Class Party 2010!!

Okay guys and gals.
You can see it in the calendar.
7th Nov 2010
CLASS PARTY!
It's party time.
Bring some grubs to share.
Bring some stories to tell.
Let your hair hang down.
Sing your songs and play your games.

Foeticide aka Abortion

Pro-Choice or Pro-Life. The debate on abortion seems never ending. Here's an article that has been doing the email, blog and social network rounds.

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
“Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.” So the doctor said “Ok, and what do you want me to do?” She said “I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.”

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady “I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.” She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued “You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.”

The lady was horrified and said “No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!” “I agree,“ the doctor replied “but you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.”

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!

It's a dog's life!

It's a dog's life! You've seen it. A seemingly happy dog with it's drooling tongue flapping in the breeze as the car cruises along. Maybe a couple of kids playing with a big Persian cat at the back of an MPV. Don't forget the well coiffured aunty in the Kopitiams sipping the mocha with her just as well coiffured pooch sitting docile on a chair next to her. The trend is unmistakable. More and more people are getting pets as toys, ornaments or something to adorn themselves. Perhaps it subconsciously underlines their need to feel superior and lord over the beasts.

WARNING: Contains graphic images that may be disturbing to some. Click to read more.

The Rebirth of Buddha NOT

On the 14th April 2010 there was a promotional advertisement for a new movie "Who is Buddha?" in the newspaper. My immediate reaction was "WOW" and "WAY TO GO!" but wait a minute. My Buddha-sense tingled (like Spiderman and his spidersense) as I read further. The title seemed a bit strange. Shouldn't it have been The Buddha? Maybe it's just a common non-native english movie grammar mistake. "Free Admission" it read. A full length movie that cost millions to produce and the special screening is promoted for free? Suspicion sets in. The organisation behind this is the BUDDHIST SOCIETY OF HUMAN HAPPINESS?

To Bro. KC and Moggallana classmates!

Moggallana students from the choir group (One Voice One Melody) will be attending class slightly later, about 9am this Sunday ( 7th Feb 2010) as we will be performing during the public puja at 8.30am.
Cheers~

Attention all Monggalana-ians !

As all of you know 7th of Feb is the 1st Youth Avenue, but our dear chairperson forgotten to tell you guys that it will end a lil later so please stay back until 11.30am ! Thank q.

Love,

Sharmaine

Buddha Prophesied about Jesus?

I read an article in the "Voice of Buddhism" with shock and disbelief. Buddha prophesied about Jesus? To me, the crux of Buddhist ideal and that of Christianity are so diametrically opposed that this is unthinkable. The next thought that appeared in my mind was filled with sadness because people would spread such untruths to mislead others. I was glad that the matter was very well rebutted in the article by a Mr. John Johnson (Although I'm unable to ascertain who Mr Johnson is ... yet.)

Although the claim is not new but it's recurrence can continue to bring confusion to those less informed about Buddhism. Googling the net brings more than 250000 hits on similar misinformation. Here's one such link Buddha told of Jesus

Not only that, even some Muslims think that Buddha prophesied about Prophet Muhammad. This is by a Dr. Mohammed Amir. JAKIM

What can we say? Buddha is a popular guy but don't depend on others to tell you what He teaches. Ehi Passiko. Come and see. Practise it yourself.

Hook, Line & Sinker

Hook, line and sinker! That's the idiom we use when one completely believes, accepts or is totally taken in by something. Usually in a negative way. "He fell for it hook, line and sinker" meant that the person totally went for it like a fish that gobbled not only the bait but swallowed the entire hook, the fishing line and its sinker. That's exactly what I thought when I saw this photo taken by Patrick Leong. Looks cute and funny isn't it? Read on ...

Reminds me of how people use to catch small monkeys in the olden days. Villagers used to cut a tiny hole in a coconut, drain the water and put some fruit or nuts inside. They would place such coconuts in places where the monkeys were menacing. The curious monkeys would find the treat in the coconuts and put their little hands in to grab the reward but with clenched fists, they were unable to take their hands out. Like convicts tied to iron balls and chains they were trapped. The villagers and often kids would rush out with sticks and beat the monkeys to death. It never occured to the monkeys that if they'd release and let go of the fruits in the coconuts, they'd be able to retract their hands and flee.

That's what I saw in the photo. The little monkey is so taken in that he's dunked his entire head into the coconut oblivious to any impending danger. Laugh if you may but there's something important we should learn from this. Today, "coconuts" have transformed into intense gadgets of distractions that panders to our senses of pleasures. Guess who is the monkey now? Watch out for if we do not know how to let go, we may suffer the fate of the helpless monkeys of days gone by.

