Dream a little dream of me

One step away

2011-01-25T16:28:00.000+08:00

The Canopy:

Space and the interior design upped points for this particular EC. Though it is seemingly more inconvenient compared to Prive and Austville, we were still drawn to it somehow.

Just one more step away...... Waiting can sometimes be torturing..

【般若波羅密心經】

2011-01-04T17:32:00.000+08:00

唐三藏法師玄奘譯

觀自在菩薩行深般若波羅蜜多時，照見五蘊皆空，度一切苦厄。　
舍利子！色不異空，空不異色；色即是空，空即是色。受、想、行、識，亦復如是。　

舍利子！是諸法空相，不生不滅，不垢不淨，不增不減。是故，空中無色，無受、想、行、識；無眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意；無色、聲、香、味、觸、法；無眼界，乃至無意識界；無無明、亦無無明盡，乃至無老死、亦無老死盡；無苦、集、滅、道；無智，亦無得。

以無所得故，菩提薩埵依般若波羅蜜多故，心無罣礙；無罣礙故，無有恐怖，遠離顛倒夢想，究竟涅槃。三世諸佛依般若波羅蜜多故，得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提。　

故知般若波羅蜜多，是大神咒，是大明咒，是無上咒，是無等等咒，能除一切苦真實不虛，故說般若波羅蜜多咒。

即說咒曰：「揭諦揭諦、波羅揭諦、波羅僧揭諦、菩提娑婆訶。」

般若波羅蜜多心經
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無畏無懼．速得成就

一部顯密圓融的智慧經典

有一天，釋迦牟尼佛與眾多聖僧、大菩薩們在在靈鷲山時，佛陀正禪定在法的殊勝境中；當時還有大菩薩、聖者大慈大悲觀自在菩薩，深行在殊勝智慧波羅密的禪定裡，在佛陀殊勝的加持力中，見到五蘊的本性是空的。舍利子就請教聖者大慈大悲觀自在菩薩『有關於智慧波羅密應該如何學習？』由於這樣的緣起，觀自在菩薩才講出了「般若心經」，當觀自在菩薩講敘完畢時，佛陀就從禪定中醒過來，告訴觀自在菩薩說：「善哉、善哉。善男子，如汝所說，如是如是，般若波羅密多當如是學，是即真實最上究竟，一切如來，亦皆隨喜。」大家聽了釋迦牟尼佛的指示後，舍利子、觀音菩薩及所有眷屬、道友、弟子、天人、阿修羅等，都生起了大歡喜並宣贊佛旨。

「心經」全名「般若波羅密多心經」，最廣泛通行的版本是唐代大德玄奘法師的譯本(即上列經文)。「般若」即智慧（佛經中的智慧指的是契入證入實相的智慧，而非世間智識辯聰），「波羅密多」是到彼岸，整句中文翻譯是「智慧到彼岸」（正在往智慧的彼岸去、到達彼岸）。「心經」是佛法一切法的究竟道路。所闡述的內容就是「空」，而空並非虛無，而是不執著有、不執著無，進入超越生死輪迴的境界，即所謂的涅槃。而涅槃是實修產生的境界，「心經」就是引導進入這個境界的經典。

心經雖然只有二百六十個字，但是浩瀚如海的佛法都涵攝在裡面，如果將心經裡面的道理透徹了，一切佛法的真理，就可以迎刃而解了。心經不是只用於念誦、僻邪、驅鬼、治病、求財、保平安而已，最主要的目的是續佛慧命，傳佛心法，以心印心，破除一切相，降伏一切煩惱，契入真空，顯露善美德行，印證六祖壇經所云：「萬法盡通，萬法具備，一切不染，離諸法相，一無所得，名最上乘法」真空妙有的真諦，讓人人明心見性，得大自在，大解脫，了脫輪迴，得登彼岸的一部寶典。於今，大道普傳，讀誦心經的眾生，不計其數，雖然心經讀了千萬遍，但是煩惱妄想還是一大堆，無法受用，希望藉著心經的研習，能夠更深入的瞭解心經的精義，將心經的道理，信受奉行於日常尋用間，讓大家都能夠得到心經真理的引導，因而智慧大開，立己達人，覺行圓滿，共同航向清靜光明的彼岸，是最大希望。

持誦心經的功德：

破五逆十惡、九十五種外道，迴遮消除一切鬼、魔、病、逆、違緣！於未成佛前具有前述之功德；究竟而長遠的利益，則可令持誦者由五道十地而成佛。功德不可思議！若欲供養十方諸佛、報十方佛恩，當誦此觀音(聖號)與般若(心經)，日夜常誦此經，無願不果。

心經祈願法：

明日居士：其實用 “般若波羅蜜多心經”是可以解決大部份靈界包括神、鬼或是不明原因而突然產生的問題，並且幫你達成心中好的願望。根據一些同修的經驗，心經可以幫你相當大的忙，只要你誠心的重覆又重覆的用3次心經、21次心咒，（心咒：揭諦揭諦波羅揭諦波羅僧揭諦菩提娑婆訶）反覆的求觀世音菩薩幫你達成你心中的祈願或問題。一般而言，觀世音菩薩絕對會聞聲救苦，儘可能地幫你達成你的善願，或幫你解決或減輕問題。

祈願程序：

先念全部經文從頭到尾三遍(含經名)，再單獨念誦般若心咒21遍（揭諦揭諦波羅揭諦波羅僧揭諦菩提娑婆訶）

再念祈求文：「弟子***誠心祈求南無大悲觀世音菩薩和諸護法金剛幫弟子***達成(或解決)……（你的良好願望或是問題）！」

再念感謝文：「弟子***誠心感謝南無大悲觀世音菩薩和諸護法金剛！」

像這樣的三遍心經加21遍心咒，是完整的一次祈願程序。當然越多次完整的越好，多多益善，平時有麻煩也可以靠心經來幫你度過難關的，簡單又功效宏大！到時候你就會知道心經的殊勝之處。

此外透過以上方法用於息災(平息災禍)、增益(增加世間利益)、懷愛(令人緣、親情、愛情融洽)、誅降(降服鬼魅引起之種種問題)均有不可思議之功德!

心經除障法：

大藏寺祈竹仁波切：大家若果要發心念誦〈般若心經〉的話，可以在早上念誦九遍，若誦少一些或多幾遍也是可以的，但作爲除障的話，我們一般都是誦九遍的，在念誦複後，可以再另外加誦明咒（即經中之「爹雅他(即說咒曰)（唵）揭諦揭諦，波羅揭諦，波羅僧揭諦，菩提薩婆訶」一咒）若干遍，然後念誦除障偈：

除障偈：

以神聖之三寶言教真諦之力故

願令遮止　願令化無　願令平息

願一切魔障礙違緣惡類中斷　山丁古路伊疏哈

息滅八萬病魔障難類　遠離所有相違災害緣

成辦順緣一切悉圓滿　願此吉祥當下成樂善

在念至‘願令遮止’、‘願令化無’、‘願令平息’

這三句的道音節時（注：即三次的‘願’字），應大力拍掌除障。

‘障礙’分爲內在的與外在的障礙兩大類。外在的障礙是指如火災、颱風等天災及中毒、被盜賊侵害或猛獸攻擊等等的禍患；內在的障礙是指由自身或心識中生起的問題，例如：身體生病及貪、嗔、癡等煩惱心病。此外，還有阻延我們修持的‘四魔’，這些都可以依〈般若心經〉而息除障患。

現在所教的這個配合修誦〈般若心經〉的除障法是很殊勝而且對降伏內、外障礙與‘四魔’等是很有效的。藏傳佛教中還有其他的各種儀軌也是以修誦此經配合除障的。

修誦〈般若心經〉來除障及懺罪的原理就是"空性"。對一般人來說，想要去真正去體悟‘空性’不是容易的一件事，但單單藉著念誦此經來作除障也仍是有很大的效果的，大家可以有恒心地持久念誦。我們雖不是甚麽大行者之輩，但修持佛法的持久恒賞性是有其神效的，即使是凡夫，只要有這心而恒常地去持誦同一經文或真言，自然會得到不可思議的加持力。

《般若波羅密心經》功德說明、白話解釋

http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!zxYrd8SBSURXiEetuf8vUQ--/article?mid=9

唸誦《心經》感應事蹟—22例

http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/avalokiteshvara-ommanipadmehum/article?mid=1754&prev=-1&next=1732

念誦般若心經之經驗

http://www.shengmiao.cn/dispbbs.asp?BoardID=7&ID=7035&replyID=37667&skin=1

般若波羅密多心經　白話解釋

(註：以下為白話翻釋版本，按理說經文的意義會因為譯經之人的所處的時空背景、佛學知見而有所不同，是故白話翻譯很難達到盡善盡美，如有能力以閱讀原譯經文為佳，但為予初學者一個初機，於是在此選用一篇翻譯流暢之譯文，以便令初學者初步了解經典原意，之後藉由反覆讀誦、思索，領悟更深一層的道理。)

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觀自在菩薩

觀自在是觀世音菩薩的別名，以字面來解釋也相當好，意思是觀察諸法實相本空後，對一切的外境外緣就隨意而自在了。觀自在是修行證果的境界，此時一切都如悠遊的白雲，任意浮遊於萬里空，一切都不再是掛礙，一切都已安然，所以才能對於萬事萬物產生隨緣而自由自在的態度，這種生命之啟，多麼值得我們身處五濁惡世 ﹝ 劫濁、見濁、煩惱濁、眾生濁、命濁 ﹞ 中的眾生羨慕啊！但是不只能羨慕而已，因為「眾生皆有佛性」，我們應努力的修行，只要肯不斷的自度度人，總有一天，我們也會與觀自在菩薩一樣的自在啊！

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行深般若波羅蜜多時

般若波羅蜜多是解脫空慧的意思，也可以解釋成「到彼岸的大智慧」。因為，唯有證入圓滿的涅槃，才能完全解脫三界輪迴的生命困境。而想證入圓滿的空慧，必須〝老實修行〞，而且不只是行，還要「行深」，就是必須把這大智慧深化到生命的最深處，如此方能在面對任何外境時，保持如如不動的自性，故此句才巧妙的點出「行深」二字，因為這才是實修的關鍵之處，如果沒有念茲在茲、須臾不離的保持般若，便沒有辦法真正解脫三界、永斷輪迴。故一個修行人，如果真有出三界的〝沖天志〞，則必須戮力以赴，方能真正如願以償！

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照見五蘊皆空

當一個修行人經過因地努力的修行後，當他通達了無常、無我的空慧之後，他剎那明白了原來一切的本質皆空，連這個五蘊色身～一個與我們生命最密切的存有，它的本質也是空。這時他徹頭徹尾的照見了色、受、想、行、識的虛妄，而從這虛妄中徹底的覺醒了過來。於是他不再受這些外相、外境、外緣的束縛，他已經完全自由了，因為他僅從自身的五蘊，就已經完完全全的明白了宇宙至極的真理－－空。

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度一切苦厄

當一個修行人證入果地後，他自由解脫了。於是他才有真正的能力去救度一切的苦厄，因為唯有自己到達了彼岸，才真正能夠正確無誤的，帶領猶在苦海沉浮的三界眾生也同樣的到達彼岸。故一個良好的修行人，他的知見是如法華經所說〝唯一佛乘〞，因為只有究竟成就了，我們才能完全明白，什麼是〝本地風光〞、什麼是〝本來面目〞，否則都只是聞人說空亦鸚鵡學語罷了。所以，只有究竟成就，才能度盡一切苦厄，就如偉大的觀世音菩薩，他其實是正法明如來倒駕慈航，化現與三界眾生較接近的菩薩而方便度眾。我們常聽到人們虔誠的讚頌觀世音菩薩：「千處祈求千處應，苦海常作度人舟。」那有求必應、無量無邊、悲願深切的胸襟，令人不禁感激涕零、動容良久。啊！南無大慈大悲救苦救難廣大靈感觀世音菩薩，那度盡眾生一切苦厄的廣大悲願，是凡夫俗子望塵莫及的。但是啊！我們不能氣餒，而應奮力效法，如是，則總有一天也能如觀世音菩薩一般〝尋聲救苦〞、〝苦海常作度人舟〞了。

