Om mani padme hum chanting at PES Singapore

We first started chanting the Mantra of Guan Yin/ (Chenrezig)(Avalokiteshvara),  the Embodiment of Compassion in Tibetan Buddhism Mantra -  "Om Mani Padme Hum" in Poh Ern Shih, Singapore  on Lunar 1 Aug 2008 as a first practice session …

It was a beautiful Sunday, and we have managed 108 x 10 times x 11 people = 11880.  At this practice pace, we hope to achieve One Million (good to have but not important) Recitation  for the benefits of all
sentient beings.

Our first official chanting was officiated by Venerable Zhang Dao, who led the chanting sessions for a substantial period of time until he was too busy to continue due to other commitments. Volunteers, disciples and fellow dharma friends came and went, the practice went on every 15th of the lunar month, unless the organisers are travelling (2 occasions) or the premises were taken up by other groups (2 occasions).  I was personally absent for a few sessions because of my heart surgery in 18 Feb 2009.

I kept a record of our activities via facebook and blogs.  We have achieved 36 chanting session from Aug 2008 to Dec 2011..   Quite incredible, isn't it.

People continued to come and go and I enjoyed every session. An usual monthly practice would include Chanting of Om Mani Padme Hum (10 x 108 times), walking meditation (circumbating the Buddha 6
rounds) and a sitting meditation of about 15 mins. This is normally followed by a short Dharma talk by me on Buddhism, its Philosophy and the Sutra. On the last year, I took the opportunity
to share on my learning of the heart sutra.

On its peak, we can have up to 100 people attending the session.  and on its low, I have done the practice with one person. Our vows were to achieve 1million chants… and based on the records, I am sure that we have more than achieve our objectives, since 1 person will chant at least 1080 per session.

The last practice for this project was held on 8 Jan 2012.  This marked the end of this beautiful project. All good things must end as everything is impermanent.

And also, I think it is appropriate for all of us to start writing our own sutra of our heart.

A special thanks to Connie and Mr Lee for building and maintaining this wonderful temple for everyone to use and to provide a conducive place to practice.  For Venerable Zhang Dao who officiated the many
sessions.  For Ms Emily Lee and Lilian Chow, who assisted in the starting of the wonderful project.  For those who continued attending, even when they have certainly more important thing they could do with
their time.. and all sentient beings, who patiently allowed us to continue this practice of loving kindness, compassion and wisdom.

Lets Rejoice..   Om Mani Padme Hum.
--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.
With Gratitude,
ROBIN

"Deviant" Monks?

I recently saw a post in Facebook on a monk "caught" drinking a glass of Guinness stout  at a public dinner. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150529835627049&set=a.10150529835577049.431576.685712048&type=1&theater

It invited a few comments on Monks, their precepts and vinaya, and what they should do and not do.

Some said that monks should never drink since it is one of the Five Precepts.  Others mentioned that such monks caused disgrace to the Buddhist communities.

It is hard to draw a line and a post even mentioned about the Ming Yi incident. 

We must also bear in mind...that Monks are also human, they made a vow, and like most of us, some can keep their promise but some cannot. I saw a post above Ming Yi, and when one break his vow, it is the end of merits and the beginning of Karma catching up... 火烧公德堂.. all his previous good deeds are burned by his own actions.  

Monks are also in the process of practicing the Buddha's teaching and the only difference is that they make a vow to take this practice as a way of life.  Some can keep their vows, some cannot and they should be judged by their own teachers or their own group and tradition and not the society, and definitely not YOU or me.

And People are very unforgiving..  and using their fault finding minds, they will continue to criticise, when everyone else can never meet the standard which they set for others.  

Buddhism is also about being mindful of our own practice. Unless you claim to be a Buddhist Policeman, we should thank these monks for teaching us to be more mindful of our Noble Eightfold Path.

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.


With Gratitude,
ROBIN

My Lectures On End of Life, Palliative care and A Good Death

My Lectures On End of Life, Palliative care and A Good Death

1.       Invited Speaker (2009), 7th International Congress on Traditional Asian Medicine (ICTAM 09) Bhutan, September 7-11, 2009, organised by the IASTAM and the Government of Bhutan, “End of Life Care and Traditional Medicine”

2.       Invited Speaker (2009), NUS-Duke conference on Health Care Challenges for an Ageing Population: Managing Health Care and End of Life Decisions in Singapore, 29 May 2009.  “Ethical Issues in Research involving Terminally Ill and Aging”

3.       Invited Speaker (2009), Dover Park Hospice Volunteer Training Workshop, Singapore. 2 Dec 2009, 7.30 to 9.30 pm. “Ethics and End of Life Care”.