90 Students Barrier Broken!

We've hit 95 students in enrolment. As some of you said "WA-LAO-EH!". Although only 60 students turned up, the class was packed. Welcome back Bryan and Kevin.

Some general information.
You already know the class blog if you are reading this. Take note of the calendar on the right and prepare yourself to meet the BISDS challenge. :) This blog will be a portal of information and Dhamma "watering hole" for you to share your thoughts.

Teachers in charge are
Bro. Gary Loo (Head Teacher)
Bro. Lid Sine ( T-i-c Buddha's greatness etc)
Bro. K.C. (T-i-c Maha Mangala Sutta)

Class monitors elected were
Allen and Sharmaine. Sadhu to both of them for taking up the posts.

click more ....>


Last Sunday (17th Jan), due to the overwhelming attendance, we had a short meditation exercise to quieten and calm our mind. We could talk and discuss quietly for more than 30 minutes. Wow! ;) Proof that the class can be quiet. Proof that there's "heaven". Then when you were allowed to take a 10 mins break, the entire class was like a market place. Proof that class can be extremely noisy. Proof that there's "hell". So we can say that "heaven" and "hell" can be in the same location. ;) In any case, it can be a strain for the teacher's vocal cords to be heard from one end of the class to the other. So please, have sympathy for teacher.

We've maintained the class 'tradition' of taking turn to be Puja MC. This time we are starting from the end of the class register. Sadhu to Hopkins and Kee Zet? for being the MC last week. We've also suggested that Prime come out with a standard script for the MC so that the task won't be so daunting and new students will not be caught tongue tied. The other students can improve and improvise to make the MC presentation a better one. When we are up there as the MC, we should take the opportunity to liven up, inspire and motivate the Puja audience with our presentation.

We also talked about the events that have been scheduled for the year in BISDS and how we can participate in these events as a class to make a difference. Some of the major events include Fund Raising Dinner for the rooftop classes (while we sit in the aircond, our little friends in the rooftop classes put up with the possibility of their class room collapsing, electrical faults and water leaks.), School Trip, Class Trip, Wesak day Exhibition, Dhamma Quiz, IBYFG, Dhamma Pet Week etc etc.

We need to get ourselves organised and work more effectively as a class. You guys are young adults already. It's time to put your Dhamma to work and be of service to your community. We also talked about the possibility of releasing animals from captivity as a project recognizing that BISDS will hold its first Dhamma Pet event. I leave it to you guys/gals to weigh the pros and cons of this practice. It was once a popular practice during Wesak to release animals like birds but due to unscrupulous people, it has become a horrible trade to catch the poor animals for sale to be "released". Furthermore, the efficiency of intercontinental freight these days have seen the importation of a flurry of exotic animals sold as pets. It is not unusual to find rare exotic and even dangerous animals which may pose as a threat to our natural habitat. So how do we help animals? Is it wrong to free an animal? THINK. By NOT setting animals free, did we stop or have we caused a drop in demand for animal poachers? Is it better to buy a pet or adopt a pet?

I remember a story of a boy who threw a starfish back into the ocean. A man noticing a boy throwing a starfish back into the ocean ridiculed him saying that there are miles and miles of the beach and many other starfish will still perish as the sun comes up and the tide goes down. The boy couldn't possibly make a difference. The boy smiled confidently, picked up another starfish and gently threw it back into the surf and said "I made a difference to that one."

with Metta
LidSine

Class Party videos

Finally, the videos are up in youtube. Sorry I couldn't get this out in time b4 SPM examinations. Too much work.

Class Party 2009

End

After eleven months, finally we have come to an end of Sunday School for the year 2009. It was great to have been able to join the class this year for the first time and the last time.

Getting to know everyone in the class was seriously great and definitely a great fun time being class with everyone. Lameness and loudness spreading in the class every week is definitely all the time.

To all the Form 5’s having SPM starting this Wednesday, good luck and all the best. Do your best and don’t give up! To all the others, have great school holiday and enjoy it to the max before next year comes.

Again thank you to Bro KC & Bro Lid Sine for the knowledge that I’ve gained this year in class.

I will still be around Sunday School next in Sariputta class for those who may want to know. Find me if you need me.

Smiles from my heart,
Love from my heart,
&
You all shall always be my Kalyana Mitra!

See you all again next year!

By Bryan ^.^V

Speech

Good evening to my dearest family and friends, brothers and sisters in the Dhamma.

