There is a story to tell with this Coconut vendor.....
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Meditation event from April 29th to May 9th,2010
In case you are interested:
Dear Friends in Dhamma,
We are very happy to announce this meditation event from April 29th to May 9th,2010.
The meditation teacher is Ven.Dhammajiva. He is the Abbot of Meetirigala Forest monastery of Sri Lanka.
He leads meditation retreats internationally, having trained under both Sri Lankan and Burmese meditation masters. He is fluent in English.
The meditation will be at the Sri Lankan temple hall on Kingston Rd. Scarborough.
For further details to follow.
http://lankanstyle.com/mahavihara/Programs_Events.htm
Metta
Irene Pandit
--
Dear Friends in Dhamma,
We are very happy to announce this meditation event from April 29th to May 9th,2010.
The meditation teacher is Ven.Dhammajiva. He is the Abbot of Meetirigala Forest monastery of Sri Lanka.
He leads meditation retreats internationally, having trained under both Sri Lankan and Burmese meditation masters. He is fluent in English.
The meditation will be at the Sri Lankan temple hall on Kingston Rd. Scarborough.
For further details to follow.
http://lankanstyle.com/mahavihara/Programs_Events.htm
Metta
Irene Pandit
--
Friday, March 26, 2010
Too Busy for a Friend......
Sharing the following email with you:
Too Busy for a Friend......
One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.
Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.
It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.
That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.
On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.
No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.
Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.
The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.
As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he asked. She nodded: 'yes.' Then he said: 'Mark talked about you a lot.'
After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.
'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'
Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.
'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark treasured it.'
All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.'
Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.'
'I have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my diary'
Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I think we all saved our lists'
That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.
The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.
So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.
And One Way To Accomplish This Is: Forward this message on. If you do not send it, you will have, once again passed up the wonderful opportunity to do something nice and beautiful.
If you've received this, it is because someone cares for you and it means there is probably at least someone for whom you care.
If you're 'too busy' to take those few minutes right now to forward this message on, would this be the VERY first time you didn't do that little thing that would make a difference in your relationships?
The more people that you send this to, the better you'll be at reaching out to those you care about.
Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.
--
Too Busy for a Friend......
One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.
Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.
It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.
That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.
On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.
No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.
Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.
The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.
As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he asked. She nodded: 'yes.' Then he said: 'Mark talked about you a lot.'
After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.
'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'
Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.
'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark treasured it.'
All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.'
Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.'
'I have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my diary'
Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I think we all saved our lists'
That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.
The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.
So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.
And One Way To Accomplish This Is: Forward this message on. If you do not send it, you will have, once again passed up the wonderful opportunity to do something nice and beautiful.
If you've received this, it is because someone cares for you and it means there is probably at least someone for whom you care.
If you're 'too busy' to take those few minutes right now to forward this message on, would this be the VERY first time you didn't do that little thing that would make a difference in your relationships?
The more people that you send this to, the better you'll be at reaching out to those you care about.
Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.
--
Thursday, March 25, 2010
If you marry a.........
Sharing the following email with you:
If you marry a.........
Three guys were having a beer in a bar in London. They were all relative newly-weds and they were talking about their wives.
The first man said he'd married a woman from India. He told her that she was to do the dishes and house cleaning. It took a couple of days, but on the third day, he came home to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away.
The second man had married a woman from the Philippines. He gave his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. The first day he didn't see any results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw that his house was clean, the dishes were done and there was a huge dinner on the table.
The third man married a girl from Canada. He ordered her to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot food on the table for every meal. He said that the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything but by the third day, some of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye, and his arm was healed enough that he could fix himself a sandwich and load the dishwasher. He still has some difficulty when he pees.
- --
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Earth Hour: March 27 at 8:30pm
Just a reminder:
On March 27 at 8:30 pm, hundreds of millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for an hour to demand action on climate change.
--
On March 27 at 8:30 pm, hundreds of millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for an hour to demand action on climate change.
--
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Cove - The winner of 2010 Oscar Documentry
Attached is the link to the documentary - The Cove
It tells the true: How human treat dolphins in the world and the consequence.
It tells the true: How human treat dolphins in the world and the consequence.
--
Monday, March 22, 2010
April Actitivies at DDMBA
In case you are interested:
Dear Dharma Friends and Chan Practitioners,
DDMBA Ontario has the honour of welcoming Chan Teacher Guo Xing Fashi to Toronto to oversee a series of events related to Chan practice from April 8-11, 2010.
