A Way Of Life

Puppet show on Life of the Buddha (Year 2008)

2009-06-19T19:51:00.005+08:00

Every year, the children listen to the story of Buddha, about how he was born and how he became the Buddha. We were afraid that the children might get bored if we tell the story again and so, for this year, we did a puppet show on life of the Buddha. We made the children perform for two purposes, one to perform during Wesak Day celebration and the other to make them remember the details during practice.

The puppets were made from printed out pictures of the characters and scenes, glued to a stick (as shown in picture) and the story was recorded with narration mixed with songs from “Come and See” album. Some girls were assigned to sing along while the some others played the puppets.

The children learn while they perform and during Wesak Day celebration 2008, they managed to put tears in some audience’s eyes. One of the weaknesses of this puppet show is the puppets printed. The color was not sharp and bright enough and many couldn’t see from behind. We can improve on that in future.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has chipped in their effort to make it work. To the principle of SDS and facilitators, I’m proud of our team spirit. It’s always a pleasure to work with all of you. To Cheng Sim and Mrs. Yong, thank you both for helping out. Without the two of you, the show would not go on so smoothly.

Treasure Hunt – Gotong royong (Year 2008)

2009-05-23T21:53:00.004+08:00

“Thinking green in our neighborhood” was the theme for the last semester of Sunday Dhamma School. In line with the theme, we had a gotong-royong at section 7. Our mission was to clean the whole playground. To make it fun, we turned the gotong royong into a treasure hunt, a hunt for recyclable items and rubbish. After having this idea, we made Melvin, a teenager, the master mind behind the whole event and he made it seem like “Amazing Race”.

Children were divided into several groups and each group would have to run to a “check point” and answer certain questions or do certain thing that the persons in charged require them to do. They had to pick some recyclable items and throw them into the respective recycle bin to complete their task.

The children were all very excited and tried their best to be the winner. In no time, the park was clean! The children even had a chance to catch some fishes (paper fishes laminated with magnets on them) with fishing rods (a stick with magnet) from a pond (children’s swimming pool) full of rubbish.

Well, the children definitely learnt a lot about recycling and team spirit. At the same time, through the questions asked and activities done in each “check point”, they recall about global warming, recycling and the dhamma.

A Trip To Bird Park and Ti-Ratana

2009-03-24T21:14:00.013+08:00

Note: This is not a report, just my personal experience and views. Photos taken by Hoong.

The trip to Ti-Ratana and bird park was wonderful. Although it was tiring, I believe many had enjoyed themselves, learnt something and made some new friends. What I enjoyed the most was the team spirit and the buddy system implemented. I could see the responsibility in the children which I have not seen previously.

Our first stop was the KL Bird Park. We were blessed to have a "tour guide", telling us about each species of bird, letting the children touch and feed the birds at the same time. The children were thrilled and I would say the adults were equally excited.

Bird Park - Part 1

Bird Park - Part 2

Before proceeding to Ti-Ratana, we had our lunch at the garden next to the National Monument. It was a beautiful place indeed. We were telling the children about the place and linking it to the advertisement that goes:

Lady: Can you tell me how to get to the National Monument?

School boys: You go straight and don't belok belok.

Remember?

Lunch at National Monument

After lunch, we hopped up the bus and we were on our way to Ti-Ratana. The place was quite huge consisting of a few buildings. They have a chanting hall as well as a multipurpose hall with a stage and a good P.A. system. The children there were very independent, I would say and that's what our children should learn. One thing which I felt lacking was the communication between us and the Ti-Ratana children. We were supposed to have games but due to the space constraint (there were too many people), we had to just go with the performance. Our children put up two performances. They really did a great job! The children of Ti-Ratana were talented too and by showing their talent on the stage, we could see the satisfaction in their eyes.

Ti-Ratana

Field trips of this sort should be encouraged. Children learn better if they can experience certain things themselves.

Two Great Stories

2009-02-24T16:22:00.005+08:00

These are two very great stories and if we are able to learn just a tiny bit of it, we would be much happier. For those who can read Chinese, enjoy the stories (stories received via email).

大風無法撼動一座山！（很棒的觀念和想法）

當別人對你說了一些刺傷你的話，批評你、羞辱你，你會怎樣？你會火冒三丈，氣呼呼地罵回去，或是忍氣吞聲地強壓下來？然後呢？你是否會愈想愈氣，整個情緒都大受影響？

有天，佛陀行經一個村莊，一些前去找他的人對他說話很不客氣，甚至口出穢言。

佛陀站在那裡仔細地、靜靜地聽著，然後說：「謝謝你們來找我，不過我正趕路，下一村的人還在等我，我必須趕過去。不過等明天回來之後我會有較充裕的時間，到時候如果你們還有什麼話想告訴我，再一起過來好嗎？」
那些人簡直不敢相信他們耳朵所聽到的話，和眼前所看到的情景：這個人是怎麼回事？其中一個人問佛陀：「難道你沒有聽見我們說的話嗎？我們把你說得一無是處，你卻沒有任何反應！」佛陀說：「假使你要的是我的反應的話，那你來得太晚了，你應該十年前就來的，那時的我就會有所反應。然而，這十年以來我己經不再被別人所控制，我己經不再是個奴隸，我是自己的主人。我是根據自己在做事，而不是跟隨別人在反應。」

