Aspirations for the New Year

As the year comes to an end, let us make ASPIRATIONS to lead a better life, to be able to continue our spiritual well-being and development in the right direction.

May we reflect on our past actions - rejoice over the good deeds but learn from the mistakes by not repeating them.

Here is a short sharing about the true meaning of Aspirations (courtesy of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/e-dhamma/message/230)

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Sujata's Aspiration vs Gotama's Aspiration

It is a tradition for a Buddhist to go to the Bodhi Tree to make their aspiration.

But what did they aspire and how they did it? Some would offer something to the Bodhi Tree before their aspiration such as milk, lights, etc. And they wish for material and worldly gains such as wealth, good health and happiness.

What is the true perspective of making aspiration?

Let us go back to the time just before the Buddha's Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. There was this lady named Sujata who has just got her wish fulfilled after making her request from the Bodhi Tree. She came back to offer the milk-rice as a repayment to the Deva of the Bodhi Tree.

At the same time our Bodhisatta Gotama also made his aspiration that he will not raise from his seat until he attained enlightenment to the quest of Truth he was searching. He then selected the Bodhi Tree as the venue for his meditation.

That is when Sujata mistakenly thought that the Bodhisatta was the deva of the Bodhi Tree and offered Gotama his last meal. He then strived on to attain enlightenment on the Vesak night.

Now what is the right method of making aspiration?

Aspiration is NOT making WISHES!A Buddhist makes aspiration to re-focus his spiritual strive towards Enlightenment.Aspiration should be carried out after (and not before) one has performed a meritorious deed such as Dana (generosity).

“By the power of Truth from these meritorious actions of mine, may I continue to have opportunity to learn the Dhamma, to practice them and to realize them until I attain Nibbana.”

One may aspire for worldly gain with the objectives to support his/her spiritual strives. “With this healthy body, may I be able to continue to help and assist those who are in needs”

As the year is coming to the end, everybody is making their new year Resolution.We as Good Buddhist shall make our Aspiration too.
Let us focus our good merits to achieve more meaningful actions that will contribute to the well being of both others and our self.

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May we be able to follow the Dhamma path diligently everyday and in every way to fulfil our aspirations.

May the Triple Gem be our guiding light

Sukhi Hotu to everyone

Together we serve the Buddha-Sasana

-MMU DSG-

MMU DSG Year End Pot Luck's back.. this wed (28/12) 8-10pm, see you at CR1025

Dear brothers and sisters of the Dhamma,

For every year christmas and new year, do you have any special celebration? I'm a buddhist but does it means this event is not related to me? This wednesday in CR1025, MMUDSG will be having our Year End Pot Luck
(a joyful and meaningful gathering through games, sharing & hymns). Tasty food will be provided. Cya there..


Date : 28th Dec, 2005 (Wed)
Time : 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Venue : CR1025 (Foe Building)


Take a break from your stressful daily routine, and come join us!

For more info please contact wei loong ym : twei_loong

Sukhi-Hotu
May you be well and happy

Regards,
MMU Dhamma Sharing Group (DSG)

"Dhamma in our life"

Digha jaarato ratti -----
digham santassa yojanam
Digho balanam samsaro -----
saddhammam avijanatam


Long is the night to the wakeful; long is the journey to the weary; long is samsara to the foolish who know not the Sublime Truth.

Dhammapada, Verse 60


This is what the Buddha, The Fully Enlightened One said to King Pasenadi during the Buddha's time. [Click for full story ---> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dhamma/message/1027]

This dhammapada brings us to the topic of our sharing session in DSG this week. We are having a sharing on "Dhamma in our life".

Do come and get in touch with the beautiful teachings of the Enlightened One.
We are also having hymns and games session. There will also be photo viewing on the past sessions. Do come join us.

Date : 21st Dec, 2005 (Wed)
Time : 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Venue : CR1025 (Foe Building)


See you there....

Sukhi-Hotu
May you be well and happy


-MMU DSG-

MOVIE SCREENING Tonight @ CR1025 8pm, Free Sitting

Dear brothers and sisters of the Dhamma,

A: “Why do I spend so much money each month? How do I able to plan my financial in efficient way?”
B: “I have to spend so much money on my girlfriend… but I love her… how do I need to plan my financial?”
C: “Petrol again… I need to spend so much money in maintaining my car.. but I can’t live without my car too.. How do I need to plan for my financial?”
D: “I’m still a student, and I have no income. How could I plan in spending money?”

Some of u sure think as the same as the situation above. Don’t worry, there will be a movie screening about Financial/ Buddhism and money to let u think for the Buddhism aspect in planning your financial.

Date : 14th Dec, 2005 (Wed)
Time : 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Venue : CR1025 (Foe Building)


See ya there!!

Sukhi-Hotu
May you be well and happy
Regards,MMU Dhamma Sharing Group (DSG)

Gratitude

5 Quotes on the Rationale of Gratitude

1.How deeply you feel gratitude is how deeply you treasure and enjoy your blessings.

2. If we should be grateful even to our greatest "enemies" for perfecting one's patience, how can we ever be ungrateful to anyone?

3. Just as contentment for what one has is the greatest wealth, gratitude for what one receives is the greatest satisfaction.

4. Ingratitude is the beginnning of the end of one's blessings, just as gratitude is the beginning of their perpetuation.

5. To take even the smallest thing in life for granted is to not be grateful enough.

source: TDE-intl


-MMU DSG-

How Buddhist manage finance

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In this materialistic world, the $$$ sign seems to be the main issue in most conversations. The word MONEY is never left out of the mind no matter when or where. How do we manage $$ wisely? How to maintain a balanced life without too indulging in this materialistic mindset? How can we be generous yet have a comfortable financial account in our life? In Buddhism, performing Dana is greatly stressed...but what if we are financially poor?? Is there also a "financial" account or better known as merit account in our life??

In this coming Wednesday DSG Session, we will be having a dhamma sharing on this issue. Do come find out and also get your questions answered.

The details are as below:

Date: 7/12/2005
Time: 8pm - 10pm
Venue: CR1025 (FOE Building)
Title: Buddhism and Finance
Speaker: Bro. Aggavamsa Wong

Conducted in ENGLISH


For the sasana,

MMU DSG
http://mmudsg.blogspot.com/