More LIFE Lessons To Learn ... Oh Teik Bin

MORE MORE MORE MORE LIFE LIFE LIFE LIFE Lessons
To Learn

MORE MORE MORE MORE LIFE LIFE LIFE LIFE Lessons

To Learn

THE GIFT OF DHAMMA EXCELS ALL OTHER GIFTS

Title: More LIFE Lessons To Learn
Author: Oh Teik Bin
Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia
Front and back cover by Oh Teik Bin
Email: ohteikbin@gmail.com

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This edition (2012) : 5000 copies

This Dhamma Dana literature is a gift, printed solely for free
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www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin
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www.toondoo.com/user/bteikoh
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COTETS

Dedication/Acknowledgements
Preface
1 Fate in Your Hands 1
2 16 Favorite Contentment Quotes 8
3 Coping With Stress 15
4 o ChargeA Lesson To Ponder in Life 26
5 12 Causes Of Downfall 34
6 Twisted Thinking And Mental Suffering 40
7 The Farmers Donkey 46
8 14 Steps To Conquer The Worry Habit 51
9 Reflections On Gratitude 58
10 Timeless TIME Quotes 64
11 Right And Wrong 71
12 A Short Course In Human Relations 78
13 The A Z Of KIASU 85
14 Unconditional Love A story to ponder on 96
15 Who Are The Real Outcasts? 104
16 Morning Motivation 113
17 Abraham Lincolns Letter To A Teacher 120
18 FingersA Story For Living 128
19 Enemies To Conquer 135
20 The Best Gifts To Give 141
21 Life Lessons From The Court 148
22 o Shoes A Lesson To Learn 154
23 Forgiving Others 161
24 Good CharacterFood For Thought 167
25 The ShipwreckA Story With A Life Lesson 179
26 14 Magical Moments Of Ease And Peace 184
27 10 Life Lessons From The Japan Disaster 191
28 The Moonlight RideA Story To Touch Your Heart 200
29 The Benefits Of Meditation 211
30 Aiyoh! Why Like That One? 217

PREFACE
T TT The feedback for my previous book for free distribution, LIFE
Lessons With PowerPoints has been most encouraging. Many
said that the full color format, compact size, concise presentations
and points for Dhamma Reflection are very appealing. One reader
wrote in to say: I have never read to completion any Dhamma
book but I read the whole of LIFE Lessons in one sitting! It is
easy to understand but of course its a challenge to practice the
Dhamma. Some wrote, mostly through email, comments on
favorite chapters in LIFE Lessons and how the material affected
them.
* When I read Mother, I immediately phoned my mum whom I
had not seen for some months.
* 14 Steps To Develop Patience really helped me to check my
temper and impatience which had been causing me much pain.
* I got to learn to count my blessings from Lifes Problems .
* The Lizard taught me so much about love and compassion.
* I was inspired to practice the meditation on loving-kindness
after reading the chapter on Metta Bhavana .
* A Kings Three Wishes sparked some realization in me on
how foolish we can be in non-stop pursuits of material wealth.
The positive responses to LIFE Lessons really motivated me to
write More LIFE Lessons To Learn, a sort of sequel to the
earlier book. It also has 30 chapters touching on different aspects
of the Dhamma and their applications to our present living. The
PowerPoint Presentations in this book can be viewed from my
Slideshare Space at www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin . They can be
downloaded and used as Dhamma and educational material in
Buddhist Sunday School, Dhamma Classes, Motivation, Youth
/Childrens Camps and other educational programs or activities
The author is truly grateful to BHS BOOK PRINTING SDN.
BHD. and all other sponsors who have made this book possible.

May All Beings Be Well And Happy!

OH TEIK BI
1 Fate In Your Hands 1

hefty household bills of all sorts we need to pay monthly.
When we are all burdened with unnecessary commitments, we
have little time for so may important things that really matter in
life learning about and developing the mind, showing kindness
to others, rendering services to the needy, spending time with our
loved ones and cultivating our spirituality.
We lead our lives as if they will not end; we fail to realize that
life is uncertain and death is certain.
The gratitude we owe our parents is tremendous. Its indeed sad
that many children abandon their parents or give little attention
and care to their parents. Reason? They are in deep busy-ness.
Filial piety and gratitude are among the virtues we need to
practice if we wish to realize true happiness and peace.

B BB Buddhism does not subscribe to the belief that ones destiny
is fated and unchangeable. Our lives are not predestined.
Our intentional doings of the mind, speech and body will
chart the future. It is very strange that even in this age
of advances in science, technology and psychological
understanding of the mind, so many people, including
educated ones are so superstitious and gullible. They, in
their ardent quest to change their luck, fortune, life span
and destiny, often fall victims to con men. We often hear
or read in the newspaper of terrible scams. I personally
know of many cases of people who
* pay huge sums of money for good luck charms, talismans
and amulets in the false belief that their luck will change.
* consult fortune experts to have their names altered or
modified so that their health or wealth will grow.
* run around to temples or other places of worship to get
auspicious days and times to start their business, marry their
sons or daughters, conduct last funeral rites and what-nots.
* depend so much on matters like astrology and feng shui
to live their lives to the extent that conflicts and arguments
arise and multiply among the members in the family.
The Buddha once said, Fools wait for a luck day. For the
industrious or diligent one, everyday is a lucky day.
Our life is in our hands. When we learn, understand,
practice and realize well the Dhamma, things will work out
naturally for us. When we take true refuge in the Triple
Gem, the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, we will stop
chasing around for false hopes, protection, security, and
unnecessary worldly things that are rooted essentially in
greed, hatred and delusion. We will strive with our own
effort towards a destiny of happiness, peace and freedom.
2

Once upon a time, there
was a general who was
leading his army into
battle against an enemy
ten times the size
of his own.
Along the way to
the battle field,
the troops
stopped by a
small temple to
pray for victory.

The general held up a coin
and told his troops:
I am going to
implore the gods
to help us crush
our enemy.
If this coin lands with the heads on top,
well win. If its tails, well lose.
Our fate is in the hands of the gods.
Lets pray wholeheartedly.
After a short prayer, the general tossed the coin.
It landed with the heads on top.
3

8
The soldiers were exalted. One soldier
remarked, Its good to have the gods on our
side! o one can change what the gods have
determined!
Another shouted, Our destiny is predetermined by the
gods!

7
The troops were overjoyed and went into
the battle with high spirit.
Just as
predicted, the
smaller army
won the battle.

4

9
Really? Fate? Destiny? the general laughed.
The general showed his soldiers the coin The general showed his soldiers the coin
BOTH SIDES OF IT WERE HEADS! BOTH SIDES OF IT WERE HEADS!
General

10
End of Story
May The World Be Free From Wars
Which Bring Untold Suffering To Many.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
For Reflections

5

Ones destiny is not fixed
or decided by the gods or Fate.
Ones destiny lies within ones own hands.
12
The Law of Cause and Effect reigns
supreme the present is conditioned to a
good extent by the past.

The future is uncertain and not fixed causes and
conditions from the past and present
do influence the future.
What we do NOW is of utmost importance.
6

The outcome of a deed or action depends on
various factors and conditionsone of the most
important being ones state of mind/attitude
concentration, mindfulness, confidence and other
positive qualities of the mind.
IF WE THIK WE CA, WE CA IF WE THIK WE CA, WE CA
is certainly a good attitude is certainly a good attitude
to cultivate. to cultivate.
The End
* You are the master of your own destiny. Use your
strengths well. They are the keys to your destiny and
your success in life. Once you know yourself and take
action to realize your dreams, you can unlock the
doors to your own potential. eil Somerville

* Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of
choice: It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing
to be achieved. William Jennings Bryan
7
2 16 Favorite Contentment Quotes

Ever since I was a child of six, I used to ponder on the
tremendous disparities that exist in human conditions. It
was later on in my life, when I started to learn and practise
the Dhamma that some light was shed on these
philosophical issues. Some years ago, I did a Power Point
presentation based on the thoughts that puzzled me when I
was young. The objective was to help make us reflect on
the Dhamma the Way things are, The Four Noble Truths,
The Five Universal Orders, The Law of Cause and Effect,
Kamma and Rebirth, The Six Realms etc.
With understanding and some realization of these Dhamma
points we can learn to live in righteousness, harmony and
peace in accordance with the Natural Laws.
A life that is lived meaningfully within oneself and also
serving those in need, would be a most worthy life.

S SS Some years ago, I received by email a short story with a
very good moral message of simplicity and contentment. I
reproduce the short story here with some editing:
An American businessman with a Harvard MBA watched
a Mexican fisherman unload his small catch of fish at a
small coastal village. The businessman then asked why he
didn't stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said
he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The
rest of his time he spent with his wife and kids and playing
his guitar and taking life easy. The businessman told him,
You should spend more time fishing; you could then buy a
much bigger boat. Eventually you would have a fleet of
fishing boats. You would need no middleman but sell your
big catch directly to processing factories. Why, you could
expand your business and even own a cannery in ew York
City. Your enterprise would reach out far and wide.
The fisherman asked, How long would it take? The
businessman replied, Oh perhaps 15 20 years. You
would make millions and then you could retire and live a
simple, happy life in a small village. Life would be so easy
living with your wife and playing with little kids in such a
carefree way. You could also enjoy your guitar playing.
The Mexican fisherman was amused and smiled contentedly
at the businessman. He said, "Isn't that what I'm doing
right now?"
Today, we see so many people caught up in the game of
chasing for more and more material wealth, status and
power, thinking that somewhere, sometime in the future,
they would then attain the pleasure, happiness and peace
they yearn for. They forget that real happiness and peace are
attained in the NOW, living a simple and contented life.
8

16 Favorite 16 Favorite 16 Favorite 16 Favorite c:te:tme:t c:te:tme:t c:te:tme:t c:te:tme:t .cte: .cte: .cte: .cte:
We tend to forget that
happiness doesn't come
as a result of getting
something we don't have,
but rather of recognizing
and appreciating
what we do have.
Frederick Keonig
Contentment is
natural wealth,
luxury is artificial
poverty.
Socrates
9

Health is the greatest
possession.
Contentment is the
greatest treasure.
Confidence is the
greatest friend.
Non-being is the
greatest joy.
Lao Tzu
There is no end of
craving. Hence
contentment alone is
the best way to
happiness. Therefore,
acquire contentment.
Swami Sivananda
Contentment is a
pearl of great price,
and whoever
procures it at the
expense of ten
thousand desires
makes a wise and a
happy purchase.
John Balguy
10

Man falls from the
pursuit of the ideal of
plan living and high
thinking the moment he
wants to multiply his
daily wants. Man's
happiness really lies in
contentment.
Mohandas Gandhi
Riches are not
from an
abundance of
worldly goods,
but from a
contented mind.
Muhammad
Contentment is not
the fulfillment of
what you want, but
the realization of
how much you
already have.
Unknown
11

The secret of
contentment is
knowing how to enjoy
what you have, and to
be able to lose all
desire for things
beyond your reach.
Lin Yutang
11
Content makes poor men rich; discontentment
makes rich men poor.
Benjamin Franklin

If you are
content, you
have enough to
live comfortably.
Plautus
12

My crown is in my heart, not
on my head, Nor decked with
diamonds and Indian stones,
Nor to be seen: My crown is
called content: A crown it is,
that seldom kings enjoy.
William Shakespeare
When we cannot
find contentment
in ourselves, it is
useless to seek it
elsewhere.
La Rochefoucauld,
Francois De
The greatest
wealth is to live
content with little,
for there is never
want where
the mind is
satisfied.
Lucretius
13

It is not the man who
has too little, but the
man who craves more,
that is poor.
Seneca
Be happy with what
you have and are, be
generous with both,
and you won't have to
hunt for happiness.
William E. Gladstone
18
The End
May you find contentment
in the mind

14
3 Coping With Stress


I II I have come to know that, according to a world health
report, the main health problem by the year 2020 will be
mental illness, particularly mental depression. It is an irony
that, despite all our great scientific achievements and
technological advancements, mankind has not become
happier and more peaceful in the mind. One of my Dhamma
friends, a psychiatrist told me that the number of cases of
people with psychological problems and mental illnesses
like schizophrenia, depression, neurosis and other mental
disorders seems to be on the rise and they strike more and
more younger people in their twenties and thirties.
Stress appears to be one of the chief factors triggering
mental illnesses and health problems and this is even
affecting young children. I have a friend living in Kuala
Lumpur whose son, a primary school student once suffered
from very severe gastroenteritis problems. The parents
brought him to consult a prominent gastroenteritis specialist.
The doctor told my friend that the causative factor for the
childs terrible medical condition was stress and something
got to be done about this. The poor young child was leading
a most stressful life in a well-known vernacular school. He
had to leave home for school early in the morning and could
only return home past 6 in the evening. He had to cope with
lots of school and homework, additional classes and many
extracurricular activities. Not all young children can take the
stress and demands of a life like this.
When the child was taken out of the school and placed in a
private school where there was little pressure, his medical
problems were solved and no medication was then needed.
Dhamma learning and practice will certainly also help one
cope with the many stresses and problems of modern living.
15

1

2
Develop Right Views
The way we see things and our attitude are very
important in determining how prone we are
towards stress. Understand important things such
as these : Nothing remains unchanged. Nobody
is perfect. Nothing is perfect. There will be always
degrees of unsatisfactoriness, conflict, problems
and pain. We cant always get the things we
want; sometimes things we dont want do fall
upon us.
Right Views certainly will help us face up with the
stresses and pressures of modern life.

16

3
No two individuals are the same
and they do not have the same
capabilities, talents and
potentialities. Targeting goals
which are beyond us will set
undue stress upon ourselves.
Eliminate over-ambition and
unrealistic expectations. Having
set realistic goals, we just need to
do our best. It does not matter if
not all goals can be realized.
It is not the end of things. We can
always try again.
DONT SET
UNREALISTIC
GOALS

4
As long as we do our best to
realize our potential, what others
achieve or attain should not
worry or trouble us. In fact, all
feelings of jealousy, envy and
enmity are indeed stressful. It
would be very good and positive
if we can rejoice at the success
of others. Learn to share with
them their joys of success. If we
get inspiration from others
success and achievements ,
then it is positive.
STOP
COMPARING
WITH
OTHERS

17

5
It is a fact of life that sometimes
we meet with things we dont
want and dont meet with things
we want. Everybody
experiences this. Learn to
accept things more wisely, with
calmness and equanimity. Of
course, this takes practice and
constant reflection. Our
thinking, reactions and attitudes
dont just change overnight.
Have patience allow time for
our wisdom to grow and
develop.
LEARN TO LEARN TO LEARN TO LEARN TO
ACCEPT ACCEPT ACCEPT ACCEPT
INEVITABLE INEVITABLE INEVITABLE INEVITABLE
THINGS THINGS THINGS THINGS

6
Indecisiveness very often leads to states
of tension--anxiety , restlessness,
insomnia and other problems can set in.
Have the courage to decide after having
considered all aspects of the issue or
problem, the pros and cons. Of course,
there is always an element of uncertainty
and we may err. Take that decision and
be with it ! What is the worst scenario ?
We make a mistake. So what ? We can
perhaps learn a valuable lesson of life
and we can rise again !
Make Decisions When You Need To

18

7
No one is free from problems.
Faced with a problem, take time
to think and analyze the
problem through. What is the
actual problem ? What are the
causes of this problem ? What
steps can I or should I take to
resolve the problem ?
Having come out with a strategy
or plan, then we must ensure
that we ourselves implement or
execute the plan.
THINK THINK THINK THINK
PROBLEMS PROBLEMS PROBLEMS PROBLEMS
THROUGH THROUGH THROUGH THROUGH

8
We can land ourselves into a real
mess and get stressed if we dont
care to plan and organize the
things we do. More mishaps,
accidents and error are liable to
occur bringing regret, remorse
and tension. When we learn to be
more neat, orderly, systematic and
organized , our work environment
becomes better and our mental
states improve.
PLAN PLAN PLAN PLAN
AND AND AND AND
ORGANIZE ORGANIZE ORGANIZE ORGANIZE

19

99 9
Dont rush, hurry and worry.
The mind cannot handle so
many things at one go. Faced
with many tasks at hand,
learn to do or take one thing
at a time and doing that thing
mindfully is important. Too
many people get stressed up
because they try to do too
many things at one time.
Remember : Even super
computers can and do break
down.
TAKE ONE TAKE ONE TAKE ONE TAKE ONE
THING THING THING THING
AT A TIME AT A TIME AT A TIME AT A TIME