In addition to the DDMBA 2010 Chan Education Fundraising Dinner Gala on April 9, be sure to mark your calendars for the following special events:
1) Welcome DDM Potluck Dinner and Gathering with Guo Xing FashiWhen: Thursday, April 8, 6 pm- 9 pm
Where: 154 Poyntz Avenue
No registration required; you are welcome to bring a Vegetarian Dish to share.
2) Great Compassionate Repentance and Precept Taking Ceremony
When: Saturday April 10, 10- 12 pm ( Precept Taking Ceremony : 12 pm– 1 pm)
Where: 154 Poyntz Avenue
Language: Mandarin (Chanting Liturgy available with English Translation)
Details: The practice of Repentance is an integral part of Chan practice, and can help in purifying the mind. This Repentance Ceremony will be followed by the Buddhist Precept Taking Ceremony.
• The Great Compassionate Repentance and Precept taking Ceremony will be followed by a light lunch from 1 pm – 2 pm.
• Due to limited space, registration is required for both events.
• For more information on the practice of taking the Precepts and the meaning of the ceremony, visit the following Dharma Drum Mountain link: http://www.dharmadrum.org/master/master.aspx?cid=C_00000049
To Register for Great Compassionate Repentance: Send Email to ddmba.toronto@gmail.com stating name and phone number.
To Take the Precepts: Fill out the “Refuge Form” attached with this email , or download application from http://www.ddmba-ontario.ca. Completed forms can then be mailed to ddmba.toronto@gmail.com .
3) DDMBA Ontario Spring Tea Time and Open House
When: Saturday April 10, 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: 154 Poyntz Avenue
Details: Join us for an afternoon of “getting to know DDMBA Ontario”. This informal gathering will acquaint newcomers and existing members with DDMBA Ontario’s offerings, as well as give everyone an opportunity to ask questions and speak with GuoXing Fashi. Tea and light snacks will be served. No prior registration required.
4) 1 Day Silent Illumination Retreat
When: Sunday April 11, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Where: Member’s Lounge, North York Civic Centre 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2N
Details: Guo Xing Fashi will introduce the Chan Practice of Silent Illumination in some depth. At the end of this retreat, there will be a Q and A period.
Languages Used by Fashi: English and Mandarin
**Note: To get the full benefit of this retreat, it is recommended that participants have at least some prior experience with meditation techniques, such as Introduction To Meditation.
To Register: download an application from DDMBA Ontario website. Send the completed application to meditation©ddmba-ontario.ca
All events, with the exception of the Fundraising Dinner, are FREE of charge.
For more information on these and other events, be sure to visit our website at http://www.ddmba-ontario.ca. We hope you will all attend these exciting events, and see you soon!
Amitofuo,
DDMBA Ontario
--
Dear Dharma Friends and Chan Practitioners,
DDMBA Ontario has the honour of welcoming Chan Teacher Guo Xing Fashi to Toronto to oversee a series of events related to Chan practice from April 8-11, 2010.
In addition to the DDMBA 2010 Chan Education Fundraising Dinner Gala on April 9, be sure to mark your calendars for the following special events:
1) Welcome DDM Potluck Dinner and Gathering with Guo Xing FashiWhen: Thursday, April 8, 6 pm- 9 pm
Where: 154 Poyntz Avenue
No registration required; you are welcome to bring a Vegetarian Dish to share.
2) Great Compassionate Repentance and Precept Taking Ceremony
When: Saturday April 10, 10- 12 pm ( Precept Taking Ceremony : 12 pm– 1 pm)
Where: 154 Poyntz Avenue
Language: Mandarin (Chanting Liturgy available with English Translation)
Details: The practice of Repentance is an integral part of Chan practice, and can help in purifying the mind. This Repentance Ceremony will be followed by the Buddhist Precept Taking Ceremony.
• The Great Compassionate Repentance and Precept taking Ceremony will be followed by a light lunch from 1 pm – 2 pm.
• Due to limited space, registration is required for both events.
• For more information on the practice of taking the Precepts and the meaning of the ceremony, visit the following Dharma Drum Mountain link: http://www.dharmadrum.org/master/master.aspx?cid=C_00000049
To Register for Great Compassionate Repentance: Send Email to ddmba.toronto@gmail.com stating name and phone number.
