai Tiram
81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor
Contact: 016-717 9633 (Ms Chen Yi Ping)

Source : Sin Chew Daily News (星洲日报）

Our Charity Program in Raub on 15/8 - 16/8/2009

2009-06-28T23:22:00.021+08:00

Raub Buddhist Association has recommended 14 deserving individuals/families for our charity program there on 15/8 - 16/8/2009. Here are their background:

Sg. Ruan

1. A lung cancer patient, 51. He is married with three children, aged 7 - 10 years old. He was the sole breadwinner of the family.

2. A hearing disabled couple with 4 children

3. A 47 year-old bachelor who has been paralysed from waist down due to an accident many years ago. He was taken care by his mother but she has passed away two years ago.

Tras New Village

4. A single mother with 3 children. Her husband was died of cancer. Her brother-in-law has been paralysed from neck down after a diving accident since he was 18.

Kg. Sang Lee

5. Three kidney patients and a handicapped old man.

Sg. Lui
6. A brain tumour patient.

7. A single mother with 2 children, who is unable to make ends meet to pay for food and rental.

Bukit Koman
8. A single lady with skin disease.
9. A single mother, who is an SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) and kidney patient.

Kg. Sempalit
10. A single mother with breast cancer.
11. A single mother with one child. She plants vegetable for living.

We will also visit three old folk homes (total around 35 inmates) in Sg. Ruan, Sg. Lui and Kg. Sempalit.

China’s sacred Buddhist Mount Wutai inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List

2009-06-27T00:56:00.024+08:00

26 June 2009
The Mount Wutai (五台山），a sacred Buddhist mountain in China that has witnessed to centuries of Buddhist history was added Friday to UNESCO's World Heritage List during the 33rd session of the World Heritage Committee in Seville, Spain.

The site is in Wutai County, Xinzhou City in Shanxi Province, 230 kilometers from the provincial capital, Taiyuan City.

Mount Wutai, literally, the five terrace mountain, is the highest mountain in northern China and is remarkable for its morphology characterized by precipitous sides with five open treeless peaks. Temples have been built on the site since the 1st century AD to the early 20th century.

The cultural landscape numbers 53 monasteries and includes the East Main Hall of Foguang Temple, the highest surviving timber Building of the Tang Dynasty with life size clay sculptures. It also features the Ming Dynasty Shuxiang Temple with a huge complex of 500 statues representing Buddhist stories woven into three dimensional pictures of mountains and water.

Overall, the buildings on the site present a catalogue of the way Buddhist architecture developed and influenced palace building in China over more than one millennium.

(UNESCO's announcement)

Happiness quotes

2009-06-22T23:19:00.007+08:00

Cheer yourself up by watching this peaceful video and reflect on the happiness quotes.

Smiling can make you happier, even if you fake it

2009-06-20T22:47:00.026+08:00

"Frown and you frown alone, but smile and the whole world smiles with you."

"If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. If we really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile? Our smile affirms our awareness and determination to live in peace and joy. The source of a true smile is an awakened mind." - Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step : The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life (1992)

A recent study demonstrated that our facial expression and posture triggered our related emotions. Hence, if you smile, lift your chin, and stand upright, you’ll feel happy and confident. If you frown, shrug, or slump, you’ll feel sad or angry. (source : "Emotional Consciousness" by PhD Lisa Feldman Barrett)

Putting your smile muscles to work during times of stress changes your outlook for a couple of reasons. First, the brain interprets this muscle movement to mean that you’re happy or contented. Even holding a pencil horizontally between your teeth is enough to approximate a smile, as far as your brain is concerned.

Second, your mood and perceptions of neutral events grow more positive simply from “acting” happy. Happy behavior isn’t likely to erase the trauma of a crisis, but it will encourage you to view mundane events from a more generous perspective. An upbeat posture and expression primes your brain to give others the benefit of the doubt or to see the “lighter side.”

Besides these advantages, the sheer absurdity of smiling in moments of duress breaks the problem-centered mindset of anxiety and anger. When you take yourself less seriously, you can be a little gentler with everyone else, too.

Try it out today and find out how much of an immediate physical difference smiling can cheer you up.

Source:Faking it: Can smiling make you happier?"

Ajahn Brahm showed correct path to business

2009-06-20T10:48:00.023+08:00

Ajahn Brahmavamso was invited to give a talk on how managers can improve their ability by following the principles of Buddhism at the Sasin Graduate Institue of Business Administration, Thailand in May 2009. He said executives were successful not because of their IQ or intellectual capabilities, but because of their "EQ" [emotional quotient], or their ability to communicate and to make great friendships and networks. Here is the summary of his talk:

1. RELAX

Ajahn Brahm held up a glass of water at arm's length and asked his audience: "How heavy this glass?

"If I keep holding it for five minutes, it will appear to be quite heavy. In 10 minutes, I'll be in pain. If I hold it for half an hour, I'll be very stupid monk," he said, laughing.

Then he explained his point: it doesn't matter how much responsibility one has, a person becomes stressed if they hold on to duties for too long without taking a rest.

"It's the law of mind," the abbot said. "If your body needs to exercise, your mind becomes powerful through stillness. In business, you need to have a strong mind to compete, and to see what others don't see."

2. DON'T DWELL ON YOUR PAST FAILURES

Dwelling on past failures and assigning blame for mistakes caused a loss of morale. On the other hand, inspiration and encouragement can be found from recalling successes, and repeating them again for greater accomplishments.

"Success is taken for granted," he said. "That's why we are not happy

Ajarn Brahm said "Now" is the most important time but many people are too busy thinking about what's going to happen next.

He told a story that came originally from his Buddhist master Ajahn Chah Bodhinyana Mahathera.