10 10 10
Procrastinating things and
doing things at the last
moment generate
unnecessary stress. We
tense up if we have to work
against the clock to meet
deadlines. Our effectiveness
and efficiency can slide and
our physical and mental
health can be adversely
affected. Learn to schedule
your time and work .
Procrastination is a bad habit
that needs to be got rid of.
AVOID AVOID AVOID AVOID
PROCRASTINATION PROCRASTINATION PROCRASTINATION PROCRASTINATION

20

11
When we are faced with
problems that we cannot
resolve, it is good to talk
things over with our
parents, teachers,
friends and counselors.
No man is an island.
Sometimes we need to
open up or get the load
off our chests. We must
learn to let go negative
thoughts and feelings
that weigh us down. Our
minds will then become
clear and our hearts
light.
DON DON DON DON T T T T
BOTTLE UP BOTTLE UP BOTTLE UP BOTTLE UP
FEELINGS FEELINGS FEELINGS FEELINGS

12
We are not machines. After hours of work or
study we need breaks or rests. The body that is
weary or exhausted and the mind that is
fatigued cannot function properly or efficiently.
A study program or schedule must incorporate
into it periods of rest. Rest allows the body and
mind to be recharged and be ready to take on
the coming tasks and challenges.
REST REST REST REST
ADEQUATELY ADEQUATELY ADEQUATELY ADEQUATELY

21

13
Physical exercises are indeed great stress
relievers. Be it walking, jogging,
swimming or playing a game, a work-out
can work wonders to make us feel fresh,
alert, energetic and positive. People in
sedentary jobs or students who do long
hours of academic study in particular
need to do physical exercises regularly to
maintain their physical and mental health.
EXERCISE REGULARLY

14
All work and no play makes Jack
a dull boy. How very true this is !
There is always a time for play no
matter how busy we are. Take
that holiday that you need and
pursue that hobby you have
always wanted. Stop making that
excuse No Time when in actual
fact we want to win that Rat
Race and just cannot let go.
Beware ! There is a heavy price to
pay. We may be stressed out of
action.
HAVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND HOBBIES HAVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND HOBBIES HAVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND HOBBIES HAVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND HOBBIES

22

Nutrition plays an important part for our
physical and mental health. Remember
the saying, Health is more important than
wealth. When we fall sick , oftentimes
we feel down, upset and depressed. We
have to ensure that we take regular meals
following sound nutritional principles.
Beware of fatty, sugary and junk food .
TAKE A BALANCED DIET

16
If we develop a sense of humor, we can learn
not to take things too seriously. This can
greatly help to reduce tension. Laughter is
indeed a tremendous stress antidote. Enjoy
yourself reading a good humor book , watching
a comedy movie or video and cracking jokes
with your friends. You will be surprised that
indeed Laughter is the best Medicine for
many an illness.
HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR

23

17
Arnold Bennett once said, The best cure for
worry, depression, melancholy, brooding, is to go
deliberately forth and try to lift with ones
sympathy, the gloom of somebody else. A
reaching out to others in need reduces self-
centeredness. The more we cut the self the less
stress the self can feel. A great sense of peace and
happiness has come to many who devote their lives
in selfless charity work for others.
LEND A HELPING HAND LEND A HELPING HAND LEND A HELPING HAND LEND A HELPING HAND

18
Negative thoughts that arise in our minds
should be constantly watched and cast out.
They bring us down. Thoughts of greed,
attachment should be replaced by generosity,
charity; anger, aversion, ill-will by love and
compassion. The habit of wishing others well
and making positive affirmations such as I am
happy, I am peaceful, I can succeed, I am well
and healthy and so on can go a long way to
improve our mental health.
THINK GOOD THOUGHTS THINK GOOD THOUGHTS THINK GOOD THOUGHTS THINK GOOD THOUGHTS

24

19
From time to time and particularly when we feel
stressed or pressured, the practice of good
relaxation techniques can help greatly. Learn to
watch your breath ; take deep breaths and exhale
slowly. Listening to music, reading, practicing Yoga,
Tai Chi and so on are wonderful relaxation
techniques . Meditation and visualization techniques
where we picture ourselves relaxed in peaceful,
serene and beautiful places like a beach, garden or
a mountain are proven methods to reduce stress.
PRACTICE RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

20
:e :: :e :: :e :: :e ::
May You Be
Free From
All Stress
When You
REALIZE REALIZE REALIZE REALIZE
What Is
Best!
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin

25
4 o ChargeA Lesson To Ponder In Life


O OO On gratitude' The Buddha ( in Angutara Nikaya 2.31 32 )
once said, "I tell you, monks, there are two people who are
not easy to repay. Which two? Your mother and father.
Even if you were to carry your mother on one shoulder and
your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, and were
to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, and
rubbing their limbs, and they were to defecate and urinate
right there [on your shoulders], you would not in that
way pay or repay your parentsWhy is that? Mother and
father do much for their children. They care for them, they
nourish them, they introduce them to this world.
Today in this rat race, materialistic world, we read or hear of
an increasing number of children who neglect or abandon
their aged parents. Some time last year, a local Buddhist
monk asked me to put up on our notice board a newspaper
cutting of a terrible case of abandoned parents in Malaysia.
The aged parents had transferred all their property and
possessions to their married son who subsequently
abandoned them; the poor aged parents had to seek shelter
on the ground area of an old flat not inhabited by residents.
Shocking, but true. I knew of a family consisting of the old
mother who had six grown-up children. The father had died
some years earlier. Sad to say, the aged mother was kicked
around like a football from one child to another. The
children considered the mother a real burden and were most
unwilling to support or look after her. None wanted to give
financial support. I tried to speak to some of the children but
it was no easy task. They had all sorts of excuses.
Reluctantly, some of the children rotated the mother
between their homes. Before long, the poor miserable and
dejected mother passed away. Talk about filial piety
26

O CHARGE O CHARGE
A Lesson
To Ponder
In Life
A mother was fixing supper for the family.
Her little son came running in quite excitedly.
He handed her a paper
with words of writing.
The mother took the
paper and started
reading.

The boy had written in
big handwriting :
$2 for doing the
dish washing.
$ 1 for making my
bed this week .
For running errands,
$ 2 I seek .
$ 2 for sweeping $ 2 for sweeping
the floor . the floor .
My other friends My other friends
asked for much more . asked for much more .

$ 5 for my good report card , Mummy ! $ 5 for my good report card , Mummy !
Clearing our garden Clearing our garden - - $ 3 is due for me. $ 3 is due for me.
So Mummy, you can So Mummy, you can
see very clearly see very clearly
You owe me quite a big You owe me quite a big
sum of money. sum of money.
The mother looked at The mother looked at
him standing there him standing there
expectantly. expectantly.
A thousand memories A thousand memories
flashed through her flashed through her
mind instantly. mind instantly.

She picked up the She picked up the
paper and paper and
turned it over. turned it over.
The words she wrote The words she wrote
would make you think would make you think
and ponder. and ponder.
For the 9 months I carried you,
growing inside me, O O CHARGE. CHARGE.
For the nights I sat For the nights I sat
with you, doctored with you, doctored
you, prayed for you, prayed for
you, you, O CHARGE. O CHARGE.

For the time and For the time and
the tears, the tears,
And the cost And the cost
through the years, through the years,
O CHARGE. O CHARGE.
For the nights For the nights
filled with filled with
dread, and the dread, and the
worries ahead, worries ahead,
O CHARGE. O CHARGE.
For advice and For advice and
knowledge and the knowledge and the
cost of your cost of your
College, College,
O CHARGE. O CHARGE.

For the toys, food and For the toys, food and
clothes and for wiping clothes and for wiping
your nose, your nose,
O CHARGE. O CHARGE.
Son, when you add it all up, the full cost of Son, when you add it all up, the full cost of
my LOVE is my LOVE is , , O CHARGE. O CHARGE.
When the boy finished When the boy finished
reading, tears welled in reading, tears welled in
his eyes. his eyes.
He realized one lesson He realized one lesson
in life in life
Love bears no Price. Love bears no Price.

To his mother, he said, To his mother, he said,
I sure do love you, I sure do love you,
Mummy. I Mummy. I m sorry. m sorry.
Then he took the pen Then he took the pen
and in big letters, and in big letters,
he wrote he wrote
ALL PAID FULLY. ALL PAID FULLY.
Brothers and Sisters : Brothers and Sisters :
There There re more things re more things
than just MOEY than just MOEY
To live life meaningfully To live life meaningfully
and joyously. and joyously.
The End The End
May You Be Well And Happy ! May You Be Well And Happy !
With With Metta Metta, ,
Bro. Oh Bro. Oh Teik Teik Bin Bin
5 12 Causes Of Downfall


When we meet with misfortune or any negative happening,
we tend to think that the outside world or other people are
the causes. We often forget that when we extend out our
pointer finger to blame others, three fingers are pointing
right at ourselves. Oftentimes, our ill-luck or downfall is
due to our own doingsheer laziness, greed, heedlessness,
unwholesome sensual pursuits, vices such as smoking,
drinking, gambling and other bad habits. Of course, our past
kamma plays a part in determining our present life. People
come into the world with different talents, wealth, status,
health conditions and so on. But this is no excuse to
complain and lament. We are responsible for our lives and
the things we do now can and will change the course of
things. Ajahn Brahmavamso gives a very good analogy of
the two women out to bake a cake. The first woman, a
wealthy one, has all the good things to bake the cake: the
best flour, butter, refined sugar, excellent fruits and other
ingredients. But this woman is careless and has a bad
attitude; she messes up the recipe, does a sloppy baking and
her cake turns out horrible despite having all the best
ingredients and kitchen conditions. On the other hand, the
second woman, coming from a poor background has to
make do with second - rate ingredients for her cake
baking coarse flour, rough sugar, mediocre fruits and
cheap butter; she just has a simple oven. She sieves and
suns the flour; she pounds the sugar and puts in lots of
effort, care and love in baking the cake. Her cake turns out
to be a most wonderful one! The message is clear. We must
stop blaming external factors for our sorry state of affairs
and failure. Dhamma learning and practice entail patience,
determination and effort. Only then will we see and enjoy
the fruits when they ripen in due course of time.
34

1
Dhamrma
Must
Have!

PARABHAVA SUTTA
The Buddhas
Discourse on
DOWNFALL
Easily known is the
progressive one,
easily known
he who declines.
He who loves Dharma
progresses; he who is
averse to it, declines.
The 1
st
Cause of Downfall
Dhamma

The 2
nd
Cause of Downfall
The wicked are
dear to him, with
the virtuous he
finds no delight,
he prefers the
creed of the
wicked.
The 3
rd
Cause of Downfall
Being fond
of sleep,
fond of
company,
indolent,
lazy and
irritable
The 4
th
Cause of Downfall
Though being well-to-do, not to support father and
mother who are old and past their youth

The 5th Cause of Downfall
To deceive by
falsehood a
brahmin or
ascetic or any
other
mendicant
The 6
th
Cause of Downfall
To have much wealth and ample gold and
food, but to enjoy one's luxuries alone
The 7
th
Cause of Downfall
To be proud of birth, of wealth or clan,
and to despise one's own kinsmen

The 8
th
Cause of Downfall
To be a rake, a drunkard, a gambler, and
to squander all one earns
The 9
th
Cause of Downfall
Not to be contented with one's own wife,
and to be seen with
harlots and the wives of others
The 10
th
Cause of Downfall
Being past one's youth, to take a young wife
and to be unable to sleep for jealousy of her

The 11
th
Cause of Downfall
To place in authority a woman given
to drink and squandering,
or a man of a like behaviour
The 12
th
Cause of Downfall
To be of
noble birth,
with vast
ambition and
of slender
means, and
to crave for
rulership
Must
be in
Charge
The End
Unskillful speech, action and mind
will cause a person to decline.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
6 Twisted Thinking And Mental Suffering

Ever since I was a child of six, I used
topondeonthtremendous disparities that exist in human
conditions. It was later on in my life, when I started to learn
and practise the Dhamma that some light was shed on these
philosophical issues. Some years ago, I did a Power
Pointpresentation based on the thoughts that puzzled me
when I was young. The objective was to help make us
reflect on the Dhamma the Way things are, The Four
Noble Truths, The Five Universal Orders, The Law of
Cause and Effect

O OO Our local Buddhist Association is non-sectarian; what is
most important is the teaching and promotion of the
Buddha-Dhamma, be it in the Theravada, Mahayana or
Vajarana traditions. I have good Dhamma friends in the
Chinese Chanting, Pali Chanting, Sutta Classes and
Meditation Group. In the early 1990s, there were some
small nagging problems arising out of the twisted and
deluded thinking of some members of the different
groups. As a Committee Member, I noticed uncalled for
remarks such as: The Chinese Soldiers only chant and
dont help much; The English Soldiers are
proudthey think they know all the Dhamma; The
meditators do nothing other than sitting still like stone
statues etc. Just because these critics might have
encountered some individuals with personal traits not to
their liking, they branded the whole group in a bad light.
They failed to see the good points of other people. Its
easy to see the faults of others but ones own, one hides
like a fowler in disguise. This is a saying from the
Buddha in The Dhammapada how very true it is!
Deluded or twisted thinking needs to be checked and
corrected; it can bring much conflict and relationship
problems. Much Dukkha arises in the person and also
others. Twisted thinking oftentimes can be traced to
poor habitual conditioning at an earlier age or in
previous lives, ego, jealousy, ill-will, anger, enmity and
a sheer lack of understanding and practice of Dhamma
to see the way things really are. Through the practice of
selfless charity, loving-kindness, Dhamma study and
reflection and Vipassana meditation, one can gradually
gain insight and ones thinking becomes clearer and
wiser and the heart grows to be more compassionate.
40

James Allen
James Allen
# 1 Thinking, regretting or
feeling guilty about the
past.
Reflection
Train the mind to be
more mindful of the
Present.
GUILT

# 2 Speculating and
worrying about
things in the Future.
Reflection
Watch the mind when it
runs into the Future. Bring
it back.
FALL 2006 Abstracts
Arial Font Family
# 3 Thinking of and seeing
only the black spots
(faults ) of another and
failing to see his white
spots (good points)
Reflection
In every bad person there is
some good and in every good
person there is some bad.
# 4 Reacting negatively
to the criticisms or words
of others.
Reflection
Why should one let
others control ones
inner mental peace?

# 5 Thinking of and
dwelling upon ones
mistakes or points
of weakness.
Reflection
Acknowledge the mistakes, learn
from them and move on. Let go of the
negative thoughts.
# 6 Expecting only
positive things to
happen all the time.
Reflection
Gain and loss, pleasure and
pain, praise and blame, fame and
dishonor are inevitable.
# 7 Always thinking Should be
like this, shouldnt be like that,
I cant accept this.
Reflection
Acceptance of things positively
reduces mental suffering. Learn
to forgive and let go.

# 8 Labeling
another as bad,
foolish, hateful,
problematic
Reflection
Its not the person who is bad, foolish
or proud but it is his unskillful action.
Cultivate forgiveness.
# 9 Thinking centered
on Ego and Self-
interest
Reflection
Let us learn to think less of I,
My and Mine but more of
We, Ours, Us and Others.
# 10 Thinking
jealous thoughts
of others success
and happiness.
Reflection
Let us practice sympathetic or altruistic
joy rejoicing at the happiness
of others.
J
E
A
L
O
U
S

# 11 Thoughts of
unreasonably high
expectations of people
or things
Reflection
Thoughts of Compassion and
Contentment bring peace and joy
to the mind
# 12 Always
thinking and
desiring things
and having little
spirit of charity
Reflection
Giving and Generosity will lead to
spiritual joy and peace.
The End
Views, Thoughts and Aspirations
of the Right Kind will lead
to Happiness and Peace of Mind
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
7 The Farmers Donkey


T TT The life story of Helen Keller ( 1880 1968 ) is a most inspiring
one. At the age of 19 months, she contracted an illness that left
her deaf and blind. Despite all the odds and obstacles she faced,
she rose above all the hardship and challenges to become a
prolific American author, a political activist and lecturer. She was
the first deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.
There is a saying, Quitters never win; winners never quit. There
is a good life lesson we can learn from this. When faced with
problems, obstructions and setbacks, many of us give up what we
set out to do. We lament over our bad luck or make all sorts of
excuses and rationalization to justify our failure. Someone once
said, Failure is not failure; failure is failing to get up after a fall.
Thomas A Edison, an American inventor, held more than 1,000
patents for inventions in his name. Among his many quotes was
this: I have not failed. Ive just found 10,000 ways that wont
work. He often commented that he started work where the last
man left off. Such an attitude of patience, determination and
perseverance should be cultivated by us. His positive thinking
was truly remarkable. Obstacles did not sink him into defeat.
Over the last 24 years at our local Buddhist Association, I have
seen too many of our members and devotees slacken or giving up
in their practice of Dhamma, particularly in outreach work, sutta
or Dhamma study and meditation. Intellectually, many of us
know the importance and urgency of walking with diligence the
spiritual path; we even voice out: Life is uncertain; death is
certain. The Buddha urged us to strive on diligently with
mindfulness. But the irony is that we do not find ourselves
practicing and sacrificing. We are ever so busy and caught up in
sensual pursuits. Our mind, so defiled with ego and delusion, is so
good in giving excuses. Oh, I can never meditate. ( This is
dangerous negative conditioning!) Oh, I am sorryI am too
busy to help in the many Dana services and outreach work. ( But
we do find time for shopping, going for tours, watching TV for
hours, hooked on the Internet, making money and so on. ) Mara is
indeed laughing at his conquests! We need to reflect seriously.