To Take the Precepts: Fill out the “Refuge Form” attached with this email , or download application from http://www.ddmba-ontario.ca. Completed forms can then be mailed to ddmba.toronto@gmail.com .
3) DDMBA Ontario Spring Tea Time and Open House
When: Saturday April 10, 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: 154 Poyntz Avenue
Details: Join us for an afternoon of “getting to know DDMBA Ontario”. This informal gathering will acquaint newcomers and existing members with DDMBA Ontario’s offerings, as well as give everyone an opportunity to ask questions and speak with GuoXing Fashi. Tea and light snacks will be served. No prior registration required.
4) 1 Day Silent Illumination Retreat
When: Sunday April 11, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Where: Member’s Lounge, North York Civic Centre 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2N
Details: Guo Xing Fashi will introduce the Chan Practice of Silent Illumination in some depth. At the end of this retreat, there will be a Q and A period.
Languages Used by Fashi: English and Mandarin
**Note: To get the full benefit of this retreat, it is recommended that participants have at least some prior experience with meditation techniques, such as Introduction To Meditation.
To Register: download an application from DDMBA Ontario website. Send the completed application to meditation©ddmba-ontario.ca
All events, with the exception of the Fundraising Dinner, are FREE of charge.
For more information on these and other events, be sure to visit our website at http://www.ddmba-ontario.ca. We hope you will all attend these exciting events, and see you soon!
Amitofuo,
DDMBA Ontario
--
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Our Universe set to Music
Sharing the following email with you:
Thought you might like to see this and listen to one of my favorites -
Speakers on.
This clever piece originated in Australia. It is so very well done most folks don't realize how much info he is sharing!
Just click on the link below and wait a minute.
Photos by NASA. Enjoy your journey!!!
http://dingo.care-mail.com/cards/flash/5409/galaxy.swf
--
Thought you might like to see this and listen to one of my favorites -
Speakers on.
This clever piece originated in Australia. It is so very well done most folks don't realize how much info he is sharing!
Just click on the link below and wait a minute.
Photos by NASA. Enjoy your journey!!!
http://dingo.care-mail.com/cards/flash/5409/galaxy.swf
--
Saturday, March 20, 2010
U of T: Art & Public Contestation of Religion - March 26 Friday
In case you are interested:
Join us for the RPS Forum 2010
Join us for the RPS Forum 2010
"Art and the Public Contestation of Religion"
Fri 26 March - 2:30-5:00pm - Vivian and David Campbell Conference Facility, Munk Centre, 1 Devonshire Place
Free admission but registration is required: http://webapp.mcis.utoronto.ca/EventDetails.aspx?eventid=8198
Distinguished speakers reflect on religion, artistic expression, and the line between blasphemy and devotion.
- Jonathan Goldstein – Host of CBC Radio One's WireTap and author of Ladies and Gentleman, The Bible! [see profile...]
- Patricia Rozema – Director and screenwriter, whose works include I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, Mansfield Park and Grey Gardens [see profile...]
- Professor David Morgan – Duke University, Religion/Department of Art, Art History, and Visual Studies [see profile...]
- Professor Kajri Jain – U of T, Graduate Department of Art and the Centre for Visual and Media Culture [see profile...]
Moderator: Professor Ato Quayson: Professor of English and Director, Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies
Religion has long played the role of both muse and censor for works of art. Music, drama, visual arts, and literature are among the most ancient of media for the staging of aesthetic and moral questions. Newer technologies—radio, film, video, digital media—have multiplied the avenues for artistic expression in public spheres while also fueling religious imaginations. With this proliferation of popular media has come a proliferation of audiences and artists from diverse religious perspectives and communities. The RPS theme for 2009-10 focuses on how the arts, both ancient and modern, have made a space for the public contestation of religious aesthetics, heretical expressions, and secular critique.
Free admission but registration is required: http://webapp.mcis.utoronto.ca/EventDetails.aspx?eventid=8198
Friday, March 19, 2010
The last day in Mumbai
Group photo with Maraji (the lady in orange):
Another group picture.
Feel like going back to the 50's?
The dining staff:
Another group picture.
Feel like going back to the 50's?
The dining staff:
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The traffic
Forever Traffic Jam...
Moving in very tight space:
The chili and the lime is to keep the demons away and keep the driver safe...
Moving in very tight space:
The chili and the lime is to keep the demons away and keep the driver safe...
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Outside the hotel
Let's take a picture of each other...
The outside of the hotel...
