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-