"Once upon a time, there were two chicken farmers," he said. "Farmer No 1 got up early in the morning to go to his chicken shed to collect the chickens' s*** in a basket. Then he took it home, where it smelled so bad that everybody had to run away. Farmer No 2 collected his chickens' eggs in his basket, prepared omelets for his family and sold the rest of the eggs on the market.

"When you remember your past and bring it into your present, are you collecting s***, or are you collecting eggs?" Ajahn Brahm asked.

3. THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IS THE ONE YOU'RE WITH

The most important person is the one you're with, whoever that person may happen to be.

If you're in your organisation, the most important one is whoever is in front of you right now. If you're with clients, they're your most important persons. If you think that the one in front of you is your most important person, then you can communicate with him well, instead of thinking: when will he go away?

Be with them. If it's your boss, or a potential client, give them a degree of importance. Many people will say: I forgot about them 'because I'm busy'. I give them importance. It's an easy investment and you can get rewards.

4. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO AS A MANAGER

The most important thing to do as a manager is 'to care'.

If it's your customer, you care for her. Or if it's your boss, you care. It's a synergy to get people to work together.

5. TRUST

One of the biggest problems in achieving economic success was the cost involved in being unable to trust other people. For instance, sellers worry that buyers may not pay on time.

If we can trust, and trust is well-founded, then it will bring down transaction costs significantly and give a significant boost to any economy.

6. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL

Very often managers give up performance assessment because they don't want to upset people.

However, in any business, it's a manager's job to improve performance and sometimes criticise subordinates. Ajahn Brahm suggested that managers use what he called "the sandwich method" by giving praise and pointing out a subordinate's positive qualities before identifying his weaknesses.

"When you praise someone, they will open up. Everyone likes a compliment, and it also shows that you care for them," he said. "Realise also that if a worker has a problem, it's your problem as well. When it becomes 'our problem', you will find a solution."

He cited a government department in the United Kingdom which was in the habit of measuring staff performance according to how many contracts they could get signed in Brussels [HQ of the European Commission]. A consequence was that all the department's qualified people "burned out" and left the organisation. The department later changed its system to reward officials who worked hard, or in other words, rewarded the process rather than the outcome.

Life is a process. It's how we achieve, more than what we achieve. If, this time, we're still not winning, then next time we will win. If you do it the right way, then eventually you will be rewarded. If you take short cuts or short-term profits, that's how we have ended up with - long-term recession.

Source : Monk shows correct path to business

TWENTY-FOUR BRAND-NEW HOURS

2009-06-18T13:00:00.018+08:00

Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand-new hours to live. What a precious gift! We have the capacity to live in a way that these twenty-four hours will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and others.

Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. The Question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We don't have to travel far away to enjoy the blue sky. We don't have to leave our city or even our neighborhood to enjoy the eyes of a beautiful child. Even the air we breathe can be a source of joy.

We can smile, breathe, walk, and eat our meals in a way that allows us to be in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available. We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive at the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive.

Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment. ...

PRAYER FOR FREEDOM FROM SUFFERING

May all beings everywhere plagued
with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid,
and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power,
and may people think of befriending each other.
May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wilderness--
the children, the aged, the unprotected--
be guarded by beneficent celestials,
and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

By Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh

One day 8 precept programme on Saturday 27 June 2009 at Buddhist Maha Vihara

2009-06-18T09:00:00.002+08:00

Ven. Pemaratana will be conducting a One day 8 Precept Programme on Saturday, 27 June 2009 from 6:30am - 6:30pm within the Buddhist Maha Vihara premises at the Pagoda.

For those who are interested, kindly call the BMV Office at 03-22741141 and give your name and contact number.

Please click at the image to enlarge.

Dhamma in Business : Buddha's Teachings apply brake to greed

2009-06-17T13:19:00.007+08:00

The Nation, 17 June 2009

Doing businesses is like swimming: you can never stop or you may drown. So says Chuleeporn Chompatana, managing director of Smart Vision, Thailand.

However, she believes managers must learn that moving too fast or being too greedy can bring disaster to a business, so Chuleeporn uses Dhamma "like a circuit breaker" to keep on a balanced course.

"Dhamma can be applied to business. Everyone can become greedy when doing business, but Dhamma will 'brake' us with consciousness," she said in a recent interview. "Sometimes, when you feel no fun in doing something, you will know it's time to stop."

Smart Vision is a provider of glasses, contact lenses and related products and services. In its 11 years of operations, Smart Vision has never made a loss. It posted record sales revenue of about Bt50 million last year.

Chuleeporn, 37, said she began studying Dhamma four or five years ago by reading the books of revered monk Phra Maha Wudhijaya Vajiramedhi - better known by his pen name, W Vajiramedhi. Since then she has joined retreats and practised meditation.

She said she had become more relaxed with her staff as a consequence and was not moody when staff failed to perform according to expectations. One direct effect of Dhamma on Smart Vision's business came when Chuleeporn learned to give. That launched the company's annual programme of donating glasses to communities.

"It is like [the donations] have an automatic return. In the communities where our company is located, word gets around. We never have any problems. Our staff has to arrive at the office at 5am so they can get to the health check-up location by 7am. If the villagers cannot see us well enough, [they will complain] we're making too much noise," she said.

Unlike traditional shops, Smart Vision offers its products through a fleet of 10 vans that follow hospitals and health centres as they provided on-site health check-ups. Smart Vision has no retail stores but recently opened outlets in two Bangkok hospitals, near their ophthalmology departments.

Chuleeporn said normally, a factory or office she visited would have 300-1,000 staff and that 15-20 per cent of them would order glasses or other products from Smart Vision. Although the company has hundreds of competitors, only four or five are considered major rivals, she said.