46

: ac.e tt: : .c:a. : ac.e tt: : .c:a. : ac.e tt: : .c:a. : ac.e tt: : .c:a.
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a
well. The animal cried piteously for hours
as the farmer tried to figure out a way
to get him out.
Finally the farmer decided it
was probably impossible and
the animal was old and the
well was dry anyway, so it
just wasn't worth it to try and
retrieve the donkey.

So the farmer asked his neighbors to come
over and help him cover up the well. They all
grabbed shovels and began
to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, when the
donkey realized
what was happening
he cried horribly.
Then, to everyone's
amazement, he
quieted down and let
out some happy
brays.
A few shovel
loads later, the
farmer looked
down the well to
see what was
happening and
was astonished
at what he saw.

With every shovel of dirt that hit his
back, the donkey was shaking it off
and taking a step up. (Shifting)
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel
dirt on top of the animal, he continued to shake
it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, to
everyone's amazement, the donkey stepped up
over the edge of the well and trotted off!
Moral: Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all
kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well
is to shake it off and take a step up.

Moral : Every adversity can be turned into a stepping
stone. The way to get out of the deepest well is by never
giving up but by shaking yourself off
and taking a step up.
Moral : In life, what happens to you isn't
nearly as important as what you do about it
or how you react to the happening.
The End
In the face of conflict
and adversity,
may we respond and
act calmly and wisely.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
8 14 Steps To Conquer The Worry Habit


M MM Most people are affected by anxiety, worry or fear. Some
worry about a thousand and one thingstheir health,
studies, family, career, finance, relationships, sicknesses and
death. Worry has driven many people to insomnia, illnesses,
depression and even suicide. Worry, anxiety and fear have
their roots in one or more of the following factors:
* A wrong habitual thinking and conditioning since young
* Being attached to wealth, possessions and loved ones
* Having the wrong attitude and views of lifes meaning
* A strong sense of ego leading to fear of losing name or
power
* Having an untrained or uncultivated mind that often
dwells in the past or projects itself into the future
* Being too self-centered and lacking in a concern for
others welfare; there is little generosity and outreach work
* Lack of spiritual development; there is strong delusion
I have found the following bits of advice and thoughts
useful in helping one to overcome anxiety, worry and fear:
1 Why worry? It saps your energy. If there is a problem and
something can be done about it, then why worry? If nothing
can be done about it, then why worry? The problem will
come and go and the wise one embraces it peacefully.
2 othing is permanent; everything comes to pass, so why
worry? Whats the worst scenario? Death? Well, everyone
of us has to die one day and we will be reborn again!
3 Worry arises when there is negative speculative thinking
about the future. The mind has to be trained to bring it more
to the OW. Let go of the past; do not let your mind get
sucked into the future. The future is uncertain for all.
The late Ven. Dr K. Sri Dhammananda, wrote a most useful
book Why Worry! (Practical advice from the Buddhist
teachings to live your life without stress and worry)
51

1
14 STEPS 14 STEPS 14 STEPS 14 STEPS
TO CONQUER TO CONQUER TO CONQUER TO CONQUER
THE THE THE THE WORRY WORRY WORRY WORRY HABIT HABIT HABIT HABIT

Keep busy, so your mind doesnt have
time to think about worrisome things.
Dont let small things upset
you - they arent worth it

Accept the inevitable - dont try
to fight or change it
Consider the real importance of the thing
you are about to worry about nothing is
certain in lifewe cant be sure
of the future
Apply these common expressions
- Dont cry over spilt milk
- Dont saw sawdust
- Whats done is done

Have the Right View and Attitude
- There are ups and downs in life
- Nothing is permanent
- Remember: This too will pass
Count Your Blessings
not your troubles
Forget yourself by becoming
more interested in others

Learn and practice some good
relaxation techniques
Associate with good, wise
and positive friends
Spend more time to reach out
to others in need

Replace any negative thoughts
with positive ones
Do not allow your mind to dwell
in the past or future. Be Present.
Develop and practice mindfulness
observe mental states that arise and fall

16
The End
DON DON DON DON T WORRY T WORRY T WORRY T WORRY
BE HAPPY BE HAPPY BE HAPPY BE HAPPY
STAY HEALTHY STAY HEALTHY STAY HEALTHY STAY HEALTHY
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin

* Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what
may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
~Benjamin Franklin

* That the birds of worry and care fly over your
head, this you cannot change, but that they build
nests in your hair, this you can prevent.
~Chinese Proverb

* There are two days in the week about which and
upon which I never worry... Yesterday and
Tomorrow. ~Robert Jones Burdette

* Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in
the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night.
~Author Unknown

9 Reflections On Gratitude


M MM Many of us have given some help to a person in need. We
should not expect anything in return. On the other hand, it is
the duty of the receiver to have gratitude. Gratitude is an
important virtue to be taught and inculcated in the young for
their good character and self-development as they grow up.
During my teaching years, I stood as a financial guarantor
for a number of poor students who applied for scholarships
or loans to help them further their tertiary education.
In the early 1980s, I had a bright but poor student in my
class. I was the Form teacher. After his STPM, he went on
to a local university. One evening, I received a phone call
from him telling me of his financial difficulties and his
intention to quit the university. He had already completed
the first year with excellent results. I asked him to see me at
my home. He came the following day and I helped him to
apply for a state study loan. His application was successful;
he got a full loan and I stood as a guarantor for him. So
everything seemed to turn out well; I got no news or contact
from the student for four years or so. I gathered from a
couple of his Form six classmates that he had graduated
with brilliant results and was then working in a good
managerial position in a private company in a big city.
A few years after the student had graduated and worked, I
started getting letters from the state government
legal officers asking that I settled the loan as a guarantor for the
student had not done any repaying and he could not be traced. His
home address had been changed; I too could not trace him. Well,
I thought I had no choice but to pay the owed amount.
Fortunately, one day I chanced upon a classmate of the student
and managed to get the contact of the errant student. Through
phone and letters, I eventually made him see that it was his moral
responsibility to settle the loan. I did not say he had no gratitude.
58

Reflections On Reflections On
GRATITUDE GRATITUDE
At times our own light goes At times our own light goes
out and is rekindled by a out and is rekindled by a
spark from another person. spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to Each of us has cause to
think with deep gratitude of think with deep gratitude of
those who have lighted the those who have lighted the
flame within us. flame within us.
Albert Albert
Schweitzer Schweitzer
One looks back with One looks back with
appreciation to the brilliant appreciation to the brilliant
teachers, but with gratitude teachers, but with gratitude
to those who touched our to those who touched our
human feelings. The human feelings. The
curriculum is so much curriculum is so much
necessary raw material, but necessary raw material, but
warmth is the vital element warmth is the vital element
for the growing plant and for for the growing plant and for
the soul of the child. the soul of the child.
Carl Jung Carl Jung

A thankful heart is A thankful heart is
not only the greatest not only the greatest
virtue, but the virtue, but the
parent of all the parent of all the
other virtues. other virtues.
Cicero Cicero
If you pick up a starving dog If you pick up a starving dog
and make him prosperous, and make him prosperous,
he will not bite you. This is he will not bite you. This is
the principal difference the principal difference
between a dog and a man between a dog and a man . .
Mark Twain Mark Twain
Let's be grateful for those who Let's be grateful for those who
give us happiness; they are the give us happiness; they are the
charming gardeners who make charming gardeners who make
our soul bloom. our soul bloom.
Marcel Proust Marcel Proust

Reflect upon your present Reflect upon your present
blessings, of which every man blessings, of which every man
has plenty; not on your past has plenty; not on your past
misfortunes of which misfortunes of which
all men have some. all men have some.
Charles Dickens Charles Dickens
Many times a day I realize how much my
own life is built on the labors of my
fellowmen, and how earnestly I must exert
myself in order to give in return as much
as I have received. Albert Einstein
Gratitude is a duty which Gratitude is a duty which
ought to be paid, but which ought to be paid, but which
none have a right to expect. none have a right to expect.
Rousseau Rousseau

o one who achieves o one who achieves
success does so without success does so without
acknowledging the help of acknowledging the help of
others. The wise and confident others. The wise and confident
acknowledge this help with acknowledge this help with
gratitude. gratitude.
Alfred orth Whitehead Alfred orth Whitehead
"Gratitude is a fruit of "Gratitude is a fruit of
great cultivation; you do not great cultivation; you do not
find it among gross people" find it among gross people"
Samuel Johnson Samuel Johnson
One can never pay in One can never pay in
gratitude; one can only gratitude; one can only
pay "in kind" somewhere pay "in kind" somewhere
else in life. else in life.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that
thankfulness is indeed a virtue.
William John Bennett
The End The End It is another's It is another's
fault if he be ungrateful, fault if he be ungrateful,
but it is mine if I do not but it is mine if I do not
give. To find one give. To find one
thankful man, I will thankful man, I will
oblige a great many that oblige a great many that
are not so. are not so.
Seneca Seneca
* "Good men and bad men differ radically. Bad men
never appreciate kindness shown them, but wise men
appreciate and are grateful. Wise men try to express
their appreciation and gratitude by some return of
kindness, not only to their benefactor, but to
everyone else." The Buddha

* "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't
learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we
didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if
we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be
thankful." The Buddha
10 Timeless TIME Quotes


O OO One of the reasons I dread attending a wedding invitation
dinner is the utter lack of respect for peoples time. Rarely
do wedding dinners start punctually despite what is printed
in the invitation card. Guests are made to wait for as long as
one to two hours before the first dish is served. Many suffer
the wait in silence, being unable to even carry out
meaningful conversations with friends in the same table as
the karaoke blasts away in an atmosphere of din and dis-
ease. Imagine the time wasted could be put to better use.
Certain people have the bad habit of not being punctual for
any functions or programs. Over the years of Dhammaduta
work at our Association, I noticed that the same members
and students are habitually late for Dhamma talks, chanting
or meditation, meetings, classes and other activities. Isnt it
an irony that, on one hand Dhamma teachings emphasize on
being mindful and having consideration for others, and yet
practitioners are unmindful about being always on time?
Bad habits are indeed difficult to eradicate but that is no
excuse. Determination, discipline and making strong
resolutions would be able to rid ourselves of bad habits.
In my community guidance classes, I always stress on the
importance or punctuality. Of course, I too have to set the
example and I usually would begin lessons punctually
according to schedules. To me, not to do so would be rather
unfair to those who practice punctuality. Why should they
waste their time on account of mindless ones who dont
seem to have respect for the teacher or their classmates?
When one values time and manages it well, one can do so
many positive and constructive things that benefit oneself
and others. Good time management would also enable one
to have time for recreation, ample rest and breaks.
May we realize the importance of time and use it well.

64

1
Time is free, but it's
priceless. You can't
own it, but you can use it.
You can't keep
it, but you can spend it.
Once you've lost it
you can never get it back.
Harvey MacKay
Time is more valuable than money. You
can get more money, but you cannot
get more time. Jim Rohn

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have,
and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be
careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Carl Sandburg
Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for
those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too
short for those who rejoice, but for those who love,
time is eternity. Henry Van Dyke
Don't say you don't have enough time. You have
exactly the same number of hours per day that
were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur,
Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci,
Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Much may be done in
those little shreds and
patches of time which
every day produces,
and which most men
throw away. Charles
Caleb Colton
All that really belongs
to us is time; even he
who has nothing else
has that.
Baltasar Gracian
Time cools, time clarifies; no mood can be
maintained quite unaltered through the course
of hours. Mark Twain

This time, like all
times, is a very good
one, if we but know
what to do with it.
Ralph Waldo
Emerson
I don't think of the past. The only thing
that matters is the everlasting present.
W. Somerset Maugham
Ordinary people think
merely of
spending time.
Great people think of
using it.
Author Unknown

Its not enough to be busy, so are the ants.
The question is, what are we busy about?
Henry David Thoreau
Its how we spend our
time here and now,
that really matters. If
you are fed up with the
way you have come to
interact with time,
change it.
Marcia Wieder
Realize that now, in this
moment of time, you are
creating. You are creating your
next moment.
That is whats real.
Sara Paddison

Lost wealth may be
replaced by industry,
lost knowledge by study,
lost health by
temperance or medicine,
but lost time is
gone forever.
Samuel Smiles
The End
He lives long that lives well; and time
misspent is not lived but lost.
Thomas Fuller
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
* Time is what we want most, but what we use
worst. William Penn

* The common man is not concerned about the
passage of time, the man of talent is driven by it.
Schopenhauer

* Time = life; therefore, waste your time and waste
of your life, or master your time and master your
life. Alan Lakein
11 Right And Wrong


D DD During my schooldays, I used to ponder a lot on the issue of
ethics and morality. What is Right and Wrong? Is there an
innate conscience telling us what is absolutely right and
moral? What are the consequences of breaching moral
lawsa punishment after death? I sought answers through
books and visiting churches and temples. I was taught about
sin and the laws of a supreme heavenly Being who would
judge us after deathwhether we would be sent to Heaven
or Hell in accordance with the sins we have committed. The
idea of living just one life and then be eternally rewarded in
Heaven or condemned to everlasting Hell, to me, was not at
all logical, reasonable or just. It was only when I came upon
the Dhamma, with clear teachings on cause, effect and
conditions, the Five Universal Orders, Kamma, rebirth and
dependent origination that all my questions about ethics and
morality were resolved. In the Kalama Sutta, one of my
favorite Buddhist Discourses, the Buddha said, When you
know for yourselves that, 'These qualities are unskillful;
these qualities are blameworthy; these qualities are
criticized by the wise; these qualities, when adopted and
carried out, lead to harm and to suffering' then you
should abandon them. When you know for yourselves that,
'These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless;
these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when
adopted and carried out, lead to welfare and to happiness'
then you should enter and remain in them.
Any action of the mind, body or speech which is rooted in
greed, attachment, ill-will, anger, hatred, ego and delusion
is unwholesome and would have its potential negative
effects. Actions motivated by generosity, a letting go, love,
kindness, compassion and wisdom would be wholesome and
would bear positive fruits in this life or lives to come.
71

RIGHT
and
WRONG
When a Zen Master held a long
Meditation Retreat, pupils from many
parts of Japan came to attend.
One day, one of
the pupils was
caught stealing
by the other
pupils.

The matter was reported to the Master with
the request that the culprit be expelled.
ot long later, the same pupil was caught
in a similar act of stealing.
BAG
The Zen Master chose to ignore the case.
The pupils were very disappointed.

This angered the other pupils very much.
They drew up a petition asking for the
dismissal of the thief, stating that
otherwise they would all leave altogether.
When the
Master had
read the
petition, he
called everyone
before him.
You are wise
brothers, he told
them. You know what
is Right and what is
Wrong.

You may go somewhere else to study if you wish, the
Master continued, but this poor brother does not
even know Right from Wrong. Who will teach him if I
do not. I am going to keep him here even if all the rest
of you leave.
Zen Zen
Master Master
Zen Master
A torrent of tears cleansed the face of the
brother who had stolen.
All desire to steal had vanished.
All the other pupils chose to stay on with the
Zen Master. They had realized a good degree of
Compassion and Wisdom.
Reflection 1
Great Spiritual Masters have real Compassion
and Wisdom. Learn and grow from them.