4.       Invited Speaker (2009), Kasih Foundation Hospice Volunteer Training, Malaysia. 26 Sep 2009, 3 to 6 pm. "What do I want in End of life care?"

5.       Invited Speaker (2009), Kasih Foundation Hospice Public Lecture, Malaysia. 26 Sep 2009, 3 to 6 pm. "End of life care and Ethics"

6.       Invited Speaker (2010), College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 23 Jan 2010 2.30 to 5pm. “End of Life Care and Traditional Chinese Medicine”.

7.       Invited Speaker (2010), Dover Park Hospice Volunteer Training Workshop (in Chinese), Singapore, Wednesday 10 March 2010, 7.30 to 9.30 pm. “Ethics and End of Life Care”.

8.       Invited Speaker (2010), College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 19 June 2010 2.30 to 4.30pm. “Good Life, Good Death”.

9.       Invited Speaker (2010), Poh Ern Shih Temple of Thanksgiving, Singapore (3 sessions), 3 Jul 2010 7 Aug 2010, 4 Sep 2010, 11 to 12.30pm “A Buddhist perspective on Good Life, Good Death”

10.    Invited Speaker (2010), Karma Kaygud Buddhist Centre Singapore (3 sessions), 22 Aug 2010, 19 Sep 2010, 17 Oct 2010, 2 to 4pm “A Buddhist perspective on Good Life, Good Death”.

11.    Invited Speaker (2010), Karma Kaygud Buddhist Centre Singapore (3 sessions), 18 July 2010, 2 to 4pm “Good Life, Good Death”.

12.    Invited Speaker (2011), Kasih Foundation Hospice Public Lecture, Malaysia. 19 Jun 2011, 4 to 6 pm. "Living Will and Medical Directives- Can you live forever?"

13.    Invited Speaker (2011), Fo Guang Shan Temple, Singapore. 18 June 2011, 7 to 9.30 pm. "How do we face life and death?"

14.    Invited Speaker (2011), Fo Guang Shan Temple, Malaysia. 21 June 2011, 8 to 9.30 pm. "How do we face life and death?"

15.    Invited Speaker (2011), Ren Ci Community Hospital, Singapore. 15 Oct 2011, 2.30 to 5 pm. "Is there a Good Death?"

16.    Invited Speaker (2011), The Ministry of Consolation, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Singapore. 12 Nov 2011, 7 to 9.45 pm. "Is there a Good Death?"

17.    Invited Speaker (2011), University of Western Australia, Perth Australia, 3 Nov 2011, 3-5pm “Attitudes and Perceptions of Singaporean people toward Death and Dying and End of Life.”


I am conducting an online research survey on End of Life and a Good Death and need your help. It was my PhD project which I have completed the pilot study and now going into full research. 


Pls Click here to take 5 mins survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/687QMT3

Thank you for your help and pls invite your friends by sharing this msg.

Dear Friend,

Pls take 5 mins to think about A Good Death...

I am conducting an online research survey on End of Life and a Good Death and need your help. It was my PhD project which I have completed the pilot study and now going into full research. 
Pls Click here to take 5 mins survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/687QMT3

Thank you for your help and pls invite your friends by sharing this msg.

This is the event link

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=222832181110793

Instruction on living wills and AMD in Singapore

1. Making an Advance Medical Directive

http://www.hpp.moh.gov.sg/HPP/MungoBlobs/667/796/FORM1.AMD.pdf

An Advance Medical Directive (AMD) is a legal document that you sign in advance to inform the doctor treating you (in the event you become terminally ill and unconscious) that you do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment ¹ to be used to prolong your life.
http://www.lawsociety.org.sg/public/you_and_the_law/advance_medical_directive.aspx

Making an AMD is a voluntary decision. It is entirely up to you whether you wish to make one. In fact, it is a criminal offence for any person to force you to make one against your will. An AMD can be done by anyone from the age of 21 in the presence of a doctor. Only about 10,000 Singaporeans have taken it up because many do not know about it or may be uncomfortable talking about death.

2. Making a Will

http://www.lawsociety.org.sg/public/you_and_the_law/making_a_will.aspx

A person makes a Will to provide for the administration and distribution of what he owns ('his estate') among his beneficiaries after his death. This person is called 'the testator'. 'Beneficiaries' are those who inherit or benefit under the Will. The 'Executor' is the person nominated by the testator to administer and distribute his estate upon his death. Usually, the same person is appointed as executor and trustee (a person who has the power to hold the estate of the deceased on the death of the deceased).

