Happy New Year 2015.
Keep doing good deeds every moment. Be good Be happy Be Mindful...

Make good value of everything in facing this life..._/\_

Controlling : Body,Speech and Mind every day...

A peaceful mind is a blessing, The Ability to work is also a blessing. Happiness is a blessing.~Jing Si Aphorisms~

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There is no need for temples, and there's no need for complicated philosophy. Our brain and our hearts is our temple, the philosophy is kindness. This is my simple religion ~The Dalai Lama~

"@dalailama: When I wake in the morning I make a wish to be useful to others."

— Universal Dhamma (@UniversalDhamma) September 22, 2012

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Life is like river, it keeps flowing..~Gede Prama~

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The greatest happiness comes from giving and in helping others ~ Jing Si Aphorism~

Inspirational Quote

A heart of joy is a virtue that brings happiness to others like a spring breeze ~Jing Si Aphorisms~

The mind as our software

To illustrate the Buddhist approach to the mind, let us compare our body and mind to a computer. In this simile, the body is the hardware and the mind is the software.
As mentioned above, the mind is defined as a non-physical phenomena which perceives, thinks, recognises, experiences and reacts to the environment, not unlike computer software.
Although software needs to be imprinted or registered in something like the hard-drive before it can do anything, in itself, a program represents a lot of thinking by the software manufacturer. Without software (mind), the hardware (body) is just a 'dead thing'. The hardware (body) is of course important in what the computer can do; how fast it is, which programs can be run, and how the computer can interact with the world. However good the hardware is, it can ultimately only perform what the program 'knows'. The hardware can get damaged, or even 'die', and the software can be moved onto another set of hardware; not unlike rebirth!
The software needs to use the 'senses' of the hardware, like the keyboard, the mousea, a video camera, a modem etc. to receive 'input'; just like the mind needs the senses the receive the 'input' of the outside world.
This leads to an important observation: it is easy to recognise that a computer is not 'objective' about the world; depending on what kind of video camera, microphone or modem we connect it to, the input will be different. Similarly, our bodily senses cannot really be objective: people's ears are different, the eyes are different etc., so how can someone ever claim to be an 'objective observer'? Above and beyond that lies the software; the more advanced this is, the more 'intelligent' it will be able to read the world and determine what is the best thing to do. Similarly, the more advanced our mind is, the more intelligent and wise we will be, providing we are not hampered by serious physical problems. As the software actually determines what the hardware does, so is the mind the master of the body - within the physical limitations of the body. But the Buddha made it clear that a human body is the best type of available hardware!
There are limits to the development of the hardware; for example, the amount of electrical circuits on chips is getting larger and larger, but there are physical limits which the developers encounter. With the software, the limit appears to be much less clear; the first types of computers behaved with the intelligence of an on/off switch, but already they can beat a grandmaster at chess and nobody can say where it will end. Similarly, Buddhism teaches that there is no real limit to the development of our mind, and in fact omniscience is possible. At that stage, all our normal values and concepts dissolve as limited and non-objective. Buddhism encourages us to develop the software of our mind to enter into a different state which is beyond limitations, suffering and problems.
The method to develop our mind is summarised as study and meditation. Initially, we need to understand how the programs of our mind work and how they can be improved, and then do the reprogramming in meditation. This is why psychology and meditation are so important.
Below listing of aspects of the mind may appear very dry and boring, but remember, so are computer manuals...
CLEAR-LIGHT MIND
In Tibetan Buddhism, often the so-called 'clear-light mind' is mentioned. This is the most subtle level of mind (see also death & rebirth), which we are normally not even aware of. It appears to the very advanced meditator and during the death process, but in this case, also only advanced meditators will be able to notice it. It is a non-conceptual, 'primordial' state of mind.
From a talk given by HH Dalai Lama. Oct. 11-14, 1991 New York City. Path of Compassion teaching preliminary to Kalachakra:
Question: When people hear of luminosity of clear light that dawns at the moment of death they ask why it is called clear light. What has this got to do with light as we know it?
Dalai Lama:
"I don't think that in the term clear light, light should be taken literally. It is sort of metaphoric. This could have its roots in our terminology of mental will. According to Buddhism, all consciousness or all cognitive mental events are said to be in the nature of clarity and luminosity. So it is from that point of view that the choice of the term light is used. Clear light is the most subtle level of mind, which can be seen as the basis or the source from which eventual experience or realisation of Buddhahood, Buddha's wisdom might come about, therefore it is called clear light. Clear light is a state of mind which becomes fully manifest only as a consequence of certain sequences or stages of dissolution, where the mind becomes devoid of certain types of obscurations, which are again metaphorically described in terms of sun-like, moonlike and darkness. These refer to the earlier three stages of dissolution which are technically called, including the clear light stage, the four empties. At the final stage of dissolution the mind is totally free of all these factors of obscuration. Therefore it is called clear light. Sort of a light. It is also possible to understand the usage of the term clear light in terms of the nature of mind itself. Mind or consciousness is a phenomena which lacks any obstructive quality. It is non-obstructed."
A teaching from Venerable Ajahn Chah (Pra Bhodinyana Thera):
"About this mind... In truth there is nothing really wrong with it. It is intrinsically pure. Within itself it's already peaceful. That the mind is not peaceful these days is because it follows moods. The real mind doesn't have anything to it, it is simply (an aspect of) Nature. It becomes peaceful or agitated because moods deceive it. The untrained mind is stupid. Sense impressions come and trick it into happiness, suffering, gladness and sorrow, but the mind's true nature is none of those things. That gladness or sadness is not the mind, but only a mood coming to deceive us. The untrained mind gets lost and follows these things, it forgets itself. Then we think that it is we who are upset or at ease or whatever.
But really this mind of ours is already unmoving and peaceful... really peaceful! Just like a leaf which is still as long as no wind blows. If a wind comes up the leaf flutters. The fluttering is due to the wind -- the 'fluttering' is due to those sense impressions; the mind follows them. If it doesn't follow them, it doesn't 'flutter.' If we know fully the true nature of sense impressions we will be unmoved.
Our practice is simply to see the Original Mind. So we must train the mind to know those sense impressions, and not get lost in them. To make it peaceful. Just this is the aim of all this difficult practice we put ourselves through."