Reflection 2
Every sentient being in Samsara has the potential
to become a Buddhawhen he realizes his
defilements and takes steps to remove them.
Reflection 3
In walking the Spiritual Path, one needs to
develop a non-judgmental, forgiving and
compassionate heart. o one is a sinner
beyond redemptiononly his actions may be
foolish, unskillful or unwholesome.
Reflection 4
Great Dhamma teachers practise patience,
understanding, compassion and wisdom.

* Compassion is the basis of morality.
Arthur Schopenhauer

* For children to take morality seriously they must
be in the presence of adults who take morality
seriously. And with their own eyes they must see
adults take morality seriously.
William Bennett

* I reject any religious doctrine that does not appeal
to reason and is in conflict with morality.
Mohandas Gandhi

* Teach a child what is wise, that is morality. Teach
him what is wise and beautiful, that is religion!
Thomas Huxley

* The true meaning of religion is thus, not simply
morality, but morality touched by emotion.
Matthew Arnold

* Truth is certainly a branch of morality and a very
important one to society.
Thomas Jefferson

Reflection 5
Harbouring aversion, ill will, anger,
hatred and enmity weakens ones mind.
The End
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
12 A Short Course In Human Relations


O OO One of the important factors in the Noble Eightfold Path is
Right Speech. The practice of Right Speech entails avoiding
* Lying
* Slandering
* Using Harsh or Abusive speech
* Gossip or Frivolous Talk
Being polite, courteous and using wise speech go a long
way towards good human relations among people. This is
very important at home, in school, at the work place or any
association or society.
I recall a case in our Association many years ago when a
couple who were our members got very angry and refused
to come to the Association anymore. I gathered from them
that one of our Committee members was very rude and
sarcastic. I apologized on behalf of the Association and
explained some Dhamma points about how people, caught
in conditioning, bad habits and heedlessness, use wrong
speech thereby causing hurt to others. The victims should
learn to forgive and let go; the offender should regret the
unskillful words, apologize and resolve to be more mindful
the next time, putting in great care and effort to practice
Right Speech in his interaction with other people.
I often come across people, from students to working adults
in Government departments and the private sector who do
not seem to know the basic etiquette and courtesy expected
of a civilized and cultured person. My greetings of Good
Morning, Thank you, Excuse me etc have many a time
been responded with cold blank stares. Some of my students
do not even know how to say Thank you when a gift is
given to them or when a favor is done for them. They seem
to take so many things for granted or they are so ignorant.
May we all be more mindful and practice Right Speech.

78

1
: :c:t c.::e t: z.ma: e.attc:: : :c:t c.::e t: z.ma: e.attc:: : :c:t c.::e t: z.ma: e.attc:: : :c:t c.::e t: z.ma: e.attc::
The SIX most important words (1)
I Admit
I Made A Mistake
The SIX most important words (2)
May You Be Well And Happy.

The FIVE most important words (1)
You Did A Good Job.
The FIVE most important words (2)
I Am Grateful
To You.
The FOUR most important words (1)
What is Your
Opinion?

The FOUR most important words (2)
Have a Good Day!
The THREE most important words (1)
I Am Sorry.
The THREE most important words (2)
Can
I Help?

The TWO most
important words (1)
Thank You.
The TWO most important words (2)
Take
Care.
The ONE most important word (1)
We

The ONE most important word (2)
Please
The LEAST important word (1)
I
The LEAST important word (2)
My

16
The End
May Our
Patience,
Love
And
Understanding
Grow!
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin

* Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart,
kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are
the things which renew humanity. Buddha

* The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought,
sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve. Buddha

* We do not need to proselytize either by our speech
or by our writing. We can only do so really with our
lives. Let our lives be open books for all to study.
Mahatma Gandhi

* Watch your manner of speech if you wish to
develop a peaceful state of mind. Start each day by
affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes
and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful.
orman Vincent Peale

13 The A Z of KIASU

The Five Universal Orders, The Law of Cause and Effect

I II I was a KIASU (Afraid to lose) type of person during my
schooldays right from my primary school until sixth form. I
did well academicallyI topped in all school examinations
but that never really gave me real happiness and peace. My
mind was filled with anxiety, worry and fearafraid that
someone else would beat me into second place. Oh, how
much suffering I had to go through. The prayers in temples
and churches did not help. Looking back to my schooldays,
I prayed foolishlyto be number one academically. I was
often jealous of others achievements and success and had
even been secretly pleased when others did not do well! At
the university, I realized there were others who were better
than me academically. I slowly began to learn life lessons.
It was my discovery of Dhamma and subsequent practice
of the Buddhas Teachings that my life underwent a deep
transformation. My attitude towards many things changed
and I began to see the intangible things that really matter in
a persons life. Understanding and practice of Buddhist
teachings like Dana ( Charity ), Sila ( Morality ) and
Bhavana ( Meditation ) will play a key role in bringing more
happiness, contentment and peace to ones mind. I realized
that a KIASU type of attitude and mentality would bring
one untold mental and physical suffering. On the other hand,
the cultivation of spiritual qualities like generosity, service,
renunciation, sympathetic joy, loving-kindness, compassion,
equanimity and letting go will bring one real peace and
freedom. Undoubtedly, walking the spiritual way of the
Noble Eightfold Path poses a challenge. Temptations to fall
into the trap of materialism and sensual pursuits are great.
However the price we have to pay by NOT walking the Way
is even greater. Immense Dukkha will await us.
85

The A The A Z Of Z Of KIASU KIASU
Let us reflect on Let us reflect on
how a how a Kiasu Kiasu person person
is conquered by is conquered by
Greed, Anger and Greed, Anger and
Delusion Delusion
I must I must A Always win, lways win,
win! win!
How much stress How much stress
will this bring ? will this bring ?
I always I always B Borrow orrow
but never return! but never return!
Life Life s Principles s Principles
When will he ever When will he ever
learn? learn?

Wah Wah, I have to buy because it is , I have to buy because it is C Cheap! heap!
Oh my ! She is hoarding things by the heap ! Oh my ! She is hoarding things by the heap !
D Don on t trust t trust
anyone anyone that that s my s my
philosophy. philosophy.
Ha ! He will live a Ha ! He will live a
life of sheer life of sheer
misery. misery.
E Everything I must verything I must
also grab fast. also grab fast.
With such craving With such craving
how long will he last? how long will he last?

F Free ! ree ! F Free ! ree ! F Free ! I ree ! I
must have all these must have all these
things ! things !
Do you know what Do you know what
suffering this brings ? suffering this brings ?
If I don If I don t t G Grab first, rab first,
very soon there may be very soon there may be
no more! no more!
You see such You see such Hungry Hungry
Ghosts Ghosts everywhere everywhere
a real eyesore! a real eyesore!
I must I must H Help myself elp myself
to everything to everything
everywhere. everywhere.
Will he ever realize Will he ever realize
the need to care the need to care
and share? and share?

I I want to be FIRST want to be FIRST
in everything. in everything.
There There s a price to s a price to
pay pay real suffering. real suffering.
I can I can t waste my time t waste my time I must I must J Jump queue. ump queue.
He makes others mad with such a view. He makes others mad with such a view.
I must I must K Keep eep
coming back for coming back for
more and more. more and more.
There would be There would be
pain and suffering pain and suffering
in store. in store.

I must have a life of I must have a life of
more and more more and more
L Luxury. uxury.
He cares only for He cares only for
himself and his himself and his
family. family.
Don Don t you see t you see
that I that I M Must never ust never
ever lose face? ever lose face?
He constantly He constantly
feeds his ego in feeds his ego in
life life s mad race. s mad race.
I I ever give others a ever give others a
helping hand. helping hand.
There are more such There are more such
people in every land. people in every land.

I must I must O Outdo and utdo and
O Outshine everybody. utshine everybody.
How can such a How can such a
person live life person live life
peacefully ? peacefully ?
I only I only P Pay out of ay out of
necessity, not necessity, not
generosity. generosity.
Do not expect him to Do not expect him to
perform any act of perform any act of
charity. charity.
I will I will Q Quarrel to uarrel to
make sure make sure
I am ahead. I am ahead.
He wouldn He wouldn t care if t care if
you were alive you were alive
or dead. or dead.

I have to I have to R Rush and ush and
push to triumph in push to triumph in
the race! the race!
It won It won t be long t be long
before he before he s crushed s crushed
at this at this pace. pace.
I am always I am always
S Suspicious of each and uspicious of each and
everyone. everyone.
He will suffer if he He will suffer if he
wants to be wants to be
SECOD TO OE. SECOD TO OE.
I believe in only I believe in only T Taking aking
not giving. not giving.
Such self Such self- -centredness centredness
will soon see him will soon see him
grieving. grieving.

U Unless I get some personal nless I get some personal
benefit, forget it. benefit, forget it.
It must have been ages It must have been ages
since the last charity he did. since the last charity he did.
I I V Vow that I will be ow that I will be
THE UMBER OE! THE UMBER OE!
By hook or by crook he By hook or by crook he
would get this done ! would get this done !
I am the I am the W Winner inner
I take all, I take all. I take all, I take all.
When will they know When will they know
there there s gain and loss, s gain and loss,
rise and fall? rise and fall?

This is not enough This is not enough
I must have I must have
X X TRA! TRA!
It does not pay to It does not pay to
be so greedy LAH! be so greedy LAH!
I will I will Y YELL to get ELL to get
what I desire. what I desire.
Life Life s Lessons are what s Lessons are what
such people require. such people require.
Z Zebras are ebras are KIASU KIASU cause cause
they want to be black and they want to be black and
white at the same time. white at the same time.
Conflicts and problems Conflicts and problems
abound abound cause too many cause too many
stress on stress on ME, MY ME, MY
and MIE and MIE ! !

The End The End
Peace Comes Through Wisdom And Peace Comes Through Wisdom And
Understanding. Understanding.
May We All Attain Life May We All Attain Life s Greatest Blessing. s Greatest Blessing.
* Whatever we treasure for ourselves separates us
from others; our possessions are our limitations.
Rabindranath Tagore

* The greatest crimes do not arise from a want of
feeling for others but from an over-sensibility for
ourselves and an over-indulgence to our own desires.
Edmund Burke

* Manifest plainness, Embrace simplicity, Reduce
selfishness, Have few desires. Lao Tzu

* Every man must decide whether he will walk in
the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of
destructive selfishness. Martin Luther King, Jr.

* The human being who lives only for himself finally
reaps nothing but unhappiness. Selfishness corrodes.
Unselfishness ennobles, satisfies. Don't put off the joy
derivable from doing helpful, kindly things for
others.
B. C. Forbes
14 Unconditional Love - A Story To Ponder On


T TT There is an increase in divorce cases; jealousies, revenge,
aggression and violence, murder and other sufferings arise
out of attached and self-centered love. Much of what we
know as love is actually conditional love or love with
strong attachment which of course can lead to a lot of
suffering when things do not go according to one partys
expectations or desires. When a lover or spouse declares his
eternal love for his partner, actually embedded in his heart
and mind is the attachment and thought: I love you
provided you do not do this to me or you do this for me
In a Dhamma talk on the subject of Metta as opposed to
conditional love, Ajahn Brahmavamso, shared a very
interesting hypothetical situation on what Metta really is:
Suppose you go for a long retreat with the blessings of your
spouse. At the end of the retreat you return home to find
your spouse missing. You find a note from your spouse that
reads: Dear Darling, remember you declared your undying
love for me and would want me to be always happy under
all circumstances. Well, I have eloped with your best friend;
we are now truly very happy together. Goodbye. Take care.
Now what will be your feelings? Would you be happy that
your spouse has found happiness? You would probably be
overwhelmed by negative emotions and thoughts of anger,
hatred, revenge, disappointment, sorrow, lamentation etc
So you see, we are far from spiritual cultivation. Our
attachments are strong and can lead us to much suffering.
We need to strive on diligently in our Dhamma practice of
Sila (Morality), Samadhi (Mind stability) and Panna
(Wisdom ). Only then can we gradually reduce and cut our
attachments, clinging and grasping. True peace, happiness,
contentment and freedom will then come upon us.
96

A Story To Ponder On
There was a soldier who was finally coming home after
having fought in the Vietnam War. He called his
parents from San Francisco.
Mom and Dad, I'm
coming home, but
I've a favor to ask.
I have a friend I'd
like to bring home
with me.

"Sure," they
replied,
"we'd love to
meet him."
"There's something
you should know,
the son continued,
"he was hurt
pretty badly
in the fighting.
He stepped on a
land mine and
lost an arm and a
leg. He has
nowhere else to
go, and I want
him to come live
with us."

We are sorry to
hear that, son.
Maybe we can help
him find
somewhere to
live, both the
parents said.
"o, Mom
and Dad, I
want him to
live with us."
"Son, you
don't know
what you're
asking.
Someone with such a
handicap would be a
terrible burden on us.
We have our own lives
to live, and we can't let
something like this
interfere with our lives,
the father continued.

I think you should
just come home and
forget about this guy.
He'll find a way to
live on his own,
the mother said.
At that point, the son
hung up the phone.
The parents heard
nothing more
from him.
A few days later,
however, the
parents received
a call from the
San Francisco
police.

13
The police told the parents that their son
had died after falling from a high rise
building. The police believed it was suicide.

The grief-stricken parents
flew to San Francisco and
were taken to the city
morgue to identify the
body of their son.
They recognized him, but
to their horror they also
discovered something
they didn't know - their
son had only one arm
and one leg.

How much of our love is
conditional? We find it
easy to love those who are
good-looking or fun to have
around, but we don't like
people who inconvenience
us or who do not do
what we want.
Unconditional Love is
pure love with no
strings attached
it is patient, kind and
always positive.
18
METTA is the true and
pure unconditional love.
METTA = Loving-Kindness
+ Goodwill + Friendliness +
Love + Benevolence

* To give and not expect return, that is what lies at
the heart of love. Oscar Wilde

* The greatest gift that you can give to others is the
gift of unconditional love and acceptance.
Brian Tracy

* The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is
unconditional love, which includes not only others
but ourselves as well. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

* Love expects no reward. Love knows no fear. Love
Divine gives - does not demand. Love thinks no evil;
imputes no motive. To Love is to share and serve.
Swami Sivananda

To develop Unconditional
Love, practise
Metta Bhavana,
the Meditation on
Loving-Kindness
The
End
May our Hearts
be filled
with boundless
Loving-Kindness
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
15 Who Are The Real Outcasts?


I II I used to ask the Form 5 and 6 students in my community
guidance classes whether they knew of some great people in
the past and present who contributed a lot for the welfare of
others, names like Florence Nightingale, Albert Schweitzer,
Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, The Dalai lama, Nelson
Mandela and a host of others. Sadly, most of the students
did not know about such people let alone their sacrifices for
the sake of society and humanity. It is a pity and shame
indeed that today, among many young ones, the idols and
role models are famous singers, movie stars and sportsmen
whose personal lives are so blemishedpeople who do
drugs, lead highly promiscuous sex lives, show violent
temper, aggression and violence and those who flout moral
principles and the laws of a country. Real great heroes are
forgotten whereas personalities who blatantly display
immoral or unwholesome actions are admired and placed on
the pedestal of gods. I once had a Form 5 student who used to
lapse in his nominal donation to our Association for the lessons in
our community classes. He did not belong to the category of poor
and deprived studentssuch students did not have to make any
contributions. On the contrary, they could apply for welfare aid
from our Association. I found out that this student worshipped
a few notorious pop singers; he would spend lots of money on
this hobby of his. To attend some of the singing concerts, he
was willing to dish out hundreds of dollars for the tickets but
when it came to any charitable donations, he was most unwilling
to part with even a small sum of money. This is very sad indeed.
There are various factors contributing to a loss of values among
the young. Are parents, teachers and other adult members setting
themselves as good role models for the young? Are the young
ones receiving proper moral and religious education at home, in
school, temples and other places of worship? Parents play a vital
role to ensure their children receive good spiritual education.