3. Making a Lasting Power of Attorney

http://www.publicguardian.gov.sg/LPAFormMaker.aspx

You will need to do the following:

a. Complete the Lasting Power of Attorney¹ (LPA OPG Form 1 or LPA OPG Form 2).

There are two versions of LPA available to cater to the different needs of individuals:

1. LPA-Form 1 contains mostly checkboxes for donors to grant general powers to their donees with the option to select basic conditions or restrictions to these powers. This form can be self-completed by the donors.
2. LPA-Form 2 contains mostly free text spaces where individuals can give specific powers to their needs. This form is to be drafted by a lawyer.

b. Bring the LPA form to a certificate issuer who must be either one of the following:

• A practising lawyer
• A psychiatrist
• An accredited general practitioner

http://www.publicguardian.gov.sg/PrePlan/HowCanIMakeaLastingPowerofAttorney.aspx

Hope it helps.

Is there really a Good Death?

Just to share with you an incident after the talk on "Is there a Good Death?" at Ren Ci Community Hospital on 15 Oct 2011 (Sat).

During the tea break, I saw a rather young girl having a sandwich alone at a corner and was pleasantly surprise to know that she is only 14 years old.  As with most people after the talk, I went forward to ask the usual questions of whether they liked the talk and what they had learnt that was useful. 

I was shocked to hear that her mother was dying and the purpose of her coming to my lecture was to learn enough so that she can help to make her mother's death more comfortable.  I immediately asked her what she had learnt, hopefully to help re-enforce the crucial points.  She slowly took out her pink note book, open the page and closed it, as if memorizing.  Then she looked into my eyes, and said, "I am going to tell her that death is natural and everyone dies.  It is only a matter of time that someone is dying.. and it is ok for her to go, though I will miss her."

I held back my tears as I see her doing the same.  I smiled, and gave me my name card.  I wrote down my personal handphone number on the card and told her to call me if she needed any help. I didn't carry on my conversation, because I know both of us will cry if we continued.

She is a brave girl and a filial daughter.  And I am sure she will be able to help her mother go through this tough times.

As a speaker, I am mindful that everyone in the audience would be different, from their religions, their cultures, their beliefs, and their reasons for coming to my talks.  Grace (not her full name) would be one of the reason for me to continue this talk and continue to push this talk to those who don't want to come or don't think that death should be spoken about.

P.S.  I have initially planned that this would be my last public talk, since it took me a lot of time to prepare and inviting 1000 plus only to get 23 responses was not very encouraging.  But I am glad this brave young audience thought me this lesson.

Thank you Grace, may you and your mum be well and happy.

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN

Purification of previous karma

THE FOUR POWERS OF PURIFICATION

The purification practices found within Buddhism are not unlike the practices applied in many other religions. The most essential mental factor that one requires is sincerity or honesty with oneself. When one wants to purify past negative karma, one has to do some action with the correct motivation.
This is summarised in the following Four Powers of Purification:

1. Power of the Object: One should practice thinking of all sentient beings one may have hurt. Traditionally, one remembers all sentient beings and the Three Jewels of Refuge (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), by generating compassion for all sentient beings and taking refuge.
2. Power of Regret: This should not be senseless guilt or self-recrimination, which are said to be useless emotional torture. What is intended here is to examine oneself and one's actions and to recognise that negative actions done in the past were very unwise.
3. Power of Promise: As a logical consequence of the above, one should promise not to repeat these negative actions. It is good if one can promise to avoid a negative behaviour for a specific time, or at least promise that one will put effort in avoiding repetition. Not being honest at this stage makes the practice useless or even harmful to oneself.
4. Power of Practice: Basically any positive action with a good motivation can be used as practice. Traditionally in Buddhism, one can practice e.g. making prostrations (throwing oneself to the floor - as a means to destroy pride), making offerings (to counteract greed), reading Buddhist texts (to counteract ignorance and negative thoughts), reciting mantras etc.

It is often explained that one needs to clear a field by purifying it from rocks and weeds, then planting seeds by study and meditation, giving water and fertiliser by doing positive actions, and automatically new harvest will grow.