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舍利子

舍利子是佛陀的十大弟子之一，以智慧通達稱著，心經便是應其問而應機說法，充滿了佛陀的證量精華以及諄諄教誨的慈悲為懷。緬懷佛陀在世，能有幸跟隨佛陀親聆法音是多麼的福報廣大，但是啊！末法時代的佛子啊！儘管佛陀早已涅槃，儘管世界動盪不安，我們還是要珍惜一切的經藏，深心閱讀，則如同佛陀在世，亦如同親自參與法筵！

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色不異空

一切的色相，它的本質都是空。無論色相產生了什麼樣的變化，例如無垠的天空，也許會刮風，也許會飄雨，也許會有幾朵白雲流浪，但是啊！天空還是天空，並不會因為風、雨、雲、雷、電等而改變，所以色相的本質即空，所以一切本空。以一切本空的諸法實相來看，則有的本質即空，故色不異空。

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空不異色

如果把角度再調換一下，就是從空的本質來看，由於空的本質當然還是空，而色相的本質也是空，所以當然也是空不異有，也就是空不異色。這段以反過來的角度探索空與有的關係，但空畢竟是空，所以不論從那一個角度探究，它依舊是〝空〞。因此，空是顛撲不破的宇宙真理，只有真正了解、明白、安住、鞏固於空了，才是真正的修行人。

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色即是空

萬事萬物的本質是空，宇宙中的森羅萬象，從日月星辰到草木蟲魚，一切的一切，都是色相，而色相的背後所蘊含的真理就是空，所以有即是空，也就是〝色即是空〞。此句是從前句〝不異〞推演而來。〝不異〞就是〝等於〞，〝等於〞就是〝即是〞。故不論正說、反說，都是在在說明〝緣起性空〞的真義。

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空即是色

色可以解釋成人身的〝色蘊〞，這是以自身的觀點來觀察，那麼應用於此四句，即可還原成〝色蘊不異空，空不異色蘊，色蘊即是空，空即是色蘊〞。而推演出來的話，則〝一即一切〞，所以也可以把這四句推廣成：〝色相不異空，空不異色相；色相即是空，空即是色相。〞所以心經的結構相當嚴謹，佛陀先善巧的教導我們從最近的色身觀察起，而如果我們明白了色身的本質是空，那麼就容易明白其他萬事萬物的本質，也一樣是空了。所以佛陀是最偉大的教育家，把宇宙至深的道理，用最顯淺的例子生動的開導啟示我們，真是令人讚歎！

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受、想、行、識，亦復如是

前面已把五蘊之一的色蘊與空的關係說得清楚明白，所以此處就省略了重複說明的地方，把五蘊的其他四蘊：受、想、行、識，以一句「亦復如是」帶過。因為話如果已經說清楚了，又何必多廢唇舌，所以這裡又是方便善巧之處，也是再度揭示〝一即一切，一切即一〞的真理。

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舍利子，是諸法空相

心經的重點主旨也不外乎是要說明〝一切本空〞。站在空的立場而言，不論一切的外相呈顯什麼，它的本質終究還是空，所以，「空相」是指一切都是空的相貌。空如同一個最千變萬化的演員，他可以化各種不同的妝，他可以演各種不同的角色，但無論如何，他還是他，並不會因為化妝的不同，或是角色的不同而有所改變。「空」亦然，無論空的相貌如何的不同，空的本質，穿透這些外相紛雜之後，空畢竟還是－－空。

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不生不滅

心的本質－－空。心是一切萬法的源頭，既然如此，它可以是山，可以是海，可以是日，可以是月 … … ，它可以是一切的一切，但是分析到最後不能再分析之時，萬事萬物之間產生了共同之點，那就是－－一切都由心所創造，一切都只是心王的遊戲罷了。「空」是宇宙最終極的存有，請注意，這〝存有〞二字也只是假名安立，因為空已經超越有或無，實在不能說它是有，也實在不能說它是無，總而言之，當一切的妄念止息之後，空的狀態就豁然開朗了。故切記不能以相對世界的有或無去理解「空」，因為這是一條行不通的路，只有脫離了語言文字的束縛，以直觀的方法才能碰觸到所謂的「空」。所以，不論一切如何變化，「空」還是「空」，「空」已經超越了現象界的生、住、異、滅，它是沒有所謂開始或結束，更沒有所謂的生或死，它是一種「不生不滅」的永恆境界。

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不垢不淨

五濁惡世是污垢的，涅槃是清淨的。是嗎？真的是這樣的嗎？如果以第一義的眼光來看的話，其實根本沒有所謂髒或乾淨，輪迴或涅槃的差別，因為它只是它，不會因為外在的乾淨與否而改變，故心經再度標指出空的特性－－不垢不淨。其實無論代換成任何相對詞，它都是能夠繼續說下去的，例如〝不高不低〞、〝不上不下〞、〝不尊不卑〞……。

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不增不減

心的本質既然是空，那麼當它在創造一切萬法的時候，它的本質當然也是空，例如天空中的晴時多雲、偶陣雨，儘管天氣變化多端，天空還是天空，並不會因為天氣的好或壞而改變，更不會因為天氣的好或壞，而使天空變得更大或變得更小。難道下雨時，天空就被塞滿了？難道放晴時，天空就變大了嗎？那當然是沒有，故由此可更進一步的了知空的另一個特性－－不增不減……。

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是故空中無色

一切都是幻相，一切都是幻有，只有空是永恆、是常。空，無所掛礙、無所粘滯、一絲不罜……，於此徹底畢竟空中，無一可得，故無色，無一切色相，一切眼所見皆為虛幻，故空中無色。

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無受想行識

空中一切了不可得，既無色，則其他四蘊亦無，受、想、行、識，本質亦空，空畢竟空，一切的感受、想念、行為、意識皆空，故空中無受、想、行、識。

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無眼耳鼻舌身意

空亦復空，一切的外相、一切的感受，都是妄念，都是不實在的，都是因緣和合而生，沒有實體可言。一切的感受所接收的訊息，都是心王的遊戲，都是表相，都是聚散無常的，唯有認清此點，才能真正擺脫感官的限制，走向開悟解脫之路。

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無色聲香味觸法

金剛經說：「一切有為法，如夢幻泡影，如露亦如電，應作如是觀。」這是照亮千古的真理名句，古往今來，讓多少沉迷於大幻化網中的三界修行人猛然驚醒是的，一切的眼所見、耳所聞、鼻所嗅、舌所嚐、身所觸，都是虛幻不實，只有當色聲香味觸法的幻化脫下騙人的外衣後，空的真相才真正水落石出。

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無眼界乃至無意識界

在這無常的世間，一切的存有都是虛幻不實的，不論是眼睛所看到的世界或是心意識所感受的世界，都脫離不了大幻化網的牢牢籠罩。啊！有志的修行人，怎甘心如此受盡愚弄？請快快醒過來，從一切的色、聲、香、味、觸、法中覺醒過來，不要再相信一切都是可以依據的，我們一向被自己的眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意捉弄得相當可憐而不自知，今生既有幸得聞佛法，就應全力以赴，不出三界誓不休！

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無無明

千古如長夜啊！如果一個人沒有了佛法，就如同永遠陷於黑暗的瞽者，空有雙目而不見物，如果我們擁有健康的眼睛，卻沒有佛法的話，那麼我們比一位盲者還要盲目，因為如果心靈沒有智慧，身、口、意就會隨業力逐流，業上牽業，而於三界苦海沉淪，永無出期。可是啊！如果心靈擁有智慧，就算眼盲，他也是擁有一盞明燈的人，那乎會照亮苦海航道，只要順著乎逆流而上，總有一天會到達光明的彼岸－－涅槃。在這樣解脫的境界裡，當然是沒有黑暗，也就是無無明的存在了。啊！佛法的智慧是破除無明的慧日，願慧日普照人寰，願無明消逝無蹤！

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亦無無明盡

無明是解脫的相反，無明盡則是正解脫。但是在絕對的解脫境中，空即是法爾如是，又那來無明或無明盡的對立或分別呢？故心經簡明扼要的告訴我們：離開了一切的解釋、分別、妄想、批判、臆測、預設、盼望等等的心意識作用之後，我們才有可能真正的了解、體悟、證入空。

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乃至無老死

佛是慈悲與智慧圓滿的象徵，而且已經脫離了生死輪迴的強大束縛，是自由、自在、無拘無束、沒有生住異滅變化、沒有生老病死、沒有悲歡離合、沒有一切執著的永恆。

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亦無老死盡

凡夫眾生，如果不經過三大阿僧祇劫的苦修，是難以證入不生不滅的空性。這樣的空性，是沒有老死、沒有去來、沒有時間、沒有空間，當然也就沒有老死盡、沒有去來盡、沒有時間盡、沒有空間盡了…… 。

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無苦集滅道

人世如無邊的苦海，眾生如無依的落海者，在生、老、病、死、怨憎會、愛別離、求不得、五蘊熾盛的八苦，甚至千苦、萬苦、億苦中載浮載沉。善緣聚合的時候，或有短暫的自在與快樂，但是畢竟於生死苦海中，這一點點的甜味根本微不足道。總而言之，這五濁惡世即是一個大苦聚，充滿了黑暗、痛苦、挫折、殺戮……，只要睜開肉眼，就知道世界從來沒有過真正的和平，一切都在浮盪不安的氣氛中迭蕩。但是啊！大部份的眾生都沒有看清楚，自己所處的世界是多麼的污濁與殘酷。人們為了名利，不惜巧取豪奪；一場天災，可以奪去無數人身寶；一次戰爭，可以死去多少二十餘年辛苦成長的年輕生命。啊！這多麼痛苦的五濁惡世，實無一值得留戀，也從來不曾留下什麼。這是真正的實相。問題是，眾生多半已經習慣了這樣充滿無盡無邊苦痛的無常世間，半麻木、半昏沉、半自欺、半無知、半無奈的一天又一天的過著日子。只有比例不多的修行人，在過去生功德福報的導引之下，聽聞了帶來滅苦究竟方法的珍貴佛法，遵循著偉大釋迦牟尼佛的教導，一步一步走向覺醒之路－－明白了人生真的是「苦海無邊」，然後積極的修行、滅苦、證道。一心一意嚮往著那沒有痛苦的佛國淨土、那沒有一切憂悲苦惱的永恆之樂。在這樣無憂的境界裡，當然也沒有苦集滅道的修行必要了。因為，一切已經圓滿，一切已經具足。

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無智亦無得

智慧第一！在這無明的五濁惡世，唯有憑藉佛法的大智慧，才能讓我們順利的出離三界。故智慧如明燈，能夠驅散黑暗；如船筏，能夠得度彼岸；如橋樑，能夠越過窮山惡水；如良醫，能夠治癒宿疾；如良藥，能夠藥到病除；如良馬，能夠千里奔騰；如利劍，能夠削鐵如泥；如盔甲，能夠保護慧命；如珍寶，能夠買得法身……但是在已經究竟解脫的境界中，智慧法爾具足，一切任運，故也就沒有智慧或不智慧的分別了。既然智慧通達，一切圓滿，當然也就不會缺少什麼，既不缺少，也就無須獲得。