Click here to read the full article.

A Father's letter to his daughter

2009-06-17T08:30:00.008+08:00

My dearest daughter,

There will be one day that you see me old (I’m already grey!), please have patience and try to understand me.

If I get dirty or cannot dress... have patience. Remember the hours I spent teaching it to you.

If, when I speak, I repeat the same things a thousand times, please try to listen, if not with your ears, then with your heart.
When you were small, I had to answer you a thousand and one times, many, many questions until you were satisfied..

For many years, we as a family tried our best to walk the Noble Path guided by the Dhamma and the Five Precepts. You must now walk this Path firmly and steadily, and in turn you must help others too.

When you see my ignorance on new technologies.. give me the necessary time and not look at me with a mocking smile, the oldest and most applicable technology is the Dhamma, it is still the best, learn it well.

I taught you how to do so many things, to eat good food, to dress well, to confront life, to know what is right from wrong, the beautiful Dhamma… to question.

School and college can teach you science, maths and business, but we taught you the Buddha’s Teachings, I hope you had learnt well.. and is applying it.

When at some moment I lose the memory or the thread of our conversation.. let me have the necessary time to remember, and if I cannot do it, do not become nervous.. as the most important thing is to be with you. You may even now teach me back.

If ever I seem to test your patience, recall how your mummy and I were taught “patience” in raising you and your siblings.

When my tired legs do not allow me walk, give me your hand.. the same way I did when you had your first steps.

And when someday you find me spending much time just sitting in meditation, it is not that I reject your company, it’s jut that I’m trying to know myself better. Despite all these years, I am still learning.

Try to understand that like a sand clock flowing fast, I do not have the luxury of time, so every moment is precious; whether spent with you or alone.

Some day you will discover that despite our mistakes, your mummy and I, always wanted the best things for you and that we tried to prepare the way for you.

You must not feel sad, angry or frustrated when seeing my faults. Try to be next to me, to understand me and to help me as I did it when you were young.

Help me to walk this Noble Path, with love and patience, just as I tried to help you. I will pay you by a smile and by the immense love I always have for you.

View the slide show:

A Father's Letter To His Daughter

View more OpenOffice presentations from Oh Teik bin.

Novitiate Program 2009 at Buddhist Maha Vihara

2009-06-16T20:00:00.009+08:00

Buddhist Maha Vihara has announced that the application forms are now available for the Novitiate Programmes in 2009. For Further information please call the BMV office at Tel No: 03-22741141.

Please click at the image to enlarge.

Buddhist Maha Vihara launches fund for Sri Lankan orphans

2009-06-16T13:45:00.008+08:00

The Star, 15 June 2009

SOME 400 orphans displaced in the Vavuniya district, 254km north of Colombo as a result of the recently concluded war between the Sri Lanka army and the Tamil Tigers are living in misery without basic necessities.

To help them, the Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields, is organising a project to raise money to educate and provide assistance to these children.

An initial RM30,000 has been collected to kick-start the programme.

“This will be an ongoing programme that constitutes scholarships and educational opportunities for these children,” the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera said.

“The Sri Lankan children are in need of help and through this fund-raising project we hope to give to some hope to these children and help them start a new life,” he said.

The temple is also starting a collection of items like sanitary products, toiletries, blankets and pillows, clothes and other necessities.

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan, who launched the project on 12 June 2009, also pledged RM10,000 from the ministry.

Those interested in donating can call the temple at 03-2274 1141.

Please click at the image to enlarge.

News in more detail is available at Lankaweb: Buddhist Maha Vihara in Malaysia launches a fund for Sri Lankan IDP Orphans

Buddhist Answers

2009-06-15T13:17:00.017+08:00

The world has progressed in terms of scientific knowledge, but there are still wars and strife. What does Buddhism have to say about this?

Many people believed that science would be the saviour of humanity. We worshipped scientific facts, and believed that technological advancements would shield us from the sufferings. This was perhaps the biggest myth of the last century. That is not to say that science has not offered benefits. It has - definitely. Through medical advancements, life expectancy has doubled since the beginning of the 19th century, and life has become easier. While these are admirable achievements, the root causes of war and strife still remain beyond the realm of science.

Why is this? Well, the cause of war, strife as well as personal suffering lie within our own minds. As the Dalai Lama has said, “Peace starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us.” When individuals harbour anger towards colleagues or neighbours how could international peace be achieved? It is like expecting healthy plants to grow from polluted soil.

We suffer because our action is rooted in the mistaken view of a separate self and other. We view the world as if from a fortress, and so even compassion is tainted with the desire to gain something - if only a sense of personal satisfaction. Only when we recognize that our connection to the world is no different to the relationship between the heart and the physical body does our altruistic action flow naturally.

Not understanding that things have no inherent existence causes frustration and disappointment. In reality, everything with characteristics has no more substance than a rainbow or mirage. While this might sound complicated, in reality it is not.

Let’s examine a piece of paper. It is made of wood that came from a tree. In turn, the tree developed from a seed that interacted with soil, moisture and heat. The paper is merely a combination of elements, and there is nothing inherently called paper. All things exist in the same way. If we recognize this truth, then it is perfectly acceptable to follow a rainbow or to play with a mirage. Suffering arises when we try to grasp and hold these things believing they truly exist. Again, like the man in the forest, a mistaken view results in pain.

So, if science cannot create the conditions for inner wellbeing, should we reject it? No. Science offers benefits for mankind. At the same time, however, we should not consider science as the saviour of the world. The best solution is to use scientific developments, but view them with the eyes of wisdom. In this way, we remain in our environment and use its benefits, but are free from the suffering caused by attachment and expectations.