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN

The ' L I T T L E ' Things

The ' L I T T L E ' Things As you might remember, the head of a company survived  9/11  because his son started kindergarten.  Another fellow was alive because it was  His turn to bring donuts.  One woman was late because her  Alarm clock didn't go off in time.  One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike Because of an auto accident.  One of them  Missed his bus.  One spilled food on her clothes and had to take Time to change.  One's  Car wouldn't start.  One couldn't  Get a taxi.  The one that struck me was the man  Who put on a new pair of shoes that morning,  Took the various means to get to work  But before he got there, he developed  a blister on his foot.  He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid.  That is why he is alive today..  Now when I am  Stuck in traffic ,  Miss an elevator,  Turn back to answer a ringing telephone ... All the little things that annoy me.  I think to myself,  This is exactly where The universe wants me to be  At this very moment..  Next time your morning seems to be  Going wrong ,  You can't seem to find the car keys,  You hit every traffic light, Don't get mad or frustrated;  It May be just that  Love and the universe is at work watching over you.    May Good luck continue to bless you  With all those annoying little things  And may you remember their possible purpose.

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN

The Dash

The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matter not, how much we own,
the cars...the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN

A tribute to a scientist and a good friend - 24 June 1954 to 12 Sep 2011, 1638hrs

She knew that she would not live long once she knew she had cancer that had spread. She did not openly acknowledge the dreadful disease nor wish to talk about it. She wanted to play the low key mode, not to upset her loved ones too much, to finish her unfinished relationship, and not to give additional trouble or extra work for others.

In her own way, she refused painful treatment or treatments which would cause her suffering. She knew chemotherapy was a dead end for her terminal condition as she was her own expert in this field and her chance was too slim and she did not want to suffer the side effects and still had to die the painful way. She decided TCM, herbal and alternative medicine and even when such treatments got too aggressive and the alternative drugs had side effects, she decided to take the medicine home and put them in the house without consuming it. In a way, this action managed the expectation of the friends and doctors and others concerned.

She didn't bother to explain much to her family. Perhaps she thought that they could never understand and in her usual self, and also she did not want to trouble people.

All her life, she spent teaching and coaching students and her research. She is a true scientist and is indeed professional in both mind and practice. But like all successful professionals, she also didn't put her family and loved ones higher than her work most of the days. She knew she needed more time with her family at this final stage of the journey and she planned for it.

I always laughed at her priorities during our conversation at the many lunches that we had, not in a disrespectful manners. I once asked and was shocked that she had never watched a movie with her family. Her free time was used up to do mundane things like grocery shopping and hopping from one house to another to clean and tidy them. And work, work and work... and work..

In the last few months, her husband supported her decision and decided to spend the rest of the final days taking care of her every minutes of the days. He tried to fulfill her wishes to let her eat whatever food she wanted despite those foods were considered "taboo" and not advised by the TCM to take. For example, she suddenly missed eating bak ku teh, something that she would never take when she was well and would have never allowed me to take too, because she said "it was too oily dirty fatty and sinful". But In her last days, she wanted to eat it for every meal. And this behavior shocked every one in the family except her husband who continued to buy her the food she wanted to eat. This, in the Chinese way, is the true expression of unconditional love, support and care.

So many time her friends and family thought the couples had gone crazy. But like two young lovers madly in love with each other, the husband supported her every wishes. And when she did not wish to let others know she was dying (perhaps too fast even to her) her husband helped to block them but saying that she was sleeping or meditating whenever they called or wanted to see her.

She probably knew that True friends will understand eventually that to be good friends mean to support and respect another friends wishes. And not to impose your personal expectation and preference to others.

In her own way, she managed this drastic disease very well and I salute another hero of a good death.

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN

A tribute to a Cancer Fighter – Mr Steven Lee (06 Dec 1955 – 27 Aug 2011)

Steven was diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC-Cancer of the Nose Ear and Throat) Stage IV in September 2006. The cancer cells had spread to the brain and at the base of skull, despite the fact elsewhere in the body was cleared of tumor.

He was given multiple treatments rounds of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in 2006 to 2010.

He had struggled to seek treatment everywhere (for proton treatment, even to Loma Linda and Harvard) but was rejected by most centres. He then turned to all alternative and complementary medicine, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic, Gerson Diet, Chi Gong and spiritual healing. Anyone who suggested any new treatments will be taken up by Steven and his family of 10 brothers and sister. They pooled their resources to help finance expensive and painful treatment which did not seem to have any effects and the least… a cure.

Meanwhile Steven health and general conditions deteriorated. When he was finally referred by me to see the palliative care consultant in June 2010, he was extremely reluctant to receive palliative care, as he wanted to fight on and did not believe that he cannot be cured. He also refused to take morphine to relieve his pain as he believed that it will make his condition even worst.