104

From The
VASALA SUTTA
The Buddhas
Discourse on
OUTCASTS
Whosoever is angry, harbors
hatred, and is reluctant to
speak well of others
(discredits the good of
others), perverted in views,
deceitful know him as an
outcast
1

Whosoever in this world
kills living beings, once
born or twice born, in
whom there is no
sympathy for living
beings know him
as an outcast
Whosoever destroys
and besieges villages
and hamlets and
becomes notorious as
an oppressor know
him as an outcast.
Be it in the village,
or in the forest,
whosoever steals
what belongs to
others, what is not
given to him
know him as an
outcast

Whosoever having
actually incurred a
debt runs away when
he is pressed to pay,
saying, 'I owe no debt
to you' know him as
an outcast.
Whosoever coveting
anything, kills a
person going along
the road, and grabs
whatever that person
has know him as
an outcast.
He who for his own
sake or for the sake of
others or for the sake
of wealth, utters lies
when questioned as a
witness know him
as an outcast.

Whosoever by
force or with
consent
associates with
the wives of
relatives or
friends know
him as an outcast.
Whosoever being
wealthy supports not
his mother and father
who have grown
old know him
as an outcast.
Whosoever strikes
and annoys by
(harsh) speech,
mother, father,
brother, sister or
mother-in-law or
father-in-law
know him
as an outcast.

Whosoever when
questioned about
what is good, says
what is detrimental,
and talks in an
evasive manner-
know him as an
outcast.
Whosoever having
committed an evil
deed, wishes that
it may not be
known to others,
and commits evil
in secret know
him as an outcast.
Whosoever having
gone to another's
house, and partaken of
choice food, does not
honor that host by
offering food when he
repays the visit know
him as an outcast.

Whosoever deceives
by uttering lies, a
brahman or an
ascetic, or any other
mendicant know
him as an outcast.
Whosoever when a
brahman or ascetic
appears during
mealtime angers him
by harsh speech, and
does not offer him
(any alms) know
him as an outcast.
Whosoever in this
world, shrouded in
ignorance, speaks
harsh words
(asatam) or
falsehood expecting
to gain
something know
him as an outcast.

Whosoever
debased by his
pride, exalts
himself and
belittles other
know him as an
outcast.
Whosoever is given to
anger, is miserly, has
base desires, and is
selfish, deceitful,
shameless and
fearless (in doing
evil) know him as
an outcast.
Whosoever reviles the
Enlightened One (the
Buddha), or a disciple
of the Buddha, recluse
or a householder
know him as an
outcast.

The End
c cc:, c cc:, c cc:, c cc:,
:Vct: Vt., :Vct: Vt., :Vct: Vt., :Vct: Vt.,
.:tt :e .t:: .:tt :e .t:: .:tt :e .t:: .:tt :e .t::
This is The Teaching
Of All Buddhas
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
Whosoever not
being an arahant,
a Consummate
One, pretends to
be so, is a thief in
the whole
universe he is
the lowest of
outcasts.
Not by birth is one an
outcast; not by birth is
one a brahman. By
deed one becomes an
outcast, by deed one
becomes a brahman.
16 Morning Motivation


O OO Over the last 24 years, as a Committee member at our
local Buddhist Association and an ordinary Dhamma
practitioner striving to cross the sea of Samsara, I have
seen so many of our members who started Dhamma
learning and practice quite well but unfortunately, it did
not last. After a couple of years, they more or less gave
up coming less and less often for any voluntary work,
chanting, Dhamma talks and discussion, meditation and
Dhamma-based events. They got caught up in their usual
worldly affairs and Dhamma practice took a real backseat.
I remember a friend I had years ago, a manager in a private
company who initially showed very great interest and
seriousness in learning and practicing the Dhamma. He
once told me, Life is short and uncertain we must realize
the urgency to practice well Dana, Sila and Bhavana
(Charity, Morality and Mental Cultivation ). Unfortunately,
Dhamma did not last for himafter hardly a year, I did
not see him any more at our Association. His words just
remained words. He lacked good motivation and effort.
I feel that for one to keep at Dhamma learning and practice,
the following things play a most important role:
* Constant self-motivation and reflection
* Great determination and perseverance
* Good spiritual friends and strong aspirations
* Good conditioning with programmed mindfulness.
Personally, I find my daily morning routine over the years
has helped me to keep on striving in the Dhamma:
An early waking up, a morning walk where I do solitary
Dhamma reflection and contemplation, some chanting,
scriptural reading, Metta Bhavana ( Meditation on Loving-
kindness ) and Vipassana Meditation. I think this sort of
good conditioning gets embedded into my heart and mind.

113

1

The Happiness &
Success Secrets
lie in your
bedroom.
When you
wake up in the
morning,
listen
carefully

4
The Door said
Open the Door
of your heart
The Ceiling saidSet oble and High Goals
The Fan said
Be Cool. Watch
your temper.

The Telephone saidWatch your Speech
The Calendar saidDont Procrastinate
The Clock saidBe Mindful moment to moment

The Window saidLearn to see things as they are
The Mirror saidReflect before and after you act
The Floor saidBe humble. o honest work is too lowly.

The Chair said
Remember to sit back
and relax
The Plant saidRemember to seek
atures Peace and Bliss
The Lamp saidDevelop the Light of Wisdom

* People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well,
neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it
daily. Zig Ziglar

* Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what
keeps you going. Jim Rohn

* Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation
determines what you do. Attitude determines how
well you do it. Raymond Chandler

* One very important aspect of motivation is the
willingness to stop and to look at things that no one
else has bothered to look at. This simple process of
focusing on things that are normally taken for
granted is a powerful source of creativity.
Edward de Bono

* Motivation is when your dreams put on work
clothes. Author Unknown

May you grow in LOVE and WISDOM
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
17 Abraham Lincolns Letter To A Teacher

Ever since I was a child of six, I used to
ponderonthtremendous disparities that exist in human
conditions. Iwas later on in my life, when I started to learn
andpractisthe Dhamma that some light was shed
onthesephilosophical issues. Some years ago, I did a Power
Point presentation based on the thoughts that puzzled me
when I was young. The objective was to help make us
reflect on the Dhamma the Way things are, The Four
Noble Truths, The Five Universal Orders, The Law of
Cause and Effec

I II I cannot help but feel that something is not quite right about
the subject of moral education that is being carried out in
school. It is taken as another academic subject and many
students strive to get an A the moral values are not
caught or inculcated into the hearts and minds of the
students. They memorize many things like the moral virtues
or values and regurgitate them out in examinations that test
the contents of the syllabus rather than the actual moral
values practiced by the students. There may be some project
course work but to my mind, it is not really effective in
inculcating genuine moral values. I remember some years
back, a group of students from a school in a nearby town
came to our local Buddhist Association with the intention of
carrying out a moral education project some sort of a
Gotong Royong ( Group cleaning-up ). We could not
help but noticed that the primary aim of the students was to
take photos of they doing the cleaning work. They posed
in various situations sweeping with brooms, holding pails
in the toilets, holding up feather dusters, mops and brushes.
They were more concerned with getting the best photo shots
for their portfolios in the moral education project rather than
a sincere wish to help in a welfare or outreach work.
I remember vividly the moral science education we had in
schools in the 1960s. There was no examination but our
dedicated moral science teachers inculcated good values and
virtues in us through inspiring stories and teaching with
practice. Values or virtues like honesty, self-control, honour,
integrity, humility, compassion, kindness, effort, patience,
generosity, sacrifice, justice, benevolence, loyalty,
persistence, altruism and wisdom were inculcated and
nurtured in and out of the classroom.
120

Abraham Lincoln supposedly wrote a letter to
his sons teacher. Lincolns authorship of the
letter has been refuted.
However let us reflect on the
wonderful advice in the letter.
He will have to learn,
I know,
that all men
are not just,
all men are not true.

But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish politician,
there is a dedicated leader
Teach him for every enemy there is
a friend,
Steer him away from envy, if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are
the easiest to lick
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books

7
But also give him
quiet time
to ponder the
eternal mystery of
birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on
a green hillside.

In the school teach him
it is far honorable to fail
than to cheat
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong

Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough
with the tough.
Try to give my son
the strength not to
follow the crowd
when everyone is
getting on the band
wagon
Teach him to listen
to all men
but teach him
also to filter
all he hears on a screen
of truth,
and take only
the good that
comes through.

Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when
he is sad
Teach him there is no
shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff
at cynics
and to beware of too
much sweetness
Teach him
to sell his brawn
and brain to the
highest bidders
but never
to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.
Teach him
to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand
and fight
if he thinks
hes right.

Treat him gently,
but do not
cuddle him,
because
only the test
of fire makes
fine steel.
Let him have
the courage
to be impatient
let him have
the patience
to be brave.
Teach him
always
to have sublime
faith in himself,
because then he
will have
sublime faith in
mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you
can do
He is such a fine
little fellow,
my son!
~ Abraham Lincoln
20
The End
May we live virtuously and act mindfully.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin

* An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it
teaches young people how to make a living but
doesn't teach them how to make a life.
Author Unknown

*Education is the movement from darkness to light.
Allan Bloom

18 Fingers A Story For Living


F FF For the success of any organization, team work is very
important. Every member plays an important role, each
contributing whatever he can to the well-being and strength
of the society. However, no one should ever feel that he is
indispensable.
In Dhammaduta work, there should be no comparison or
measurement as to how much one has done. That would be
a sort of ego or conceit arising and this is detrimental to us.
I have been an executive committee member in our local
Buddhist Association for more than twenty years. Much as I
would like to retire but due to a lack of volunteers ready to
serve in the committee, I found myself drawn in again and
again to serve. For the cause of Dhamma, I had not refused.
In the early years of our Association, we did not have any
paid staff member. All the office administrative work,
running of the community library, gardening and the
housekeeping duties were carried out by some committee
members and committed members. We had a duty roster
drawn out and everything generally went on smoothly.
I remember on one occasion when I was on duty cleaning
the toilets, a few chanting members came looking for me.
When they found me, they appeared to be quite surprised at
the work I was doing. One of them even blurted out,
Aiyoh! Must a vice president clean toilets? I gave a
spontaneous reply, Well, even the president of any
Buddhist organization must die! We should not look down
upon any honest work or duty as too lowly for any member.
Over the years in Dhammaduta work, I have come to realize
that members who happen to play the role as leaders must
lead by good example and Dhamma practice. Dictatorial and
arrogant ways and feelings of self-importance do not work
for the good and effective running of the organization.

128

FIGERS FIGERS
A
Story For
Living
There was a war between There was a war between
the four Fingers the four Fingers
and Thumb of a Hand . and Thumb of a Hand .
Each was hot arguing : Each was hot arguing :
I am the most important I am the most important
and grand. and grand.
The Thumb said, The Thumb said, I am I am
the Anchor the Anchor
you know my might ? you know my might ?
Without ME, can you Without ME, can you
ever hold a pen ever hold a pen
to write? to write?

You give the You give the
Thumbs Thumbs- -Up Up when when
things go on well. things go on well.
I I m really LORD m really LORD
over you, over you,
need I tell ? need I tell ?
The Index Finger The Index Finger
disagreed and disagreed and
shouted loudly, shouted loudly,
I am the KIG I am the KIG I am I am
the Pointer, don the Pointer, don t you t you
all see? all see?
I I m The Finger m The Finger
that shows that shows
authority. authority.
I point and I point and
command command
people obey ME ! people obey ME !

The Middle Finger yelled, The Middle Finger yelled,
I I m the tallest of you all ! m the tallest of you all !
Standing beside ME, you all Standing beside ME, you all
look so lowly and small. look so lowly and small.
I am most elegant, I am most elegant,
dignified and dignified and
majestic in look. majestic in look.
The Middle Finger had The Middle Finger had
never felt so never felt so
important and good. important and good.
Hey ! Don Hey ! Don t forget an t forget an
Engagement or Engagement or
Wedding ! Wedding !
The Ring Finger The Ring Finger
thundered amidst the thundered amidst the
great din. great din.

Rings, a Symbol of Rings, a Symbol of
Importance, are Importance, are
worn on ME ! worn on ME !
ME, the Ring Finger ME, the Ring Finger
is UMBER OE is UMBER OE
certainly. certainly.
ot to be outdone, ot to be outdone,
the Little Finger the Little Finger
shot out : shot out :
I am the most I am the most
important, important, it it
gave a loud shout. gave a loud shout.
When we all pray, When we all pray,
who is the nearest who is the nearest
to God ? to God ?
You can see now You can see now
who is closest who is closest
to the Lord. to the Lord.

The Hand got annoyed with all this talk. The Hand got annoyed with all this talk.
Why are you all so petty? Why are you all so petty?
he scolded the lot. he scolded the lot.
Everyone of you, Everyone of you,
small or big, small or big,
short or long short or long
Is important Is important
in every way, in every way,
Right or Wrong ? Right or Wrong ?
Brothers and Sisters of Humanity Brothers and Sisters of Humanity
What Lesson can you learn from What Lesson can you learn from
this Story ? this Story ?

* Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an
ocean. Ryunosuke Satoro

* Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together
is progress. Working together is success. Henry Ford

* Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is
what makes a team work, a company work, a society
work, a civilization work. Vince Lombardi

* There is no such thing as a self-made man. You
will reach your goals only with the help of others.
George Shinn

* Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence
wins championships. Michael Jordan

* I never did anything alone. Whatever was
accomplished in this country was accomplished
collectively. Golda Meir

* Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the
success. Author Unknown

THE ED THE ED
May You See All Things May You See All Things
As They Truly Are As They Truly Are
Be They Within Or Be They Within Or
Without, ear Or Far. Without, ear Or Far.
With Metta, Bro. Oh Teik Bin
19 Enemies To Conquer


I II In the Dhammapada, there are two verses which touched on
the great importance of self-conquest. One should
contemplate on the verses to motivate oneself to practice
diligently the Dhamma to conquer the devils inside us.
Verse 103. Self-Conquest Is The Highest Victory
Though thousand times a thousand
in battle one may conquer,
yet should one conquer just oneself
one is the greatest conqueror.
Verse 104. Victory Over Oneself Is Unequalled
Greater the conquest of oneself
than subjugating others,
that one whos always self-restrained,
that one whos tamed of self.
We hear of corporate bosses who wield great power over
hundreds of their subordinates and employees but cannot
overcome their terrible defilements of covetousness, anger
and ego. During my childhood days, we had a family friend
who had an uncontrollable temper. He was the manager in a
private company and suffered a lot because of his temper.
Whenever he quarreled with his wife, his bad temper
and aggression knew no bounds. He would even tear or
burn the dresses in his wifes wardrobe. Of course he had
to replenish the wardrobe later when his temper cooled!
In our Association we also meet with devils of greed with
very unbecoming behavior. During certain functions when
free food is offered buffet style to members and the public,
these people would sometimes come armed with plastic
bags to pack loads of food away even before others have
eaten. It is sad that so many are conquered by sheer greed.
The way out of suffering is to conquer the many defilements
in us - greed, attachment, jealousy, hatred, ego and delusion.
135

He who is tempted
by GREED
Will soon feel sorry
indeed
He who is filled with COVETOUSNESS
Will before long lose his happiness

He who is associated with DECEIT
Will sooner or later get badly hit
He who is ruled by great ANGER
Will in body and mind suffer
He who is crushed by JEALOUSY
Will feel mental pain certainly

He who is overwhelmed by HATE
Will be in a suffering state
He who is troubled by WORRY
Will always be in misery
He who is overcome by FEAR
Will know no peace, freedom or cheer

He who is attacked by NEGATIVITY
Will not realize his own potentiality
He who is covered with EGO and PRIDE
Will soon steer away
from whats good and right
I AM REALLY HEEDLESS
He who falls into HEEDLESSNESS
Can do things of real foolishness

He who is clouded by DELUSION
Can go into unwholesome action
The End
Conquer all the
Defilements
of the mind
And we will attain
Nibbana Sublime
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
* For one who is a learner and who has not yet come
to mastery of mind, but who dwells aspiring for
peace from bonds, making it a matter concerning
himself, I know of no other thing so helpful as giving
close attention to the mind. The Buddha

* By defilement of mind, beings are defiled; by
purification of mind, beings are purified.
The Buddha
20 The Best Gifts


When we talk about gifts, we usually only think of physical
and material things or even cash. The most important thing
about giving is the sincerity and gratitude or appreciation to
another person. Unfortunately today we hear of gifts being
given with ulterior motives like a bribe to win a favor, to
buy over a persons romantic love or to boost ones ego.
Gifts should not be expected in return for work or duties
done. Some years ago, I heard the complaints from a niece
with regard to the celebration of Teachers Day in her
primary school. When she asked her class teacher whether
she should bring her bag and books on Teachers Day, the
teacher said, No need but remember to bring great gifts for
the teachers. How unbecoming! And there was competition
among the children to bring the most expensive gifts!
A gift to a person on a special occasion should be quite
meaningful. It is not the monetary value that matters. I have
come across cases where the parents of the newly weds
complained and cursed about the small ang pows given by
some invited guests to the wedding dinner. Well, not all the
guests are financially well-off. On certain auspicious lunar
months, many curse when they receive too many wedding
dinner invitations. As for me, I decline many invitations but
I always remember to give the marrying couple a small Ang
Pow and a meaningful gift with a message of Metta and best
wishes.
We forget that oftentimes the best gifts to give to others are
intangible ones like ones kindness and compassion, ones
patient understanding, selfless charitable acts and good
advice and empathy. The Gift that surpasses all other gifts is
Dhamma. When we share with a person Dhamma teachings
that help to transform his mind into greater happiness,
peace, wisdom and freedom, this treasure is his for all lives.

