my quaint world

I am back!

See this picture? This is the view out from Marseille train station. And this is the view which caught me mesmerised and made me missed my train home!!! Unbelievable! I myself couldn't believe that had happened. I had to buy another VERY expensive ticket to go home. Sob sob sob.

I was so stupid. It was a hard lesson learnt!


Let's forget about that pinch!

It was a very awakening great 5 days at the buddha-land, Trets. Ha, I call it the buddha-land as during my time there, all on my mind was only to seek to fill the thirst of faith and knowledge. No phone calls, no emails, no talking about work, no worrying about problems. Only lotsa chanting. Studying. And all smiles.

It was a very rejuvenating trip. Brings me back to all the basics of faith. Sometimes, filling up my mind with too much knowledge gained from reading has sort of put me in the "i-know-how-it-all-works" mode which is not so good, because I tend to use a lot of mind reasonings than to let the heart rule. So this is a good "cleansing" trip!

Use the strategy of the lotus sutra!

Wisdom wells from within, as the heart rules, thus faith is pure.

nam is faith/ devotion/ believe.
myho renge kyo is the manifestation of buddhahood/ brings the effects into our lives (buddha wisdom wells from within).

The trip was essential to prepare me for the news that awaits to befall on my ears when I am back. Its a very very worrisome news. I will share it later. Surely, we will fight for victory!

I was in the photography group. This is my best shot. I love the air of joy and warmth expressed.


The group picture - all from SGI-Belgium!


More later. Good night.

Speaking about Trets, it the annual buddhist camp organised by SGI Belgium. It will be held from June 30 - July 4 @ European Cultural Centre which is in Trets, near Marseille (I've booked my Thalys tickets!!!)

I've just looked at the collection of pictures from the 2007 Trets Course of Holland and I love this particular picture. It gives me a sense of serenity.


I wanna take many pictures of this sort but I do not have a telescopic lens so I guess I have to creep up close to take these kind of picture. I hope I will not scare anyone off hehehe.

The other thing is, I have to accelerate my learning of French or Flemish as that will be the official language used during the camp. I just realised French will be much easier to pick for the much similarity of vocabularies to English. I will listen to Michel Thomas diligently, daily.

I really look forward to Trets!

This is the gosho I picked to share in our February Discussion Meet which happened today. Many turned up. I was nervous. Lightly prepared. And thought of an easy way out.

Which did not really went well. I guess it was boring as there wasn't any interaction and just listening to my playing the podcast.

The podcast was fabulous. You should check it out - A Buddhist Podcast A duo of husband and wife recording their very own buddhist radio show. Its interesting and lots to learn from.

Well, everyone thank me for introducing them to this wonderful site.

I didn't feel as bad that things didn't go the way I planned. I can't remember when I stopped feeling bad. But its good. There's a tiny feeling tugging away, but I managed to put them off.

Though I learn from this experience. One day I want to be well verse, confident, understandable and most importantly being about to communicate my thoughts and feelings without barriers of self-conciousness, nervousness and unsureness. One day I will be able to share and teach others about this wonderful buddhism.

The one day will come.

I really wanna study the gosho in depth. Polishing my life daily. And continue chanting NMHRK no matter what.

This gosho that I shared today is a very short and concise. It contains the very essence of why we practise faith. To be happy.

We are born in this world to enjoy life. No one else can make us happy. Only by our own efforts can we become happy. In good time and in bad time, let happiness enfolds us.

Quote from a book : True happiness is not the absence of suffering, you cannot have day after day of clear skies. True happiness lies in building a self that stands dignified and indomitable like a great palace - on all days, even when its raining, snowing or stormy.

Ah, here goes the gosho :

There is no greater happiness for human beings than changing Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The sutra says, "The people there [in my land] are happy and at ease." (2) "Happy and at ease" here means the joy derived from the Law. You are obviously included among the "people", and "there" indicates the entire world, which includes Japan. "Happy and at ease" means to know that our lives --- both our bodies and minds, ourselves and our surroundings --- are the entities of ichinen sanzen and the Buddha of absolute freedom. There is no greater happiness than having faith in the Lotus Sutra. It promises us "peace and security in this life and good circumstances in the next." (3) Never let life's hardships disturb you. After all, no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages.

Just chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and when you drink sake, stay at home with your wife. Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens. Then you will experience boundless joy from the Law. Strengthen your faith more than ever.