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以無所得故

那麼，空的重要特性在那？一言以蔽之－－無所得。為什麼呢？因為，一切本不生，一切圓滿，一切具足。當你已經是空，你還缺乏什麼呢？當你已經不缺乏任何時，請問你還需要終日汲汲營營，席不暇暖的去追尋什麼呢？既已無需追求，又何需獲得什麼呢？

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菩提薩埵

菩提薩埵是〝菩薩〞－－一個澈見諸法實相的有情。他是一個智慧通達的人，他是一個悲願深切的人，為什麼呢？因為他已經澈底明白萬事萬物背後的真相，已經不再作繭自縛，已經能夠於這虛幻不實的世間，保持看清一切幻相的如如不動，然後再以這樣的智慧為出發，繼而去教導猶迷戀三界的芸芸眾生。這樣的人是稀有的、難得的，這樣的作為也是稀有的、難得的，誠如阿彌陀經中所說：「釋迦牟尼佛能為甚難希有之事，能於娑婆國土，五濁惡世，劫濁、見濁、煩惱濁、眾生濁、命濁中得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，為諸眾生說是一切世間難信之法。舍利弗，當知我於五濁惡世，行此難事，得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提，為一切世間說此難信之法，是為甚難。」

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依般若波羅蜜多故

一個覺悟的有情，是一個完全沒有執著的人，他雖然活在這個五濁惡世裡，可是他的心啊！就宛如一輪皎潔的明月，發出瑩澈清淨的光輝，普照十方。雖然有時會有幾朵烏雲遮蔽，但是明月還是如此的清澈、圓滿，並不會受到烏雲的影響。他又像一朵潔淨芳香的蓮花，雖然生長在污濁的泥沼裡，卻開出最美麗清香的花朵。為什麼他能如此呢？那就是因為他擁有「般若波羅蜜多」的緣故。因為，般若是出三界必備的條件，是佛家不共的法門，唯有佛法能夠究竟解脫三界，因為佛陀所傳下的真理，並不是佛陀所發明，而是發現。這個偉大的發現，為人類帶來無比的光明與希望－－天不生佛陀，萬古如長夜！這實非溢美之詞，而是千真萬確的事實，因為如果沒有般若，我們就不可能明白宇宙的究極真理－－空，如果不了解空，我們就會永遠在〝有〞的現象中打轉、迷失、流浪，不知醒轉、振作、出離，那麼，輪迴便成為一個難醒的漫漫長夜，而佛陀所帶來的般若教誨，正如一輪照亮無盡無邊黑暗的太陽，驅散了障蔽眾生的無明，帶來無比的光明。故知般若是多麼的珍貴、是多麼的重要。心經的主旨，正是字字句句都在重複這個訊息──般若波羅蜜多，是到彼岸的大智慧！

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心無罣礙

心是主宰，心是心王，心是一切的開始，心是一切的源頭。宇宙的森羅萬象，都是心意識的變現，都是心王的遊戲，都是心的作用變化。心是真正的修行重點所在，所以我們的修行須臾不能離開心的修行－－這才不是盲修瞎練，心外求法。為什麼是這樣呢？因為，一切的本質就在於心，心解脫了，一切就解脫了，心不解脫，生命就無從解脫，足見心才是修行的主要方向，而非枝枝節節、變化無窮、千頭萬緒、剪不斷理還亂、毫無頭緒、亂無章法、不知所云的現象界。其實啊！現象界就像一場夢，夢中的情節毫無規則可言，因為這些情節都只是心意識的反射罷了，可是如果我們不明白這層道理的話，我們就會把這些紛云的情節，當作千真萬確的事實來對待。這時，得與失就變得十分鮮明、高與下就變得十分差異、美與醜就變得非常不同、尊與卑就變得非常不一樣……。然而呢，我們都上了大當－－上了自己心意識遊戲的大當，因為站在心的本質立場來看，這些都是虛幻的，猶如看一場電影，總不能為了劇中人物的悲喜而悲喜不已吧！？猶如作了一場夢，總不能為了夢中的主角得失而得失不已吧！？然而，道理說起來明白易懂，可是一旦我們被業力牽引、被隔陰之迷障蔽，任你是大修行人來轉世，如果你不夠用功的話，一樣只是口說空而行不空、拾人牙慧罷了。所以，對於諸法實相的認知，我們實在需要一分一秒都不離開的自我警－－一切的一切，不論是眼所見、鼻所聞、耳所聽、身所觸，……儘管當下是多麼的栩栩如生、千真萬確、驚心動魄……其實啊！都只是心的妄念投射罷了！如果我們能安住於這樣的正知見，那麼我們當然就是一個心中沒有罣礙的人了，這樣的境界，是多麼的輕安自在啊！但是，如果我們只要還有一絲執著－－任何方式的執著，包括對於某種觀念強烈的主張、某個人非見他不可、某種食物每餐必吃不可、某種娛樂每周非作不可、某種行為非完成不可、某種想念非想不可……內容儘管千萬變化，依個人習氣而不同，但是它絕對可以歸納二個字，就是〝執著〞。只要有一絲的執著，就有一絲的罣礙，只要執著全部沒有了，那就是解脫三界的莊嚴神聖時刻的降臨了。故「心無罣礙」，是多麼的稀有難得啊！願身為佛子的我們，精進再精進，早日達成一絲不罣的超凡入聖、解脫境界。

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無罣礙故

沒有執著的人，就是沒有罣礙的人，也就像一個在空中運動的人，不論他抬起右手、放下左腳、快走、慢跑、前進、後退……對他而言，統統沒有任何的障礙，因為，沒有東西能夠阻擋了空啊！說得更具體一點，一個沒有罣礙的人，就是沒有得失心的人，因為，當你放下了一切的得或失，那麼你才是真正在修〝般若波羅蜜多〞的人。因為，現象界的一切變化都只是一場終須謝幕的戲劇，真正透視掌握了此點，這個人便不再受任何得或失的影響而產生憂悲苦惱了。請不要小看憂悲苦惱對於眾生的傷害，當我們陷於這樣的情緒之中時，一切的實相都將模糊不清，那麼〝果中生因〞的無奈悲劇，便將生生不息的隨著我們六道輪迴，難有出頭的一天。所以，心中沒有了罣礙，就是完全擺脫了一切得失心理。天氣放晴也好、下雨也好；自己有錢也好、沒錢也好；別人喜歡自己也好，不喜歡自己也好……既然一切都是過去世的因感召今生的果，既然這些結果也都沒辦法影響心的如如不動，那人又何必作一個自我困閉的春蠶呢？所以，心中沒有了罣礙，就是完全擺脫了一切是非心理。別人的對與錯，自有他對與錯的因與果，我們又何必強烈批判或無法見容呢？因為，如果我們真的希望世界上只有美好與光明，那麼，請不要從要求別人開始，而是從要求自己作為開始吧！既然都只是這夢幻舞台的臨時演員，又何必太計較別人的演技不好呢？所以，心中沒有了罣礙，就是完全擺脫了一切高下心理。別人比我高也好、比我美也好、比我有錢也好……。既然一切都是作一場夢，我們又何必太在意情節的起伏呢？所以，既沒有了得失、是非、高下……心中當然也就無所罣礙了。這樣的人，就是沒有任何牽絆的人了，是世上稀有難得的人，是眾生的依皈，是眾生的指引，是眾生的模範。

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無有恐怖

一個沒有罣礙的人，心中就必定安然，隨處自在。既無得失，就沒有得或失的不安與恐懼；既無是非，就沒有是非與否的焦慮或迷惑；既無高下，就沒有大小評判的分別與差異……這樣的人，是完全從恐懼的陰影籠罩中走出來的人，他知道，一切都是假的，難道假的老虎真的會把人給吃了嗎？難道假的魔鬼真的能夠傷害人嗎？難道假的玩具拿到手就快樂了嗎？難道假的名聲有了就不缺少什麼了嗎？他深深明白，一切都可以放下了，一切都不再是問題，一切都可以安心了。這樣的人，是最幸福的人，因為他已經從生命的隱隱不安以及最深層的恐懼──莫明的恐懼、不知所以然的恐懼、茫然的恐懼、微細的恐懼… …之中澈底脫離了出來。生命不再是一個囚籠或苦聚，生命成為無盡的幸福與喜悅，而這所有的關鍵都在於－－心。

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遠離顛倒夢想

心完全解脫妄念的糾纏之後，變得清明、自主、理性，此時，當幻化網撤開之後，一切才開始顯現其本來面目。黑白不再顛倒，一切都已回到其本應擁有的位置；主客不再易位，心不再誤認妄念為主人；本末不再混淆，心終於明白了自己是－－佛。人世如幻，浮生若夢，如果我們不趁早認知這個事實，我們依舊會陷在黑白顛倒、主客易位、本末混淆的生命困境中不能自拔。故既已聽聞佛法，即應精進、慈悲、智慧，永遠的告別那令人憂悲苦惱不已的顛倒與夢想。

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究竟涅槃

三界流浪，何時是休息的家鄉？孩子啊！你不覺得累了嗎？──佛菩薩如是問。孩子啊！你不想回家嗎？－－佛菩薩如是關懷。孩子啊！心就是家鄉，就是永恆的家鄉，充滿了無限的平安、幸福、喜樂。－－佛菩薩如是說。孩子啊！心就是佛，就是涅槃。－－佛菩薩如是叮嚀。孩子啊！如果一切都已經具足，一切都已經圓滿，請問你還需要流浪嗎？如果家鄉就已經在腳下，你還需要家鄉嗎？－－佛菩薩如是慨歎。是的，是心作佛，心即是佛。只要我們的心放下了一切的執著，而且安住於這樣如如不動的狀態，那麼，家鄉早已經在溫馨的等待我們－－從無始劫以來，直到今天。如果你想回家，如果你想不再回到這憂悲苦惱的人間，其實，你只要回到你的〝心〞就可以了，你的身體可以繼續在人間生活的，因為，一切的一切，都只在於心啊！一切的答案、一切的奧秘、一切的終點、一切的開始……都在於－－心。心是涅槃，眾生皆有佛性。

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三世諸佛

三世是指過去世、現在世以及未來世，三世也可指多世，但是由於時間的觀念其實也是妄念，故時間只對於三界眾生有意義，事實上，法界是既沒有時間也沒有空間的。故三世諸佛的說法是針對三界眾生能夠理解的狀態來說明的。而且故意把三世和諸佛並列，也是提醒我們，諸佛的存在是超越三世，也就是諸佛的存在是永恆，沒有所謂的過去、現在或者未來。所以，我們會發現，人類最大的執著，在於對時間和空間的執著，由於有了時間的妄念，所以我們才有長壽或短命的強烈分別與貪取；由於有了空間的妄念，所以我們才有大或小的強烈差異與執取。故時空的觀念，就是最大的妄念，如果連時空都沒有了，請問又何來的長壽或短命、大或小的分別呢？故所謂三世諸佛，就是已經超越了時空的束縛，漫步於永恆之境的自由解脫之人。

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依般若波羅蜜多故

「般若波羅蜜多」是成佛的必備條件，只有依靠這到彼岸的大智慧，三界眾生才有可能真正出離輪迴不已、三界流浪的生命窘困。如果沒有這大智慧，眾生必於生死大海中頭出頭沒、難有出期。為什麼是這樣呢？因為「般若波羅蜜多」的智慧是明白為何有生死輪迴、為何有憂悲苦惱的智慧，如果找到了輪迴的因，當然才有可能斷輪迴的果。而因果律是宇宙的至極真理－－雖也是入佛門的基礎理論，但也同時是最甚深幽微之佛家真理。〝種瓜得瓜，種豆得豆〞，這耳熟能詳的句子，卻簡明的把因果關係一語道破。因為因果律是最客觀的宇宙公約，它絕對是公平無誤的－－種如是因，必得如是果。如果輪迴是因為不明白生命實相而導致輪迴不已，那麼，只要明白了生命的實相，自然也就止息了輪迴。故十方三世諸佛，都是由於澈底明白了生命實相而成為諸佛的。

