Readings from the Dharma

As I was reading and thinking of the discourses of the Buddha in the book I am reading now, In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, many passages made a very strong impression and got me thinking real deep and hard at the root. It helped me straighten my mind and helped me acquire some insights into my own thoughts and being as well as cut through the hustle and bustle of the happenings of the daily life.

Buddhism has this effect on me and I have never see Buddhism as a religion but a very powerful philosophical system rooted on logic, common sense and the betterment of the human condition.

Here is to share some words from the Samyutta Nikaya, titled “The Hindrances to Mental Development”:

According to this sutta, there are 5 hindrances to mental development, namely:

1. Sensual lust
2. Ill will
3. Dullness and drowsiness
4. Restlessless and remorse
5. Doubt

If we look deep into each one of the above, meditating on them (the Buddha has advised a very powerful yet simple method of meditation based on breathing), we can really see that these 5 sometimes really paralyzes our thoughts, poisons our mind and blocking us from achieving a better mental state.

For example, when we have ill will towards a certain people, our whole mind is coloured as such and we could not be objective and think straight. It also hurts our emotional self and much more. One of the ways to counter this is to inculcate a spirit of loving-kindness towards all being. Also, if we are dull and lazy and always drowsy and intoxicated, there is no way we can think straight and have a productive life. If we are indulgent to sensual lust, we are bound to be tempted into many things that has a negative effect on not only our mind but spirit, body, family etc.

The discourse on this is comprehensive and comes along with similes using a pot of water as a reflection of our mind and after reading this sutta, I started to think deep and many a knot has been untangled.

Truly Flower(s) in the Pocket

Seng Tat’s debut film, FLOWER IN THE POCKET just won two awards in Pusan: the New Currents Award and the KNN Audience Award. Heartfelt congratulations and felt so happy for that film to win, but much more so, the success and recognition of Malaysia’s own homegrown films in the international arena.

FLOWER IN THE POCKET is truly a very charming and well made film and it will definitely be worth your time to catch it in GSC’s International Screens. My bet is you will be charmed. By the way, the makingof, trailers and some clips will find its way on Astro Kirana before the cinema premiere.

Again, congratulations to Seng Tat, Chui Mui and team.

Back from Cambodia and All

Well, not exactly to Cambodia as in exploring Cambodia but just to Siem Reap mostly for the Angkor temple visits. Would love to spend more time to explore Cambodia but maybe this will happen only the next time. Have been reading a lot about stuffs to do, eg. in Phnom Penh to shoot a real AK47 and to witness for myself the absolute evilness that the human heart is capable in the Killing Fields. Also to explore Cambodia’s seaside towns and enjoy the great seafood promised by our tour guide.

One of the highlights of the trip is the eating of the “Happy Herb” pizza at the happy herb pizza restaurant. You have to specifically ask for happy herb and after eating that, we were very happy indeed :)

Next up, I am now a citizen of Facebook and this is taking up quite a lot of my time but is quite fun sometimes.