With my deep respect,
Nichiren

The twenty-seventh day of the sixth month in the second year of Kenji (1276)
(The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1 pp. 161-62)

Terrific buddhism!!! You should try it. It opens to a whole new realm of self learning and realisation. True joy that radiates from your being :)

Haha. I think my words sound overrated. Honestly, one has to try to know it.

I just know for myself, this is the best life principles to follow.
I just love it!

November 18, 2006

- Soka Gakkai Founding Day
- Official day that Ms Teh will become a SGI-Belgium member
- Birthday of Ms Teh

How significant it is! :)

As she drove herself with the unfamiliar vehicle all over at wrong sides of the roads, her heart was beating with pure anticipation. To meet with strangers whom yet she knows of those familiar warm hearts and glowing faces.

A drive so short, felt like miles away.

The joy felt on the rythm of the chanting, those voices which speaks words she do not yet understand are those same voices which she hears the unison of the hearts.

When I arrived, I was pretty nervous. Ain't sure where to park my big mama car. Managed to squeeze myself in a little corner, just enough not to block the garage of another. Took a peep thru my door just to see if I did give the car behind a bump. Lucky no. But a funny guy was laughing at my antics.

Then we found ourselves knocking on the same door.

I said, "Hello, am here for the meeting". He laughed even louder. In fact he was estatic. "Its our first meeting. You are standing here - our very first new member. How wonderful!"

And he didnt stop chuckling. Throughout the meeting. A buddha he is, bubbling, glowing, warm and happy. As everyone else there. Even little sweet Emily.

Well, indeed a great start to my journey for sake of kosenrufu in Europe.

Finally, this Saturday morning, I managed to get up earlier than usual, did the usual grocery shopping at the morning market and then rushed to the kaikan, near Midi Station in Brussels.

And there, it was the right Saturday because coincidentally they were having just the monthly Youth Meeting (every 2nd Sat of the month, 9am-12noon). I met the YWD Chief, Joelle and Vice Chief, Kazuko.

Also, got the contact for the district in Vilvoorde. My 1st discussion meeting will be this Wed. And its just 10 mins walk from my place :) Yay!

Also, also, the Vilvoorde district was just formed 2 weeks ago, consist of only 4 people. I will be the 5th... small he... but something always starts from nothing.

That's what I call the right timing!!!

I am excited! Also very much looking forward as one of my goals is to do kosenrufu in Europe!

Friday night, had a lovely dinner at 'Kuala Lumpur', a Malaysian restaurant in Antwerp with a group of Singaporean girls. We found each other thru the expat site. Sound desperate me? Hehe. But they are cool girls and in fact we had a great conversation going on that night.

Ms Monica - Freelance TV producer
Ms Jenna - Au pair for 4 terrors ;)
Ms Jai - new mommy n aspiring nurse

And grreeat food! So yummy especially the satay with peanut sauce :)

Well, well, this is what I have to do - building a new social circle. I made the decision to come living here, so I will not sulk around at home, complaining of boredom.

Happiness in oneself is everyone's own responsibility.

Ciao, enjoy ya sunny weekend!

Just had a chat on the IM with littlecreature. We are going to start a daimoku campaign together, in challenging together, heart and soul with our dear friend, Sze in Taipei.

Sze's told me this Monday that the tumor in her liver has grown in size. She's got to go thru TAE again. And she's been having pain in her tummy too these weeks. My my my, its really a tough time for her.

A tough girl she is. She told me she'll not give up as long as her doctor doesn't give up on curing her. That's the spirit, attagirl!

littlecreature: Let's focus our determination to ~
1) chant for Sze's good fortune to be able to live life to the fullest and be able to overcome her health karma
2) chant to overcome our personal challenges and to achieve victories in our own lives
3) chant to be able to fuse our lives with the Mystic Law and be able to contribute to kosen rufu

littlecreature: Let's send her our determinations and I'll get the daimoku chart
nam: okok :)

1 million daimoku campaign!

Also, she reminded me :

We have to continue moving on because our lives are very dynamic. Nothing is static in this world, the only thing that is permananent is changes..
And, as human beings we evolved, we mature, we embark on new journey, rediscover ourselves, but never regress ok?

** She sits back and let out a little yawn, but her face is flushin with deep convictions