Friday, January 21, 2011

Meeting him for the first time...

At dinner tonight, I mentioned to my other kids that it was very unusual for their sister not to bring home her boyfriend whom she has been going out with for months.

Ten mintues ago, he showed up inside my house. I met him for the first time.

My daughter said "You summoned him and he got the message."

I wish that he will bring much happiness and joy into her life.

Best of wishes to you both.

--

Thursday, January 20, 2011

When Mom gets sick...

I have been sick for the past few days.

My daughter jokes around and says: "The world is coming to the end. Mom never gets sick. It is a sign the the end of the world is near..."

I appreciate her sense of humor. Yes I hardly get sick, even when I get sick, I recover within 24 hours. This time I am sick for 3 days already. What a luck woman I am!

I thank all the Buddhas from the ten directions for that...

---

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

DDMBA: Dharma Lecture by Dr. Jimmy Yu (Guo Gu)

In case you are interested:

Dharma Lecture by Dr. Jimmy Yu (Guo Gu)
Chan Buddhism: Life, Intimacy, and Awakening (Jan 28 @6:30pm)


Dear Friend,

Dharma Drum Mountain (Ontario) Buddhist Association, in collaboration with University of Toronto’s Buddhism and Psychology Student Union, is proud to announce that, from Friday, January 28 to Sunday, January 30, 2011, Chan Teacher Dr. Jimmy Yu (Guo Gu) will be in Toronto to deliver a series of activities related to the fundamental practice and teachings of Chan.

Dr. Jimmy Yu is Assistant Professor of Religion at Florida State University. He received inka (affirmation of Chan experience) from the late Chan Master Sheng Yen (1930-2009) in 1995, and is one of the senior lay teachers in the Dharma Drum Chan lineage.

We hope you will take advantage of this exciting opportunity to refresh your mind, gain insights, and learn Dharma in the company of U of T’s diverse population!


Chan Buddhism: Life, Intimacy, and Awakening
Introductory Dharma lecture, followed by Q&A. Admission is free and all are welcome. Sponsored by New College.


We hope to see you at this event, and please visit our website for more information and other information regarding our regular activities visit www.ddmba-ontario.ca or email us at contact@ddmba-ontario.ca.


Peace and Harmony,

DDMBA Ontario



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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Silent Illumination Weekend Retreat - Jan 29-30 2011

In case you are interested:

Silent Illumination Weekend Retreat
Saturday and Sunday, January 29-30, 2011
0.5 Day Retreat or 1.5 Day Retreat


Dear Friends,

We hope you will take advantage of this exciting opportunity to refresh your mind, gain insights, and learn Dharma with Dr. Jimmy Yu and in the company of U of T’s diverse population!

Silent Illumination* Weekend Meditation Retreat

Instructor: Dr. Jimmy Yu
Time: January 29 to 30, 2011 (Sat and Sun)
Location:
Main Activity Hall 208, U of T Multi-Faith Centre (located in the Koffler House)
Address:
569 Spadina Ave at Harbord St. Toronto, ON M5S 2J7


Saturday Half Day Retreat
  • Saturday, January 29, 1:30 to 6pm (half day)
  • $10 for students or $15 non-student
  • Light snack provided
  • Beginners welcome

Sat and Sun 1.5 Day Retreat
  • Saturday, January 29, 1:30 to 6pm (half day)
  • Continues on Sunday, January 30, 9am to 4pm (full day)
  • $20 for student or $25 non-student
  • Sunday vegetarian lunch provided
  • Beginner and advanced practitioners welcome

To Register:

Directions for the U of T Multi-Faith Centre


Download retreat application, click here.

Peace and Harmony,

DDDMBA Ontario

-------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The best and most beautiful things in the world...

The best and most beautiful things in the world
cannot be seen or even touched -
they must be felt with the heart.
- Helen Keller -

Another well said quotation. Similarly, the Diamond Sutra (Chapter 26 - translated by Red Pine) says:

"Subhuti, what do you think? Can the Tathagata be seen by means of the possession of attributes?"

