Welcome to the movie screening of TITLE : Hi Dharma 2 [This Wed 29/3, 8pm-10pm at CR2047 ]

Dear Brother and Sister in Dhamma,

Suffering from tons of midterms and assignments? Are you finding a place to relieve the pressure? DSG will be having a movie screening on the coming Wednesday.. This week will be featuring a Korean movie- Hi Dharma 2..

--Synopsis--
It is about three monks are to beat the gangsters who wanted to reclaim the land of the temple for redevelopment.. To protect the temple, they have come out with a plan, and creating a lot of jokes in the process.

Funny and enjoyable yet you can understand a lot of dharma values from the movie.. So, don't miss out this movie. We are waiting for you this Wednesday, 8pm at CR2047. See you there!.

Date: 29th Mac, 2006 (Wed)
Time: 8.00pm - 10.00pm
Venue: CR2047

--Regards, MMU Dhamma Sharing Group (DSG)--

Welcome to the talk on Educational Exchange by Venerable Man Qian from Fo Guang San (FGS)

Dear Brother and Sister in Dhamma,

Have you suffer or worry how to organize a good or successful activity? Why not we have a sharing or exchange of ideas and experiences of ours to others? This week we have to invite Venerable Man Qian from Fo Guang San (FGS) to give a talk about Educational Exchange. You will be given an insight about how FGS conducts and runs its activities. There are many youth activities which are organized by FGS annually.

Here is an opportunity for you to come n share your experience in organizing an activity and also learn from the people who organize many activities with the aim - for benefit of mankind. Please don't forget our date with you on this Wednesday (22nd March), 8pm in CR2047.



Date: 22nd Mac, 2006 (Wed)
Time: 8.00pm - 10.00pm
Venue: CR2047
* Conduct in mandarin

See ya there~

Regards, MMUDSG

Welcome to the Discussion on "The Chant of Metta" [this Wed 15/3 8.00pm-9.30pm CR2047] See ya there!

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Dhamma,

Whenever you listen to “The Chant of Metta”, do you ever feel peacefulness and calmness surrounding you?

After listening thousand times of the song, do you ever wish to understand the meaningful words and sentences in the lyrics of this song?

Here is a precious chance for you to get closer to this song, to understand it, to feel it with your heart. Please don’t forget our date with you, this Wed 8pm in CR2047.

"The Chant of Metta" Lyrics's uploaded here.
"The Chant of Metta" song's uploaded here.

Date : 15th Mac, 2006 (Wed)
Time : 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Venue : CR2047

See ya there!

--Regards, MMU Dhamma Sharing Group (DSG)--

Welcome to the Talk of "The Importance of Scriptures" by Uncle Vijaya.

Dear Brother and Sister in Dhamma,


Welcome to the Talk of "The Importance of Scriptures" by Uncle Vijaya.


Ancient Scripture has always been claim that have unnatural super power, is that a myth? or it is truely extraordinary? Let us reveal the truth of this holy scriptures on this Wednesday 1/3/06 8pm CR2047, Together we will find out what lies beneath it .



Date : 1st Mac, 2006 (Wed)
Time : 8.00pm - 10.00pm
Venue : CR2047

Conduct in English

Regards,
MMU DSG

DSG Talk Session: "Life @ Present" 22 FEB, 8pm CR2047, See You There

Dear Brother and Sister in Dhamma,

Are you facing a lot of problems in your life now?Are you feeling to give up everytime you lost?Is it the past make us become weak and hopeless?

This talk is about what are the right attitudes we need for now to build better future without depending on the past. Conduct by Miss Choo Siew Hua.



Date : 22nd Feb, 2006(Wed)
Time : 8.00pm - 10.00pm
Venue : CR2047

Conduct in mandarin

--Regards, MMU Dhamma Sharing Group (DSG)--

Make more Friends[15/2/06][8-10pm][CR2047] Cya there.. !!

Dear all brothers and sisters in the dhamma,

A new semester has arrived......do you have any new planning in the begining of this semester??

Feel bored?wish to have some relaxing activities ??

Feel curious to know more?? Want to make more friends?? Do come to attend this relaxing session and have nice and enjoyable activities with us.

The details of the session are as follows:

Date: 15th FEB 2006
Time: 8pm - 10pm
Venue: CR 2047

Do come to spend some time to get to know more friends and to have a relax time. Bring more friends and come join us....See you there!!!

p/s - refreshments will be provided

sukhi hotu,

MMU DSG

CNY Outing

DSG will be organizing an outing to Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom, Klang.

The main purpose of this trip is to give a chance for MMU students to witness the

"FGS Dong Zen CNY Lantern Cum Flower Festival 2006"

This is an annual event where visitors will be mesmerised by the spectacular and breathtaking lights of hundreds of lanterns. It is a sight to behold...

