I remember it was June 2008. The global financial market was charging at full-throttle speed. Global economic outlook appears rosy across all sectors. From banking to tourism. From manufacturing to IT. Influx of foreign talents streaming in to Singapore. Property prices soar to historic high. Prices of goods - from food to clothings, from basic staples to luxury items - continue to climb.
Economic projections were all nothing but rosy. Economists and companies are predicting record profits, record surpluses and record growths. These pictures still remain vivid in our mind. As if they were just yesterday.
All of a sudden, reports surfaced that the Wall Street financial giants are facing credit crisis. Financial empires with the likes of Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Citibank etc crumble one after another. The economic tsunami has arrived. In just one night, billions of dollars are swept away. Millions of ordinary people are losing their investments and forced to give up their homes.As we mark the passing of one year to the other, let us understand that time waits for no man. Every single day, single hour, single minute and single second passed is another opportunity gone. We cannot turn back time.
Things happened with such extraordinary pace and magnitude. Everyone is clueless and not knowing what actually had hit them. Panic and fear of the uncertainty consumed everyone's mind.
The rosy pictures and projections are all gone. Suddenly, everyone is talking about the worst financial crisis in the history of mankind. Instead of record profits, companies are now talking about record losses. Instead of record surplus, countries are now talking about record deficits. Instead of record growth, companies are now talking about record retrenchments and layoffs.
There is only ONE thing for sure - nobody has expected this and nobody has any idea of where things are heading. No economic experts dare to say for certain when things would get better or at least when things would stabilize. Governments across the globe are frantically doing everything in their capacity just to halt the down ride.
While no one is able to offer any concrete theory on what brings us to this state and at which point things actually gone wrong, there is one thing we can say for certain.
It is HUMAN GREEDS, OBSESSIONS WITH MATERIALISTIC POSSESSION, OBSESSIONS WITH WEALTH PURSUITS, SELFISHNESS AND IRRESPONSIBILITY.
One after another, banks and financial companies are pleading for government support, begging to get a slice of the public money. They are cashing on the fear of the people - claiming that if no money is injected, all these giant institutions are on the brink of collapse.
YET... top executives of these institutions are walking away with hefty bonuses - in record amounts. Even when people are fearing to lose their jobs, homes or even the next meal for many, these executives spend lavishly - millions and millions of taxpayers' money - for personal holidays, enjoyments or luxury decorations of their offices. It was exactly these extraordinary intellectually-gifted executives who brought us to this mess - their irresponsible act to win at all cost, compromising all ethic values to feed their insatiable hunger for power and wealth.
What has happened to humanity? Where have we put our conscience? How did we end up like this? Where is the value of morality? Where is our compassion for people around us? Look at what we have done to ourselves. This is the result when greed triumphs over generosity, selfishness triumphs over common good, materialistic insanity triumphs over gracious living.
Let us be very clear that we, human is the root cause of this epic economic and most major environmental catastrophe.
Let us start putting 1.. 2.. 3.. into practice. 1. LOVE - Live each day with a loving heart. Love your parents, love your families, love your friends, love your enemies. 2. Conscience living - Live each passing day as according to our conscience. Let our conscience speaks in all our actions and undertaking - for ITS voice has been drowned for far too long. 3. Live Naturally - Let us lead a simpe but gracious life. Let us learn from Nature - we shall give without expecting anything in return, and no discrimination in our giving. We shall help others with sincere intention, not for some ill-agenda or for personal benefits. Remember 1. LOVE 2. CONSCIENCE 3. LIVE NATURALLYAs we enter the new year, let us make a promise to ourselves. As we enter a period of uncertainty, we can still live each day happily. The key is to live a modest life, be thankful for every meal that we can still afford - for there are many who are dying of hunger, be caring to people around us - for happiness is in giving instead of receiving. Let our conscience be the candle that brightens the darkness of people around us.
Though we are in no position to change where we come from, we can chart our future. Destiny is not written for us, but it is written by us. Think about what we want to leave behind for our future generations.
We can change our course. We can stop polluting the earth and destroying millions of lives. At least, that's the least we can all play a part. Let us go back to our conscience. We can start caring for others - at least people around us - our closest friends, families and relatives. Let us revive the angelic side of humanity. Let us LOVE, PROTECT and GLORIFY all lives. Let us be thankful for each passing day, for every breath that we take. Let us be thankful and be content for what we have and what we do not have. For the true beauty of mankind does not lie - in how much we have, or the size of our house, or the cars that we drive, or how many credit cards we possess, or how much money we have in the bank.
