Ok I will be the first to admit that I cannot live without meat. 

I try to minimize meat comsumption and avoided beef and mutton altogather, but I will feel very miserable on a diet without pork and chicken. I avoid eating meat primarily because of compassionate reasons (i.e. avoid killing other living beings), not so much on health and environmental reasons... but for the meat that I consume I will observe the Buddhist principles. Eg you will never see me ordering or eating live seafood.

Hope that the scientist can come out with in vitro meat as soon as possible, so I can still eat meat without harming any animals.

Originally posted by gigabyte14:

from what i see, the christians are just scared of muslims as they are retaliating

the buddhists are not doing anything, so they attack buddhists

Yeah, unfortunately Buddhists do represent a 'soft' target against whom some Christians can attack at will without fear of retaliation. Equally unfortunately however, is that any act of retaliation by Buddhists will run counter to the very teachings of Buddhism

In the face of militant, aggressive and intolerant monotheistic faiths, Buddhism is like a sheep in a plain infested with predatory wolves. No wonder we are heading into the dharma ending age.

Originally posted by sanath:

And just to add, you're just one of those "chiak bah jin jia wu eng" types. If you have nothing constructive to add, then please, for goodness sake, don't post.

He is a long-time troll in this BWB forum. If you follow his posts carefully you will know that he is not capable of logical reasoning. Pay him no heed.

Originally posted by ~b1RD_m4N~:

did the korean buddhist temples "collapse"? and Christians dont pray for devastation, we pray for world peace.  I know, every religion focuses on peace, but its easy to find little little "rumours" to defame a religion.  But we must respect all religions.

It is not "rumours". Check out the wikipedia link AEN provided.

In 2006, Lee also sent a video prayer message to a Christian rally held in the southern city of Busan in which the worship leader prayed feverishly: "Lord, let the Buddhist temples in this country crumble down!" That footage - which someone poked fun at by cleverly comparing it to Ronald Reagan's famous speech, "Mr [Mikhail] Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" - drew palpable and anticipated uproars from the Buddhists and even some from Christians.

source: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/JB01Dg01.html

Additionally, I remembered a posting made here some months ago about how Korean Christians have destroyed and burnt down Buddhist temples and sutras. Would appreciate if someone can provide the link to that post.

Originally posted by ~b1RD_m4N~:

another question, is buddhism outdated? since Christianity has moved along with the many 'changes' with time to suit the age we're in.  The Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches really deal with the problems of our times and appeals to younger generations.

Buddhism represents universal truth and that can never be 'outdated', but I agree that Buddhism probably needs to learn to 'repackage' itself to appeal to the younger generations. The presence of the so called 'joss stick' type of Buddhists, as well as the misrepresentation of "joss-stick-Buddhists-turned-Christians" do not help in the image of Buddhism at all.

Originally posted by sanath:

No wonder my friends who have been to Seoul say they never see any or much temples, but crosses everywhere.

 

Yah, that was my experience too... When I went to Korea for a holiday last December, I only get to see Buddhist temples on 2 or 3 occasions, but churches & crosses are everywhere. I think Korean culture is seriously being compromised.

I remember reading somewhere that one of the Korean presidents attended a Christian rally where the reverend in charge prayed to the Christian God to cause all Buddhist temples in Korea to collapse.

Isn't that president Lee Myung-bak?

Didn't load a CD properly in my CD ROM drive... Now the drive door cannot be opened. It will only light up give off some whirling sound whenever I tried to open the CD rack. Can anyone help?

Originally posted by googoomuck:

There you are ! This is not the way of a Buddhist. You should have given it away to someone who might need it.

That was the first thing I told the Christians... to give that to people who might need it,  but they insist that I should keep it and read it.

Originally posted by googoomuck:

 

No Buddhist who understands Buddha's teachings think that other religions are wrong. Buddha has spoken out strongly for better understanding and respect among people of different faiths.

I read the bible and books of other religions during my free time. I have a few bibles given by friends and people I hardly know. All I need is one copy. I keep the other copies because of sentimental values. I don't destroy them. In some hotels, there's  a bible in each room. There may be hotels that has a book about Buddhism in each room. I don't throw away religious books because it's not of a particular faith. It's for anyone who wants to read it.

I did not throw away the materials. I did not throw them into a 'normal' dustbin to be incinerated like common rubbish. I put them into a paper recycle bin... The materials will be put into better use after it is reborned as recycled paper. 

In a manner of speaking, I am giving the materials to people who might need it, and doing my little part to save the earth in the process.

There is a 5th option.... Quietly accept the Bible and then put it into the paper recycle bin.