Subhuti replied, "No, indeed, Bhavagan. As I understand the meaning of what Buddha says, the Tathagata cannot be seen by means of the possession of attributes."

The Buddha said, Well done, Subhuti. Well done. So it is as you claim. The Tathagata cannot be seen by means of attributes. And why not? Subhuti, if the Tathagata could be seen by means of the possession of attributes, a universal king would be a tathagata. Hence, the Tathagata cannot be seen by means of attributes."

The venerable Subhuti said to the Buddha, "As I understand the meaning of what the Buddha says, the Tathagata cannot be seen by means of attributes.

On that occasion the Buddha then spoke this gatha:

"Who looks for me in form
who seeks me in a voice
indulges in waste effort
such people see me not."
--


May I ask: Tathagata must be felt with the heart?

--

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Happiness is ...

Happiness is when
what you think,
what you say,
and what you do
are in harmony
- Mahatma Gandhi -


What a well said quotation.


Our vexations (or problems) lie in
we do not know what we think,
we do not mean what we say,
and we are not aware of our actions.
The end result...chaos...and sufferings...


--


Monday, January 10, 2011

Our magic marriage of convenience by K. Hadley

Keith's article got published in Globe and Mail today....I'm so proud of him (and his fabrication...haha)!

/N

It's been edited slightly (including having the title changed and the synopsis removed), but here it is:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/our-magic-marriage-of-convenience/article1864102/

K.
--

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Wise Cracks 21

Sharing the following email with you:


Wealth

Money can't buy you happiness ... but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.

- Spike Milligan

<><>

I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.

- Zsa Zsa Gabor





Marriage

By all means, marry.

If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.

- Socrates

<><>

I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.

- Groucho Marx

<><>

My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.

- Jimmy Durante

<><>
I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.'

- Eleanor Roosevelt





Children

Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself, 'Lillian, you should have remained a virgin.

- Lillian Carter, mother of Jimmy Carter

<><>

Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP .

- Joe Namath





Aging

I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.

- Bob Hope

<><>
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.

- Winston Churchill

<><>

By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere.

- Billy Crystal

<><>

We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress.

- Will Rogers

<><>

Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty . But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.

- Phyllis Diller

<><>






Health

I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it.

- W. C. Fields

<><>

Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar & fat.

- Alex Levine

<><>

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

- Mark Twain -

<><>

And the cardiologist's diet: If it tastes good spit it out.

Author Unkown

<><>
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.

- George Burns

<><>

My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.

- Rodney Dangerfield

<><>
Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement.

- Mark Twain

<><>

Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.

- Victor Borge

<><>

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

UT: Thur. Jan13: ‘Natural’ Disaster and National Mourning in China’s Tibet

In case you are interested:

Spectacular Compassion: ‘Natural’ Disaster and National Mourning in China’s Tibet

Charlene Makley, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Reed College, will be a Numata Program visiting speaker on Thursday, January 13, 2011, at the University of Toronto, Jackman Humanities Building 317 (4-6pm). She will deliver a lecture entitled “Spectacular Compassion: ‘Natural’ Disaster and National Mourning in China’s Tibet.”

Charlene Makley’s areas of specialization include globalization, development, gender, ethnicity, nationalism, religion and ritual, feminist theory, and linguistic anthropology in Tibet and China.

For more on Buddhist Studies at the U of T, see http://buddhiststudies.chass.utoronto.ca/



------ The content of this message does not represent the views or opinions of the University of Toronto.


----

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Best of wishes for 2011

Sharing the following with you:

We in turn wish you the very best of health, peace and happiness in the new year and period ahead.

I would like to share this beautiful greeting which I received from a friend.

Here is another beautiful greeting for your listening pleasure, though it is full of God's love and bounty,which is intended to fill you up with praise for the almighty lord by showing you some of the beautiful scenery of Ireland presented with some delightful and touching music. (No mention is made of the precarious financial situation faced by Ireland requiring a bail out package of 85 billion Euros.)

(Click on the green link and enjoy)!!!

http://www.andiesisle.com/ThisBlessingIsForYou.html


With warm regards,
Mahinda