Cute car...
The building across...
A walk on the beach...
--
The outside of the hotel...
Cute car...
The building across...
A walk on the beach...
--
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The preliminary show
Above: The lady in the middle was our Yoga instructor, so is the young girl at her right.I am not a good photographer, only taking random pictures...
Friday, March 12, 2010
Lakulish World Yogasan Campanionship 2010
At the Lakulish World Yogasan Companionship Arena.
Waiting:
Student entering:
The Entrance:
Waiting:
Student entering:
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The first night at the hotel
This was the hotel room that I stayed in.
I brought my own blanket and pillow.
Fortunately, my roommate did not show up so I had the whole room by myself.
I brought my own blanket and pillow.
Fortunately, my roommate did not show up so I had the whole room by myself.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Amazing taxi
This is the inside of the taxi that I took from Mumbai Airport to the hotel.
The owner/driver of the taxi has taken so much pride and caring into his baby/taxi. He practically has changed every inside components for this car, as it was over 20 years old.
Look at the details of the lining...
Outside is the busy Mumbai street at night.
As usual, my Indian friend had a big argument with the driver about the fare charged when we arrived at our destination.
--
Monday, March 8, 2010
Hoax: Not to use cell phone in a gas station
Sharing the following email with you:
I WISH TO POINT OUT THAT THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL circulated, CLEARLY IN GOOD FAITH, CONTAINS COMPLETELY UNSCIENTIFIC URBAN LEGENDS.
THEY ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY THE RESEARCH ARM OF THE SHELL COMPANY AS CLAIMED (Please verify at the Shell website).
IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT CELL PHONES USE THAT PART OF THE LEECTRO-MAGENTIC SPECTRUM WHICH IS IN THE FAR MICRO-WAVE REGIME. THAT IS,VERY LOW FREQUENCIES COMPARED TO, SAY VISIBLE SUN LIGHT, AND THOUDANDS OF TIMES WEAKER THAN ULTA VIOLET-LIGHT.
EINSTEIN GOT THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR SHOWING THAT THE ENERGY IN RADIATION IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE FREQUENCY. IT IS TRIVIAL TO SHOW, BOTH EXPERIMENTALLY, AND USING SIMPLE CALCULATIONS, THAT THE ENERGY IN THE RADIATION USED BY CELL PHONES IS MILLIONS OF TIMES WEAKER THAN ORDINARY SUN LIGHT.
THE CLAIM THAT A RINGING CELL PHONE INTIATED A SPARK OR A FIRE IS TOTALLY FALSE.
GO TO AN OPEN SPACE, PLACE A TRAY OF GASOLINE (PETROL) IN A PLATE, AND SURROUND THE PLATE WITH FIVE OR EVEN 10 CELL PHONES. STAND A FEW YARDS AWAY AND CALL ALL THOSE CELL PHONES FROM, IF NECESSARY AT THE SAME TIME (USING FIVE OR 10 HELPERS), AND SEE IF YOU CAN CREATE AN IGNITION OF THE PERTOL FUMES COMING FROM THE PLATE.
AS ESTABLISHED LONG EGO BY ALBERT EINSTEIN (IN FACT, IN 1905, WHERE THE FULL THEORY WAS LAID OUT, AND IT TOOK MANY YEARS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO BELIEVE HIM), YOU WILL FIND THAT NO IGNITION OF THE PETROL WILL OCCUR BY CELL PHONE RADIATION OR CELL PHONE ACTIVATION.
PLEASE DON'T UNCRITICALLY BELIEVE URBAN LEGANDS THAT CIRCULATE AROUND THE INTERNET. USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF BASIC SCIENCE TO ANALAYSE THESE - AN EXERCISE THAT WE DO WITH OUR GRADE 10- AND GRADE 12 SCIENCE SCHOOL KIDS., OFTEN COUPLED WITH EXPERIMENTS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE URBAN LEGENDS ARE FALSE.
THE CIRCULATION OF FALSE INFORMATION IS INTRINSICALLY BAD. IT IS OUR DUTY TO POINT THIS OUT, WITH MALICE TO NONE.
"Shell Oil Comments - A MUST READ!
Safety Alert!
Here's some reasons why we don't allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene oxide handling and storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling areas.
The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations
In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.
In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car!
And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.
You should know that: Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes
Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition
Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boat, etc.
Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, (I.e., solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc...)