The true beauty of mankind lies within us and not outside us. The true beauty of mankind does not discriminate the rich from the poor, the able from the disable, the beauty from the ugly, the old from the young. We are all created equal. Within everyone of us is the same emanation of Laomu. Within everyone of us is the same conscience - the ability to love and to care for one another.
Together, let us welcome the year of the Ox with renewed sense of hope, optimism and rejoice. Let us turn to Laomu and Buddha Maitreya for the serenity to accept the things that we cannot change and the courage to change the things that we can. Let us pray for our families. Let us pray that everyone will live to care for one another. Let us pray for our parents. May they be blessed with good health. Let us pray for all our Tao brothers and sisters - even those who are not with us today - and people around us. Let us pray that we are blessed with good health and good fortunes - and that we continue to serve and help propagate the Mission of Buddha Maitreya. Let us pray that everyone will make continuous progression in terms of - career, business and cultivation. Let us pray that Xing Guang will continue to grow and brings positive impact to our family, society and country. Let us pray for our most respected Yen QR, Wang QR and our beloved Fu QR. Let us pray for our TCS to be blessed with the wisdom in leading us through this difficult time. Let us for world leaders - that they are given the wisdom and strength to lead the world through this trying time.
As we usher in the OX...
Cherish the LOVE
This Valentine's Day, Cherish the Love that you have with your loved ones. Be it with your best friends. Or that special someone. Or even your family members.
This is the day to put aside your busy work schedules and appointments. This is the day to free up some of your time and spend quality time with your loved ones.
This Valentine's Day, you can ask your friends, that special someone or family members to come together for a photo-taking session in the photo studio. Let your imagination run wild. Create those funny, bizarre and candid postures. Share those finest moments with your loved ones. Capture those moments and let the memories last for a lifetime.
This is a non-profit project. All proceeds from this project will be used to support our youth dance team. This contingent will carry the flag representing Singapore in the upcoming International Nature Dance Festival. The Festival will be held in Beijing in August 2009 and organized by International Nature Loving Association (INLA). The Festival is part of the effort to promote nature-loving spirit and harmonious living in order to save the Earth.
That Brief Encounter - with Her Holiness
Saturday, 17 January 2009. Considering the strong wind condition in Singapore for the past few weeks, the weather on that morning was all calm and pleasant. The Sun was shining brightly. It was as if Mother Nature had instructed every layer of Nature's elements to get ready to welcome extraordinary guests.
It was 9.30AM. The ferry that carried Her Holiness Grandmaster Yen, His Holiness Grandmaster Wang and their contingents touched down at Harbour Front's pier. Our Tao brothers and sisters who were stationed at both Harbour Front and Changi Airport was set abuzzed. The excitement and eagerness was clearly reflected on everyone's face. We were like those children longing for the homecoming of their beloved Parents.
The sight of Her and His Holiness sparked joy and elation to those who were waiting outside the immigration clearance gate. From Harbour Front, the contingent headed towards the Airport. Her Holiness, His Holiness and their contingents spent their luncheon session at Changi Airport. It was an honour indeed to have the opportunity to serve them, or just simply to be in their presence. Tao brothers and sisters from different Holy Houses came pouring in, be it to say their greetings or even just to catch a glimpse of Her and His Holiness. There are those who come from as far as Malaysia.
During the session, His Holiness took a bit of time out to talk to the youths. His Holiness reiterated that youths have always been and will always be playing an important part in the propagation of Tao and realizing the mission of Buddha Maitreya. It is time for Singapore youths to rise and answer the call. The responsibility of Tao development in Singapore is on our shoulders. Important tasks are waiting for us.
A few of us had a rare opportunity to take photographs with Her Holiness and His Holiness. We are the lucky ones indeed! Those pictures and memories will stay with us forever. Every time we see both Her and His Holiness, we cannot help but feel profoundly remorseful and consciencely guilty. A feeling so strong that it sweeps away all hatreds, jealousy, arrogance and selfishness that reside within our hearts. A feeling so strong that it overwhelms our deprived souls with a renewed sense of optimism, humility, warmth, happiness and joy.
Such is the immense energy that one radiates when one lives out the true Beauty of Mankind.
When the time came for Her and His Holiness to say goodbye, everyone bid farewell with a heavy-heart. The brief encounter has made everyone feeling refreshed and strengthened. Together, we will fulfill the responsibility that is entrusted upon us and make the World a brighter place.
It was 9.30AM. The ferry that carried Her Holiness Grandmaster Yen, His Holiness Grandmaster Wang and their contingents touched down at Harbour Front's pier. Our Tao brothers and sisters who were stationed at both Harbour Front and Changi Airport was set abuzzed. The excitement and eagerness was clearly reflected on everyone's face. We were like those children longing for the homecoming of their beloved Parents.