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得阿耨多羅三藐三菩提

阿耨多羅三藐三菩提－－無上正等正覺，是諸佛的解脫境界。此時一切都已經圓滿，一切都已經具足，輪迴生死早已成為昨日惡夢，一切都美好、幸福、安樂，再也不缺少什麼，再也不需要什麼，再也不流浪三界、辛苦備嚐了。這樣的境界，是多麼令人艷羨啊！然而，身處輪迴惡夢的三界眾生，只要一天不放下執著，便一天不可能到達這樣的境界，這樣的境界，並不是憑空可以到達的，是需要經過無量劫以來累生累世的修六度萬行方能達成。故知成佛是一件艱苦卓絕的事，成佛是一件無比莊嚴神聖的宇宙大事！因為，無上正等正覺，就是究竟覺，就是涅槃，就是空，就是輪迴生死的盡頭。而這充滿無限光明的彼岸，是要經歷三大阿僧祇劫方能成就的，絕非一生一世就能成就。故所謂的〝即身成就〞，是指你已經修六度萬行歷經無量劫，這很可能就是你的最後一生，但是，請注意，這其中還是充滿了各種變數－－例如今生的努力、過去生的證量以及各種複雜多變、甚深難測的因緣果報……在在都可能使〝即身成就〞這個偉大的理想，成為破碎的美夢。為什麼是這樣呢？因為，我們千萬別小看所謂〝五濁惡世〞的染污力，當我們一誕生在這個濁世裡，當我們一開始呼吸這充滿各種染著的氣，當我們一旦經過劇大痛苦的投胎過程時，一切的證量、一切的福報、一切的記憶……都隨著投胎過程中，神識昏迷於劇大的旋轉，而成為過眼雲煙。一切都得從頭開始，一切都得從牙牙學語開始，任你是大修行人來轉世，只要是尚未成佛者，必定有所謂〞隔陰之迷〞的障蔽，故經典才說〝菩薩亦有隔陰之迷〞。所以啊！不論你遇到多麼殊勝的法門，不論你過去生的證量有多高，不論你的福報有多大，不論你的功德有這麼多…… 如果你今生不好好的努力，嚴肅、神聖、莊嚴的去面對你自己的修行，那麼，即使你本應〝即身成就〞，也很可能就因為一次嚴重的造業而導致延宕二、三、四、五、六、七生，甚至更多生以後才究竟成就。所以啊！佛陀才再三耳提面命：人身難得，佛法難聞！於此末法時代，暮鼓頻催之際，猶流浪生死的佛子啊！怎能不警醒？怎能不策勵？怎能不珍惜人身？怎能不珍愛佛、法、僧？長壽滅罪經說：「如此生死，流浪大海，唯有諸佛菩薩能到彼岸，凡夫眾生，定當淪沒。」，普賢菩薩警眾偈說：「是日已過，命亦隨滅，如少水魚，斯有何樂？大眾當勤精進，但念無常，如救頭燃。」啊！佛國淨土才是我們永恆的家鄉，不如歸去！不如歸去！

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故知般若波羅蜜多

所以啊！唯有依憑到彼岸的大智慧，我們才能一路順風回家；唯有放下一切對於三界的留戀，我們才能真正打開淨土的大門；唯有不再計較一切的風風雨雨、得得失失、是是非非……我們才能快點回到永遠不需要流浪的安全避風港。般若波羅蜜多，是船筏，能載我們風和日麗的到家。般若波羅蜜多，是橋樑，能讓我們過渡驚濤駭浪。般若波羅蜜多，是利劍，能斬斷一切的多餘葛藤。般若波羅蜜多，是明燈，能指引迷航的水手。般若波羅蜜多，是路標，能告知我們正確的方向。般若波羅蜜多，是羅盤，是生死大海中不可或缺的儀器。般若波羅蜜多，是良藥，能醫治一切的疑難雜症。三界眾生，皆已於六道輪轉中疲累已極，但是儘管疲累；如果沒有大智慧，我們還是無奈的疲累已極。三界眾生，皆已於生離死別的悲淒雨淚中哀傷過度；但是儘管哀傷，如果沒有大智慧，我們還是無奈的哀傷過度。三界眾生，皆已於漫無邊際的無明中寂寞已久；但是儘管寂寞，如果沒有大智慧，我們還是無奈的寂寞獨坐至地老天荒啊！所以啊！般若波羅蜜多是珍貴的，是值得用全部的生命力去學習與瞭解、證悟的。我們一定要珍惜今生的學佛因緣－－以智慧為先導，統攝其他五度；布施、持戒、忍辱、精進、禪定。只要如是而行，必有得究竟覺的一天。

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是大神咒

咒語－－是宇宙最莊嚴的聲音。不同的咒語，是不同的佛菩薩所教導的，例如慈悲的觀世音菩薩教導眾生唸〝六字大明咒〞，地藏菩薩教導眾生唸〝滅定業真言〞；藥師如來教導眾生唸〝藥師咒〞……只要是佛菩薩傳下來的咒語，當然就是最神聖的聲音，但是儘管咒語各有不同，每一位佛菩薩的智慧都是相同的圓滿－－般若波羅蜜多。故可以說是最圓滿的咒語，而且是最神聖的咒語。只要擁有此咒，何處不得究竟成就呢？故也可以說是最神效的咒語啊！

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是大明咒

般若波羅蜜多，不但是神聖、神效，而且是清明眾生的清醒劑，只要有了大智慧，就離開了無明，只要離開了無明，就不會胡裡胡塗、懵懵懂懂、癡癡傻傻、昏昧不明的於此無常世間妄造無邊業了，只要不再造業，就不再受到未來果報的束縛，這樣的人，就是宇宙最清明自主的人－－佛。所以智慧如清明的咒語，能夠讓昏沉愚癡眾生醒過來－－於一切虛妄不實的幻相中醒轉過來。智慧又如清明的甘露，能夠潑醒已經沉睡無量劫的三界無明眾生。

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是無上咒

無上正等正覺，是要靠無上心法－－般若波羅蜜多才能成就的。故大智慧也就是無與倫比、至高無上的咒語，能夠讓眾生脫離苦海，永別生死。故三界眾生宜好好修持般若波羅蜜多，才能真正找到無上的皈依，無上的心咒。

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是無等等咒

般若波羅蜜多，是最究竟的境界，既是最究竟，也就好比世上最究竟圓滿的咒語，能夠讓眾生得究竟成就。故三界眾生應皈依般若波羅蜜多，宜視之為究竟的依靠，如此日久行深，必能如觀自在菩薩一樣－－照見五蘊皆空，度一切苦厄！

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能除一切苦

當一個修行人已經證得無上究竟覺時，一切的苦難，到此完全結束。就猶如一個歷盡滄桑歸來的天涯遊子，經過了無數流浪的歲月，吃過了多少辛酸苦頭，閱盡了多少的物換星移……終於，回到了思念已久的家鄉－－一個無量劫以來便思念不已的家。然而，如果還未歸家苦，是數說不完的；苦難，是沒有結束的－－只要我們還身處三界，這就是我們註定的運命！啊！唯有到彼岸的大智慧，能終結這三世迷離、業力牽纏的無量苦！身為佛子的我們，宜大精進，奮力自度度人才是！而這自度度人真正依憑，即－－般若波羅蜜多！

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真實不虛

唯有法界才是真實的境界，三界一切皆為幻有，皆如夢幻泡影，如露亦如電。而到達真實境界彼岸，只有唯一的交通工具－－般若船。如果你還沒有搭上這艘般若船，請你要趕快搭上；如果你已經搭上了這艘般若船，則請你趕快划進！猶如大悲心陀羅尼經中所說：「願我速乘般若船」。因為，生命短促，業力催逼，不趁著順境、人身寶尚能學佛時勉力而為，一旦無常來到或業境現前時，一切都將隨業力的波濤洶湧而消逝無蹤。－－滄海桑田、桑田滄海，無量劫的歲月都已流逝無蹤了，當今這短短的人生寄旅，不也很快就成明日黃花？幸福學佛的修行人啊！莫待無花空折枝。悲願深切的佛子啊！怎忍眾生以苦為樂？智慧如海的佛子啊！怎忍世間暗無光明？大悲為上首，方便為究竟！

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故說般若波羅蜜多咒，即說咒曰：揭諦揭諦波羅揭諦波羅僧揭諦菩提薩婆訶

願眾生一起到達光明的彼岸！智慧啊！大智慧！摩訶般若波羅蜜多，心經結束時的咒語，如是祈願與讚頌著在這無明的三界擁有般若，是最彌足珍貴的一件事，而一個發過悲願的菩薩，也唯有同時擁有了悲與智才能真正實現他內心歷千百劫而不滅的菩提大願：願眾生離苦得樂，願眾生早證菩提，願眾生圓滿所願，願眾生得究竟解脫，圓滿成佛！

此段經文是結顯開密，本經共有二百六十個字，最後三十一個字是密說，前面是顯說。密說即佛門中常講的咒語。咒以不翻為原則，咒語有五不翻，這是唐朝玄奘大師譯場所立的規矩。

（一）咒語是佛的密語，只有佛明瞭，等覺以下菩薩均不知其義。

（二）咒語每字每句均有無量義。研究大乘經時，知道顯說的經文亦含無量義，法味無窮，久讀不厭，何況如來神咒。

（三）咒中有許多鬼神名號，佛呼喚鬼神令其保佑修行人，故咒中並不完全包括世間語言。

（四）咒亦為諸佛的密語，如軍中口令。誦咒無往不利，一定能得諸佛護念，龍天保佑。

（五）誦咒蒙諸佛如來不可思議神力加持。

有如此許多意義在其中，故玄奘大師以存其音不翻其義為準則。密為深奧難言之義，佛法中絕無秘密可言，凡是秘密必有不可告人之處，如果心地清淨，正大光明，那有秘密可言。佛法是深密，義理深，非淺根人所能理解，故稱為深密。因其義理太深，若非上根利智，即不對他說，不過有時也透露一點消息。

This year's xmas card design

2010-12-29T17:15:00.000+08:00

Cover with Hagen

2010-12-08T19:18:00.003+08:00

When Things Fall Apart

2010-11-11T11:07:00.001+08:00

Things always seem so minor till it hits home. So strong, powerful when you least expect it.

The next question is, What's next?

I have moved!

2010-11-04T22:42:00.001+08:00

Yes I have moved to
http://geslinesim.blogspot.com

Though I am still very attached to my old name but nevertheless, I am known as Gesline now.

Bosnia girl throws puppies into river - Disgusting

2010-09-08T10:48:00.001+08:00

Read or watched the video of a Bosnian girl throwing new born puppies into the river?

Not for the faint-hearted...

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=bb4_1283184704

More so disgusting are some of the comments posted in Stomp:
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/caught_in_the_act/446460/outrage_over_animal_cruelty_bosnian_girl_throws_newborn_puppies.html

Some people actually find it Funny? And some find it justifiable.
To them: Damn you! Why not I throw you into the river for a change since it is so fun? *wink* You mindless oh so almighty race of an animal.

Yes. We kill for our food and survival but since when has it been justifiable that we kill for fun's sake? It is not about biasness or placing higher regards for certain groups of animals over the rest. If someone throws any animal into the river for fun, it is MURDER get it?

Tie them up!