He thought that morphine was poisonous, addictive and dangerous. He also knew that by starting on morphine, it was an end for him. He is a fighter and wants to continue to "fight till the end" (in his own words). Death seems like an unspeakable word and I can only use all my knowledge on counseling to make sure he makes the right decision.

The Oncologists were definitely supportive of his fight for survival. At this time, they continued to recommend chemotherapy and radiotherapy as if it was like murder (due to the side effects) and profiteering. Palliative radiotherapy or chemotherapy was the oncologists' offer for such terminally illed patients. When will they ever give up and hand the patient to a palliative care physician to managed quality of life issues and pain management? I must say I am not impressed by some of the doctors Steven had consulted in the private hospital, who insisted that 3 more dose of radiotherapy should be given even at the last stages of his life at S$10,000 each.

Steven's condition deteriorated in 2011. He could hardly hear from his left ear (due to the treatment) and his right ear was deaf by Jan 2011. He was completely blind (both eyes) in early Mar 2011. In May 2011, he could not swallow and have to be tube-fed through the nose. It was extremely uncomfortable for Steven. Soon, he could no longer walk. In June 2011, he could not longer hear nor speak nor walk, nor swallow, and remained in his room most of the time.

Steven was alert, in his own world, with no sound, no sight and no speech. He would response if you shouted near his ear, touch his hand and call out his name. I continued to see him weekly, whenever possible, except when I have a flu, or when I was too tired to see him in this condition. He recognised that it was me when he touch my hand and felt my mala.

His family's support also went down with his condition, perhaps with compassion fatigue, or caregiver fatigue. Care for Steven was entrusted to the Burmese maid, who placed a TV in Steven's room and watches the TV by the bedside while keep a lookout on him. On many visits, the children were watching TV in the living room as I walked up the stair alone to sit next to Steven. I gave instructions on tube-feeding and physiotherapy to exercise the muscle to the maid and the children. Everyone seemed to be so exhausted from the daily bed care.

As a counselor, the most difficult part for me was the final phone call from the family informing that the patient was dying. I received an SMS sent by his wife from Steven's handphone at 4.41pm on 27 Aug 2011. I was driving at the time and once I could get off the steering wheel, I called Steven's wife. She asked for my opinion as they were considering whether they should call the ambulance and send Steven to the hospital. He had fever and his breathing was rather slow. His urine was also very little and was brown in colour. I was aware that similar situations of high fever had occurred in May and in June 2011, and the family sent Steven via ambulance to Changi General Hospital. He then stayed in the ICU for a few days and then discharged back to home in one or two weeks.

I spoke to the family, who this time thought that it would be a futile effort to send Steven to the hospital. His eldest son had agreed since they had all the required medicined at home and they would be administering the same medicine at the hospital. Since they asked me for my opinion, I told them that Steven would prefer to die at home in the company of his loved one and families. If they called for the ambulance, he could die in the ambulance or the hospital. I suggested to let him feel comfortable and informed all his families members to come and say their final goodbyes. I told them that they could call me again if they need further assistance and I would come the next morning to see Steven.

Steven passed peacefully at 11.45pm on that night 27 Aug 2011.

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN

Why 108 beads ?

There are numerous explanations why there are 108 beads, with the number 108 bearing special religious significance in a number of Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

Some holds that the numerology of the decimal numeric system was key to its inception. 108 is therefore founded in Dharmic metaphysical numerology. One for bindu; zero for shunyata and eight for ananta.

In traditional Buddhist thought, people are said to have 108 afflictions or klesas. There are six senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and consciousness) multiplied by three reactions (positive, negative, or indifference) making 18 "feelings." Each of these feelings can be either "attached to pleasure or detached from pleasure" making 36 "passions", each of which may be manifested in the past, present, or future. All the combinations of all these things makes a total of 108, which are represented by the beads in the mala.

Another explanation could be our six sense organs (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind) combined with our six sensory perception (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and thoughts) linking with our 3 bodily function (body, speech and mind). 6x6x3...108

In addition, practitioners of Vajrayana Buddhism, use the number 108 for a different purpose. After reciting 100 mantras, eight extra mantras are done to compensate for any errors.

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN

This Life is about:

1. Impermanence – that all composite things will change

2. Non-Duality – that all composite thing is neither pleasant nor unpleasant, likes nor dislikes

3. Equanimity – that all students being calm and even-tempered with blissful composure

AND that this life is hard to come by,

.... so find happiness in every chapter of this life, even dying.