It is difficult to express my gratitude and it is indeed surprising to me that I would be standing here tonight receiving this award – Best Student of the Year. I want to say so much, but I can hardly find the words. Being able to learn the Dhamma is the greatest blessings in my life. Definitely I wouldn’t be able to have it if I hadn’t join BISDS. It is where I discover that there is a part in me that want to explore more into the teachings of the Buddha. Of course, it is only this year that I join BISDS after hearing about it a few years ago but was reluctant of joining it then as I had a perception that I won’t benefit from it. But now, I have a different perception of BISDS. It has brought me a lot of new things this year namely friends, knowledge, experience & passion. I’m very glad that I have joined BISDS.

It wasn’t easy being the eldest student in class yet with the least Dhamma knowledge as well. Even with the teachings that I have learnt in class, I have even took the effort to study more myself by taking the class exam and also the MBE. It is also that without the encouragement that I get from friends, I wouldn’t have the initiative to study deeper into it

I gained experience through events such as BISDS Carnival as well as Class Trip to the Home of the Disabled which was organized by our class. In all these, I was able to put my Dhamma knowledge into action. That is by helping anyone whether or not they are in need to be helped, be patient when issue arise and more.

Joining the BISDS Youth Group, dancing and choir was a bonus that helped me to explore even more. It is where I discover that I can sing and together we reflect the name of our choir group – One Voice, One Melody. It is too where I found my greatest passion that I am so hyped up whenever I talk about it, which is dancing. Speaking of it makes me just want to dance right now.

Lastly, I’m very glad that I was able to meet everyone that I know here. Some of us going through the ups & downs together, celebrating happy moments together and I even feel that they are a second family to me. With all being said, I definitely want to thank my class teachers, Bro Kan Cheng & Bro Lid Sine and of course all my family & friends. Sunday has been one of my favourite days.

Thank you and good night.

Above is the speech that I gave on Appreciation Nite 09.

By Bryan ^.^V

Moggallana Class Party 2009

Event: Class Party
Time: 8.30am-10.30am
Date: 15 Nov 2009
Venue: in class

Those who were assigned to bring stuff/food/drinks are:-

Yee Wan- Sushi
Sze Mei- Soft Drinks
Ai Ling-Cakes(chocolate)
Amy-Konnyaku Jelly
Pei Wen- Balloons
Shuen-Pasta
Allison- Tissues
Sing Keat- ice, twisters(drink)x2
Kai Cong- plastic forks and spoons
Kee Zet & Ren- garbage bags
Fuh Lin- soft drinks x2
Hop Kins- paper cups and paper plates
Michelle- Junk Food
Rebecca- ice & Ice Box
Bryan- Cloths
T1- Bananas
T2- Apples & Oranges
Games are:-
T1's ice breaking game
T2's ice breaking game
Dog & Bone(Kai Cong's game)
Shiso Shiso??(Kai Cong's game....

Attention everyone, there will be no puja next week. However we shall have puja session in respective classes.

If anyone wants to bring something else, please inform me or Kee Zet & Kee Ren or you can tell us in our chatbox.


Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

-Pei Wen-

Appreciation Nite

Attention to those who are coming for BISDS Appreciation Nite.

Those who are not sitting for SPM/STPM this year and those who are not involved in dancing and choir, please volunteer yourself to help out for the night.

That’s all.

By BKB ^.^V

Lantern Night

To all students,

Next week, there will be no class on this Sunday which is 20th Sep 2009 as its the Hari Raya Holiday.
Well of course, class will resume on the following week on the 27th of Sep 2009.

Other than that,Well, what more can I say? Picture speaks more than what I can say. Of course one most important thing on this day, bring your family members along! The rest of the details are all on the flyer which you can enlarge it.

By BKB ^.^V

Pictures from Class Trip

There are actually many pictures, and I am afraid that I am unable to post them all at one go, so I'll post bits by bits. Please be patient with me. Thank you very much. =)

All photo taken by Shuen.

-Alison.

The Story of Moggallana

Sariputta and Moggallana were themselves enlightened. They were arahants and being so powerful as they were how was it that such tragedy could befall Moggallana? Arahants do not "suffer" anymore but the physically mortal being is subject to the ripening of whatever remaining karma and in Moggallana's case, the karmic product of killing his blind parents in his past life was more powerful than his supernatural skills. Did he try to use his supernatural powers to avert death? How did he die?

Moggalana and Sariputta were the most excellent disciples of the Buddha. They were both older than the Buddha and both passed away half a year before the Buddha's Parinibbana. They were 84 years old. While Sariputta passed away peacefully on the full moon of October, Moggallana's death, on the following new moon of November was tragic.