2010-08-30T14:43:00.001+08:00

Chanced upon a Tie shop while in Korea where they sold clothes and accessories made out of ties. I must say the Koreans do have some really cool and cute ideas in their fashion! It kinda inspire me to try some diy myself if I can get down to doing something!

Pillow

Weaving work

A necktie dress!

Bag glorious bag!

Rugs (Just nice for my dogs too!)

Nice lamp shade

I was also thinking, maybe we can use the tie as a belt. =)

Performances

2010-08-12T01:19:00.001+08:00

RWS performance on the 7th Aug:

The entire crew that day. We did well! Kudos to all my mates!

My dear V.I.Ps. We slogged hard for this day.

Getting interviewed on stage.

Backstage

左拥右抱!

@ Hardrock Cafe

Wedding gig before I flew to Korea:

Yet another in the limelight

2010-06-16T00:10:00.001+08:00

Strangely, I don't feel extremely upset while listening to this.
Comments made by Pastor Mark Ng were aimed at entertaining his congregation afterall. Should I get angry at someone who is ignorant to other people's practice?

When God sent his son down, what did Christ demonstrate? Great humility and compassion even when he was ridiculed up to the point he was cruxified. Did Pastor Mark even mirror this great act? No, he did quite the opposite ridiculing others instead.... It was such a clear message given by the son of God, yet not many understand this..

I was brought up in a Taoist family. Personally I am geared towards buddhism but I had the priviledge of studying in a Christian kindergarten and a Catholic secondary school. What I learnt since I was just 6 years of age is that God does not differentiate. He loves all his people. He DO NOT only love his believers, unless I was taught wrong at YWCA.

Quoted:

The Straits Times reports that the Internal Security Department (ISD) is probing Pastor Mark Ng, 48, for a sermon he gave in 2008 in which he mocked Taoist beliefs. In a 10-minute audio clip posted on YouTube, Ng is heard joking with the congregation about Chinese rituals and in one instance, compared praying to Taoist deities to “seeking protection from secret society gangsters”.

Advertorial - White Lotus

2010-05-28T02:06:00.003+08:00

When one's ill, one looks for a doctor.
Now, when your guitar's ill, who would you look for?

Introducing SG's unique Doctor Guitar... WHITE LOTUS!!!! TADA!!!

How cool is this right? Doctor Guitar gives all your old or spoilt guitars a new lease of life.

Services include:

Guitar Setup (Electric / Acoustic)
1) Adjusting of truss rod
2) Neck set angle (for electric guitars w/ bolted necks)
3) Bridge / Nut adjustments
4) Fret redressing & leveling
5) Changing of strings

General guitar Repairs
1) Upkeeping of the guitar's function

Acoustic Guitar Pickup Installation
1) Installation of 3rd party guitar pickups

Electrical Works
1) Changing of pickups (single coil / humbuckers)
2) Electromagnetic shielding
3) Fault tracing
4) Rewiring
5) Changing of pots and output socket

Grooming
1) Guitar body polish
2) Fret Polish
3) Fret board shine
4) Machine head and hardware shine

CHECK out the site for the cool guitar pictures!

Life's Legacy

2010-05-21T15:50:00.002+08:00

在阳光中我们学会欢笑
In the sun, we learn to smile

在阴云中我们学会坚强
Amidst the gloomy clouds, we learn to be strong

在狂风中我们抓紧希望
Caught in a gale, we hold on to our hopes

在暴雨中我们抓紧理想
During a storm, we cling on to our dreams

当我们站在终点回望
When we stand at the end to look back

相信留下的将是一路欢颜
I believe what is left behind is a legacy of SMILES.

The Midway

2010-05-20T16:15:00.001+08:00

If you adjust the strings of a string instrument too taut, the strings will snap before you can play any music. If you let it go too loosely, nothing comes out too.

The answer always lie in the midway. =)

Advertorial - Taels of Silver Workshop

2010-05-13T16:22:00.000+08:00

Due to the good response for the Saturday workshop, 5th June (2 places left),

Taels of Silver is opening another one on the 6th June! Do hurry!

Make your own silver rings! Couple rings, friendship rings or your own customized ring design to give or to keep! Join us for the upcoming workshop on 5 June 2010 (Sat) from 2-6pm. Please hurry as there are limited seats! For bookings and enquiries, please email: taelsofsilver@gmail.com

Taels of Silver is a online vintage jewelry store that not only makes and/or customizes unique pieces of jewelry, but also conducts workshops to create and craft your own silver jewelry. More information can be on http://www.taelsofsilver.blogspot.com/

放

2010-05-12T19:25:00.002+08:00

Somehow this poem appear now and then, and every time I read it, it conjures back images.

千百年来碗里羹
冤深似海恨难平
欲知世上刀兵劫
但听屠门夜半声

How beautiful is the Chinese language to depict such immense emotion...

I am thankful that I did not kill today...

Updates

2010-05-12T12:10:00.001+08:00

http://geslinesim.blogspot.com/2010/05/has-moved.html

Meditation

2010-05-05T12:23:00.000+08:00

What I had thought to be an hour turns out to be only 15 mins when I tried meditation daily. My 功夫不到家. lol

Though I'm still terrible at it, meditation did help me clear alot of clutter from the mind. I am able to sleep more peacefully nowadays and not get insomia.

Interestingly enough, on 2 occasions, there was a flash of white light each time. They happened when I finally got rid of all thoughts at that split second. But of cos I got excited when I see that light and I jumped out of the state as fast as I got in.

I want to conquer my own mind!

Daz, the patient

2010-04-28T00:43:00.001+08:00

Have been seriously tired with 2 sick dogs on top of being ill myself.
Daz took over Cai on being ill and is now hospitalized...

Mom took a vomitting and LS-ing Daz to the vet this morn and he was given a jab.
Despite that, he came home even more sickly and had massive bleeding in the stools.

WARNING: Disturbing pictures coming up...

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The huge puke mess.....

Bloody and wet stools. That freaked the hell out of everyone in the family.. So Bloody!

Dashed the hell home to bring the poor little monster to Mount Pleasant. He is so unlike his usual "up to no good" self, so quiet and limp.

Depending on how he respond to the current treatment and IV drip, the vet will have to give him an ultrasound should he show no signs of improvement.

A question of 80 lives

2010-04-22T17:02:00.000+08:00

My boy started my lessons on unconditional love. That re-aligned some of my values and made me look within myself. It is strange how it changes your perception of things. One of the changes that came naturally is that I've become more vegan now than before.

Looking at the recent case of the 80 dogs rescued, I really applaude the efforts of the volunteers. All these people made a difference, a hell lot of difference in my opinion.

How many people really do care? We read of such news and go "aw..." then life goes on. While we chase after the temporal happiness certain rewards in life gives us, nothing really beats knowing that you have made a difference somewhere.
Almost all of these 80 dogs have never seen daylight in their entire lives till the rescuers got to them. They are not the only ones. In fact many other animals like those tested in laboratories, reared in slaugther farms etc...

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_517230.html

Come Friday, April 23, there will be a fund raising event at Post-Museum 107+109 Rowell Road. Drop by if you happen to be near. I hope I am able to make it too!
7:30pm - 9:30pm

Be it animals or other human beings, we can make a difference no matter how small. We just need to get started on it in our own little way.

We tend to forget but I try to always remind myself to be happy and grateful because we are still a very fortunate bunch amidst all the suffering around.

Helping to promote

2010-04-21T12:34:00.001+08:00

Helping Adrian (he's assisting) promote this 3 hour workshop! You get to craft your own Silver. How cool is that? Am tempted to go.... hehehehe

Bestie and wenwu, interested?

2010-04-17T18:29:00.001+08:00

Urgh.. I wanna update but I'm stuck working all the way!!!

75 Dogs abandoned!

2010-04-16T12:34:00.000+08:00

Dear all,

Please help if you can.

Puppy mill breeder/owner in Pasir Ris has just about abandoned his breeding stock and their puppies. 75 dogs are up for FOSTER or ADOPTION. Many breeds of various ages. Spotted are cavalier king charles, chihuahua, maltese, mini schnauzer, shih tzu, pomeranian, jack russell terrier, whippet, sheltie, golden retriever, labrador, silky, yorkie, poodle, beagle, british bull, cairn terrier. From 1 month old and up.

The worst of the dogs have been removed from the farm and taken to the vet. The rest are quite healthy looking.
We would like to get the dogs out of this farm as soon as possible. It is unlikely you will be provided with pictures or be given an opportunity to view the animals. Dogs will be taken out only when foster homes can be confirmed for them.

Funds are also being raised to help pay for the vet costs for the dogs which are ever increasing as some of the dogs have tick fever and need to be hospitalized. Every cent counts! Money will be accounted for and all will go to helping the dogs.

Please call Derrick at 83833714 or text 9622 3027 if you can help in any way.

URGENT! Up for FOSTER or ADOPTION - 75 dogs from a puppy mill (young & old)

2010-04-15T11:33:00.000+08:00

Thank You

2010-04-14T12:08:00.000+08:00

Thank you everyone! It is such a nice feeling to open up facebook just to see all your best wishes! You all gave me a beautiful bday present this year!

Not to forget those who sms-ed me! Pamela and another unidentified person who smsed into radio 1003 to wish me a happy birthday this morning.

千言万语，只能说谢谢! I feel GRATEFUL and BLESSED!

For those who are trading, hope market's green today for you!
(*bang head on Cosco corp. Told someone that it was good to buy at 1.30 and it's now 1.80+. Why didn't I?)

Shanghai Expo

2010-04-13T15:50:00.001+08:00

http://geslinesim.blogspot.com/2010/04/shanghai-expo.html

Shanghai Expo

2010-04-13T12:44:00.000+08:00

Around the world in, say 3 days?

A peekaboo on what you could possibly expect from countries around the world.

The host country: China
Reminds me of 故宫with all the wooden beams. Traditional technique of ancient buildings in China.

Singapore

杀气 very strong. Sending out spikes everywhere. lol

But still a nice design! Kiasu-ism alert! Save not on thy budget!

Austria

Belgium
Like your usual shopping mall with a twist of cutting edge technology?

Brazil

Wins SG on countering the 杀气.

Don't think the artist did a very nice rendering of the architecture.

Reminds me of the danish cookie I always eat.

Denmark

England
One of the coolest!!!! What is this furry thing??

Finland

France

No more shopping mall and roof top garden concept please.

Hong Kong

Argh! Shopping again!

India

Italy

Japan
A heart that breathes? Check out their arteries.

Korea

Macau

I seriously don't get this. Are those majong tiles on a rabbit?

The lost rabbit of 嫦娥？玉兔

Malaysia

Our neighbour up north.

Norway

Low budget or a display of solar power?

New Zealand

This is like the replica of NTU's ADM building.

Poland

Another favourite. I'm into these days!

Romania

Bet many Singaporeans now can't wait to take a bite on the apple.

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Spain

A Rattan Concept

Switzerland

How cool is this?! You have to take a ride into the building!

Care to spiral into the centre of the core?

Thailand

Lastly....

Maldives

I thought it was the warehouse....

一张卡，红了眼眶

2010-04-13T10:18:00.000+08:00

I would not trade this for anything in the world..

Will upload picture later.

Sent by sista from China. Just a small card but I really cried on cue.. lol

I miss my baby sista. I'm always by your side too!

New Demo Song

2010-04-11T23:33:00.001+08:00

http://geslinesim.blogspot.com/2010/04/demo.html

A body full of scars

2010-04-11T23:19:00.000+08:00

The poor boy (Samson) with his head and body full of bite marks.
Some irresponsible humans caused him to be attacked by another pack....

He's got a ear hole now....

It's hard to catch hold of him when he's injured.

The injuries are already much better compared to the day we saw him bleeding away. Was a terrible sight...