TO sum it up, here are the Four Rules for Safe Refueling:
1) Turn off engine
2) Don't smoke
3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off
4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling.
Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of 'static electricity' at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires.
His results were very surprising:
1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.
2) Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result of static.
3) Most had on rubber-soled shoes.
4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.
5) Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas
6) It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.
7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8) Seventeen fires occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.
Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas.
If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you ever remove the nozzle.
As I mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute, along with several other companies now, are really trying to make the public aware of this danger.
I ask you to please send this in formation to ALL your family and friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were to happen to them, they may not be able to get the children out in time. Thanks for passing this along."
--
I WISH TO POINT OUT THAT THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL circulated, CLEARLY IN GOOD FAITH, CONTAINS COMPLETELY UNSCIENTIFIC URBAN LEGENDS.
THEY ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY THE RESEARCH ARM OF THE SHELL COMPANY AS CLAIMED (Please verify at the Shell website).
IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT CELL PHONES USE THAT PART OF THE LEECTRO-MAGENTIC SPECTRUM WHICH IS IN THE FAR MICRO-WAVE REGIME. THAT IS,VERY LOW FREQUENCIES COMPARED TO, SAY VISIBLE SUN LIGHT, AND THOUDANDS OF TIMES WEAKER THAN ULTA VIOLET-LIGHT.
EINSTEIN GOT THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR SHOWING THAT THE ENERGY IN RADIATION IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE FREQUENCY. IT IS TRIVIAL TO SHOW, BOTH EXPERIMENTALLY, AND USING SIMPLE CALCULATIONS, THAT THE ENERGY IN THE RADIATION USED BY CELL PHONES IS MILLIONS OF TIMES WEAKER THAN ORDINARY SUN LIGHT.
THE CLAIM THAT A RINGING CELL PHONE INTIATED A SPARK OR A FIRE IS TOTALLY FALSE.
GO TO AN OPEN SPACE, PLACE A TRAY OF GASOLINE (PETROL) IN A PLATE, AND SURROUND THE PLATE WITH FIVE OR EVEN 10 CELL PHONES. STAND A FEW YARDS AWAY AND CALL ALL THOSE CELL PHONES FROM, IF NECESSARY AT THE SAME TIME (USING FIVE OR 10 HELPERS), AND SEE IF YOU CAN CREATE AN IGNITION OF THE PERTOL FUMES COMING FROM THE PLATE.
AS ESTABLISHED LONG EGO BY ALBERT EINSTEIN (IN FACT, IN 1905, WHERE THE FULL THEORY WAS LAID OUT, AND IT TOOK MANY YEARS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO BELIEVE HIM), YOU WILL FIND THAT NO IGNITION OF THE PETROL WILL OCCUR BY CELL PHONE RADIATION OR CELL PHONE ACTIVATION.
PLEASE DON'T UNCRITICALLY BELIEVE URBAN LEGANDS THAT CIRCULATE AROUND THE INTERNET. USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF BASIC SCIENCE TO ANALAYSE THESE - AN EXERCISE THAT WE DO WITH OUR GRADE 10- AND GRADE 12 SCIENCE SCHOOL KIDS., OFTEN COUPLED WITH EXPERIMENTS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE URBAN LEGENDS ARE FALSE.
THE CIRCULATION OF FALSE INFORMATION IS INTRINSICALLY BAD. IT IS OUR DUTY TO POINT THIS OUT, WITH MALICE TO NONE.
"Shell Oil Comments - A MUST READ!
Safety Alert!
Here's some reasons why we don't allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene oxide handling and storage area, propane, gas and diesel refueling areas.
The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations
In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.
In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car!
And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.
You should know that: Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes
Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition
Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boat, etc.
Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, (I.e., solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc...)
TO sum it up, here are the Four Rules for Safe Refueling:
1) Turn off engine
2) Don't smoke
3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off
4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling.
Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of 'static electricity' at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires.
His results were very surprising:
1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.
2) Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result of static.
3) Most had on rubber-soled shoes.
4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.
5) Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas
6) It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.
7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8) Seventeen fires occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.
Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas.
If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you ever remove the nozzle.
As I mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute, along with several other companies now, are really trying to make the public aware of this danger.
I ask you to please send this in formation to ALL your family and friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were to happen to them, they may not be able to get the children out in time. Thanks for passing this along."