I did just that during one Good Friday Holiday. I was in a shopping mall minding my own business when a group of Christians passed me some evangelist materials. They insisted that I accept the materials no matter how hard I refused. In the end, I shut my mouth, accepted these materials and dumped them into a nearby recycle bin. 

Christians are happy that I 'accepted' their materials. I am happy coz the Christians left me alone... and Mother Gaia is happy about the recycling.

Problem solved

Originally posted by cycle:

Jason should treat all moderators a tiny cup of Kopi.

Why only moderators? Forumners like us should also be treated...   

Heh heh.. Doraemon is my favourite manga character.

I remember in one particular episode, Doraemon and Nobita travelled back in time to locate Nobita's ancestors. I cannot remember how the story unfolds but the duo ended up helping some poor and starving villagers, and the villagers mistook Doraemon for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Di Zhang Wang Pu Sa). Come to think of it, Doraemon's actions (in that episode) is very bodhisattva-like. He is compassionate, kind, selfless. He goes all the way to assist the needy and does not expect any repayment for his kindness.

Originally posted by knightlll:

hmmm..... i thought sgforum already have a chit-chat forum liao.

I suppose a chit-chat forum for Buddhism is also needed for us to have light discussions on non-Buddhism topics but with a Buddhism tint.

For example, I have been meaning to chat about the movie "The Kingdom" but have not found an appropriate forum to do so. I can't do that in general chit chat forum....

Anyway, on the movie...The dialogue in last scene of the movie is very poignant. It is revealed that both the Americans and Abu-Hamza extremists comforted their respective bereaved that "We're going to kill them all!"

This calls to my mind Buddha's teaching in the Dhammapada that: "Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is a Law Eternal."  

Originally posted by jacqn:

maybe some christians see converting ppl to their own religion is a challenge to overcome..

Some of them truly feel that they have the 'cure' for cancer and is obliged to spread the good news. Their intention is indeed noble, but what they lack the wisdom to realize is that this "cure-for-cancer" thingy is not a good analogy for religion since religion is highly personal.

For a start, the spiritual disease that afflicts Christians is very different from the ones that affects other people... and even if the spiritual disease is the same, different cures works better for different people; what is a cure for Christians may very well be poisonous for others, so it is pointless forcing their "cure" down other's throat.

Originally posted by An Eternal Now:

These are all part of globalization... But in the end Buddhism will stand to gain more benefits in the long run. I am optimistic for the 'revival' of Buddhism and the Dharma in times to come both in Asia and the west.

BTW, Buddhism and Dharma in Singapore is growing pretty fast.

How does Buddhism gain in the long run when we are in the dharma ending age? Its a matter of time before we reach an age where no one will even hear of Buddha and the dharma.

BTW, anyone knows what has become of that couple charged under the Sedition Act for distributing evangelistic materials?

Originally posted by Lin Yu:

Congratulation to NotADream & Elaine

 

May this Day be full of Memories and Love

  

I wonder if their wedding has proceeded according to plan? Have not heard from them since Dec last year... A little worried about them.

Actually, NS training with hypertension is still ok (if your knee is not giving you any problems...)

I was diagnosed with hypertension when I was still in my late 20s, but I did not report this to the Army and I completed all my ICTs. However, I did seek the advice of my doctor and he confirmed that in my case, ICT, jungle/ field training & IPPT etc. will not affect me.

I just need to pop a pill every morning and everything will be under control. Of course I need to bring my pills during field exercises. This caused me some minor inconvenience, but overall I find that this works to the benefit of my hypertension because ICTs/ IPPTs forced me to adopt a more active lifestyle and thus protecting myself against the complications of hypertension. Without my ICT/ IPPT my lifestyle will be very sedentary.

By the way, The following forum post was made last Saturday on the Straits Times:

Let's respect a person's private space in public <!-- headline one : end -->

<!-- more than 7 paragraphs --><!-- story content : start -->I WAS sitting alone in my school canteen one afternoon when a girl came up to me and asked if I had time to spare. Yes, it was yet another get-to-know-God session.

I'm sorry if this sounds impolite, but I've had enough of such encounters in school and other public places.

I find the increasingly noticeable trend by Singaporeans to proselytise in public worrying.

It is not uncommon when one is sitting alone outside Starbucks, or on a bench in school, to find oneself being approached by some stranger who starts introducing his or her concept of religion.

It may be acceptable to spread one's religion by setting up a booth at Orchard Road, putting up a website, or distributing fliers but it should not go further.

Proselytising in school is too much. I am well aware that these people mean well, and feel intensely about their beliefs and that good things are meant to be shared. I feel the same way about my religion too but I do not do what they do because it is not the right way to share my beliefs.

<!-- show media links starting at 7th para -->Such get-to-know-God sessions are undemocratic because they indirectly convey the message that a person feels his religion is superior to the beliefs of others, and that others should therefore switch.