141

To yourself Mindfulness
and Self-Acceptance
To your mother Love and
Gratitude

To your father Love and
Filial Piety
To your grandparents Care
and Patience
To your teacher Wise
obedience and Appreciation

To every child Education
and A Good Example
To your friend Understanding
and an Open heart
To a customer Courtesy and
Service

To your opponent Respect
and Tolerance
To your enemy Kindness and
Forgiveness
To all people in need Charity
and a Helping Hand
We need a helping hand.

To all suffering ones Love
and Compassion
To all animals
Loving-Kindness
To our Planet Earth
Non-Harm and Protection

To The Buddha Practice of
His Teachings, The Dhamma
The End
Helping Others To Grow In
Compassion and Wisdom and to
see things as they truly are
is THE GIFT of all gifts.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
* You give but little when you give of your
possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you
truly give. Kahlil Gibran

* You can give without loving, but you can never
love without giving. Author Unknown
21 Life Lessons From The Court


I II I was never good in sport and games during my schooldays
but my school friends and I had wonderful times on the field
and basketball and volleyball courts. We enjoyed ourselves
tremendously having much fun, laughter and relaxation. We
learnt many important values like patience, co-operation,
team spirit, focus and concentration, fairness, discipline,
determination, effort and perseverance. We had good
understanding and consideration for one another.
Today, not many students and youths have any keen interest
in sport and games. They are caught up in too much tuition
and distractions like the Internet, the mobile phone and
computer stuff. Going hand in hand with all these pursuits is
an increase in stress, a decline in general health and a loss of
many virtues and values which are nurtured outside the
academic and sensual world. The situation does not appear
to get betterstudents have to be forced to participate in
school sport and games and truancy is a common problem.
How much sportsmanship has been lost today? We read of
* unruly behavior among sports players and their fans
* sportsmen, driven by great greed, resorting to corruption
* spite, jealousy and revenge arising out of the grasping and
craving to win at all costs to boost the ego self
* the growing materialistic outlook and attitude of many a
sportsmancompetitiveness has thus turned ugly at times.
It is kind of sad that the objectives and noble goals of sport
have been cast aside. So much of sport has been abused.
We need to do an overhaul in our educational system where
there is a better balance. More emphasis should be given to
the training and development of civic-consciousness and
moral character of the students through extra-curricular
activities, sport and games. And religious bodies should also
play their role in imparting a proper spiritual education.
148

I have learned much about myself from the game of
racquetball. In fact, I have learned a great deal over the
years about all aspects life and living
on the racquetball court.
Steve Goodier
Contents of Presentation from
Steve Goodier in This is Your
Life Support System, a free e-
newsletter
1. People play better when they are encouraged. It's
true in life, too. People do better when they are
encouraged, rather than
criticized, condemned and judged.

2. When two or
more people
occupy a small
space, they
should learn to
share. It goes for
planets, too.
3. The only way to get better is to practice.
And in life, the only way to improve
relationships, learn courage or be happy
is to practice.
4. Pay attention. Those
who lose their focus, lose
games. And those people
who are too distracted by
yesterday or tomorrow will
never live today fully
and joyously.
Focus on the present.

5. There are always
people who will do
better than you. But
your job is not to be
the best,
it is to do your best.
6. Attitude really is
everything. When
you believe in your
success, visualize it
and work toward it,
you are more likely
to succeed.
7. Losses are lessons.
When I lose a game so
badly that I am humiliated
on the court, I thank my
opponent for the free
lesson. Failures are not
endings;
they are valuable
opportunities to learn.

8. It isn't over until the
last point is scored.
Many victories are
snatched after one
comes back from almost
insurmountable odds.
So it is with life.
9. Work can be
fun, but fun
should never
become merely
work. Life is to
be enjoyed.
10. The only way to score is to serve. Individuals and
institutions that make a difference find ways to serve
others. Additionally, those people who are happiest
and most satisfied with their lives have learned to
serve. Great lives are built on service.

The End
When we observe, reflect and see,
life is lived more meaningfully.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
* I would advise all youths aspiring to athletic fame
or a professional career to practice clean living, fair
play and good sportsmanship. Major Taylor

* You win some, you lose some. But you always try
again. Unknown

* It does not matter how many times you get
knocked down, but how many times you get up.
Vince Lombardi

* He who conquers others is strong; he who
conquers himself is mighty. Lao-tzu

* We want the kids to be physically fit and learn
good behavior, sportsmanship, respect for
themselves and for others. Chris Laramore

* The only way you can truly control how you are
seen is being honest all the time. Tom Hanks
22 o ShoesA Lesson To Learn


I I I I find that many of the children and young teens I have
encountered are indeed very fortunate and blessed compared
to some of the children we have visited in poor rural villages
in Cambodia, Myanmar and India. Some years ago, in a
Buddhist Pilgrimage to India, we visited a village of beggars
in north rural India. We went to distribute some goods and
gifts to the children of the rural school. The classrooms were
in a terrible conditionthe floor was just plain natural soil
and there were no proper desks or chairs. The children wore
poor tethered clothes and had no shoes. Many suffered from
malnutrition. What really touched me was the great
appreciation and gratitude shown for just little gifts we
presented to thempencils, rulers, erasers, exercise books,
ballpoint pens, other stationery items and some sweets.
Over here in our Buddhist Sunday School, I meet with many
children who do not know how to count their blessings.
Probably they come from homes with doting parents,
grandparents and maids. Some dont even appreciate the
little gifts we give themthey are strewn all over. They are
more concerned with expensive gadgets like mobile phones,
handheld electronic toys and quite costly junk food.
I believe young children should not be pampered with
luxurious material goods; they must be taught to appreciate
proper values and be more sensitive to the plight and
suffering of so many unfortunate people in the world. They
should be guided and led to render services and do Dana
wherever possiblehelping to sweep and mob the floor,
water the plants, serve the Sangha, parents and elders
during functions, and so on. Buddhist Sunday Schools and
Dhamma classes for the young should incorporate more of
such activities into the usual academic-based program.

154

O SHOES O SHOES
A Lesson A Lesson
To Learn To Learn
There was once a little
boy named
La Lo Li.
He was in a way, a spoilt
brat, you can see.
He was so lucky to get so many toys. He was so lucky to get so many toys.
But he remained one of the But he remained one of the
most grumpy boys. most grumpy boys.

I want this and that, he
would nag his mother
most constantly.
To his poor mother, he
was a headache
and an agony.
One day he told his One day he told his
mother mother
demandingly, demandingly,
I must have a pair I must have a pair
of shoes of shoes Reebok Reebok
or ike ! or ike !
You have so
many pairs of
shoes already.
You should not be
so demanding
and greedy!

But the bad boy kept But the bad boy kept
on complaining. on complaining.
You would think You would think
he was he was
good for nothing. good for nothing.
One evening his One evening his
mother took mother took
him for a stroll. him for a stroll.
It was at the It was at the
beach where beach where
you could see you could see
waves roll. waves roll.
La Lo Li suddenly heard someone singing.
The melodious voice was a most lovely thing.

Who is singing so happily Mummy ? Who is singing so happily Mummy ?
Well Lo Li, walk on and we Well Lo Li, walk on and we
will soon see ! will soon see !
They came upon a boy They came upon a boy
with a smile so sweet. with a smile so sweet.
He had sparkling eyes, He had sparkling eyes,
lovely hair and pure lovely hair and pure
white teeth. white teeth.
There he was singing happily There he was singing happily
so carefree and meek. so carefree and meek.
When Lo Li looked down, he was shocked When Lo Li looked down, he was shocked
the boy had no feet. the boy had no feet.

Misty tears flowed out of Lo Li Misty tears flowed out of Lo Li s little eyes. s little eyes.
He realized that He realized that
to him, Life had to him, Life had
been so nice. been so nice.
He kissed his mother He kissed his mother
with these words with these words
flowing : flowing :
Mummy I Mummy I m sorry m sorry
I I m always wanting. m always wanting.
Dear Boys and Girls : Dear Boys and Girls :
Think of this carefully . Think of this carefully .
Appreciate Appreciate
what you have happily. what you have happily.

So many suffering ones need our love and care. So many suffering ones need our love and care.
Count our Blessings Count our Blessings it is time to give it is time to give and share. and share.
The End. The End.
May You Be Well And Happy ! May You Be Well And Happy !
* The hardest arithmetic to master is that which
enables us to count our blessings.
Eric Hoffer

* Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your
joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead
of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Unknown Author

* The secret of happiness is to count your blessings
while others are adding up their troubles.
23 Forgiving Others


O OO Our local Buddhist Association has been conducting
wake services and Buddhist funeral rites for the last 18
years or so. I have come across cases where death does
not come easily; the very sick or terminally ill person
seems to drag on, not being able to die peacefully. I
have learnt from some monks that very often, when a
dying person has strong attachments to people and
possessions or when he harbours anger, ill-will, or
hatred towards himself or others, then he can cling on to
life very strongly, not being able to let go. Of course this
brings much pain and suffering to himself and others.
Holding in the mind and heart strong feelings of enmity,
resentment and revenge will cause a lot of painful
burden not only in this life but in future lives to come.
One, through Dhamma understanding and practice must
learn to forgive whatever wrongs others might have
done to him. Before that, he must also forgive himself
for whatever unskillful things he might have carried out.
Thoughts and feelings of guilt, regret and remorse must
be dispelledacknowledge, learn from the mistakes, do
good and then move on. The mind will then feel free.
When one realizes that every unenlightened person has
at one time or other done a wrong to himself and
others, understanding and compassion arise and
forgiving others and being able to forget and let go
become much easier. Reflect: in every so-called good
person, there is some bad; likewise, in every good
person, there is some bad. We too are not saints. We
might also out of ignorance, have harmed or hurt others.
Thinking this way, the heart is open to forgive others
and we are on the upward path to good spirituality.
161

If in the past others have done me wrong,
I sincerely forgive them and let go
of all my grudges.
I forgive, remembering how often
I too have been at fault.

I forgive, realizing how quick I am to take
offence while expecting my faults to be forgiven.
I forgive, knowing that to hold ill-will is to
cause myself greater harm
than others can do to me.
I forgive, resolving not to speak
about this wrong to any other being.

I forgive, knowing that desire for revenge only
brings the heart turmoil and agitation.
I forgive because this is the way
love and detachment
blossom in the heart.
I forgive, knowing that this forgiving will
lighten and bring peace to my heart.

I forgive, knowing that like me, that
person is still burning with greed,
hatred and delusion.
May my forgiving now help me
to forgive again tomorrow.
May my forgiving encourage others
to forgive me.

May my forgiving foster
detachment and kindness and
help in the freeing of the heart.
The weak can never forgive.
Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
Mahatma
Gandhi
The End
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
* Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with
the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the
one who gets burned. Buddha

* Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely
find peace. Buddha

* It takes a strong person to say sorry, and an ever
stronger person to forgive. Unknown
24 Good CharacterFood For Thought


I II I think that too many parents and teachers today place
too much emphasis on the academic achievements of
their children and students at the expense of character
and moral development. Inculcating moral and ethical
values seems to be lacking. Look at the moral and social
problems that prevail today especially among the young:
* Increasing indiscipline in school, juvenile delinquency
and cases of aggression and violence among teenagers
* Lack of respect for the law (Think of the really terrible
rise of accidents on the roads because of a lack of
consideration for others and bad habits not checked and
corrected at the young age through proper education.)
* Rising cases of sexual crime and other immoral acts
* Cigarette, alcohol and drug addiction among the young
* Cheating, corruption and other acts of dishonesty
* A breakdown in the family unit; increasing divorces
* Thefts, robbery, homicides, murder and terrorist acts
This is the price we have to pay in this materialistic age
where we do not pay serious and enough attention to
impart and embed good moral values and virtues in the
young. Of the 4 Qs, we overstress the AQ ( Academic
Quotient ) and the IQ ( Intelligence Quotient ) and forget
the importance of the EQ ( Emotional Quotient ) and SQ
( Spiritual Quotient ) in the development of the child. It
is no surprise then to find lesser and lesser number of
people willing to help, do volunteer work, practice the
cardinal virtues and grow in compassion. From my
observation, today there seems to be more self-centred,
restless, impatient, and materialistic people willing to
cast aside virtues for personal gain. For the happiness
and peace of the future generation, we need to take
measures in educating the young morally and spiritually.
167

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Good character is more
to be praised than
outstanding talent.
Most talents are, to
some extent, a gift.
Good character, by
contrast, is not given to
us. We have to build it,
piece to piece -- by
thought, choice,
courage, and
determination.
H. Jackson Brown

Character is like a tree and reputation like a
shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the
tree is the real thing.
Abraham Lincoln

You can tell more about a person by what he says
about others than you can by what others say
about him. Leo Aikman

We aim to develop physique, mentality, and character
in our students; but because the first two are menaces
without the third, the greatest of these is character. -
Joseph Dana Allen

Any fool can criticize,
condemn, and complain, but
it takes character and self
control to be understanding
and forgiving.
Dale Carnegie

The qualities of a great man are "vision, integrity,
courage, understanding, the power of articulation,
and profundity of character. Dwight Eisenhower

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character;
it becomes your destiny.
Author Unknown

Character is power, it
makes friends, draws
patronage and support
and opens the way to
wealth, honor and
happiness. J. Howe

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; When health
is lost, something is lost; When character is lost,
all is lost! Anonymous

A good character is the best tombstone. Those
who loved you, and were helped by you, will
remember you when forget-me-nots are
withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not
on marble. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Good is good and bad is bad, and
nowhere is the difference between good
and bad so wide and so fateful as in
human character. For character makes
destiny in the individual and in the race.
Edward O. Sisson

Character isn't something you were born with and
can't change, like your fingerprints. It's something
you weren't born with and must take
responsibility for forming. Jim Rohn

Parents can only give
good advice or put them
on the right paths, but
the final forming of a
persons character lies in
their own hands.
Anne Frank

In the stormy current of life characters are
weights or floats which at one time make us
glide along the bottom, and at another
maintain us on the surface.
Hippolyte Taine

Let us not say, Every man is the architect
of his own fortune; but let us say, Every
man is the architect of his own character.
George Dana Boardman

Actions, looks, words and steps form the
alphabet by which
you may spell character.
Johann Kasper Lavater

Most people say that is it is the intellect
which makes a great scientist. They are
wrong: it is character.
Albert Einstein

Character is doing the
right thing when nobody's
looking. There are too many
people who think that the
only thing that's right is to
get by, and the only thing
that's wrong is to get
caught.
J.C. Watts

One of the most important lessons that
experience teaches is that, on the whole,
success depends more upon character
than upon either intellect or fortune.
William Edward Hartpole Lecky

Character is the indelible mark
that determines the only true
value of all people
and all their work."
Orison Sweet Marden

The End
Character and personal force are the only
investments that are worth anything.
Walt Whitman
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin

25 The Shipwreck - A Story with a LIFE Lesson


M MM Many of us, because of a poorly cultivated mind and a
lack of wisdom, are filled with negative mental states
like worry, fear, anguish, frustration, anxiety and so on
when negative happenings arise or when things do not
turn out the way we expect. When we realize that certain
things occur for reasons we dont see, we may be more
accepting of the situation. Some good may even come
out of it. The proverb Every cloud has a silver lining is
good food for thought; things may turn out to be a
blessing in disguise. I remember one good story from a
Dhamma Talk :There once lived a king who had a
personal physician tending to all his medical needs. One
day, on a hunting trip, the king had an accident that
injured one of his fingers badly. The physician gave the
best medical treatment but unfortunately, the injured
finger turned gangrenous and the physician had to
amputate the finger. The king was very mad with the
physician and had him put in jail. Some weeks passed
before the king went out alone to hunt again. He got lost
in the forest and was caught by some members of a cult.
The cult leader wanted to burn the king on a stake as a
sacrifice to the gods. Just as he was about to torch the
king, he noticed that the king had a missing finger. We
cannot offer to the gods a deformed creature, the cult
leader declared. So the king was set free. When he
returned to his palace, he set his physician free. The
king was most grateful to his physician for amputating
his finger. Otherwise he would have been killed in the
sacrifice. The physician told the king, Thank you my
Lord for jailing me. Otherwise I could have been the
poor victim of the sacrifice in the hunt with you.
Unlucky incidents? Who can really tell the outcome?
179

The Shipwreck The Shipwreck
A Story With A Life Lesson A Story With A Life Lesson
Washed up on a deserted island was Jack. Washed up on a deserted island was Jack.
He was the only survivor of a shipwreck. He was the only survivor of a shipwreck.
On the island Jack was fearful On the island Jack was fearful
and lonely. and lonely.
For a rescue he prayed so feverishly. For a rescue he prayed so feverishly.