Demo 《爱过你》

2010-04-11T19:05:00.000+08:00

作曲：许寰杰
作词：沈凤，许寰杰

投江的小鸟

2010-04-08T14:16:00.000+08:00

My roaming eyes first spotted it struggling in the water.
Chao was the heroine of the day when she fished that mynah out from the fountain outside Quad Cafe.

But that poor bird fell in a second time while we went to grab food. Thankfully someone else saved it again.

Guess it was suffering from trauma especially when there were some other students who kept screaming when it approached them.
The poor thing was shaking badly when me and Adrian took it and tried to dry it and keep it warm.

落雨声

2010-04-07T23:15:00.000+08:00

落雨声哪亲像一条歌
谁知影阮越头呒敢听
异乡的我一个人起畏寒
寂寞的雨声捶阮心肝

人孤单像断翅的鸟只
飞袂行咁讲是阮的命
故乡的山永远拢站置遐
阮的心晟只有讲乎山来听

来到故乡的海岸景色犹原拢总无变化
当初离开是为啥你若问阮阮心肝来疼

你若欲友孝世大呒免等好额
世间有阿母惜的囝仔尚好命
呒通等成功欲来接阿母住
阿母啊已经无置遐

你若欲友孝世大呒免等好额
世间有阿母惜的囝仔尚好命
出社会走闯块甲人拼输赢为着啥家己呒知影
你若欲友孝世大呒免等好额
世间有阿母惜的囝仔尚好命
呒通等成功欲来接阿母住
阿母啊已经无置遐

哭出声无人惜命命

2010-04-06T10:25:00.000+08:00

Superposition

2010-04-05T15:12:00.000+08:00

Ever wondered if we can exist in more than 1 state at any one point in time?

That led me to discover and read up on the theory of Superposition. Totally intriguing! It may even answer some questions or thoughts on certain religious views.

- Superposition is a principle of quantum theory that describes a challenging concept about the nature and behavior of matter and forces at the sub-atomic level. The principle of superposition claims that while we do not know what the state of any object is, it is actually in all possible states simultaneously, as long as we don't look to check. It is the measurement itself that causes the object to be limited to a single possibility.

There is a famous analogy to demonstrate the Superposition theory - Schrödinger's Cat.

The Experiment
A cat is placed in a box, together with a radioactive atom. If the atom decays, and the geiger-counter detects an alpha particle, the hammer hits a flask of hydrocyanic acid, killing the cat. The paradox lies in the clever coupling of quantum and classical domains. Before the observer opens the box, the cat's fate is tied to the wave function of the atom, which is itself in a superposition of decayed and undecayed states. Thus, said Schroedinger, the cat must itself be in a superposition of dead and alive states before the observer opens the box, ``observes'' the cat, and ``collapses'' it's wave function.

To put it more layman-ly, it just means that we do not have a single clue of the status of the cat as long as we do not venture into peeping into the box at any instance in time. We have no clue at all whether or not an atom of the substance has decayed, and consequently, cannot know whether the vial has been broken, the hydrocyanic acid released, and the cat killed.

Since we cannot know, the cat is both dead and alive according to quantum law, in a superposition of states. There is no SINGLE OUTCOME unless it is OBSERVED.

How about a third state? The box is empty. (Start mulling about it peeps)

It's interesting how this can be linked to our minds as well. The things we see through our eyes perceives our world. We live in this state there and then. What if we shut our eyes and not try to see things, will we find other states? What if the reality we all think we live in is just one of the many realities?

Read till Qi Gek bo?

Power

2010-04-04T22:39:00.000+08:00

Power....

Looking forward to next week's episode!

Self Manufactured Clothes

2010-04-01T13:45:00.000+08:00

My bestie started her own line of self-manufactured clothes.

http://iplaydressup.com/category.php?id_category=21

Check check it out!

She sponsored me 2 pieces! Shall post pictures soon!

Review

2010-04-01T13:32:00.000+08:00

Erm... Seriously, I would say save up thy money and not invest in this movie.

For that hour plus, I literally forced myself to complete the show since it was highly reviewed.
But darn... either I am totally dumb, or this movie simply made no sense to me.

The Bond

2010-03-31T21:12:00.000+08:00

My dog understands me more than I thought him to be.
On any usual day, he will not respond to the command "Come" unless he feels up to it.

However, when I ...

cry, he surprises me by clamouring at my side to lick away tears.
ask if he loves me, he plants 2 short kisses on my lips.
am down, he sorta knows and and would come lying right next to me and heave a long doggie sigh.
am angry with him, he tries to win favour by wagging his tail and tries to jump and plant apologetic kisses.
take his towel, he runs off in hiding.
stop him in the midst of his barking, he would complain in whimpers.

The decision to get him 5 years ago, remains as one of the best decisions ever.

Anyway, it's bonding time! As I am grabbing his bath towel, he has already ran under my sista's table.

MISSING DOG

2010-03-30T15:43:00.000+08:00

Money is a small female chi hua hua .She was lost at ST GEORGE rd,Blk 20 (Macpherson) on 30/03/2010 at about 1.30pm.
Any Information of the dog ,pls call 81548155
Rewards will be given
Please help to spread the words around...

Samson

2010-03-29T16:46:00.000+08:00

Praying hard for Samson the stray. He was recently attacked by another pack and was heavily injured. Despite attempts to give medication and clean his wounds, he ran at the first sight of my antiseptic bottle. One of wounds is so bad that I could see through the hole in the bitten ear. He smells so badly now.

Updates:
Was worried when it started raining hence stopped by the dam after class to check on the gang. Found out that Stone is also injured. No wonder the moodiness when I last saw him. Thankfully, Jen has already cleaned him and and dressed his wounds.
It was heart-warming when Samson ran up and stuck his head under my arm. Never had him been like this.

My New Name

2010-03-27T17:37:00.000+08:00

I am Gesline (pronounced as Jesline) from now on.
And yes... I do miss my old name. You know how attached I am to it lor... Darn... Bo bian leh...

So Gesline it is and I will try my best to respond to it and LOVE it! lol

AND DARN!!! What happened to all my friends' blogs!!!!

难得

2010-03-24T17:02:00.000+08:00

Death anniversary of my grandfather. Some of us went Mandai Columbarium to offer our prayers in the morning and then lunched together after that.
Been some time since we last sat down as an extended family (maternal side) to have our meal. It feels really good.

Peaceful Piece

2010-03-24T16:33:00.000+08:00

The mind and its potential

2010-03-22T15:38:00.000+08:00

The mind is not just the brain. It creates our experiences of the world.
What we perceived as realities are just but a function of the mind.

施医赠药

2010-03-21T21:59:00.000+08:00

施医赠药

Life is Beautiful

2010-03-16T18:22:00.000+08:00

Me and my sister watched it 13 years ago exactly (my sis totally remembered she watched it at the age of 10) and till date, it remains as one of the most memorable and impactful movies we ever shared together.

It was really by chance one evening, when we were both bored in the hotel room while holidaying in Genting. Having gone Genting-ing so many times before, we basically grew bored of that place if not for my ever so enthusiastic casino-ready relatives.

That evening, we randomly flipped through various channels and I lamented on how lame and pathetic it was, watching what I thought to be a silly comedy flick. It turned out to be the best decision ever to stay indoors on that holiday. Little did we both know that this film had won the 71st Academy Award for Best Music, Best Original Dramatic Score and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Roberto Benigni, the lead actor who also directed and co-wrote the film, won Best Actor for his role.

As the going gets tougher in life years down the road, there will be times when I would recall the father in the film and be grateful that there are still a lot of things worth to be celebrating for.
Watch it if you haven't! =)

Paid Parking

2010-03-16T11:11:00.000+08:00

After 4 years of bliss and proudly telling all in the face that parking at my workplace is FREE, the once I coined white elephant gantries are coming down in May.

Boo Hoo...
No more proud fact on being one of the last few places in SG to have free parking. *cries..

The gantries' first appearance on campus created some unease with the pending charges. But, they remained ever so upright and never once operational all these years. Apparently the company folded after setting it up or so I heard.

Showing Off...

2010-03-15T12:47:00.000+08:00

Probably the once in a lifetime highest score ever in my Bejeweled career.

I want that black card

2010-03-14T23:38:00.000+08:00

IF there is one card that I would really want to get my hands on, it would be the Amex Centurion Card.

I want I want!!!!! Ever heard of getting your usual hotel room upgraded to a presidential suite (with an almost 360 degree view) with that card?? Well, it happened! So good!!!!

Bigger than my house! Picture courtesy of JA.

Ice Edge Cafe

2010-03-14T23:32:00.000+08:00

Chilling and waiting at Ice Edge Cafe

And a chance to catch up with the sista in China!

Busy Feng. Bored Sista

Comp Froze and I is SIAN

My Handsome Boss

2010-03-08T14:33:00.000+08:00

He's one kind, great Boss anyone wish for =)

Sharing good stuff

2010-03-02T12:34:00.000+08:00

Disclaimer: I'm not super patriotic ah. I just really love 2 songs in the Sing Singapore collection.

http://www.singsingapore.org.sg/songs.asp

The Magic is You
It's the Little Things

Go Listen to them! =)

Returning to Beijing

2010-02-26T11:52:00.000+08:00

It is back to the double beds single occupant scenario again. Sis has returned to Bejing to continue her TCM studies there. Thank goodness she was really looking at having a well deserved holiday and rest back home, if not I was kinda anticipating if she would run acupuncture trials on me, you know 灵床试验? =P

Anyway, it was quite an eventful night at the departures. We "abused" the baggage weighing scale at the entrance by measuring our own mass instead... lol... Then I was stopped short by a Chinese couple seeking directions and had to act like some interpreter between the airport staff and them for a while. I realised I was Vocab-limited. Blah!

My sis and her mates got into some overloading problem at the check in point. They were off-scale by 8kgs in total. It ended up with them unpacking stuff which was really kinda funny. Every luggage was packed full with food items. It looked like they were all prepared to go to some war zone.

Then someone's backpack had to burst at its seam which got everyone stumped. Thankfully, there was a "heroine" to the rescue. While everyone was fretting what can be done, I was quick-witted enough to think of removing the rubber strings lacing the front to tie around the bag. I supposed that will hold it well till they reach their place in Beijing. I think I impressed brother with my crisis management skills. He muttered a "Great thinking sis". *proudz

Never forgetting some last moment pictures.

I cannot recall what we were laughing at.

Presenting the Sim siblings.

Aren't very good with self taken shots.

Had to resort to a 3rd party help for the perfect sibling shot.

Papi and Mami

Already missing us. Went through the gates and still wanna take pictures.

槟榔

2010-02-24T10:50:00.000+08:00

ZG brought some betel/Areca nuts to work.
Adrian was the first brave soul to try it and he got light headed.

Despite the said side effects from chewing, I took my first bite. The immediate reaction I got was to puke. Wah lao.... It really makes one feel like regurgitating but I was told to overcome and push on. As I thought I made quite good progress, the constriction in my throat and esophagus took me by surprise. I didn't go beyond 1 min. lol!

Now I'm kinda high and dizzy as I'm typing this. I have an official reason to sleep at my desk for a bit now. =P
Not something I would wanna do again but it was quite an interesting experience.

Reunion Dinner and CNY

2010-02-23T11:33:00.000+08:00

Thanks to my sister, she has uploaded pictures of CNY this year. If not, I'll probably take ages or perhaps not do it at all... =P

Reunion Dinner Night

With cousin Eldrick. I call him the Soya sauce man. He and his brother takes literally anything with soya sauce.

He looked so "Ah Pek" here drinking Teh... I have never met a kid at that age that drinks Teh lor!