--
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Hoax: PIN NUMBER REVERSAL
My sister sent me the following email:
---------------------
PIN NUMBER REVERSAL (GOOD TO KNOW)
If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the police by entering your Pin # in reverse.
For example if your pin number is 1234 then you would put in 4321.
The ATM recognizes that your pin number is backwards from the ATM card you placed in the machine.
The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to help you.
This information was recently broadcast on CTV and it states that it is seldom used because people don't know it exists.
I checked with my Banks of Nova Scotia and RBC to see if this was correct and staff said yes this information is correct.
Please pass this along to everyone possible!!!
FP
-----------
My brother's response:
That, and any other (Please forward this email ) type of message is simply false.
http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/pinalert.asp
If you PIN is palindromic (eg.2332), it simply would not work.
Also by forwarding emails, you have essentially passed along *my email* address and many other emails to many other people.
I'm sure you didn't intend to, but spammers love these kind of things.
You would not want me to pass your contact information to all my friends, would you?
Sorry for being paranoid, but I work in mail.
(Please resist the urge to forward emails!)
LP
--
---------------------
PIN NUMBER REVERSAL (GOOD TO KNOW)
If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the police by entering your Pin # in reverse.
For example if your pin number is 1234 then you would put in 4321.
The ATM recognizes that your pin number is backwards from the ATM card you placed in the machine.
The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to help you.
This information was recently broadcast on CTV and it states that it is seldom used because people don't know it exists.
I checked with my Banks of Nova Scotia and RBC to see if this was correct and staff said yes this information is correct.
Please pass this along to everyone possible!!!
FP
-----------
My brother's response:
That, and any other (Please forward this email ) type of message is simply false.
http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/pinalert.asp
If you PIN is palindromic (eg.2332), it simply would not work.
Also by forwarding emails, you have essentially passed along *my email* address and many other emails to many other people.
I'm sure you didn't intend to, but spammers love these kind of things.
You would not want me to pass your contact information to all my friends, would you?
Sorry for being paranoid, but I work in mail.
(Please resist the urge to forward emails!)
LP
--
Saturday, March 6, 2010
85 and still kicking...
Sharing the following with you:
Pretty Amazing...
The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies holds the Guinness record for
Being the oldest professional chorus line in the world, and one of its Performers, Dorothy Dale Kloss , holds the record-at age 85-for being the Oldest still-performing showgirl - - - No wings, great figure still, young looking legs, moves like a young girl, talks like a youngster. WOW!
Click here: World's Oldest Showgirl Dorothy Dale Kloss Still Kicking With the Fabulous Palm Spring Follies - AARP Bulletin Tod http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/articles/Dorothy_Dale_Kloss_Oldest_Showgirl_in_the_World.HTML
--
Pretty Amazing...
The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies holds the Guinness record for
Being the oldest professional chorus line in the world, and one of its Performers, Dorothy Dale Kloss , holds the record-at age 85-for being the Oldest still-performing showgirl - - - No wings, great figure still, young looking legs, moves like a young girl, talks like a youngster. WOW!
Click here: World's Oldest Showgirl Dorothy Dale Kloss Still Kicking With the Fabulous Palm Spring Follies - AARP Bulletin Tod http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/articles/Dorothy_Dale_Kloss_Oldest_Showgirl_in_the_World.HTML
--
Friday, March 5, 2010
Being moderate
The baby boomers generation is always labeled as the "sandwich generation", sandwiched by the necessity to take extensive care of our parents and our kids.
If we look at it from another angle, we are the fortune generation, having the ability and the resources to be the sandwiched.
Let's take good care of our parents as the chance to repay them is getting shorter and shorter.
Let's take good care of our kids, but not over-spoil them. Do not over consumer or expense at the cost of the future generation.
As Buddha always taught, be moderate...
--
If we look at it from another angle, we are the fortune generation, having the ability and the resources to be the sandwiched.
Let's take good care of our parents as the chance to repay them is getting shorter and shorter.
Let's take good care of our kids, but not over-spoil them. Do not over consumer or expense at the cost of the future generation.
As Buddha always taught, be moderate...
--
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Condelence to the Tang Family
Received the following email from my sister:
"Hi guys,
"Hi guys,
I got a letter from Lily (邓玲志）yesterday. She told me that her mom (曾姑良) passed away on Dec 15 last year. She died of a heart and intestinal cancer.