Source from: http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org

Today Quote

“When life is good do not take it for granted as it will pass. Be mindful, be compassionate and nurture the circumstances that find you in this good time so it will last longer. When life falls apart always remember that this too will pass. Life will have its unexpected turns.” 
~Ajahn Brahm~

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Do what is right and be content. Keep the mind pure and undefiled. Remain calm and serene always..~Master Cheng Yen~

Why Almonds can heal a cough?

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Hati yang Penuh Syukur

http://www.samaggi-phala.or.id/naskah-dhamma/hati-yang-penuh-syukur/#more-7954

Alkisah, di sebuah senja kelabu di pinggiran kota kecil Taiwan, tampak seorang laki-laki sedang berjalan pulang ke rumah dari tempat kerjanya sebagai supir taksi. Tiba-tiba, perhatiannya tertuju pada gerakan rumput dan suara gemerisik di sela-sela bebatuan di tepi jalan. Segera, dihampiri dengan perasaan sedikit was was. Seketika, matanya terbelalak kaget melihat bungkusan berisi bayi merah yang tergeletak di situ. Setelah melihat di sekeliling tempat itu yang tampak sepi-sepi saja, segera diangkat bungkusan bayi itu dengan hati-hari dan dengan tergopoh-gopoh dibawa pulang ke rumahnya. Setelah terkaget-kaget mendengar cerita dan melihat temuan suaminya, si istri segera mengambil alih menggendong si bayi dengan perasaan sayang. Mereka adalah sepasang suami istri, yang telah lama mendambakan kehadiran anak di tengah keluarga. Bayi yang masih merah itu menjadi buah kamma baik yang sangat manis untuk keluarga mereka. Waktu terus berjalan. Selang kira-kira usia dua tahun, karena merasa ada yang janggal dengan kemampuan berbicara dan reaksi pendengarannya yang sangat lambat, kedua orangtua itu membawa anaknya ke rumah sakit. Kecurigaan mereka pun terjawab, anak tersebut memang cacat sejak lahir, yaitu bisu tuli. Walaupun sempat terpukul sesaat, namun perasaan sayang yang telah terpupuk selama ini, membuat mereka memutuskan untuk tetap memelihara dan membesarkan si kecil yang sedang lucu-lucunya. Tahun pun dengan cepat berganti. Walaupun cacat, si gadis kecil adalah anak yang cerdas dan mendapat pendidikan yang baik di sekolah luarbiasa hingga mampu lulus SMA. Setelah lulus, melalui tes dia diterima masuk untuk bidang seni di perguruan tinggi kota besar. Perasaan gembira dan sedih pun silih berganti. Gembira karena diterimanya si anak ke universitas terkenal, sedih harus berpisah jauh dan dibutuhkan biaya yang besar untuk itu. Demi mewujudkan impian anaknya, kedua orangtua itu bertekad untuk berhemat dan bekerja mati-matian. Sejak saat itu, si ayah bekerja sangat keras, hampir setiap hari pulang ke rumah hingga larut malam. Namun… hidup memang sering tidak sesuai dengan rencana manusia. Di saat kuliah memasuki tahun ke-2, suatu malam si ayah pergi dan tidak pernah kembali. Taksi yang dikendarainya bertabrakan dan nyawanya tidak terselamatkan. Si anak tahu, betapa berat beban biaya yang harus dipikul ibunya dan dia memutuskan untuk berhenti kuliah, pulang dan bekerja serta menemani ibunya di rumah. Mengetahui itu, si ibu sangat tersentuh dengan pengertian anaknya. Tetapi, ia menegaskan, “Ibu tahu kesedihanmu, Nak. Ibu juga sangat kehilangan ayahmu. Tetapi kamu tidak boleh berhenti kuliah. Belajarlah yang benar! Selesaikan kuliahmu secepatnya dan ibu tunggu kepulanganmu dengan ijazah di tangan. Dan setiap bulan, ibu akan berusaha mengirimkan uang untuk biaya mu di sana. Ingat, jangan berpikir pulang sebelum kuliahmu selesai. Jika kamu gagal, ibu dan ayahmu di alam sana