My uncle maximizing the time my sis is back. 宁可杀错，不可放过 attitude.

The spread.

CNY

In the car to my maternal Grandma's place

My favourite Ah Ma. =) The one who saw through my toddler years.

The uncle who love his nieces. We are a scarce breed in the family... Hiak hiak hiak.

Money ~~earning~~ losing time for the kids. Red is the big winner this year.

Vegetarian Lou Hei.

A full vegan affair this year. A great way to start the new year. =)

Am happy with a simple meal like this... =)

2010-02-19T12:57:00.000+08:00

I have heard him speak before. Quite like him till he touched on something which I find disrespectful (The congregation laughed along... duh...). I wasn't impressed from that point. And not surprisingly, that same attitude and speech got him into trouble now.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_490426.html

When you are someone with higher power, you bear greater responsibility. I always think that the higher factions of each religious group would be more sensitive and aware of the role they have to play.

I imagine someone else from my religion saying the same thing, I would equally lose my respect for him/her. If it is a friend, you get it from me.

Religion UNITES people not separate them.... It is so simple yet why do some not understand that?

Yoga Dogs

2010-02-19T12:40:00.000+08:00

Chao sent this link:

Yoga poses with Dogs.. Look kinda painful but I totally love the Yorkshire! Cos it looks like cai cai!!!!

This one's funny cos the Parson Terrier looked so resigned...

Photoshoot

2010-02-18T15:25:00.000+08:00

Thank you!

2010-02-18T14:14:00.000+08:00

http://heaven-earth-human.blogspot.com/2010/01/sweetlovenat-collections-blogshop-and.html

Some nice compliments from an audience who went for our SCAPE performance at Orchard.

POST CNY

2010-02-17T14:07:00.000+08:00

Loads of pictures to upload and yet I'm just plain and super lazy.
Blame it on all the food I've been getting. Will try to do some backdated post if I ever find that mode again. =P

Waiting for my pictures... Hope they turn out nice nice nice! And I'm still wondering how the promotional video I took for NTU is turning out. Wrinkles are starting to give me nightmares....

Happy New Year 2010

2010-02-10T15:20:00.000+08:00

If today is the day - Eric Feng

2010-02-03T18:21:00.000+08:00

My WANT

2010-02-02T18:15:00.000+08:00

*Clears throat.... Er Hm....
I just spent on a WANT and perhaps a NEED. I hear Suze Orman screaming down at me right this moment but like I care or remember her words....

I finally gotten myself the Portable Grand that I have been eye-ing for a million years. YEAH!

I haven't the least idea how this huge thing is gonna fit into my puny room full of shelves. Make way! It is coming nevertheless. Am sure my siblings wouldn't mind this new inclusion. They get to benefit from the slurge anyway.

This perhaps kick starts my next few months of frugal spending yet and again.
*mumbles the mantra.... Less is more... Less is more... Less is more...

On a side note: Fly cheap with Air Asia! See the Advert ------> Check Check it out yah!

Happy Barkday

2010-02-01T18:13:00.000+08:00

It's Cai's 5th birthday with us now. =)
This little imp hadn't the least idea how much he have changed our lives.

Buffet Catering

2010-01-29T15:58:00.000+08:00

Check out this link if you ever wanna cater for a buffet! www.foodline.sg

What's so good about this site?

They have a huge caterer support which means you can find literally any type of buffet catering you like.
A quick and easy search.
Regular updates of the 5 most popular buffet caterers of the the week.
Most importantly, you get 5% CASH back when you order.

It is a one stop haven for people to check on reviews (both customers and foodline) and recommendations of the various caterers before placing orders. Do support them!

Nani Nani Boo Boo. I am a diplomat and you can't proscecute me

2010-01-29T12:37:00.000+08:00

There are so many things which I am so unaware of.

Was discussing with J regarding the Hit and Run accident involving Romanian diplomat, Dr Silviu Ionescu. It has already been proven that his car wasn't stolen and he was indeed the one behind the wheel at the time of the crime. He has thus far left Singapore and "seek protection" back home. Though at the point in time, there was no proof of evidence, it just irks me that we have no means of withholding him in SG to assist in the matter/case. TMD.... How to prosecute him now?

According to The New Paper, at around 3am on Dec 15, the car, a black Audi A6, had ploughed into two friends, Mr Tong Kok Wai, 30, and his friend, Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Bangkit Road.

The two men, who had just finished supper at a 24-hour coffee shop in Bukit Panjang, both suffered head injuries and fractures.

The car hit another victim, 18-year-old Muhd Abu Talib at the next junction.

Mr Tong, a Malaysian, died at 2pm on Christmas Day, Dec 25, after suffering severe brain damage.

J mentioned something regarding diplomatic immunity and this is what I found:

What is diplomatic immunity?
It is a form of legal protection and a principle of international law under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It ensures diplomats are given safe passage and cannot be sued or prosecuted in the host country’s courts.
Win liao lor. Sometimes I just feel that 法律 can be pretty rigid, but yet it has to be that way. Darn... Periodically review passed legislation leh. Laws can also get outdated also right? Correct me if I'm wrong.

What is the purpose of diplomatic immunity?
To allow for the maintenance of government relations, including during periods of difficulties and war. And to allow diplomats to perform their duties with freedom, independence and security.
Someone define for me duties. Does that include crimes?

What can the host country do to apprehend a diplomat who’s a suspect in a criminal case?
The host country can request that diplomatic immunity be waived by the diplomat’s home country. If it refuses to do so, the host country can declare the diplomat persona non grata (unwanted person) and expel him.
“The host country can also request that the diplomat be prosecuted in his own country and his privileges be taken away,” the lawyer said.
Wah lao... Declare non grata is letting him go scott free.

What action can victims of offences committed by diplomats take?
None. They cannot sue diplomats as diplomatic immunity protects them from civil lawsuits as well.
“Diplomatic cars are usually not covered by insurance as it’s not required, so they probably can’t make a claim,” the lawyer said.
WTF WTF WTF. Someone DIED!

Isn't it infuriating? Laws are meant to protect the innocent isn't it? Where is JUSTICE when the people needs it? We need a modern 包青天.

Slow and sleepy

2010-01-28T16:30:00.000+08:00

The equivalent of being drunk is lack of sleep.

Signs to look out for in Avril when she's lack of sleep:
1) Talking incoherently
2) Laughing nonsensically and loudly at anything colleagues say
3) Spacing out infront of the monitor
4) Instigating colleagues to do stupid things
5) Can't walk straight
6) Singing

I'm doing almost all of the above today and Chao said I sounded like I was drunk! hahahaha....
Even Adrian knows what stupid thoughts are going in my head. I merely said "Shall we...." and he completed with a "go shopping?" So smart! The 3 of us are bored to death with our desktops doing huge computations and everything is just SLOW!

Oh man... What a boring Thursday today is...

Tan Tan

2010-01-28T13:36:00.000+08:00

Am so heading to Shaw Towers soon if I have the time.

2010-01-27T10:40:00.000+08:00

Came to learn of a new, nice and serene park. Am told that I shouldn't share the location if not too many people will start populating it. =P

Self Reflection Letter by a Primary Kid

2010-01-26T15:16:00.000+08:00

My Chinese colleagues think this primary school kid has got exceptional writing skills. I laughed so much after reading it!

检讨书 (Self-reflection letter)

今天，阳光明媚，天气晴朗，海枯石烂，神圣的五班正在知知识中遨游。而我，我居然在吃辣鱼仔，沾污了二（5）班这一脉清泉，影响了同学们学习，在塔惨祖国的花朵；我简直对不起父母，对不起老师，对不起人民，对不起列祖列宗，对不起党，对不起中华人民共和国。可能我吃东西会影响了同学们在思考，可能影响了他们的未来科学家头脑，影响了他未来社会主义特色国家的建设。而且我毛病特多，打瞌睡，大声喧哗，说粗口，迟到，上课吃东西等等，数之不尽，多如天上繁星。如果打瞌睡是罪，我已经犯下滔天大罪；如果迟到是一种错，我已经一错再错，但感谢您， my dear miss Gu, 你宽宏大量的气度令我得到重生。我感激的泪水可以填满塔里木盒地；我感动的心跳好比汶州大地震；我浪子回头的决心赛过女娲补天。感激老师给我这样一个机会可以贴在公告栏，令同学们可以监督我，我一定会好好学习，报效桂中，报效社会，报效共产党，报效社会主义特色的中国，报效胡锦涛。。。
最后，还是万心感激一下老师，给我一个重新做人的机会，令我由一堆烂泥变成祖国的花朵，祝同学们身体健康，老师工作如意。

I look like Vanille?

2010-01-26T11:29:00.000+08:00

According to my colleagues, I resemble Vanille in Final Fantasy 13. Is that so?

Maybe I'll go do a pose like this and compare! lol

Kindness

2010-01-25T18:05:00.000+08:00

Twitter's Down, so here's a nice quote that I chanced upon.

"I expect to pass through this life but once, herefore, if there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do for another living being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again."

It made me recall a scene this morning when I saw a lorry back full of live pigs. It pains me to think that they are heading towards an end. It is such a sorry sight... Which also brought back memories of the time in Cambodia when I witnessed a pig being tied up for slaughter. I can never forget its cry till date.

At Cheryl's place with Wang

2010-01-25T17:42:00.000+08:00

Double A

2010-01-25T10:24:00.000+08:00

Rehearsal

@ SCAPE

On Stage

My missing Pig....

2010-01-23T15:35:00.000+08:00

Woo Hoo!!! Our dear friend, Phyllis in HK has bought me and cheryl our piggy doraemon!!! Yeah!
Though there is news that Mac SG will bring it in in April. Am still so so happy that she got it for us!!!
So nice of her right!!! Now my entire collection is complete! Oink!

Project Mop Mop

2010-01-21T15:06:00.000+08:00

If I don't have to work, I seriously don't mind doing housework. Maybe it is the novelty of it, that's why I'm finding it fun at the moment. LOL.

The life of the part-time maid started at 11am (!!!!! Good life maid) today. Cooked breakfast for the dogs, watered the plants, did prayers, zipped off to Macs to get the last set of Doraemon, replenished dogs' groceries at Pet Lovers, bought lunch for the brother and then back home to "entertain" some housework. I feel so AUNTIE lor....

The poor mop was put through an intensed ballet routine, doing 360 twirls and pirouettes with a "siao gina". I now understand why my mom always complain about Daz when she mops. He SINGS loud and clear through the entirety of the mop dance. Imagine the on going "music" accompliment when I did the routine twice.... Faintz... My mom loves to call him Winner Daz, I say Whinner Daz more likely...

This is only a very small fraction of his entire composition.

Dance Partner of the day.

Swee Swee dance floor

This area is a constant mess...!

A loud and whinny Schnauzer trapped with his unhappy brother.

Anyway, this week is totally insane! I don't have the priviledge to rest properly at home at all. Been flying all over the place with lessons, rehearsals and dogs. Now I have to be preparing to head out soon to Ocean Butterflies again for a major rehearsal. It's fast becoming my second home!

Urgh.. I forgot the Laundry! Eekz!

The last set

2010-01-21T01:11:00.000+08:00

I'll probably stay away from Macs for a while after tomorrow's pancakes so as to purchase my last set of Doraemons~! Thankfully, I have grown to be ok with the taste of their pancakes. I don't know why, but I used to hate eating them alot when I was much younger. But having it every Thursdays is still a little too much for me. Afterall, I don't exactly fancy their coffee (even the premium coffee tastes so bland) or their hash brown.

I must say that the staff at the Khatib branch have been so kind to me. They will always remember an extra pack of butter for my pancakes. It pays to be nice and polite to them in the first place. Remember that million dollar smile too, cos that will earn you extra perks at times.