Moggallana was the master of supernatural skills. Many monks had developed certain supernatural skills but Moggallana accomplished the most.
He was capable of :-
Penetrating and reading the minds of others (Telepathy)
Hearing voices and receiving messages from other beings eg gods, devas, spirits, etc. divine ear (Clair-audience)
Vision over long distance, seeing other beings and seeing the workings of Karma in others. This is the power of the divine eye (Clairvoyance) He often communicated and received instructions from the Buddha even though they were far apart.
Astral travel. Being able to leave his form and appear in other realms, he often travelled to the heavenly realms and interacted with gods.
Telekinesis. Being able to move things without having to touch it or with unusual ease. He even shook the heavenly palace of Sakka to teach him a lesson.

Both Sariputta and Moggallana were themselves enlightened. They were arahants and being so powerful as they were, how was it that such tragedy could befall Moggallana? Arahants do not "suffer" anymore but the physically mortal being is subject to the ripening of whatever remaining karma.In Moggallana's case, the karmic product of killing his blind parents in his past life was more powerful than his supernatural skills. Did he try to use his supernatural powers to avert death? How did he die?

Apparently, an ascetic order of the Jains faith were angry when they heard that Moggallana, using his clairvoyance discerned that virtuous practitioners of the Dhamma gained favourable rebirths, while the followers of other faiths were not so fortunate. Evil members of these faiths hired killers to get rid of Moggallana who was then living alone in a forest hut. Mara himself tried to claim Moggallana's mortal frame by entering through the latter's lower bowels. Moggallana calmly ordered Mara out of his body. Mara was taken aback at the speed at which Moggallana could detect his presence and exited from Moggallana's mouth. Standing in front of him, Mara asked Moggallana how he knew. Moggallana related that he knew much more than that. In a distant past life, Moggallana revealed that he was in fact Mara himself. Even Maras are subjected to the realms of Samsara. Subjected to birth and death. During the time of the first of five Buddhas that were to appear, Moggallana was the chief of demons, lord of the underworld by the name of Mara Dusi who had a sister by the name of Kali. The Mara who stood before him was in effect, the son of Kali which made him Moggallana's "nephew".

After the encounter with Mara, Moggallana felt that the time was near for his parinibbana. After attaining sainthood, he felt his mortal body as a burden and obstruction and allowed impermanence to take its course. But when hired killers went for him in his hut, he made himself invisible. For six days, hired killers went to his hut and could not find him on every occasion. Moggalana knew that the action of the killers would result in very bad karma for each and every one of them. So although he knew of the impending karmic force, he nevertheless used his powers to make himself invisible , because of his compassion for the would-be-killers.On the seventh day, the killers' persistence paid off as Moggallana was stricken by the ripening of the bad karma just as one would suddenly be stricken with illness. Moggallana's powers failed him and the killers smashed his every limb and left him dying in a pool of blood. Killing an arahant of such power is never easy. Moggallana, with great physical and mental strength did not succumb to the injuries but instead, managed to drag himself a great distance to breathe his last serene breath in front of the Buddha. When the monks inquired as to why such an excellent arahant could die in such a brutal way, the Buddha explained that even Moggallana could not stop the workings of karma. In one of his previous existence, he had killed both his parents who were blind. Following bad advice, he put them in a cart and took them into the forest and beat them to death pretending that they were attacked by robbers. Killing one's parents is considered one of the top five worst action ever.

Blessing

To all PMR & SPM candidates!

There will be an examination blessing service to be held in BMV on the 31st August 2009.

It will start at 7.30pm

For more information about his event please call the BMV office at 03-22741141.

Another reminder to all those who wants the copy of the class trip DVD. It includes the video of the trip and also interviews of Principal, Teacher, Parents & Students. Those who still wants it please do contact me or email me.

Be mindful of your speech

I'm so like going crazy over the way people, like, want to, like, talk like like like .... Are we like so unoriginal, like, we, like, annoy people, like, every time we open our mouth? As Buddhists, aren't we, like, suppose to be, like, more mindful of our speech. But hey, isn't it, like, better than using the f****ing word all over? NO! Two wrongs don't make a right. It's not 'kewl' even to Americans. To me it's an indication that people like to talk so fast that when they are at a lost for words, these fillers help them to continue. Nevertheless, be mindful of your utterances.

Actually, the billboards are the work of a satirical group calling themselves the Acad(e)my of Linguistic Awar(e)ness. Note the spelling mistakes and bad sentence construction in the poster. It's some sort of practical joke literally.