Jack scanned the horizon everyday. Jack scanned the horizon everyday.
Sadly, no help seemed to come his way. Sadly, no help seemed to come his way.
Tired, Jack finally built a hut of wood Tired, Jack finally built a hut of wood
To protect himself and store his little food. To protect himself and store his little food.
One day Jack went out One day Jack went out
searching for food searching for food
and a drink. and a drink.
When he returned, he When he returned, he
found his little hut found his little hut
burning! burning!

Smoke from the fire was rolling up the sky. Smoke from the fire was rolling up the sky.
Poor Jack Poor Jack he was stunned he was stunned
and he started to cry and he started to cry
Everything was Everything was
lost in this lost in this
tragedy tragedy . .
Jack wailed, Jack wailed,
God, how could God, how could
you you
do this to me? do this to me?
That cold night Jack slept That cold night Jack slept
on the beach by the sea. on the beach by the sea.
ext day, a ship came by unexpectedly. ext day, a ship came by unexpectedly.

Jack asked his Jack asked his
rescuers, rescuers, How come How come
you knew I was here? you knew I was here?
The rescuers said, The rescuers said,
We saw your smoke We saw your smoke
signal my dear. signal my dear.
A A Tragedy Tragedy , a , a Blessing Blessing can we really tell? can we really tell?
Things you think are hopeless and down may Things you think are hopeless and down may
turn out well! turn out well!
The End. The End.
May You Be Well and Happy! May You Be Well and Happy!
When we learn
to accept the
inevitable
mindfully,
we can live more
peacefully.
26 14 Magical Moments Of Ease And Peace


D DD During the 1960s, primary and secondary students had
hobbies like reading, collection of stamps, coins, postcards
and badges, playing traditional games like tops, kites,
marbles, skipping, board games, writing to pen pals, playing
simple musical instruments, painting, and craft work. Some
pursued games and sport with a passion. Cycling was very
popular. Today, things have changed tremendously. It is the
world of computer and online games, social networking,
discos, hanging out at shopping complexes, motor racing,
metal music, the mobile phone and other hi-tech gadgets. I
observe that the recreational activities of teenagers today are
more fast-paced and they titillate the senses extensively. I
believe these have adverse consequences on the young.
They become less patient, more restless and easily bored,
lack focus and attention and crave for more and more new
things to stimulate their senses. Over time, they develop a
rather materialistic outlook and there is less sensitivity to the
plight and suffering of the unfortunate ones. They get too
caught up in the pursuit of sensual pleasures and fun which
are very fleeting. Many are not able to see the importance
and value of contentment; the happiness and pleasures
they chase after do not give them the peace they need.
Psychological problems grow rapidly in the minds of these
young ones who never seem to be able to settle down.
I have noticed that the Sunday School children in our
Association today are getting more restless and the attention
span in class is atrocious. Many cannot even sit still for a
minute or two. Some teachers refer to them as the Super
Milk Powder children. But we have to do our best to turn
them around. Simple meditation is introduced to them; we
involve them in hands-on activities, outdoor trips, cookery
and traditional games. We aim to tame the monkey mind.
184

Silent
reading and
reflecting
is certainly
soul-
enriching
Yoga
postures
relax your
body.
Benefits are
many
certainly.

A walk in
mindfulness
can bring
great
peacefulness.
Listening with
compassion to
one in need
is most
spiritually
uplifting
indeed.
Music can
sooth the
tired mind.
The mind
refreshes
in no time.

Constant
Meditation
practice
is the key to
real peace
and bliss.
Dhamma
sharing and
teaching
is a
meritorious
thing.
Drawing or
painting
silently
settles the
mind
effectively.

Gardening is
a Therapy
that
nourishes
mind and
body.
Listening to
Talks that
inspire
brings the
profound peace
you require.
Doing an act
of Charity
helps you to
grow
spiritually.

Writing a
diary or
poetry
exercises the
mind
healthily.
Praying or
doing good
Chanting
brings
positive
effects within.
Spending
time in
Natures
Greenery
can lead the
mind to
serenity.

16
The End
With Metta, Bro. Oh Teik Bin
May Peace Sublime
Live In Your Mind

* Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy
others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of
mind. Buddha

* Success in highest and noblest form calls for peace
of mind and enjoyment and happiness which comes
only to the man who has found the work he likes
best. apoleon Hill

* Human beings are of such nature that they should
have not only material facilities but spiritual
sustenance as well. Without spiritual sustenance, it is
difficult to get and maintain peace of mind.
Dalai Lama

* You can have peace of mind, improved health and
an ever-increasing flow of energy. Life can be full of
joy and satisfaction. orman Vincent Peale
27 10 Life Lessons From The Japan Disaster


S SS Some years ago, I had a very intelligent Form five student
who asked me a most challenging question: How do you
know that there is this Enlightened State and that the
Buddha is a Fully Enlightened One? I knew that I could not
just quote any scriptural writings for he would doubt them.
What I told him was something like this: Well, we can
experience our own mindour mental states and emotions,
feelings and reactions. ot all minds are at the same
spiritual levelsome are easily overwhelmed by negative
mental states like anger, ill-will, sorrow and so on. Others
are more calm, content, peaceful and more free from
negative reactions towards things that happen to them.
Three people A, B, and C, faced with the same calamity do
not experience the same mental statesA may sink into a
mental turmoil that drives him to suicide; Bs mind is filled
with worry, fear, frustration and falls into depression. On
the other hand, C, because of his good spiritual and mental
cultivation, remains more calm, more peaceful, able to
understand and accept the worldly conditions that are ever
changing. Wouldnt we say C is more enlightened and is
more free from Dukkha or pain or suffering? The learning,
understanding, practice and realization of the Dhamma will
lead one to less anger, less hatred, less craving, more
peace, more happiness, more freedom and equanimity of the
mind. You can test out and see for yourself. Practice good
charity, observe morality and do meditation. One day you
will have a glimpse of The Enlightened Statethe
perfectly peaceful, happy, blissful unconditioned state. o
more doubt will then be in your mind for now you KOW
there is such a mental state. The Buddha is such a realized,
Fully Enlightened Being, free from all mental defilements.
The student was quite happy with what I said.
191

1
10 LESSONS FROM 10 LESSONS FROM 10 LESSONS FROM 10 LESSONS FROM THE THE THE THE JAPAN DISASTER JAPAN DISASTER JAPAN DISASTER JAPAN DISASTER

10 LIFE
Lessons from
the Japan
tragic Disaster
1. THE CALM
Not a single visual
of chest-beating or
wild grief. Sorrow
itself has been
elevated.

In the face of any
adversity or
calamity may our
mind remain calm
and composed.
2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined
queues for water
and groceries.
Not a rough
word or a crude
gesture.
May we, with self-discipline, train
the mind to greater spirituality.

3. THE ABILITY
The incredible
architects, for
instance. Buildings
swayed but
didnt fall.
May we put our ability to good use for the
well-being and happiness
of others.
4. THE GRACE
People bought only
what they needed for
the present, so
everybody could get
something.

May we have a
thought for those
in need and not be
overwhelmed by
Greed.
5. THE ORDER
No looting in
shops. No
honking and no
overtaking on the
roads. Just
understanding
May we
always show
understanding,
kindness and
compassion
to others.

6. THE
SACRIFICE
Fifty workers
stayed back to
pump sea water
in the N-reactors.
How will they
ever be repaid?
May we not be
self-centred but
sacrifice to
relieve others
suffering.
7. THE
TENDERNESS
Restaurants
cut prices. An
unguarded ATM
is left alone. The
strong cared for
the weak.

May we have
honesty, integrity
and a
caring heart.
8. THE TRAINING
The old and the
children, everyone
knew exactly what
to do. And they did
just that.
May we train the
mind to be always
alert, heedful and
mindful.

9. THE MEDIA
They showed
magnificent
restraint in the
bulletins. No silly
reporters.
Only calm
reportage.
May we always act
with truthfulness,
responsibility and
wisdom.
10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power
went off in a store,
people put things back
on the shelves and left
quietly!

May we always
practice morality,
virtue
and
righteousness.
The End
May our mind be calm, strong,
steady and mindful in the face of
changing fortunes.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
* Happy the man who can endure the highest and
the lowest fortune. He, who has endured such
vicissitudes with equanimity, has deprived
misfortune of its power. Seneca

* ever be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a
calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for
anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems
upset. St. Francis de Sales

* A modern definition of equanimity: cool. This
refers to one whose mind remains stable and calm in
all situations. Allan Lokos
28 The Moonlight Ride
A Story To Touch Your Heart

T TT The beautiful quote There is no art to find the minds
construction in the face from Shakespeares Macbeth,
has a good degree of truth. We often find it difficult to
be sure if another person is lying, just from his outward
behaviour and speech. There are so many sex and
corruption scandals where one or more parties lie to
protect their self-interests. Such dishonesty will lead to
suffering.
I once had a Form 5 student in a Community guidance
class who really fooled me with his lies. He was quite an
impressive student, a prefect and was active in school
extracurricular activities. I used to ask him why he was
absent so many times for class. He lied, saying he was
involved in many school activities. The truth came out
when, one afternoon the students father came to the
classroom and gave me a lecture saying I was not alert
enough to catch his son playing truant in snooker
centers. I had to apologize for my oversight. The
student had also been misusing the money his father
gave him for donation to our Buddhist Association.
Children, from a very young age have to be taught to tell
the truth. Honesty and integrity have to be inculcated.
This is lacking in todays education. Someone once gave
me this joke: A teacher told his class to read Chapter 11 of
their History book as an assignment. The following week,
when the teacher asked if the class read the Chapter, every
hand was raised and the class roared, Yes, teacher, we
did. The teacher told the class, You all need a lesson on
honesty. Your History book has only 10 Chapters! What a
shame! Today many adults and the young liethey
dont realize that lying is a breach of a moral precept.
200

The The Moonlight Moonlight Ride Ride
A Story To Touch
Your Heart
Jenny was so happy about Jenny was so happy about
the house they had found. the house they had found.
For once in her life it was For once in her life it was
on the right side of town. on the right side of town.
She unpacked her She unpacked her
things with such things with such
great ease great ease
As she watched her new As she watched her new
curtain blow curtain blow
in the breeze. in the breeze.

How wonderful it was to How wonderful it was to
have her own room. have her own room.
School would be starting; School would be starting;
she she d have friends d have friends
over soon. over soon.
There There d be sleep d be sleep- -
overs overs, and parties; , and parties;
she was so happy she was so happy
It It s just the way she s just the way she
wanted her life to be. wanted her life to be.
On the first day of On the first day of
school, everything school, everything
went great. went great.
She made new friends She made new friends
and even got a date ! and even got a date !

She thought, She thought, I want to be popular I want to be popular
and I and I m going to be, m going to be,
Because I just got a date with Because I just got a date with
the Star of the Team ! the Star of the Team !
To be known in this To be known in this
school you had school you had
to have a clout, to have a clout,
And dating this guy And dating this guy
would sure would sure
help her out. help her out.
There was only one There was only one
problem stopping problem stopping
her fate. her fate.
Her parents had said Her parents had said
she was too young she was too young
to date. to date.

Well, I just won Well, I just won t tell t tell
them the entire truth. them the entire truth.
They won They won t know the t know the
difference, what difference, what s s
there to lose ? there to lose ?
Jenny asked to stay Jenny asked to stay
with her friends with her friends
that night. that night.
Her parents frowned Her parents frowned
but said, but said, All right. All right.
To her parents, Jenny had simply lied and lied. To her parents, Jenny had simply lied and lied.
She went for a party She went for a party
and hoped for a moonlight ride. and hoped for a moonlight ride.

Voices she heard Voices she heard a few words at best a few words at best
But she knew there were two cars But she knew there were two cars
Involved in the wreck. Involved in the wreck.
Her boyfriend Jeff was Her boyfriend Jeff was
half half- -drunk already. drunk already.
But Jenny wanted that But Jenny wanted that
moonlight ride badly. moonlight ride badly.
Soon an accident Soon an accident
happened, a tragedy. happened, a tragedy.
She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble
And heard And heard Call an ambulance! Call an ambulance!
These kids are in trouble! These kids are in trouble!

She awoke in the She awoke in the
hospital to faces so sad hospital to faces so sad
You You ve been in a wreck ve been in a wreck
and it looks and it looks
pretty bad pretty bad. .
Jenny wondered to Jenny wondered to
herself if Jeff was alright herself if Jeff was alright
And if the people in the And if the people in the
other car were alive other car were alive
Soft voices echoed
inside Jennys head.
The nurse gently told
her that
Jeff was dead.

They said, They said, Jenny, Jenny,
we we ve done all we ve done all we
can do. can do.
But it looks as if we But it looks as if we ll ll
lose you too. lose you too.
But the people in the But the people in the
other car ? other car ?
Jenny cried Jenny cried
We We re sorry, Jenny, re sorry, Jenny,
they also died. they also died.
Jenny prayed, Jenny prayed, God, God,
forgive me for what forgive me for what
I I ve done. ve done.
I only wanted to have I only wanted to have
just one night of fun. just one night of fun.

Tell those people Tell those people s s
family, I family, I ve made their ve made their
lives dim. lives dim.
And wish I could return And wish I could return
their families to them. their families to them.
Tell Mom and Dad Tell Mom and Dad
I I m sorry I lied. m sorry I lied.
And that it And that it s my fault s my fault
so many have so many have
died. died.
Oh, nurse, won Oh, nurse, won t you t you
please tell them please tell them
that for me ? that for me ?
The nurse just stood there The nurse just stood there
she never agreed. she never agreed.

But took Jenny But took Jenny s hand s hand
with tears in her eyes. with tears in her eyes.
And a few moments And a few moments
later Jenny died. later Jenny died.
She looked at the man She looked at the man
with eyes so sad. with eyes so sad.
Because the people in Because the people in
the other car were her the other car were her
Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad.
A man asked the nurse, A man asked the nurse,
Why didn Why didn t you t you
do your best do your best
To bid that girl her one To bid that girl her one
last request ? last request ?

This story is sad and unpleasant but true This story is sad and unpleasant but true
So young people take heed, So young people take heed,
it could have been you. it could have been you.
The End The End
May You Lead May You Lead
A Mindful And A Mindful And
Compassionate Life Compassionate Life
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
* Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
Thomas Jefferson

* Truth is the most valuable thing we have, so I try
to conserve it. Mark Twain

* Be true to your work, your word, and your friend.
Henry David Thoreau

29 The Benefits of Meditation


The

T TT There are medical and health reports about the many
benefits of meditation. However, the primary purpose of
Buddhist meditation is not to cure a sickness or to improve
ones health. Buddhist meditation aims at purifying the
mind, to remove the mental defilements of greed and
attachment, anger and hatred and ignorance and delusion.
The medical and health benefits come as by-products of the
constant and ardent practice of meditation. It is important
that one has the right view and motivation of practicing
Buddhist meditation. Many give up after a short period
because they have ulterior motives to meditateto cure an
illness, to acquire some psychic power or material gain.
In the late 1990s, there was a man who came one night to
our meditation session wanting to learn and practice
meditation to cure his insomnia and other medical problems
and to prosper in his business dealings. I advised him to
learn and understand some Dhamma but he was not really
keen. Well, his meditation practice did not lastafter a
few weeks, there was no sign of him. His expectations of an
instant mee type of solution to his problems were not met;
I heard that his suffering remained or even intensified. Until
and unless a person learns, understands, practices and
realizes the Dhamma and the role of meditation, one will not
be able to remove or reduce physical and mental suffering.
Over the years at our local Buddhist Association, many have
come and left or given up on their meditation practice. I feel
this is due to having the wrong views or motivations,
expecting overnight results, being too goal-oriented and
lacking in patience, determination and perseverance. Wise
meditation practice with right and good effort will lead one
to real mental happiness and peace through a letting go.
The ultimate goal is Nibbana, the supreme Bliss and Peace.