Read the full article here : Kaunsel Online: Bhutan's Daily news site

BMV Choir Night on 20 June 2009

2009-06-14T14:46:00.003+08:00

The BMV Choir has organized a “ CHOIR NIGHT “ that will be held at the Dewan Asoka, Buddhist Maha Vihara on Saturday, 20 June 2009, 8:00pm - 10:00pm.

Tickets are available at the BMV office or you may contact Sis.Mun Leng @ 012-2825605.

For Further information please call the BMV office.

BUDDHIST MAHA VIHARA
123, Jalan Berhala
Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Tel No: 03-22741141

Master Shen Yan's 108 Adages 圣严法师108法语

2009-06-13T22:34:00.009+08:00

Bro. Soon Kok e-mailed this slide to me. I've uploaded it to a file sharing website to embed it in this blog.

Here are some of the gems of Master Shen Yan's adages:

山不转路转，路不转人转，人不转心转。
If the mountain won’t move, build a road around it. If the road won’t turn, change your path. If you are unable to even change your path, just transform your mind.

船过水无痕，鸟飞不留影，成败得失都不会引起心情的波动，那样是自在解脱的大智能。
A passing boat leaves no trace upon the waters; a bird’s fight leaves no trace in the sky. When fleeting success, failure, gain or loss leaves no trace upon the heart, the great wisdom of liberation has been achieved.

超越生老病苦三原则：活得快乐, 病得健康，老得有希望。
To transcend the sufferings of birth, old age, and sickness, keep to the three principles: live happily, face illness with a healthy mind, and embrace old age with hope.

大鸭游出大路，小鸭游出小路，不游就没有路。
A big duck cuts a big wake; a small duck cuts a small wake.
Big or small, each duck will paddle its own way to the other shore – but only if it paddles.

成功的三部曲是：随顺因缘，把握因缘，创造因缘。
The tripartite formula for success is : go with the causes and conditions, seize them as they come, and create them when they don’t.

108 Adages Master Shen Yan 108 Adages Master Shen Yan linjunlin

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Religion & Spiritual Books buddhism

Adding a horizontal menu bar to your blog (blogger.com)

2009-06-13T21:32:00.014+08:00

You may be surprised to see a horizontal menu or navigation bar on this blog which are not commonly found in blogger blogs. (but it's quite common for wordpress blogs).

Many thanks to Mr. Drraman for giving free tips on his blog.

I discovered that not all blog templates are amendable as the html codes of some templates (such as "tekka" and "sand dollar" ) don't have ' maxwidgets' and "/*header */" for me to make amendment.

I have to change my template from "tekka" to the one created by "Darren Delaye" in order to add the horizontal menu.

Please click here for further details on how to do it.

"Life is a spiritual journey" - Sayadaw u jotika

2009-06-09T21:51:00.012+08:00

During Welfare Section's AGM on 24 May 2009, Bro. Soon Kok mentioned in his speech that out of 10 devotees who took the dhamma books or CDs, only 2 or 3 will read or listen. This is really a wake-up call for me. My flame of zeal for dhamma is diminishing. I hardly finished any dhamma books nowaday. Most of the time I only skimmed through few pages.

When I first encountered with Buddhism, my thirst for dhamma could never be quenched. I devoured all the dhamma books I came acrossed and never missed any dhamma talks. But this enthusiasm only lasted about 5 years.

Few days ago, I skimmed through over the books I've collected over the last few years. I wanted to experience the sense of tranquility that I gained through reading dhamma book again. I picked up the smallest book I could find - "Life is a spiritual journey" by Sayadaw u jotika. The first page of the book is a Chinese New Year greeting "Wishing you a happy & properous Chinese New Year 2007". Oh! I've kept this book for more than 2 years without reading it! I remembered I collected this book from Lunas Hermitage on the first day of Chinese New Year 2007.

It took me less than twenty minutes to finish the whole book. I really rejoiced in reading it and I've read it almost every day since then.

I'm burdened with work and the amount of assignment seems endless. It gives me a positive perpective about life after reading the book. Here are some of the "gems":

"Problems have their purpose. It's a lesson we need to learn in order to grow up. Yes, they have a wonderful purpose. Some people wish for a life of no problems. But I would never wish for such a life for any of you. What I wish for you is the great inner strength to solve any problems meaningfully and grow."

"Mindfulness gives you a kind of equanimty, gives you an even mood, makes you calm and makes you in a way detached. Detachment doesn't mean you are unconcerned. Detachment means not being egoistic, not taking things personally and not being attached to outcomes."

"Every problem is an opportunity. If you understand this and take every problem as an opportunity then your life will become more and more meaningful. To take every problem, every difficult situation as an opportunity we need to be mindful. We need to be always mindful. There should be mindfulness already in your heart."

This book is distributed free by "Inward Path". Here is the link

Charity Sales at Amcorp Mall

2009-06-07T19:02:00.016+08:00

We set up a charity stall at Amcorp Mall today to sell the eco-enzyme and glycerin soaps. The stall was rented by Bro. Joseph and Sis. Linda for their honey and petai tea business. Maha Sadhu to Bro. Joseph and Sis. Linda for providing a space for the charity sales.

Bro. Joseph, Sis. Linda, Sis. Dora and Sis. Mae were at the stall before 11:00a.m.

Bro. Pheng came in the afternoon. The gentlemen in the picture came to Vihara during Wesak day to buy honey from Bro. Joseph. He came to our stall to support us again. He was quite impressed with Sis. Dora's selling skill.

Sis. Dora, Sis. Mae and Sis. Chan were serving the customer, who eventually
bought three pcs of soap. (Sis. Chan joined us in the afternoon)

We closed the charity stall at around 4:30pm.

