Good Karma Music Stories

My friend moved to another country last week. Before she went though, I managed to get another friend to burn a CD. The friend that’s moving loves classical music; and although I knew and know nothing about classical music, I chose some famous composers. I sent the friend off with that parting gift. I do hope she listens to it. 😀

Last night I meditated for an hour on the name of Amitabha Buddha and dedicated the merits to all living beings. We are conditioned to think of the world in terms of laws of physics and chemistry, as if the world has an independent existence. Indeed, this is what science teaches us, which is useful at a practical level but is a very limited view and cannot explain the phenomenon of the universe. Buddhism teaches us that the mind is the source of all things. By purifying our minds, we can all make the world a better place.

The first thing that happened this morning was that I spilled coffee into my computer keyboard. Then I was mad I had to spend 40 minutes cleaning it. Then just as I got it up and ready to use, the power to the house went out. I couldn’t work on the computer any more, so I decided to go to my work early, which is to teach algebra in a remedial school in Richmond. The kids learning always makes me happy. Then after working with them, I went to the local jail where I also teach math and algebra to the prisoners. And seeing people learn there also makes me happy. Then I went to my church and had supper with my friends. And then I went to my Buddhist monastery and had a wonderful metta experience listening and singing Heng Sure’s beautiful songs and wishing that I knew enough to produce another record of his work to share more of his singing with everyone.Thanks, Heng Sure

My girlfriend was, in name, a Buddhist. But she was really more like the rest of the ethnic Chinese in Southeast Asia: nominally Buddhist, but just going through the motions for religious rites and festivals for Buddhism, folk Taoism and Neo-Confucianism.She was sometimes quite irritated by how involved I was in Dhammadhuta work in my Buddhist Society. And so in ways she was quite anti-Buddhist.Regardless, I continued my activities while trying to practise to be as gentle and kindly as possible, making aspirations that one day she would be touched by the Dharma.Being prone to negativity and mood swings, she goes through emotional ups and downs especially during stressful periods. Finally, she asked me to teach her meditation.I was so glad! I introduced her to meditation on loving kindness as I found it the most suitable for her temperament. Now she’s beginning on it already, and I can see a difference in the way she speaks and acts now. More gentleness and thoughtfulness.With the songs by Ven. Heng Sure, I hope to be able to inspire my juniors in the National University of Singapore Buddhist Society. I would be introducing them to the songs during our Dharma Camp in December 2007.May all good roots sink in deep and multiply!

Received a call from a friend that had been coming to mind lately. She was in town with her husband and 2 children, after recently moving away. During the visit there was a HUGE “BLOW-UP” between her and her mother –as often happens with Moms and she felt uneasy keeping her children in such a negatively charged atmosphere. Although I work nights, they were asked to spend a few days with me and my girlfriend. I returned from work to find the four of them asleep so I caught about 2 hours myself then made sure they had a chance to get a good breakfast, a shower, and a chance to calmly start their day. After a few hours just helping get them off to work and in to motion for their day, I cleaned up the kitchen and tried to get another few hours of sleep myself.

1. i gave positive feedback and encouragement to Sis. Nicole for her wonderful Dhamma sharing in the Sentul Children Novitiate Program.2. i did some Dhamma sharing in Nalanda Buddhist Society on Forgiveness.3. i brought food for my patient’s family members in the HUKM emergency department who had waited for long hours without food.4. i shared with Sis. Stephanie through email on how we can teach mindfulness meditation to children.5. i created a You Tube movie clip as a gift for my sister, Chew Yee – it’s on her recent holiday trip to China.6. i promise to be a volunteer doctor in the Sentul Buddhist Temple Free Clinic on 5/12/2007 and 12/12/2007.7. i gave RM500 as pocket money to my dad for his recent trip to Cambodia.8. i bought ice creams for my two teenage girl patients in the ward to motivate them to get well soon.9. i took a monk and a nun to the Kinokuniya bookstore and got them some meaningdul books as dana.10. i have created an e-group for Buddhist mental health professionals in this country to exchange ideas and learn from one another on how to apply the Buddha’s teachings in health and healing.

my mother is sick last week. she had fever, cough, and flu. even though she’s sick she still have to drive around to fetch my brother to tuition.very dangerous.cause there’s no adult around to help her. i feel bad cause i’m still underage and couldn’t drive yet. so i listen to her what she asked me to do housework at home.