It is also intrusive especially if courtesy requires one to listen when one wishes to turn away. I am glad that my friends, who are of a different religion, do not try to convert me.

Religious freedom does include the right not to be annoyed by someone who over-enthusiastically tries to promote his or her beliefs.

Tolerance and acceptance have their limits.

I believe that the only way for a person to win respect for himself and his beliefs is for that person to be a good person first.

He should embody the values which his beliefs teach him, and prove the strength of love through actions, not sermons.

Show me that your beliefs make you a better person, and that your religion makes you care for the world; that is all you need to do.

After encountering one too many sessions in public, I think that there perhaps should be a law to ban such religious touting.

Wee Feng Yi (Ms)

 

---

 

IT'S TOUTING, SHE SAYS

'After encountering one too many sessions in public, I think that there perhaps should be a law to ban such religious touting.'

I am inclined to support the call for a law banning public religious touting. I think this will help us fend off unwanted church invitations.

Off topic for a bit, as Buddhists, do we not need to share the dharma with our fellow suffering beings? If so, how are we expected to share the dharma without coming across as hypocrites? 

The only time I "voluntarily" visited a church is the church opposite Maxwell food center, the former Jing Hua cinema. I went there to reminisce the "old times"... many years before when my late father brought me to that cinema to watch a movie. Other than that there is absolutely nothing of interest in any church service.

Originally posted by Manager433:

DVD available for rental now.

Can't find DVD...

Only VCD available

Originally posted by Deino:

parks? the park is full of pedestrians......lately i have seen many skaters in the city area....one of them almost hit somebody......

well.....cyclists are humans, they aren't robots......there will likely be some who will not do as told......same goes for pedestrians.....many pedestrians like to Jay walk......so banning would actually work......its impossible for a civilisation to be totally civilised especially in the modern world......

so this hit and run situation will can never ever be resolved even in a gazillion years.......i dun like it when you say "cyclists tend to compete with pedestrian".....it sounds like you are generalising when you use the word cyclists.....

I do not mean to generalize.

The prevalence of the matter need to be considered. Like you said there are bound to be errant cyclists, skateboarders, pedestrains or inline skaters. However, incidences of errant behaviour involving the latter three are mostly isolated cases. Conversely, incidences involving errant cyclists have prevailed to the point where the government has to take action. 

Originally posted by Deino:

actually i think cyclist and skaters and bladers alike should be allowed to use the footpath coz i think its very dangerous to cycle on the road.......thats why i said must cycle responsibly......

I agree on your last point about cycling responsibly... but it is apparent that many cyclists have failed to do so, else this issue of pedestrain vs cyclists will not arise in the first place. 

Originally posted by Deino:

got one time i cycle, then an old lady came out from the side...bloodyhell i had to break using my legs coz the bike brakes won't stop them in time.....nabei she can walk slowly somemore

But were you cycling on footpaths or some other pedestrain-intensive places?

I was skating along a footpath when I almost knock down an elderly couple under very similar circumstances. The elderly man started scolding me. The elderly lady started cursing at me and said that she hope to see me knocked down and killed by a car etc etc...

But I was in the wrong to skate in a footpath. So I apologized to the couple profusely, even though the old lady never let up cursing me... until the old man felt paiseh, smiled and waved at me.

Originally posted by Deino:

If prevention is better than cure......then ask gahmen to ban bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards in public places lar..........that way the odds of getting hit by any of these is infinity:1

Skateboarders and inline skaters are more for recreation, not really transportation. As such, these activities are restricted to places where pedestrian traffic, or the risks of collision are low. Eg. skating rink or designated cycling/ skating tracks in parks.

Conversely, cyclists tend to compete with pedestrians on pedestrian footpaths... and cyclists knocking down pedestrians are very prevalent as compared to skateboarders and inline skaters.

Besides, banning everything won't work. Bicycle does not have to be banned at all if only cyclists display more courtesy in general.

Originally posted by Y_Shun:

I think i started from Carpark C2 instead~

Then deduct 3 km one way... i.e. C2 to Changi V is 18km. Return trip is 36km.

Source: http://www.teamspeedvirus.com/home.php (scroll right to the bottom... there is a distance calculator)

Originally posted by Y_Shun:

Anyone knows roughly how long(km) is that trip?

Tried that today...cycling there and back, my legs break liao.

Distance from Fort Road Carpark (B1) to SAFRA resort (beginning of the park connector) is 10.3km.

Distance of the park connector itself is 7.9km from SAFRA resort to Changi Beach Park.

The length of Changi Beach park is about 3km.

Therefore, total distance from carpark B1 to Changi village is about 21m. A return trip will be 42km.

Try skating that distance... i think you will find that more challenging that cycling.