Maha Sadhu to Sis. Mae, Sis. Dora and Sis. Chan for volunteering their time and effort for the charity sales and to Bro. Joseph and Sis. Linda, for their assistance in the charity sales.

Eco Enzyme - Nature's miracle

2009-06-01T09:00:00.031+08:00

During the Wesak Day, we have sold some eco-enzyme made by Sis Dora. The sales was quite encouraging.

Most of us know that eco-enzyme can be used for household cleaning as well as a fertiliser, but do you know it can also be used to heal diabetic wound ?

The Star reported on 2 September 2008 that Mr. Chin Choon Sin, 70 has healed his severe diabetic sore feet with eco-enzyme.

“I was so helpless at that time as my feet has become dark with infections. Even the doctor had given up but I knew I had to try something to save my feet,” he said.

Chin is able to walk today as his wounds have dried up and the energetic elder was seen promoting the use of eco-enzyme during a talk held in conjunction with the Drainage Cleanliness Campaign held at the Dewan Rakyat Pasar Pagi, Tanjung Bungah, Penang on 1 September 2008. (Here is the link)

Convinced user:Chin showing the wound on his leg
that has healed with the help of eco-enzyme.

Eco-enzyme can also be used to clean vegetables as it can neutralise the pesticide*

Here is the full list of eco-enzyme's most common usage :

At homes, eco-enzyme can be used :
- as a household cleaning liquid
- to remove foul odours, molds and grime in the kitchen and toilet
- as an anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent
- to drive away insects
- to clean carpets and remove ticks
- for laundry washing and ironing
- for mopping floors
- for cleaning cars

In agriculture, eco-enzyme can be used for:
- to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers
- to keep the farm free from insects and infections
- as a soil fertilizer for vegetable growing
- as a natural pesticide and herbicide
- to convert sandy land to fertile farm land
- keep the air cool and clean in the farm atmosphere
- clean the dirty and impure water in the farm

Due to its anti-bacterial property, it can also be used for personal hygiene such as hair washing and body cleaning.

* If you are using the enzyme for healing wound, cleaning vegetable or for personal hygience, please make sure that the kitchen waste used to make the enzyme were thoroughly cleaned and don't contain any impurities such as vegetable worms etc.

The eco-enzyme must be stirred regularly.
Sis. Dora demonstracted how it should be done.

Our eco-enzyme is sold at RM5 per bottle. Other than the usual ingredients (i.e. fruit peels and brown sugar), Sis. Dora has also added metta (loving kindness) and karuna (compassion) in making it. The entire proceeds goes to Welfare Fund. We are keeping some stock in our store at Buddhist Maha Vihara. If you want to buy some, please contact Bro. Pheng at Buddhist Maha Vihara. He is available at the Vihara from 7:00pm- 10:00pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. You can also call me at 013-3690612 to make special arrangement to collect it.

We thank you for your support to our fundraising for our charity work.

Appreciation High Tea Gathering

2009-05-31T21:10:00.041+08:00

In appreciation to our friends and supporters who either contributed generously or helped us during the recent Wesak Charity Sales at Buddhist Maha Vihara, a High Tea gathering was held at Mrs. Kow's house at 4:00pm - 7:00m today.

It was a potluck style gathering which only the committee members were required to bring the food. (but quite a few non-committee members brought the food too)

Officially, the High Tea was supposed to commence at 4:00pm, but many members and friends came as early as 3:00pm.

Maha saddhu to Mrs. Kow for hosting this joyful and meaningful fellowship which about fifty friends and supporters have attended. We enjoyed this fellowship very much and many of us stayed until 8:00pm. It definitely has strengthened our relationship and Buddhist fellowship further.

The ladies were chewing the fat with each other.

Bro. Soon Kok, Bro. Koy and Bro. Steven were having a chat with Dr. Koh, our supporter who has sponsored the high quality soaps to us for sales to raise fund for the last two years. The soap contains 10% glycerin, an emollient that moisturises and softens our skin. An ordinary soap contains only 1% glycerin.

Sis. Suan See, Sis. Dora et al took the opportunity to look at the eco-enzyme made by Mrs Kow. The eco-enzyme is made from 1 ratio of black sugar , 3 ratio of kitchen waste (preferably fruit peels such as pineapple peels, papaya peels etc) and 10 ratio of filtered water. It is then allow to ferment in an air tight container for 3 months.

Eco-enzyme is a wonder cleaner. Testimonies on its uses appear endless: to do the dishes and laundry, mop the floor, scrub the toilet and bathroom, remove stubborn stains, for body care, as deodoriser and antiseptic and to clear blockages in pipes and drains. It will even repel ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, lizards.

In farms, garbage enzymes have found use as a natural pesticide,herbicide, fertiliser and odour remover, and is also added to animal feed to improve digestion of livestock. And in the garden, it will make your plants flourish, bloom and fruit.

Sis. Sally is a good story teller. The audience were laughing their

hearts out while listening to her "Chicken Story".

Hand gestured by Sis. Sally - "I told you from the bottom of my heart"

An Innovative Fund Raising Scheme

2009-05-28T23:09:00.018+08:00

Air Asia's maxim is "Now everyone can fly". Probably the government-backed NGO Chinese Foundation For Poverty Alleviation (CFFPA) in China has taken a leaf from Air Asia, they have launched a new charity scheme on 1 April 2009 to enable any citizens to set up a private charity foundation under their name with a mere 5 yuan (RM2.50) per month after registering with them. Private charity foundation with personal name attached is no longer a privilege reserved for the wealthiest in China.

The procedure to set up the foundation is hassle-free. Applicants need only send a text message about his intention and his personal particulars to 10699999.CFFPA will reply by sending back the applicants' particulars by text messages, e-mail or telephone for confirmation. The foundation is considered established once applicants have confirmed his personal particulars.