During the session, His Holiness took a bit of time out to talk to the youths. His Holiness reiterated that youths have always been and will always be playing an important part in the propagation of Tao and realizing the mission of Buddha Maitreya. It is time for Singapore youths to rise and answer the call. The responsibility of Tao development in Singapore is on our shoulders. Important tasks are waiting for us.
A few of us had a rare opportunity to take photographs with Her Holiness and His Holiness. We are the lucky ones indeed! Those pictures and memories will stay with us forever. Every time we see both Her and His Holiness, we cannot help but feel profoundly remorseful and consciencely guilty. A feeling so strong that it sweeps away all hatreds, jealousy, arrogance and selfishness that reside within our hearts. A feeling so strong that it overwhelms our deprived souls with a renewed sense of optimism, humility, warmth, happiness and joy.
Such is the immense energy that one radiates when one lives out the true Beauty of Mankind.
Our Mantra - 1... 2... 3...
Over the past 1-week, His Holiness Grandmaster Wang traveled far and wide across different regions in Indonesia. From Bali to Surabaya. From Jakarta to Batam. Speaking to live audience size from hundreds to thousands. And to thousands more who are either watching or listening via the online streaming channel.
This time round, His Holiness brought along with him a gift for all of us - the secret to success and a future where happiness belongs to all is - 1. LOVE 2. CONSCIENCE 3. NATURAL LIVING. A simple but yet powerful mantra. Just remember 1... 2... 3... Practice them in our daily life. Bright future awaits you.
Last night, His Holiness reminded us the importance of balancing knowledge and wisdom. In our pursuit for higher knowledge, scientific discovery and truth around us, we must remember the noble purpose behind such pursuit. LOVE should be our source of motivation. Matched with LOVE, possession of Knowledge is acquired for the benefits of humanity. Matched with LOVE, discovery of scientific advancement and innovation is made for the betterment of others. Matched with LOVE, truth discovery is for helping the world around us.
This is a timely reminder for many of us. The global financial meltdown has affected millions. Scandals of unimaginable magnitudes are revealed one after another. The actors behind the current economic catastrophe are - the cream of the crop - scholars with intellectual capability that surpassed the average persons. This is a tipping point. A point where humanity is at its worst. Possession of Knowledge that is driven by sheer greed and selfishness. Let this be a lesson to all of us.
By practicing 1.. 2.. 3.., together we can bring out the other side of humanity.
What practicing 1.. 2.. 3.. means that we take lesson from Mother Nature. It is what it is. Plain. Unhidden. Genuine. Unpretentious. Lead an ordinary live. What is the point of splurging on excessive materialistic possessions? At the end of the day, when everything is striped away from us. What is left of us? Nothing. Except our worthiness as a child of Laomu, the true beauty of mankind.
Radiating true beauty of mankind is what we should strive for.
This time round, His Holiness brought along with him a gift for all of us - the secret to success and a future where happiness belongs to all is - 1. LOVE 2. CONSCIENCE 3. NATURAL LIVING. A simple but yet powerful mantra. Just remember 1... 2... 3... Practice them in our daily life. Bright future awaits you.
Last night, His Holiness reminded us the importance of balancing knowledge and wisdom. In our pursuit for higher knowledge, scientific discovery and truth around us, we must remember the noble purpose behind such pursuit. LOVE should be our source of motivation. Matched with LOVE, possession of Knowledge is acquired for the benefits of humanity. Matched with LOVE, discovery of scientific advancement and innovation is made for the betterment of others. Matched with LOVE, truth discovery is for helping the world around us.
This is a timely reminder for many of us. The global financial meltdown has affected millions. Scandals of unimaginable magnitudes are revealed one after another. The actors behind the current economic catastrophe are - the cream of the crop - scholars with intellectual capability that surpassed the average persons. This is a tipping point. A point where humanity is at its worst. Possession of Knowledge that is driven by sheer greed and selfishness. Let this be a lesson to all of us.
By practicing 1.. 2.. 3.., together we can bring out the other side of humanity.
What practicing 1.. 2.. 3.. means that we take lesson from Mother Nature. It is what it is. Plain. Unhidden. Genuine. Unpretentious. Lead an ordinary live. What is the point of splurging on excessive materialistic possessions? At the end of the day, when everything is striped away from us. What is left of us? Nothing. Except our worthiness as a child of Laomu, the true beauty of mankind.
Radiating true beauty of mankind is what we should strive for.
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