New maid in the house

2010-01-19T13:52:00.000+08:00

Roles have reversed. My parents called from Hong Kong to report that they have landed safely.
Now, I am Queen of the house, at least for this week. Perhaps I should use the word Maid instead since I have to be waking up earlier now to clear the dogs' pee and shit, water the plants, washing clothes, washing dishes, praying on behalf of my mom, mopping floor, taking the dogs for their walks etc...

I wonder how mom will react to me messing up her kitchen. Afterall, I haven't been cooking for a long long time. The dogs will have their happy meals everyday for a while! Am gonna do grocery shopping soon. =)

SCAPE Chinese Confession

2010-01-18T18:13:00.000+08:00

Ocean Butterflies will be putting up a 3hr show just outside Takashimaya coming Saturday, 7:30pm (23rd Jan 2010).
Ah nia here will be doing 3 songs for that particular gig as well. Looking forward to it!

给你一道彩虹

2010-01-17T20:38:00.000+08:00

I know I should be concentrating on driving (on the fast lane somemore) but the rainbow is too good to be missed. How often do we stop to appreciate how beautiful nature can be? Heng I had my camera with me then. =P

可惜，美丽的东西往往都是短暂的。

Transcript of Minister Mentor Lee's interview with Mark Jacobson

2010-01-15T12:28:00.000+08:00

Read here first:
http://www.news.gov.sg/public/sgpc/en/media_releases/agencies/pmo/transcript/T-20091228-1.html

On Eating Less Meat

2010-01-14T14:35:00.000+08:00

I've been pretty disciplined on trying to cut down on my meat intake. It isn't as difficult as anticipated.
Apart from home cook dinner (my mom wouldn't let me off), my breakfasts and lunches are totally vegetarian. I am proud to say that thus far (a week), I haven't had much of a craving for meat.

The other benefit I'm deriving from being less carnivorous is that my digestive problems have lessened! Yipee! I should try to stay healthier for now. Haven't been exercising for a long long while too. Am wondering how I can go about being more disciplined in that area..... This one's TOUGH neh.

Phone Etiquette

2010-01-13T18:01:00.000+08:00

My colleagues and I share the same telephone in my office. Conveniently, it sits on my desk so I am the "operator". I am so used to being polite on the office phone that whenever my own handphone rings, I always have the tendency to go "CAMTech, This is Avril speaking. How can I help you?"

It happened many times already! I can imagine how stunned my friends were to be hearing me speak that way. Please excuse me if I pick up your calls in this manner. Job hazard (职业病) you know.

2010-01-12T15:48:00.000+08:00

Apparently I didn't follow advice and did something really stupid today. Shan't flaunt what I did, but I IS STUPID.

Hermit

2010-01-12T10:43:00.000+08:00

Time to withdraw voluntarily from the world to seek the truth in solitude. Most likely the answer lies within, but if you are feeling stuck, seek sensible advice from a wise and more experienced person.

Death

2010-01-11T11:47:00.000+08:00

The question of Death came to me when I was merely 6 years of age. I woke up that fine morning wondering how it is like to experience Death. Lying on the mattress I had shared with my aunt, I tried to imagine that I could no longer think and pretended I was dead. Then in my little mind, I realised that Death was just like sleeping. When I get knocked out, I felt nothing. That nothingness scared me and I started sobbing. Death was a darn scary thing to me at that instant.

So afraid I was that I ran up to my grandmother and demanded a photograph of her. Not knowing that it was a taboo thing to say, I told her "Cos I'm afraid that when you die, I will never get to see you again. I need your picture now!".

Amazingly, given my short term memory, I could still remember this scene vividly. My grandma's wide eyed look was replaced really quickly with a warm smile as she acceded my request. She gave me a coloured passport picture of herself and told me "Must remember ah ma ah".

Years down the road, I think I still have that picture safely kept in one of my memory boxes. And thankfully, my maternal grandmother is still around. I guess having that picture or not makes not much of a difference now. Our most treasured memories are often the most well preserved in our minds isn't it.

Good intention, Wrong action

2010-01-10T00:46:00.000+08:00

Recent Hooha over OCBC's birthday cake advertisment.
Found it pretty cheesy myself. However, someone took the advert literally and demanded a birthday cake in a bid to test the bank's sincerity. Good intention, but bo liao move my dear...
http://kitchentigress.blogspot.com/2010/01/ocbcs-birthday-cake.html

In all fairness, I am pretty sure that the advertisement did not promise a cake to every customer on their birthdays. But anyways, the lady got her cake and guess what? She complains about how terrible it turned out to be... Though, the apparent lack of service quality for the matter (Improve Pls!), I wonder if the poor fellow who bought the cake managed to claim from the company. He/She isn't exactly that highly paid you know. You want a cake, they give you a cake. You get the cake, you complain! KNN...

The entire episode is just plain tasteless. Having to work at 6pm on a Sunday is already a huge dampener for any employee. To have it further ruined by a prankster with her misguided wishes....
Like der.... It was the bloody cold huge corporation who made that ad, not the employee. Why trash and make things difficult for the innocent ones?

Someone mentioned for her to try getting POSB to fetch her children. It may work leh! Perhaps I should try that stunt and then blog about it so that I can also enjoy my 10 mins of internet fame as well!

2010-01-07T14:43:00.000+08:00

My entire Jan is going to be SO SO SO Busy...
There are even overlapping appointments. Wah liew... Like the ah nia here can split herself into 2 places... ROAR!!!!

Request Wolfgang to find me a PA? hahahaha Dream on!

Why no pig?

2010-01-07T11:07:00.000+08:00

Had a really good laugh on my way to work listening to my usual 不给一口丁program.

It is a tad sensitive to be discussing this over here, but as you know, the current Doraemon lucky charms do not include the pig of the 12 zodiac. They were having a hell of a time debating over that which was so darn hilarious!

Na... If you really want the entire set, here you go!

Having my pancake breakfast and in 10 mins time, I will be zipping off to LT3 for buffet lunch. POWER! hahaha

Tottemo Daisuki, Doraemon!

2010-01-06T12:33:00.000+08:00

Everyone tells me that the first set of 3 doraemons is out of stock island wide.
But I IS ADAMANT!

Cajoled Chao and Adrian to go Macs with me to have it checked out and get them, even though today is the last day of the first set, even when everyone else scurried through many Macdonalds to find them sold out and even if it means to coax the counter staff to give us the display sets. =P

I IS DETERMINED!

Yah la I was excited like a little child can? Even the counter staff were bemused. Life's too sad! Must get excited over the simplest things in life what.

And guess what??

TADA!

Yeah! Sold out island wide but I managed to get them!!!! Lucky or what??! Even managed to get an extra set for Cheryl san! She will love me for it! An extra Rabbit for Cindy gal who complained that she couldn't find it.

They don't look exactly that great seriously. It is the satisfaction of getting them when others are having such a hard time doing so. =P

Chao also got herself a set and Zhigao zipped off immediately to get them the moment we proudly showed our conquests.

CAMTech 疯了!

What an Avrilicious day. I IS A HAPPY GAL!

Konna koto iina
Dekitara iina
Anna yume konna yume
Ippai arukedo.

Minna minna minna
kanaetekureru
Fushigina pokke de
kanaetekureru.

Sora wo jiyuu ni tobitai na.
(Doraemon: Hai, takecopter!)
An an an tottemo daisuki Doraemon.
An an an tottemo daisuki Doraemon.

shukudai touban shiken ni otsukai
anna koto konna koto taihen dakedo
minna minna minna
tasukete kureru
benrina dougu de tasukete kureru
omocha no heitai da
(sore! tototsugeki!)
AN AN AN tottemo daisuki DORAEMON

anna toko ii na
iketara ii na
kono kuni ano shima takusan aru kedo
minna minna minna
ikasete kureru
mirai no kikai de kanaete kureru
sekai ryokou ni ikitai na
(ufufufu... doko demo DOA!)
AN AN AN tottemo daisuki DORAEMON
AN AN AN tottemo daisuki DORAEMON

(p.s. I actually remember the Chinese version of the song too!)

K. Am going back to my boring, mundane work... bleh...

CNY 2010

2010-01-06T11:10:00.000+08:00

We need influx of new ideas for this year's CNY card.... Running out of ideas....

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010?

Win liao lor

2010-01-06T10:51:00.000+08:00

Doraemon Craze is coming to town... This person cannot get his/her first 3 animals and decided to go DIY? LOL... *evil thought... I wonder how Cai or Daz will look....

Keyboard Lessons

2010-01-06T10:48:00.000+08:00

I'm starting on pop music keyboard lessons. Though I had completed my electronic organ, I realised that I'm still quite bad with fingerings and sight readings. I love the feel of the piano keys much better though.

I kinda amaze myself with the speed I'm picking up despite no practise (No Keyboard!!) at all. Muahahahaha! *Proudz.
But still, I need to get my portable grand soon!!!! Should I consider other options than wait for Yamaha's stock?

Sidetrack, my colleagues are so funny, they suddenly came up with this statement: "Tiger year, good for Tiger Beer, bad for Tiger Woods?"

New Header for 2010

2010-01-05T22:17:00.000+08:00

Was thinking of either this header

or the one already on my blog.

Well, still think the one I chose fits the theme though I did not do a proper job of removing background.

Nooo~~ My Doraemon...!

2010-01-05T21:46:00.000+08:00

SHIT!!! How come I do not know that MacDonalds have been selling Doraemon since 1st Jan??
The first 3 (Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon) are sold out le~!!!!!! Oh NO~~~~!!!!!! My 十二生肖!

Yah.. I know. I exaggerated la. But Doraemon's so cute! He's got a 八宝袋 that I always thought was so cool lor. I could use some help with that interesting pocket of his.

Shall go check out Macs tomorrow! I foresee alot of pancake breakfast every thursday from now..... OMG..
Will it be like another Hello Kitty Frenzy again?

Why no PIG??!

Stray Day

2010-01-05T11:24:00.000+08:00

Saw a stray dog sleeping by the expressway on the way to work. Don't have the luxury to stop in time to check on it. Hopefully it was just sleeping and not injured. Will see if I am able to drive there later to access.

Then I spotted another female stray at the entrance of my workplace! Knowing me, I can't not stop to take a look. She was so friendly!! Came wagging its tail at me the moment I called it and even allow me to pat her. She seem really well fed and looked lost. Refused the treats I offered. Tried to get Uncle Seng on the phone but while I was doing that, she ran off across the road into foliage. Will try to spot her again if I can. This area isn't exactly dog friendly and neither is it safe....

Wah lao... Distracted at work now.

YPS!

2010-01-05T00:36:00.000+08:00

My dear Primary School mates! We came a long long way. =)

Great... Xiaxue gives up Pumpkin

2010-01-04T12:30:00.000+08:00

Yet another case of abandonment citing all sort of excuses for it.
Had originally thought, at least she WAS a dog lover.

Monday Bluez

2010-01-04T11:11:00.000+08:00

Been such a nice long week that I thought I must be dreaming. I don't want it to end leh. Muahahaha!

Thrust back into reality, a whole shitload is waiting! I feel like shouting...
Maybe I shall sneak up later into one of the rooftops of the spine and scream out loud. It was something that me and Cheryl would used to do in our university days to let go steam. And yes... we did even weirder things before on that roof top.... LOL That's for you to find out!

I really miss our younger times, when there are lesser frustrations and responsibilities.
好想能不长大。大人的世界好难懂。
Still, I am forced to grow up somehow. I hope I will never forget to smile no matter what.

Gambatte Everyone!

2010-01-03T11:55:00.000+08:00

千百年来碗里羹，
冤深如海恨难平，
欲知世上刀兵劫，
但听屠门夜半声