To donate to the fund, donors need only send a text message containing the digits "9" followed by an amount and the donor's name to 10699999.

Example: If I have set up a private foundation under my name and you wish to support my foundation by donating 10 yuan per month. You need only to send a text message "910" followed by "Lim Choon Line" and send this text message to 10699999.

The fund will be managed by CFFPA but the foundation sponsors are given online access to monitor the collection and the disbursement of the fund to ensure that the money is spent on the intended purpose only.

CFFPA has been established for 20 years and they currently manage several charity funds such as "Microfinance Project", "Maternal and Infant Health Project", "Disaster Relief Project, etc.

Here is the link to their website in English : Chinese Foundation For Poverty Alleviation

Source: Every citizen can set up a private charity foundation with only 5 yuan a month (in Chinese)

BMSM Welfare Section 12th AGM

2009-05-24T14:49:00.020+08:00

BMSM Welfare held its 12th AGM at 11:30am today for the election of its new committee for year 2009-2011.

After the minutes of 11th AGM, the 12th annual report and the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2008 have been adopted and approved by the members, Bro. Jerry Khoo was appointed as the returning officer to conduct the election. The new committee was succcessfully elected without any contest.

Below is the new committee line-up :

Chairman : Bro. Ooi Soon Kok
Vice Chairman : Bro. Wong Ong
Vice Chairman : Sis. Janifer Koh Chin Guat
Hon. Secretary : Bro. Lim Choon Line
Assist. Hon. Secretary : Sis. Lim Mee Sew
Hon. Treasurer : Bro. Pheng Kian Guan
Assist. Hon. Treasurer : Bro. Koy Chow Huat

Committee members
Bro. Joseph Loh Kui Yong
Sis. Chan Kwai Ying
Bro. Tan Chin Lin
Bro. Chang Lam Yen
Sis. Beatrice De Alwis
Sis. Selina Lim Poh Choo
Sis. Dora Lau Swee Leng
Sis. Thum Ngit Fong

Dog saves dog

2009-05-24T09:00:00.013+08:00

It's derogatory to dogs if we say "It's a dog eats dog world" because dogs have compassion too.

That happened in Santiago Chile, in Costanera Norte Highway. This video shows a dog used its mouth pulling another injured dog to safety on a busy highway. Sadly, the commuters kept driving and didn't at least try to swerve and avoid the dog.

Both dogs survived, according to the comments posted to Youtube.

Chanting cum potluck fellowship

2009-05-23T18:59:00.018+08:00

About twenty Welfare Section members and friends gathered at Sis. Carol's house at about 3:00 pm today for chanting and fellowship.

We did chanting for about an hour. Regular chanting gives us confidence, joy and satisfaction, and increases devotion within us. Chanting, if it is done with proper concentration, makes our mind contemplative, not wandering and engaging in wholesome thoughts.

After the chanting, we have our hi-tea. Look at the ladies! Happiness was written on their faces. Obviously they have picked up where they had left off last month and were happy to see each other again. Maha sadhu to Sis. Carol (sitting in the middle on the sofa) for hosting this gathering.

Look at Dora's expression you know the men were engaging in a more serious topic.

Maha sadhu to Sis. Chan Kwai Ying for volunteering as the host for the next fellowship on Saturday, 20 June 2009. Her house is located at 9 Jln SM 5, Taman Sri Manja, Petaling Jaya. She can be contacted at 012-2283262.

Attachment to sensual pleasure

2009-05-23T12:58:00.023+08:00

This video has been viewed more than 1 million times after it has been posted to youku (China's video portal) and has receieved more than 3,000 comments. It shows a lady in Hongkong went berserk because she missed her favourite shark fin soup.

The lady : Where are the sharkfins?
The waiter : No more, totally sold out.
The lady : Impossible. I don't care, I want to eat sharkfins.
The waiter : please order other dishes.
The lady : I don't care, I don't understand why there are no more sharfins. There are so many fish in the sea.
The waiter : Order other dishes please.
The lady : Where do you hide all the sharkfins? I want to eat sharkfins.
The waiter : Please order other dishes.
The lady : Why other people are so selfish and leave nothing for me. I purposely come here to eat sharkfins! wooooooo.. I want to eat sharkfins! wooooooo ...I want to eat sharkfins!
The lady : I don't care. I purposely come here to eat sharkfins, please give me some. aaaaaah! I want to eat sharkfins! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! I want to eat sharkfins....
..........
Many viewers commented that the lady was crazy.

In the second Noble Truth, the Buddha asked us to recognise that our attachment to sensual pleasure is dangerous to our happiness. He compared sensual pleasure with a bone with no meat thrown to a hungry dog. Though the dog gnaws at the bone for a long time, the bone never sastifies his hunger. On reflection, you may find that you are like that, too. No matter how much sensual pleasure you have, you're still hungry for more.

How many potatoes chips are enough? How many pieces of chocolates? How many video games must you play or novels must you read to fulfil your longing for such experiences? Sometimes people stay up and party all night until they pass out. Did they get enough? You can always think of some pleasurable things that you haven't yet tried.

How do you overcome craving for sensual pleasure ? Please click here to read the book "Eight mindful steps to happiness" by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana.

Express that loving feeling

2009-05-22T23:25:00.038+08:00

Most men are lacking in the maternal perspective. They can’t see things the way a woman does, enriching every relationship with depth, a healing touch and compassion.

Women can express their love, adoration and joy for the kids in their care much easier than men. Most men usually find it difficult to express, but even if they do decide to express, more often than not, it is likely a clumsy attempt.