Letting go and Enlightenment

Letting go need practice and then putting the practice into your daily activities.

It takes a while for everyone to accept that nothing is impermanence and holding on to anything will cause suffering..

Emotions and all materials things are like a ball on fire, you feel warm by getting near, but holding on to it for too long burns your hand and cause more pain.

Even our own children, .. too controlling or too worried would not solve the problem... let it go, and each will have their own destiny (or Karma as Buddhists would have said).

We try our best.. and leave the rest to God (or Karma)..

Enlightenment need efforts... one must first have some trust to what we are sharing (faith).. then try it out (practice).. and then put it into her activities (livelihood).. and then change .. in order to reduce her suffering..

Everything is a test
To see what you will do.
If you fail to recognize what is before you,
You will have to start anew!

一切是考驗
看爾怎麼辦？
覿面若不識，
須再從頭煉。

~Bhikshuni Heng Je 

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN

No Blind Faith?

While faith in Buddhism does not imply "blind faith", Buddhist faith (as advocated by the Buddha in various scriptures, or sutras) nevertheless requires a degree of faith and belief primarily in the spiritual attainment of the Buddha. 

Faith in Buddhism centers on the understanding that the Buddha is an Awakened being, on his superior role as teacher, in the truth of his Dharma (spiritual Doctrine), and in his Sangha (community of spiritually developed followers). 

Faith in Buddhism is better classified or defined as a Confidence in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, and is intended to lead to the goal of Awakening (bodhi) and Nirvana. 

Volitionally, faith implies a resolute and courageous act of will. It combines the steadfast resolution that one will do a thing with the self-confidence that one can do it.^[7]

As a counter to any form of "blind faith", the Buddha taught the Kalama Sutra, exhorting his disciples to investigate any teaching and to live by what is learnt and accepted, rather than believing something outright.

--
May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN

「面對生死與善生善終」佛學講座

馬來西亞八打靈佛光文教中心　

「面對生死與善生善終」佛學講座

【人間社記者陳玉苗 馬來西亞八打靈報導】

http://life.fgs.org.tw/content/culture_art_news.php?ArticleNo=60889&news_class=SS02

圖說 1：「面對生死與善生善終」佛學講座，獲得逾200名信眾到場聆聽，陳醫生的分享令大家獲益不淺。

圖說 2：陳德威講師說，許多人看到天災人禍時，都會感覺別人很可憐，除了生起慈悲心外，大家更應該惜福自己還活著，可利用有限時間為他人作出貢獻，人生要活出有價值的生命，才能活得有意思。 人間社記者 張仁德 攝
　　 　
　　馬來西亞八打靈佛光文教中心於6月21日邀請陳德威講師主講「面對生死與善生善終」，逾200名信眾到場聆聽。陳德威講師是律師，亦是一名藥劑師，簽過無數死亡證書，他覺得華人最怕談死，但不管你有沒有準備好，隨時都要面對死亡。

　　人其實是很脆弱的，不管你是馬拉松健將、或世上最強的人總是怕死甚至是有錢的人都要死，因財富並不能幫助我們，許多人看醫生也好比六道輪迴一樣，從新加坡看到中國，再到美國又到大馬，其實現在醫學昌明到那裡都一樣。因此，也是從事臨終關懷的陳德威講師表示，人在還清醒時，最好能立下遺囑及授權書，讓別人知道你的意願，醫生才會知道你的選擇。

　　另外，要以什麼儀式來處理也應該寫清楚，火化是最環保的方法。許多人看到天災人禍時，都會感覺別人很可憐，除了生起慈悲心外，大家更應該惜福自己還活著，可利用有限時間為他人作出貢獻，人生要活出有價值的生命，才能活得有意思。

佛光文教中心举办 佛学讲座来源：星洲日报 点击： 6

主办：佛光文教中心
日期：21/06/2011
地点：八打灵再也佛光文教中心
时间：晚上8时
主题：面对生死与善终善生
主讲：陈德威医生
详情：陈德威医生是一位新加坡注册的药剂师，曾获美国旧金山金门大学工商管理硕士学位，他也是亚洲首
个获得美国应用研究伦理协会认证的内部专业人员。
生死学专家表示，人生的三大事莫过于生得健康、活得快乐和一定要好死。懂得死亡，我们才懂得如何
生活。一个人临终前也要保有尊严，让他舒适和没有痛苦地走完人生的最后旅程。
备注：佛光文教中心诚邀大家一起前来共沾法益
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