Lily said that during that time, a lot of past memories came back, which contained a lot of our shadows. She felt a lot of pain, because inside the memories buried a lot of stuff. But everyone needs to go forward, all the past can only be kept in the heart, only for reminiscing during one's quiet time. (这段时间，一切的往事又浮现於脑海。当然少不了你们的影子。 但心却很疼！因为当中夹雜很多很多东西。 不过，人需要向前走，往事也只能收于心底。 当夜阑人静的时候才再次回味吧！）
I feel really really bad. even though she was quite old, the last days of her life was rather lonely and (kind of, I think) miserable. I felt that she treated me like a daughter when I was young, and brought us a lot of good memories. We left HK and didn't have a chance to be kind to her. But such is life....
It was a bad time in my life, with my good friend from Montreal died during the same period. There are fewer and fewer people we crossed path with that truly meant something in our life, and hold us dear to their hearts. Let's treasure who they are and do more while we're still on this earth...
I just hope we'll all take a moment and remember her.
Nancy"
-----------------
Our condolence to the Tang family.
May Mrs. Tang be reborn into a realm that is full of Bodhisattvas and Dharma.
May the Triple Gems be with her always.
Boundless blessings...
----------------
-----------------
Our condolence to the Tang family.
May Mrs. Tang be reborn into a realm that is full of Bodhisattvas and Dharma.
May the Triple Gems be with her always.
Boundless blessings...
----------------
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Is the next generation getting more selfish...
I was having lunch with a friend yesterday.
During the conversation, he raised a point that "our kids are much more selfish in nature, maybe due to the lack of traditional eastern moral standards."
I asked: "How is that so?"
He gave an example: his kids would help around with house chores while they were children, because they would listen to the parents. As they turned into adulthood, they did not help around at all, since it was the parent's house. However, when they moved into her own house, they kept the place neat and tidy.
I always believe that Communism will not work as human beings are selfish in general, we can only take care of things that are ours first, then extend to our family's, friends', society's, country's and planet's. Perhaps the problem lies in the limited ability and resources one can mobilize.
So in Buddhism, as well as Confucianism, we are very pragmatic: we purify our mind and body first, then improve our nature, bond our family, stabilize our society and unify our nation.
We need energy (resources) to perform. With limited energy or resources, it will not carry us far. In order to achieve great work, or only to be unselfish, we need to have merits, or wholesome roots, or Pruna, or Life Force, or Life energy; whatever name you like to call it.
Let's work on how to culminate Life Force before we start to dream big...
---
During the conversation, he raised a point that "our kids are much more selfish in nature, maybe due to the lack of traditional eastern moral standards."
I asked: "How is that so?"
He gave an example: his kids would help around with house chores while they were children, because they would listen to the parents. As they turned into adulthood, they did not help around at all, since it was the parent's house. However, when they moved into her own house, they kept the place neat and tidy.
I always believe that Communism will not work as human beings are selfish in general, we can only take care of things that are ours first, then extend to our family's, friends', society's, country's and planet's. Perhaps the problem lies in the limited ability and resources one can mobilize.
So in Buddhism, as well as Confucianism, we are very pragmatic: we purify our mind and body first, then improve our nature, bond our family, stabilize our society and unify our nation.
We need energy (resources) to perform. With limited energy or resources, it will not carry us far. In order to achieve great work, or only to be unselfish, we need to have merits, or wholesome roots, or Pruna, or Life Force, or Life energy; whatever name you like to call it.
Let's work on how to culminate Life Force before we start to dream big...
---
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Have fun cleaning up...
Anthony wrote:
We have been doing some renovation and painting in the house. We also rented a big garbage bin 20 ft long and started throwing out a lot of old junks that had built up over the years. Little did I know how traumatic the whole exercise was? You come face-to-face with your past and start discarding them, almost on a wholesale basis. Everything has its memories and a lot of emotions invested in them. You really have to live in the moment (當下) and practice equanimity (捨). I have taken on responsibilities, and also letting go of them in the past, but definitely letting go is so much more challenging.
So when you say, ‘Have fun cleaning up’, it is almost like saying ‘Have fun doing Buddhist practice’, it is pregnant with meaning.
Another topic I want to address while everybody are in attendance, albeit in a cyber-sense, is our study of "The Enlightenment Sutra" 圓覺經.
We have been studying the three dharma doors: Samantha, Samaputti, and Jnana, and are ready to move on to the next chapter, which deals with some of the mistakes in our practice. However, I feel this chapter is really crucial to our understanding of meditative practices and unwilling to move on until we have squeezed all its meanings out, so to speak. This would be a tremendous opportunity for everybody to share their experiences and understanding of the path.