And for Sis. Chan, Mrs Kow, Sis. Janifer, Mrs Tang, Sis Chi Lan, Sis Geok Looi et al... what can be more fulfilling than to hug the kids, give them a loving touch and to express that loving feeling ?

At Taman Megah Handicapped Children Home, Petaling Jaya

At Selangor Family Association Children Welfare Home, Ulu Yam

What good deed have I done today ?

2009-05-22T00:07:00.012+08:00

"Don't you think this world would be a better place if we can care for one another ?" said Mr.Bugs Tan in the video he has created.

Here is what he said in the video:

Hi.
"... ...We would like to run a contest to ask children to do good things
We create a virtual log book for children to write down what good things they have done
On the receiving end are the angels.
They don’t see the children, but give points based on merits
Children with lots of merits win a prize
So, please vote for me
Let children from rich & poor nation, a chance to do good deeds."

Please go to YouTube to vote for him and give this project a chance. Follow this link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQH27yjETKI

Mr. Bugs Tan is a full time professional inventor with 13 inventions filed in his name. Some of the inventions have been successfully commercialized. He is the vice president of the Malaysia Association of Creativity and Innovations (MACRI).

He also has a Buddhist blog http://buddhistbugs.blogspot.com/

You have two choices

2009-05-21T17:20:00.011+08:00

Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk every situation is a choice.

You choose how you react to situations.

You choose how people will affect your mood.

You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood.

It's your choice how you live your life.

The only thing that is truly yours -- that no one can control or take from you- is your attitude. So if you can take care of that, everything else in life becomes much easier.

Watch the slide show below to learn from Jerry how he confronts the vissitudes of life.

Please click at the arrow key to flip through the slides.

Our upcoming activities

2009-05-17T21:00:00.010+08:00

Hi BMSM Welfare Committee, friends & supporters,

Below are our activities scheduled for the month of May 2009:

23 May 2009, Saturday (3:00pm - 5:30pm) - our monthly chanting cum potluck gathering will be held at Sis. Carol Foo's house at 2, Jln 5/10D, Petaling Jaya. Please call her at 03-79550653 if you need direction to her house.

24 May 2009, Sunday (11:00am - 1:00pm) - BMSM Welfare Section 12th AGM will be held at P H Henry Hall, Buddhist Maha Vihara, 123, Jln Berhala, Off Jln Tun Sambanthan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur.

This year we will elect a new committee to operate for the next two years. We welcome new members to join the committee to inject new ideas.

Please bring along your annual report. Refreshment will be served after the AGM.

31 May 2009, Sunday (4:00pm - 7:00pm) - All friends and supporters are invited to a Wesak Appreciation Hi-Tea to be held at Mrs. Kow's house at 56, Jln Sri Hartamas 17 (Behind Plaza Damas), Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur. Her contact number is 012-4361169.

A big sadhu to all our friends and regular supporters who ave helped us in our annual fund raising drive on Wesak eve and Wesak Day (8 & 9 May 2009). May you be blessed with happiness, good health and all the best things in life.

Wesak Eve & Wesak Day Charity Sales

2009-05-17T19:00:00.015+08:00

On 8 and 9 May 2009, we operated an exhibition stall and a food stall inside and outside the Buddhist Maha Vihara during Wesak Eve and Wesak Day to raise fund for our charitable activities. Apart from a photograph exhibition of welfare activities and distribution of free dhamma books, we also sold soaps, enzyme, towels etc. At the food stall, we sold a variety of vegetarian food, ais kacang, acar, nasi lemak, curry puff, etc which were mostly donated by generous friends and committee members.

A big sadhu to all our friends and regular supporters who have helped us in the fund raising drive on these two days. May you be blessed with happiness, good health and all the best things in life.

Our banner was hanged prominently
at the donation counter inside Buddhist Maha Vihara

Bro. Richard and Sis Suan See were preparing the ais kacang at the food stall
Sis. Janifer and all other supporters were very busy at the foodstall
A hive of activities at the food stall.
Mrs. Tang, Sis. Janifer, Sis. Chi Lan et al were busy serving the customers
Bro. Lim was interviewed by RTM2
(Bro. Soon Kok and Bro. Pheng were interviewed by them too, which was
part of a documentary about Wesak celebration produced by RTM)
Sis. Chan was trying to take photograph of Sis. Dora, unaware
that she was being photographed
Bro. Pheng, Bro. Joseph, Sis. Linda and Bro. Koy were serving the customers
Bro. Lim was discussing dhamma with a donor.

A lesson from the snail

2009-05-17T15:30:00.003+08:00

We can learn something from the snail too. Watch the slide below to see how the snail overcomes its obstacle.

To flip through the slides, please click at the "arrow" located at the bottom left corner of the slide.

Ipoh Trip in November 2008

2009-05-17T15:00:00.029+08:00

With the assistance of Ipoh Buddhist Dhamma Asoociation, we organised a religious cum charity trip to Temoh and Ipoh on 8 & 9 November 2008.

We started our journey with offering dana to Bhante Hye at Vihara Buddha Gotama in Temoh, we then distributed gifts in cash and kind to 38 children at Batu Gajah Handicapped Children Welfare Home and 35 children at the Foundation of Training Centre & Home for the Handicapped at Taman Camay, Pasir Putih, Ipoh. On the second day, we distributed gifts in cash and kind to 35 children at Pertubuhan Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Setia in Silibin and 48 inmates of Jelapang Old Folk Home.

Here were some of the photographs taken by Bro. Soon Kok during the trip:

Delicious and healthy food!

