Daulat Tuanku!

Malaysia has a NEW KING: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah was installed on April 26, 2007 as our nation's 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. More on the installation ceremony. More on the Malaysian Monarchy, click here (site is NOT updated, hopefully it gets updated really soon)

To spank or not to spank?

Maybe the government can decide for you!

If you feel the need to debate and religious issues like the previous post - are too hot to handle. I understand this is still a hotly debated issue - picked up from Bloomberg.com (click to link to source).

New Zealanders Demand Spanking Ban After Deaths of Maori Twins

By Tina Morrison

Aug. 9 (Bloomberg) -- The beating deaths of twin 3-month-old Maori boys in New Zealand is fueling demands by lawmakers, doctors and child-welfare lobbyists for a ban on spanking and stricter rules on corporal punishment of children.

New Zealand has the third-worst record for child deaths from maltreatment among the 27 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to a 2003 United Nations report. A disproportionate number of cases involve families of indigenous Maori people.

The deaths of Chris and Cru Kahui in June sparked vigils against domestic violence across the country, soul-searching by Maori leaders and state pledges of funds. The government in May earmarked NZ$53 million ($33 million) over four years to change attitudes toward violence, teach good parenting and fund community groups working with families.......... full article here.

Would you spank? Have you spanked? Would you spport a ban on spanking?

Everywoman - Apostasy

If you have missed the program of TV, I have embedded the video here. Initially, I was shocked to see this and to know the views of certain quarters. While I do not fully agree with some of the comments presented in the show, I realize that if I were to give my own view, I will be adding my own personal and religious values. When this happens, it may imply that one religion is "better" than another. As difficult as it may be, how can our society accommodate the diverse religious values and belief systems? Something to think about.



Further thoughts: This is something that has always "bothered me" - what or who is right when each person strongly believe in the fact that holds true them - for whatever reason. On one end, I hear people talk about how insecure some people are that they need laws to ensure religious loyalty. On the other hand, there are those who feel that it is not about personal insecurity, there is the bigger picture of social balance and and harmony. While both are equally important, where do we strike a balance? How can values meet without conflict? Still struggling with this....

Perhaps the bigger question is that do we have the ability to transcend religion and engage in a different level - that of spirituality?

Happy Earth Day 2007

Last Sunday was Earth Day 2007 (April 22, 2007). It was good day for a Buddhist society to hold a celebration to plant the Bodhi Tree - the same type of tree the Buddha attain enlightenment under. It was also a good day to have a ceremony to plant at Sala Tree, the tree under which the Buddha passed away. (Picture below, left: A direct clone descendant of the Bodhi tree, planted at Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu, Hawaii)

It would have been an excellent time to expound the teaching of dependent origination and the need to preserve our environment. It would have been an excellent time to tell our kids the importance of putting the Buddha Dharma into practice, that is, to preserve and protect the environment which is the practice of the First Precept.

It would have been a great opportunity to tell the kids that we need to recycle and to reduce the destruction of our earth's natural resources. What is more important, is to reduce & refuse before we talk about recycling. To reduce and refuse is the Buddha's reminder to watch our craving and desires - buy what we need, do not be excessive in our needs and wants - living a simpler life.

Instead, our children's priorities were overridden by the need to have a "good ceremony" for the adults. The call for education was overshadowed by the need to a perfect tree planting ceremony. Kids (about 200 of them) were sent into the basement for over an hour without lights, fans, PA systems - and made to experience the First Noble Truth: There is Dukkha suffering!) And suffer they did in the heat and noise of the basement!

The adults on the other hand, had to "endure" an hour-long Dharma talk in the spacious, air-conditioned hall above the basement - no chance to experience dukkha - Dukkha which drove Prince Siddhartha to lead the spiritual life, that led to His enlightenment.

When it was time for food, we had to wait in line to be served vegetarian food in in polystyrene foam (not the most environmental friendly, but easiest to disposed of). But we are grateful for the hardwork and dedication of all those who helped put food on the table. Sadhu to all of you!

We have to continuously strive to find Buddha in our hearts, Dharma in our mind, and Sangha by our side to guide and lead us in our daily lives. And we should not forget the children. Ever. Because they will be the Dharma torch bearers in time to come.

Happy Earth Day! May you and the environment be well and happy!

Random Thoughts on Racial Integration

There has been much debate over the years about integration of the Malaysian communities. It it generally perceived that these days we are a nation more divided than we were 50 years ago. Many fingers point to the schools. Some point to the parents. Many people - politicians and business people try to capitalize by either giving knee-jerk reactions or finding ways to make money out of this situation - without really contributing to any real positive change.

The latest and is about the setting up internet servers and software in schools for the e-integration program, and by playing online games, online chats as part of the RM26 million Students Integration Plan for Unity. See report by AP here.

I think such initiatives, though may be creative but completely missed the point. I strong believe that if our society were to be more integrated, there must first of all be a focus on each person's culture and develop a deep understanding and appreciation for them. Schools and homes need to make conscious effort to encourage and allow that to happen. This means, we need to play a role in strengthening our own cultural and spiritual practices. Only then will we be able to appreciate other cultures. No culture must be allowed to dominate, lest we rather be assimilated.

As such, I feel parents play a very important role here. In the urban environment, very often we do not seem to have enough time, "fast food" mentality drives a fast-paced lifestyle, forgetting to stop and appreciate ourselves. Many young parents have chosen to forgo and do away with traditional practices and take religious holidays for granted. Celebrations like Chinese New Year is becoming more a materialistic celebration - for example, the traditional tea ceremony and respect for elders has very much faded If not disappeared. I am sure other races in the urban environment is facing this challenge as well. We must resist the over-simplified, capitalistic approach to culture. We must make the effort to revive and enrich our lives by them.

Otherwise, all we will have left will be the cultural video and computer game and all our integration will be a "virtual" one.

A Weekend at KLCC

For a change, we decided to head to KLCC as our daughters wanted to go to the "The Science of Speed Exhibition" at the Petronas Science Center. As this was the F1 weekend - why not. One weekend into the noise and crowd should be fine.

It turned it that we our youngest fella, Arian, despite being a huge fan of racing cars and have watched "Cars" the move a zillion times - did not like the noise of the real racing car. Shown in the picture below, he was really crying and wanted to get away from the car.


On the other hand, Samanta and Amrita had a great time. Sam enjoy the game that tested the reflexes and of course, the ride in a "real" F1 car!


Amrita and I tried our hand at the pitstop - to change tyres. We had to change one set of tyres within 10 seconds. Guess who did what? Amrita handled the really heavy electrical tool to release and tighten the bolt while I changed the tyres. We completed the change in 10.1 seconds. Failed to obtain the certificate. We felt that we needed to try again, and this time we completed the change in 7.4 sec! Yes! We got our certificate!!!

We finally got the the Science center and got into the Science of Speed exhibition - it was fun! Above we learnt a lot too. Will surely visit it again!

We later had dinner at the Coliseum Cafe and Hotel (yes, that pre-war restaurant along Jalan TAR). We had good food and a good time as well.




What about mum? Let's put it this was, we were tired and exhausted even before we reached home - except for mum, it was relaxing for her.


We were so tired, we fell asleep before 11pm.


Great weekend!

A Day in KLCC