Off the top of my head, I could think of some of the issues that we could tackle: how are the three dharma doors related to our practice?
What kind of practice are we currently doing? What is the difference between gradual practice 漸修 and the three dharma doors? What is Huayen Ch’an? How does it relate to "Samantha and Vipassana" 止觀法門 as discussed in "Beginner's Samantha and Vipassana"小止觀 and " Six Meditative Means"六妙門? How is it different to Ch’an as practiced in the School of Ch'an 禪宗?
If we are going to outreach and share meditative practice with outsiders through our meditative class, it does not hurt to have a better idea about the range of practices. Am I being too ambitious? I think we have a newly enlightened person back from India who are ready to share with us some of her insights.
--
We have been doing some renovation and painting in the house. We also rented a big garbage bin 20 ft long and started throwing out a lot of old junks that had built up over the years. Little did I know how traumatic the whole exercise was? You come face-to-face with your past and start discarding them, almost on a wholesale basis. Everything has its memories and a lot of emotions invested in them. You really have to live in the moment (當下) and practice equanimity (捨). I have taken on responsibilities, and also letting go of them in the past, but definitely letting go is so much more challenging.
So when you say, ‘Have fun cleaning up’, it is almost like saying ‘Have fun doing Buddhist practice’, it is pregnant with meaning.
Another topic I want to address while everybody are in attendance, albeit in a cyber-sense, is our study of "The Enlightenment Sutra" 圓覺經.
We have been studying the three dharma doors: Samantha, Samaputti, and Jnana, and are ready to move on to the next chapter, which deals with some of the mistakes in our practice. However, I feel this chapter is really crucial to our understanding of meditative practices and unwilling to move on until we have squeezed all its meanings out, so to speak. This would be a tremendous opportunity for everybody to share their experiences and understanding of the path.
Off the top of my head, I could think of some of the issues that we could tackle: how are the three dharma doors related to our practice?
What kind of practice are we currently doing? What is the difference between gradual practice 漸修 and the three dharma doors? What is Huayen Ch’an? How does it relate to "Samantha and Vipassana" 止觀法門 as discussed in "Beginner's Samantha and Vipassana"小止觀 and " Six Meditative Means"六妙門? How is it different to Ch’an as practiced in the School of Ch'an 禪宗?
If we are going to outreach and share meditative practice with outsiders through our meditative class, it does not hurt to have a better idea about the range of practices. Am I being too ambitious? I think we have a newly enlightened person back from India who are ready to share with us some of her insights.
--
Monday, March 1, 2010
The most valuable lesson
The most valuable lesson that I learned from the recent trip is to live without expectation.
When one has no expectation there is no disappointment; everything is an added bonus. Without expectation, there is no attachment or clinging; without attachment or clinging, there is no obstruction.
As stated in the Heart Sutra:
"Having no obstruction, there is no fear
and departing far from confusion and imaginings,
they reach Ultimate Nirvana."
So without expectation, I could travel 44 hours on four flights to get home; the whole flight was enjoyable. I could wear 9 layers of tops and clothing, 5 pairs of pants; carry over 10 kilogram of books on my backpack, hold on a jam-packed carry-on suitcase and also a heavy plastic shopping bag of gifts that my friends insisted on giving me---doing all that in order to avoid paying flight charges for excess luggage. It was nice to do silly things once in a while, especially when you are getting old and the opportunity cost is high...
May we all live without obstruction and fear...
--
When one has no expectation there is no disappointment; everything is an added bonus. Without expectation, there is no attachment or clinging; without attachment or clinging, there is no obstruction.
As stated in the Heart Sutra:
"Having no obstruction, there is no fear
and departing far from confusion and imaginings,
they reach Ultimate Nirvana."
So without expectation, I could travel 44 hours on four flights to get home; the whole flight was enjoyable. I could wear 9 layers of tops and clothing, 5 pairs of pants; carry over 10 kilogram of books on my backpack, hold on a jam-packed carry-on suitcase and also a heavy plastic shopping bag of gifts that my friends insisted on giving me---doing all that in order to avoid paying flight charges for excess luggage. It was nice to do silly things once in a while, especially when you are getting old and the opportunity cost is high...
May we all live without obstruction and fear...
--
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)