Offering dana

Offering dana
At Batu Gajah Handicapped Children Welfare Home.
A loving touch by Sis. Chi Lan
Group photo with the "children"
Sis. Chi Lan and Sis. Sally Teh with the Children
Group photo
Sis Sally and Sis Dora were having a friendly chat with the caretaker.
Group photograph at the front of the home.
Briefing by the the President of the home.
At Loyal Handicapped Children Welfare Home, Silibin, Ipoh
He was happy to see so many visitors.
Group photo

As a token of appreciation to IBDA's kind assistance and warm reception, Bro. Pheng presented a cheque to IBDA's president. Bro. Kang, and witnessed by Bro. Soon Kok.
Having fun at IPDA's garden
Mrs Ho, Bro. Pheng and Sis Sally were rendering a song
Group photo at Dhammapiti Forest Monastery, Ipoh
A kuti being built on the hill top, Dhammapiti Forest Monastery, Ipoh
Dhamma talk by the abbot of Dhammapiti Forest Monastery, Ipoh
Angpaus distribution to the old folks at Jelapang Old Folk Home
Sis. Sally and Mrs. Ho presented a dance while the uncle
from the Jelapang Old Folk Home was rendering a song.
A presentation by Bro. Pheng, Sis Sally, Sis Geok Looi ... to cheer up the old folks
Mrs. Kow, Sis Patricia, Sis. Lai also joined in to cheer up the old folks
The old folk home is not short of musical talent.

Idam vo natinam hotu, sukhita hontu natayo!
Idam vo natinam hotu, sukhita hontu natayo!
Idam vo natinam hotu, sukhita hontu natayo!

Photographs of past activities

2009-05-17T15:00:00.028+08:00

Due to a virus infection that had corrupted my hard disk early last year, I've lost almost all the activity photographs I've accumulated over the last few years.

Below are the photographs I have managed to salvage.

In March 2008, we visited six needy families in Klang.

Please click at the "arrow key" to flip through the slides.

In August 2008, we organised a charity trip to visit 3 old folk homes in Sg. Ruan, Kg. Sempalit and Sg. Lui, a handicapped children welfare home (Persatuan Kebajikan Rumah Gembira), and 6 deserving poor families in Raub.

Series 1

Please click at the arrow key to flip through the slides

Series 2

Please click at the arrow key to flip through the slides

We visited Taman Megah Hadicapped Children Welfare Home in May 2007 and Selangor Family Association Welfare Home in July 2007.

Please click at the arrow key to flip through the slides

We would like express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all kind dhamma friends who have given us their ardent encouragement and support by participating in our programmes, rendering their services or donating generously in cash or in kind to support our charitable cause. They have touched the hearts of those less fortunate families we have together tried to help.

BMSM Membership Services

2009-05-10T18:46:00.004+08:00

We would like to appeal to all BMSM members to come forward to lend a helping hand in our welfare activities. There is more joy in giving that receiving. With the spirit of metta and karuna we can strive together to bring cheers and joy to the less fortunate, the poor and the aged.

If you are not a BMSM member, you can download and fill up this form to apply for BMSM's membership Membership Application Form (73.2 kb)

Membership Fee : Ordinary members - RM20 p.a.
Life members - RM150 (one time payment)

BMSM members, do you wish to upgrade your membership to life member ? Have you recently moved to new house and wish to update your personal information ? You can download and fill up this form and mail to the BMSM Hon. General Secretary Membership Update Form (25.3 kb)

About Us

2009-05-10T14:04:00.010+08:00

BMSM Welfare Section was established as a Section of Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM) http://www.bmsm.org.my in November 1997.

The folloiwng members are serving in the Welfare Section Committee for year 2009/2011. They were elected during the 12th AGM on 24 May 2009.

Chairman : Bro. Ooi Soon Kok
Vice Chairman : Bro. Wong Ong
Vice Chairman : Sis. Janifer Koh
Hon Secretary : Bro. Lim Choon Line
Hon Asst Secretary : Sis. Lim Mee Sew
Hon Treasurer : Bro. Pheng Kian Guan
Hon Asst Treasurer : Bro. Koy Chow Huat

Committee members
Sis. Beatrice De Alwis
Sis. Chan Kwai Ying
Bro. Joseph Loh
Bro. Tan Chin Lin
Bro. Chang Lam Yen
Sis. Dora Lau Swee Leng
Sis. Lim Poh Choo
Sis. Thum Ngit Fong

Coopted members
Sis. Kong Saik King
Bro. Steven Low

We receive donations in cash and in kind, and administer such fund to bring cheers and joy to the less fortunate through the practice of the teachings of Buddha, to support the sangha and to contribute towards religious and social welfare. Our objective can be summarised as follows :

1. Renders service and assistance to the aged, the mentally and physically handicapped children, the needy and neglected.

2. Supports welfare homes.

3. Provide moral support and comfort to poor patients during hospital visits.

4. Organises informal gatherings, holidays and retreats to foster Buddhist fellowship and strengthen faith and confidence in the teachings of the Buddha.

5. Organises weekly chanting sessions and assists devotees and friends to arrange Pujas and Blessing Services as well as chanting for bereaved families.

6. Supports all activities of the Buddhist Maha Vihara.

All BMSM members are eligible to be a member of Welfare Section. If you are interested to join us, please download and fill up this form and submit to us at Buddhist Maha Vihara. BMSM Welfare Section Registration Form (pdf) (Click here to check our contact).

If you are not a member, you can download and fill up this form to apply for BMSM's membership Membership Application Form (73.2 kb)

Contact Us

2009-05-10T12:50:00.002+08:00

Buddhist Maha Vihara
123, Jalan Berhala
Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan,
50470 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Email: limclyh@yahoo.com.sg (click here)

Telephone:
Chairman- Bro.Ooi Soon Kok 016-2830203
Hon. Secretary - Bro. Lim Choon Line 013-3690612
Hon. Treasurer - Bro. Pheng Kian Guann 03-41083606