211

The Benefits Of Meditation
Based on a Blog Post / Twitter Link
By Jennifer Howard, Ph.D.
An American Psychotherapist
Meditation
relieves stress,
which leads to
a deeper level
of relaxation.

Meditation
reduces
anxiety
attacks
Meditation
decreases
muscle pain
and
headaches
Meditation
lowers heart
rate and
blood
pressure

Meditation
decreases
respiratory
rate
Meditation
helps balance
brain chemistry,
which aids
in stabilizing
mood
Meditation
helps with
depression

Meditation enhances the immune system.
(Research has shown that meditation increases
activity of natural-killer cells, which kill
bacteria, funguses, parasites and cancer cells.)
Meditation
helps in dealing
with personal
issues
Meditation helps align us with
higher/deeper realms

Meditation creates
new neuronal tracks
in both the prefrontal
cortex as well as the
mid-insular regions
of the brain,
which helps us
change and learn
Meditation aids in our
connection with God,
Spirit, Absolute or
the Universe
15
The End
May the practice of
Meditation
lead us to
Peace and
Liberation
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin

30 Aiyoh! Why Like That One?


harder to inculcate the virtue of gratitude among the young.

I II It is shocking that people can do the most stupid things.
Even so-called educated ones and professionals fall
victims to cheating scams through the internet and mobile
phone. Their loss can go into tens of thousands apart from
the great mental suffering of anger, frustration and sorrow.
Drug smugglers even swallow capsules or condoms
containing very deadly chemicals. Gamblers spending
continuous days in casinos, lose hundreds of thousands and
end up under the clutches of loan sharks (Ah Longs).
Many lonely women, single or married, through social
networking become victims of swindlers. They lose their
hearts and loads of money to dashing men. We now have
depression and suicide cases appearing in Facebook.
In the 24
th
Ops Sikap of 2011 ( A road safety and careful
driving campaign ) during the Hari Raya period, there was a
record of 19,606 cases of accidents with 289 deaths. This
occurs despite all the measures taken by the authorities.
In Buddhist teachings, we do not speak of the sinful actions
of people. What happens is that people do stupid, unskillful
or unwholesome actions due to causes and conditions like:
* Greed, craving for money, worldly possessions and power
* Impatience, anger, restlessness, boredom, sensual pursuits
* A strong sense of ego, conceit, pride and self-importance
* A lack of mindfulness ( Many are careless and heedless.)
* A lack of inculcation of proper moral values and ethics
* A lack of correct spiritual practice that leads to wisdom
We will suffer the ill-effects of our foolish actions unless
and until we grow in compassion and wisdom through a
continuous understanding and practice of the Dhamma. This
has to start right from the time a child is born. Once the tree
trunk or branch has grown and stiffened, its hard to bend
it. So you see we cannot wait to educate before it is too late.
217

1
The Stupid Things That People Do

Throwing rubbish
everywhere is most
unbecoming.
The Law has to step in
stop this
terrible thing.
What has
happened to our
moral education?
It is time to stop
this type of
dangerous action.

Mum & Dad
still
shopping?
Im in
danger.
Kidnapper
When parents are careless and heedless,
theyll pay a price for being mindless.
Out of Greed, we
have done lots of
harmful action.
Where is the Law to
check industrial
pollution?
Help, I cant breathe
Now Im a
black
bird!
Humans are
murdering
us!
Oh! Poor Mother Earth
is crying!
Unruly and
shameful action is
on the rise.
Ego and
selfishness
thats where the
root cause lies.
If humans are more
patient and kind, therell
be more peace on Earth.
Fighting over a
parking lot!
Just fancy that!

Dont they know that even Einstein cannot do
two things at one time?
When will they grow in the mind?
Stupid actions can
cause much pain
and misery.
Beware! Take heed
before there
is a tragedy. Such mindlessness and foolishness.
Dont you know that its sheer madness?
When drivers park
indiscriminately,
theyre cursed and
others suffer
seriously.
Mindlessness
No concern for others

DANGER
Beating traffic lights is
a most
dangerous thing.
So many drive
recklessly and dont
seem to think.
People who litter are
simply heedless
or stupid.
Dont they know the
danger of this
mindless deed?
When I see this terrible rubbish all around,
I doubt that human intelligence can be found!
Where can I find a
clean spot?
When has Hair Beauty
become
more important
than safety?
When will people learn
to think and act wisely?
What are
helmets
for?
Vanity and Stupidityheading for a Calamity

Places of
Worship
Places of
Worship
Improper Dressing
Many dont seem to know
that at places of praying,
its respectful to have proper conduct
and dressing.
Unruly way in
boarding a bus
When will people learn
to be more orderly?
We cant progress with
a bad mentality.
Late nights at hawkers/mamak stalls
Dont we know this:
Early to bed, early to rise,
Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
Late nights at hawkers & mamak stalls
Dont we know this?

Daredevil Motor Bikers
Mat Rempit Riders
When foolish bikers
ride recklessly,
they will soon end up
in misery.
Wedding
Invitation
:
Dinner
at 7.00
pm
sharp
Reality
Dinner
starts one
hour late
What
A
Mockery!
Dont people know that unpunctuality amounts
to stealing others time?
It is time we stand up
and check this terrible crime.
Foul Language Abusive, Vulgar and 4-letter Obscene words
Using vulgar speech reflects
poorly on one.
It sets you back despite all the good youve done.

* You may fool all the people some of the time, you
can even fool some of the people all of the time, but
you cannot fool all of the people all the time.
Abraham Lincoln

* A fool may be known by six things: anger, without
cause; speech, without profit; change, without
progress; inquiry, without object; putting trust in a
stranger, and mistaking foes for friends
Arabian Proverb

The End
May We Grow May We Grow
in Wisdom and in Wisdom and
Compassion. Compassion.
With With Metta Metta
Stop violence, aggression, greed, selfishness,
environmental pollution and suffering from wars!
Stop anger, ill-will, hatred, destroying our fauna &
flora, wasting our resources
& harming other creatures!
THE BUDDHIST CHARTER OF FREE INQUIRY
* Do not believe in anything through revelation.

* Do not believe in anything through tradition handed
down from the past.

* Do not believe in anything through hearsay.

* Do not believe in anything because it accords with the
scriptures.

* Do not believe in anything through logic.

* Do not believe in anything because it is a point of view.

* Do not believe in anything through having considered
the reasons.

* Do not believe in anything because one is convinced of
some theory.

* Do not believe in anything through the testimony of
some reliable person.

* Do not believe in anything thinking, This person is a
respected preacher.

Kalamas, when you yourselves know what is bad,
blameworthy and censured by the wise, abandon those
things.
When you yourselves know that these things are good, not
blameworthy, but praised by the wise, accept and practice
them.

* Thousands of candles can be lit from a single
candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.

* An idea that is developed and put into action is
more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.

* However many holy words you read, However
many you speak, What good will they do you If you do
not act on upon them?

* A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a
good barker. A man is not considered a good man
because he is a good talker.

* The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.

* All things appear and disappear because of the
concurrence of causes and conditions. othing ever exists
entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.

* The secret of health for both mind and body is not to
mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate
troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and
earnestly

* Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that
brings peace.

* Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care
for people will hear them and be influenced by them for
good or ill.

* Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your
own unguarded thoughts.

* Develop the mind of equilibrium.
You will always be getting praise and blame,
but do not let either affect the poise of the mind:
follow the calmness, the absence of pride.

* Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.

* The virtuous man delights in this world, and he
delights in the next; he delights in both. He delights and
rejoices, when he sees the purity of his own work.

* Fools of little understanding have themselves for their
greatest enemies, for they do evil deeds which must bear
bitter fruits.

THE GIFT OF DHAMMA SURPASSES ALL GIFTS

May all beings rejoice in this Dhamma Dana
and attain the Bliss of ibbana

Donation By / IMO RM Donation By / IMO RM

Seah Leong Khai Jessica Chai Wen Chii 200
& Family 550 Ng Kok Keong 100
Kok Sow Khuan Oh Kay Siew & All
& Family 100 Departed Relatives (IMO) 100
Oh Khay Leng (IMO) 200 Anonymous 300
Tan Boo Tan & Family 500 Elbert and Sandy
30
Dr Tan Khun 100 Tan Lee Yew 100
Tan Lai Loon 100 Chua Seng Boon 500
Anonymous 1000 Johnny Oh 50
Lim Saw Ghim 100 Ipoh Dhamma Friends 500
Khew Kim Tee (IMO) 100 Tan Choong Koong 20
Tan Chor Whye 68 Alice Yong 100
Bryan Tan 80 Jamie Tan 20
Toh Choon Lean 200 Cheah Siew Heng 50
Toh Guan Huat 100 Toh Teik Hock 100
Leong Kuan Tai 100 Toh Wai Kit 100
Lok Ping Ling 50 Lok Jun Wei 50
Lok Jun Leong 50 Lee Wai Chung 50
Tan Thong Fatt & Family 10 Lau Bain Sin
10
Andy Goh Ting Fong Lee Chuan (IMO )
100
& Family 500 Cheong Yoot Ngoh (IMO)
100
Susie Lai 50 Tan Wan Hoh (IMO)
100
Mi Mi Lai 10 Tan Bee Hong 10
Lee Mei Chan 5 Ho Sok Fung 5
Lee Huey Wen 10 Tan Phooi Teck 5
Heng Pooi Boon 5 Lim Pooi Ying 5
Tan Hang Poh 10 Leong Siew Ting 3
Leow Su Ying 10 Lim Yoke Mun 10




Tan Mei Wan 10 Tan Lai Kuan 10
Ong Swee Hun 10 Kee Hong Ung 10
Kee Yi Cheng 10 Kee Ah Tee 10
Cheah Lai Sim 10 Khor Kar Hoon 10
Tan Mei Chu 5 Ong Mei Kam 5
Kee Ching Hong 10 Chong Pei Ching 10
Jackso Construction Jets Management
Sdn Bhd 100 Sdn Bhd 50
Jackso Agrogreen Lim Kai Eng &
Sdn Bhd 100 Chan Fook Choy 50
Sam Wai Ling 50 Heng Ie Ching 50
Kong Lai Yong 50 Ong Wywa 50
Ng Hong Cheng 50 Y. S. Yeoh 50
Ooi Jia Jie 50 Ong Kieck Leng 50
Deric Teoh Yon Ming 20 Teoh Hang Lee 30
Chiah Boon Seng 50 Lim Kooi Hoon 50
Tin Ah Keong 10 Leo Hock Lu 30
Chan Chi Yan 20 Chan Chi Lan 20
Tan Bee Leng & Family 10 Yeep Jean Ling
10
Kok Khun Ying 10 Chong Siew Eng 10
Teoh Mok Chin & Bros. 10 Oh Teik Hean 10
Susan Saik 10 Lim Hui Ming & Family 50
EAN 30 Eng Kee Bah Kut Teh 50
Chan Sui Hup & Family 20
20
Miss Phang 10 Mary Lee Bee Dee 10
Sylvia Lim 10 Dr Hea Ai Sim 50
Tan Poh Ai 50 Tang Lim Ping & Family 50
Ong Han Long & Family 30 Koh Kim Seng & Family
100
Leo Shean Chuan 10 Teh Yu Zhe 10




Teh Zhi Jin 10 Teh Si Qi 10
Tan Joo Hong 20 Yeo Yang Joo 5
Chew Geok Teen 10 Cheng Ah Fong 10
Tan Suan Gaik 10 Larry Loke 50
Patricia Khor 10 Tan Cheu Lin 50
Ong Yuen Fun & Family 50 Woon Juat Him
10
Chen Siew Hwa 10 Koh Ewe Hong 10
Ong Poh Choo 10 Su Han Yee 10
Chew Chin Lee 10 Amelynn Goh 5
Sim Mow Boon (IMO) 250 Chow Weng Han 250
Ooi Choon Peng 50 Lau Chea Yong & Family
30
Hor Ah Ha & Family 20 Jennifer Tan Keng Sen
Cheek Seow Sui (IMO) 100 & Family 100
Amy Mah 10 Quah Eng Tiam 10
Loo Yoke Chow 10 Ah Leng 10
Ah Pheng 10 Lim Tean Aye 50
Oh Siew Cheng 50 Lim Lean Seng 50
Hew Thye Yew 50 Liew Chee Kong 30
Chan Kam Meow 10 Chew Hiap Hong 10
Low Chi Keong 10 KS Quah & Family 10
BH Quah & Family 10 Teoh Lay Keong 5
Ong Saw Sim (IMO) 5 Lee Nai Loo 10
Kang Mei Ping & Family 5 Chng Chin Keong (IMO) 5
Poh Choo Seh (IMO) 5 Choo Lye Hock & Family 25
Ewe Eng Hin & Family 50 Gan Hock Keat 10
Mabelynn Teng & Family 1 Jacqlyn Khoo & Family 5
Lee Yoke Mei 5 Teoh Cheng Ean & Family
10
Juliana Teoh 10 Yeoh Pek Oh 50
Lo Siew Hwa (IMO) 25 Tan Chor Lee & Family 100




Francis Lim Teong Seng 50 Wendy Ang & Family 50
Ooi Sung Yung 50 Anne Lee Ean Lee 50
Choong Tin Moon 50 Lee Seew Lim 50
Lau Beng Chye 10 Gary Khoo Fook Choy 10
Kenny Choo 10 Bino Chew 100
Peace House Members 100 Mr & Mrs Tan Eng Seong
100
Mr & Mrs Lim Say Teong 50
Lee Chin Woon (IMO) 100 Khoo Guat Looi & Family 48
Lee Siew Lian & Family 48 Oon Cheng Har & Family 48
Saw Beng Chu (IMO) 30 Lily Cheah & Family 20
Mr & Mrs Mr & Mrs Ow
Choo Choon Oo (IMO) 20 Yong Peng Hong (IMO ) 20
Ow Mr & Mrs
Yong Heng Lam (IMO) 20 Lim Chin Aik (IMO) 20
Ow Yong Mr & Mrs
Heng Khuan (IMO) 20 Teoh Kim Seng (IMO) 20
Ow Yong Saw Yong Chan Ah Mui (IMO) 20
& Chan (IMO) 20 Mr & Mrs
Mr & Mrs Khoo Hock Lock (IMO) 20
Yeoh Theam Wah (IMO) 20 Khoo Seok Wan
Mr & Mrs & Berry (IMO) 20
Khoo Kim Swee (IMO) 20 Khoo Boon Khoon (IMO) 10
Khoo Joo Yong Ow Yong
& Gaik (IMO) 10 Heng Hong (IMO) 10
Khoo Keat Cheang (IMO) 10 Ang Lay Seong 10
Mr & Mrs Lim Joo Choo 10
Lim Teik Keat (IMO) 100 Alice Cheah 10
Chuah Kok Eng 10 Chuah Ling Ling 10
Ooi Poh Hua 10 Lum Ai Nee 10




Loh Lay Har 6 Looi Swee Seng & Family
50
Yip Wai Leng 300 Lee Kiang Wui 10
Lee Nyiang Cheh Ooi Beng Choo 50
& Family 10 Oscar Chow 50
Sujata Chow 50 Ang Suan Choo 10
Charmaine Fung 50 Lee Poh Kheng 30
Kee Wei Yak 100 Adrian Low 100
Bee Teck Loon 100 Metta 10
Goh Peik See 200

BHS Book Printing Sdn. Bhd.
Dhamma Dana for the balance cost of Printing this book
REJOICIG AD SHARIG
OF MERITS

May the merits of this Dhamma Dana be shared
with family members, relatives, friends and all
beings. May they be well, happy and peaceful!
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Oh Teik Bin
Teluk Intan, Perak
February 2012

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