pasti kecewa karena kerja keras dan pengorbanan kami selama ini akan sia-sia.” Waktu terus berjalan. Selesai wisuda, dengan bangga dan kegembiraan yang meluap serta kerinduan yang sangat, si anak segera pulang ke desanya. Setiba di rumah, dia mengetuk berulangkali pintu rumahnya yang tertutup rapat. Dan sungguh tidak pernah diduga sama sekali, pertemuan dengan tetangganya ternyata membuat hatinya lumpuh seketika. “Nak, ibumu setahun lalu telah meninggal dunia. Maafkan kami tidak memberitahu karena ibumu meminta kami bersumpah untuk merahasiakannya. Semua sisa uang tabungan ibumu dititipkan ke kami untuk dikirimkan kepadamu setiap bulan dan dia pun meminta kami membalaskan surat-suratmu. Masih ada satu rahasia besar yang sebenarnya ayah ibumu sembunyikan darimu. Bahwa kamu sesungguhnya bukan anak kandung mereka. Walaupun kamu cacat dari bayi, mereka tidak peduli. Mereka tetap menyayangimu melebihi anak kandung sendiri.” Mendengar semua cerita tentang dirinya, duka yang mendalam tidak mampu diwujudkan dalam teriakan histeris. Hanya derasnya airmata yang mengalir tak terbendung. Di depan makam kedua orangtuanya, sambil bersimbah air mata, si gadis bersujud dan mendoakan kebahagiaan orangtuanya. Dan, demi mengenang dan mencurahkan rasa syukur yang besar atas kasih sayang dan pengorbanan kedua orangtuanya, lahirlah sebuah puisi yang sangat menyentuh, berjudul : “Gan En De Xin” (Hati yang Penuh Syukur) Terjemahan bebas isi puisi tersebut selengkapnya adalah : Aku datang secara kebetulan seperti sebutir debu Siapa yang mengetahui… saat aku begitu lemah Entah dari mana aku datang… dan di manakah cintaku berada Siapa… yang akan menyapaku di kemudian hari Walaupun dunia ini begitu luas Tetapi perjalanan ini begitu berat untuk dilalui Begitu banyak penderitaann terasa mendera Berapa banyak cinta… yang masih kumiliki Berapa banyak tetes air mata yg masih kupunyai Biarkanlah Tuhan mengetahui …Aku tak akan pernah mengaku kalah Aku bersyukur ada engkau Ibu yg menemaniku sepanjang hidup ku Hingga membuat ku mampu menjadi diri sendiri Aku bersyukur … aku berterima kasih pada keadaan ku ini Dalam duka dan bahagia aku tetap bersyukur Akhirnya isi puisi ini dijadikan sebuah lagu dan dinyanyikan oleh penyanyi terkenal OW YANG FEI FEI Lagu ini kerap menjadi theme song untuk pengambilan dana sosial…dan disumbangkan kepada yang membutuhkan.. Karena sejatinya setiap insan wajib bersyukur atas segala kamma baik yang dialaminya Dan wujud syukur patut disalurkan kepada mereka yg sedang kurang beruntung.. Semoga kisah ini bisa mengilhami kita untuk senantiasa bersyukur atas hidup yang sedang kita jalani… Apapun kesedihan dan penderitaan yang sedang kita alami.. MARILAH SELALU BERSYUKUR !!! Hanya orang yang mampu bersyukur adalah orang yang kaya dalam arti kata sebenarnya… Berikut ini lagu Gan En De Xin yang dinyanyikan oleh Ow Yang Fei Fei dalam salah satu acara penggalangan dana untuk korban bencana alam.

Gan En De Xin~Hati yang penuh syukur~

Mengatasi Kemarahan ~Bhikkhu Uttamo Mahathera~

Anything that is done with full of compassion, it is full of Light.. Apa saja yang dilakukan dengan penuh kasih sayang, ia menjadi penuh Cahaya ~Gede Prama~

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. Dalai Lama

Two sides of the same Coin: Buddhism meets Science.

Wise Word

Perkataan memang tidak memiliki bobot yang nyata,
namun bila kurang berhati-hati,
akan menjadi beban yang memberati perasaan orang lain.
- Kata Perenungan Master Cheng Yen -
話語秤起來不重
... 但稍一不慎
卻會重重地
壓到別人的心
~摘錄自證嚴上人靜思語~
Words have no tangible weight,
but careless remarks would heavily
weigh down people’s hearts.
- Jing-Si Aphorism by Master Cheng-Yen -