This is the opportunity for MMU students to indulge themselves in a totally different Chinese New Year, which is full of Fun, Culture and Knowledge. It is also a time where we can celebrate CNY with our university friends!!

Transportation will be arranged and charges will be informed on that day. Anyone who are interested please inform us before this Wednesday (8/2) 2pm. You need to register with us (your FULL NAME and H/p NUMBER). You can reply to us by email or YM!.

For those who have register with us please wait at STAD building Ground floor at 6.30pm..
Let's go have a wonderful and enjoyable night...See you!!!


Further Details please contact

Wei loong ~ twei_loong (ym!) twei_loong@yahoo.com
Siew teng ~ emily2pink(ym!) emily2pink@yahoo.com
Bee Hui ~ bhcheah23 (ym!) bhcheah23@yahoo.com


Happy Chinese New Year

Sukhihotu

-MMUDSG-

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)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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/

DSG Session: movie screening based on love and friendship

Dear Everyone...In this coming Wednesday DSG Session, we will behaving a movie screening based on love and friendship.The details are as below:

Date: 30/11/2005
Time: 8 p.m
Venue: CR1025

Hope to see everyone there.

P/S: Refreshment will be provided....

Regards,
MMU DSG

Forum - "Education, Development, Propagation - The Buddhist Approach"

"Education, Development, Propagation - The Buddhist Approach"

An Intellectual Discussion With Ven. Dr. H. Gunaratana

Date : 3rd December 2005, Saturday

Time : 2.30 pm - 6.00 pm

Venue : Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, Sentul

Objectives : - To clarify doubts on certain doctrinal aspects of Buddhism

- To discuss trends in the development of Dhamma teaching

- To discuss and exchange ideas on Dhamma propagation

The target group for this forum is existing and aspiring Dhamma speakers, Sunday School teachers, facilitators, educationists, intermediate to advanced level students of Buddhism, students of higher institutes of learning, and Buddhist community leaders.

Admission to the forum is FREE but subject to prior registration. If interested, please contact Bee Hui (YM! bhcheah23) at bhcheah23@yahoo.com

Sukhihotu

-MMU DSG-

Offering of Robes by MMU DSG and CyBH

Kathina Day in Nalanda Buddhist Society (20th Nov 2005)

before offering of robes

during offering

A Sangha member giving a short sermon

Lunch Dana to the Sangha members

*please click on image for enlarge version

May we all rejoice in this meritorious deed.
May the merits accrued through this Sanghika Dana be shared/dedicated to all.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!

Together we serve the Buddha-Sasana

-MMU DSG-

MMU DSG Mandarin Dhamma Class "Junior Level"

When we hear what is your religion, so naturally for Chinese, we will answer them "WE ARE BUDDHIST" if we are not a Christian. We will do the same thing when we fill in any kind of form on the field of Religion. We will insert "Buddhist" again if you are not a Christian for Chinese.

However, when there are people asking us what is Buddhism or what a Buddhist do, what should we tell them? Buddhist are just praying? Light the Jolt Stick and do Chanting? How much do we know about Buddhism?

Now, we are so fortunate that MMUDSG is going to held a "Junior Level Mandarin Dhamma Class". This will help all our fellow Buddhist and fellow friends that are interested in learning the essence of Dhamma to come forward and join. The class will start on this Thursday 24/11/05 8.00pm - 10.00pm

Date: 24th Nov, 2005 (Thursday)
Time: 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Venue: CR1028

For more details please contact:
(I) Tan Yaw Han 012-6868 038 Y! cless85
(II) Siew Jun Han 012-2673 660 Y! jaesiew
(III) Chan Wai Chin 016-5941 754 Y! waichinc826

Hope to hear from you soon, See you there!

Regards,

MMU DSG

多媒体大学佛学分享小组第一届"初级华文佛学班" MMU DSG Mandarin Dhamma Class "Junior Level"

当别人问我们是来自什么宗教信仰,
我们都会答:＂我是佛教徒＂．
当我们填写表格时，
我们都会好自然的写：＂Religion: Buddhist（佛教徒）”.
当其他人问到：＂什么是佛教徒？＂
我们又会如何回答他们呢？
佛教徒只是拜拜？烧烧香而已吗？
到低我们对佛教有多认识呢？

所谓机会难逢，这一次，ＭＭＵＤＳＧ（多媒体大学佛学分享小组）举办第一界"初级华文佛学班"，以让各位佛友们都能达到更深一层对佛法的认识与了解．这就在每个星期四，8.00pm -10.00pm，从 24/11/05（星期四）起．

Date : 24th Nov, 2005 （星期四）
Time : 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Venue : CR1028

详情可联络：
(I) Tan Yaw Han 012-6868 038 Y! cless85
(II) Siew Jun Han 012-2673 660 Y! jaesiew
(III) Chan Wai Chin 016-5941 754 Y! waichinc826

希望能见到你的到来，约定你！
　

A talk on "All About Love - Friendship & Relationship" 23/11 8pm CR1025

Dear brothers and sisters of the Dhamma,

你了解"爱"吗?
"爱",有人可随手可得,有人却追寻了一辈子也找不到.

或许你曾否想过:
"为什么他/她永远不会了解我,体谅我?"
"为什么我每次诚心诚意的付出,却换来一次又一次的伤心欲绝?"
"为什么每年2月14日，元宵节时；我总是得一个人过？"

而”友情”, 在你心中又是扮演着什么样的角色?
朋友的选择, 曾是否让你感到苦恼?

"爱" 与 “友情”, 可让人幸福与开心,也让人烦恼. 你觉得是吗?
这个星期三晚上8点,让我们一起听听有关”爱”与 “友情” 这个课题的讲座。 ;)

Do u understand "love"?
"love", there's someone who could own it easily but there's someone who could spend their whole life to seek for their life partner.

What about friendship?
How do make the right choices in our friendship?
The Maha-mangala Sutta (The Great Discourse of Blessing) states the highest blessing comes from avoiding fools and associating with the wise. [asevana ca balanam, panditanan ca sevana]

How does selection of friends and companion affect our spiritual progress??

"love" and "friendship", can bring people happiness and unhappiness, do u agree?
This coming Wednesday at 8pm, let us listen to a talk entitled "All about love - Friendship & Relationship"

Date : 23rd Nov, 2005 (Wed)
Time : 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Venue : CR1025 (Foe Building)

* Conduct in mandarin.

See ya there!!

Sukhi-Hotu
May you be well and happy

Regards,
MMU Dhamma Sharing Group (DSG)

Priceless Dhamma

Treasuring the Free but Priceless Dharma

Nobody has patented rights to the Dharma in the sense that even the Buddha is still sharing the Dharma with countless beings for free elsewhere. The Dharma is priceless, yet it is given away free nowadays. (Unless of course, there is a nominal charge to cover costs.) Like many free things we get these days, they are usually taken for granted and thus undervalued.

If one is observant, one would notice that in our material consumer driven society, one finds fewer people enjoying a carefree Saturday afternoon in a free public park or meditating in an open temple, as compared with the majority crowding in the town centre's shopping malls. However, this situation is not unique to modern times. Throughout human history, the proportion of people practising their faith tends to dwindle in materially better times and booms in harder times - when the call for spirituality suddenly becomes urgent.

In the history of the Mahayana tradition, many Chinese monks braved the long journey to India to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures. Many Indian monks also did the same, travelling the opposite direction to China, so as to share the Buddha's teachings. It was recorded in Chinese history that only 1 in 10 who travelled to the west (to India) returned, the rest pressumed having perished along the difficult journey. Despite each expedition being life-endangering, what motivated the monks was the quest for the ultimate Dharma.

Cited in the sutras and widely believed, this might be the period of the decline of the Dharma. This means we should buck up, not give up in learning and practising the Dharma. Let's hold back the Dharma-ending age as long as we can. Ironically, when information and communication is more instananeously free-flowing than ever in recorded history, the fervour and thirst for Dharma understanding seems to pale - in comparison to the days of the journey to the west?

People tend to overpay to own pricey and relatively useless material things, as they take useful free gifts for granted. Until one had realised the absurdity of this, one will not see the importance of spiritual cultivation and living according to the Eightfold Path, Five Precepts and other aspects of the Buddha's teachings.

When asked if they had studied the sutras in depth, many lay-Buddhists often say they have "no time". Busy people tend to defer realising the truth, or seeking answers to their life's problems - until it is too late. If this situation prevails, we will indeed see the real "ending" of the Dharma. It would not mainly be due to demonic interference, but due to the general lack of diligence and faith of the majority in practising the Dharma. Thus, individual Buddhists should work steadfastly to understand the sutras, which would enable them to actualise the Dharma in their daily lives. However, note that experienced teachers might be needed to guide us to understanding the scriptures, lest we misinterpret them or do not understand.

As one comfortably reads the sutras surrounded by material comforts, one should never forget the hardship of those who had journeyed to the west. Practising and realising the Dharma in the sutras would be the best way to honour them. Now is always the best time to get motivated and practise the Dharma - this most priceless free gift to us all, from noneother than the Buddha Himself!

- Alan Cheong (Edited by Shen Shi'an)
http://www.thedailyenlightenment.com/