是的，如果有人對你生氣，那是「他的」問題；如果他侮辱你，那是「他的」問題；如果他粗暴無禮，那仍是「他的」問題。因為他要怎麼說，怎麼做，那是「他的」修養，你能怎麼辦？讓我再重複一遍上面故事中佛陀所說的話：「我己經不再被別人所控制，我己經不再是個奴隸，我是自己的主人。我是根據自己在做事，而不是跟隨別人在反應。」你是情緒的主人，而不是奴隸。

曾聽過一則故事─有個人每天都固定向某報攤買一份報紙，儘管這個攤販的臉一向都很臭，但他還是每次都對小販客氣地說聲謝謝。有一次和他同行的朋友看到這情形，便問他：「他每天賣東西都是這種態度嗎？」「是的。」「那你為什麼還對他如此客氣？」那人回答：「我為什麼要讓他決定我的行為？」

是啊！我們為什麼要讓別人的表現來決定自己的行為呢？

有看過「生命的答案，水知道」這本書嗎？水能夠對人的話與做出反應。當你的心中是喜悅、感恩的時候，水的結晶就是美麗晶透的；當你的心中是憤恨、仇怒的時候，水的結晶則是扭曲混濁的。

人的身體裡70%是水分，你可以想像到，當你在生氣、憤恨、痛苦、怨懟的時候，你身體裡70%的水分是以污濁的水溝水的狀況來呈現！那…身體又怎麼會健康呢！對吧！

看到這裡，你還要生氣嗎？？

Story - A Sack Of Potatoes

2008-09-13T16:06:00.004+08:00

This is a story I love so much which I read in Dr. Ong's clinic one day. Dr. Ong was kind enough to email me the soft copy. We told the children this story during one of the sessions in Sunday Dhamma School.

One of my teachers had each one of us bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes. For every person we refused to forgive for whatever they did, we were told to choose a potato, write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag.

We were then told to carry this bag with us everywhere for two weeks, putting it beside our bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to our desk at work, etc.

The hassle of lugging this around with us made it clear what a weight we were carrying spiritually and emotionally, and how we had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget it and leave it in embarrassing places.

Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated. This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for nursing our grudges. Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person while it clearly is for ourselves!

So the next time you decide you can't forgive someone, ask yourself, Isn't your bag heavy enough?

Holidays

2008-05-24T23:31:00.003+08:00

It's holidays and it means a break for all facilitators, co-facilitators, principal and children of Sunday Dhamma School. Everyone did a great job on Wesak day and everyone deserves a rest.

I was exhausted after Wesak Day, really exhausted! After a rest, I'll be back to post about our Wesak Day celebration. It was FANTASTIC!

Wesak Day Celebration

2008-05-15T10:39:00.004+08:00

Phew, at last the recording is completed! The puppet show will be carried out as planned and I think the children are doing a fantastic job on this. Let's hope they would be able to give their very best on Wesak Day.

Program for Wesak in Sungai Long Buddhist Society:

Wesak eve (18 May 2008)
8.00 pm Puja & Dhamma Talk by Ven Dhammasara
on "The meaning of Wesak"
9.30 pm QnA
10.00pm Rejoice & Dismiss

Wesak day (19 May 2008)
8.30 am Registration & Selling
9.00 am Puja & Opening speech by Dr. Ong (President)
9.15 am Puppet show, Ehipasiko, Happy Wesak by SDS children
9.40 am Multimedia 1
9.45 am Choir singing "小草" and "Breathing in, Breathing out"
9.50 am Multimedia 2
10.00am Speech by Dr. Ong "The meaning of Ratana Sutta &
Metta Sutta"
10.30am The arrival of Ven. Dhammaluca
10.35am Puja, Chanting "Ratana Sutta" and "Metta Sutta" lead by
Ven. Dhammaluca
11.00am Blessing by Ven.
11.10am Dhamma Talk "Who am I?" by Ven. Dhammaluca
11.30am Dana & Lunch together (Vegetarian only)
12.00noon QnA
12.30pm Clean up & rearrange the centre
1.30 pm Dismiss

We would be joining Nalanda Buddhist Society in the evening.

Game on Buddhist Flag

2008-04-13T06:45:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday, we thought the children the symbols of Buddhism. To further enhance their understanding about the Buddhist flag and to let them remember the color of the Buddhist flag, we thought of a game to bring out the effect.

The game goes like this:

* Children are divided into 2 groups.

* Each group would be given color papers (color of the Buddhist flag).

* Each group would have short of one or two colors.

* Children are given 5-10 minutes to complete the flag, sticking each color paper together with tape.

When time is up, we would ask to see the result but none of the group would be able to present a complete Buddhist flag.

Then, we would tell them that the Buddhist flag cannot be built due to the shortage of color. Each group is like each person. Each has his or her own specialty and strong point as well as weakness. So, if the two groups could combine, they would easily build a beautiful flag. This also means that we (Buddhists / siblings/ friends) need to be united and help each other so that things get done.

Suggestion: We could combine the older children with the younger children for this game. Older children will be in two groups and the younger children will be in the other two groups. The scenario now is that the older children feel they are superior and do not wish to mix around with the younger children. From this activity, we could actually tell them that none if more superior to the other and that they should always help each other.

Quiz on Life Story of the Buddha

2008-04-13T05:15:00.000+08:00

The children of Sunday Dhamma School have heard the life story of the Buddha several times and to repeat the story once again would make the children bored. So, how do we solve this problem since the syllabus of this term is Wesak and we want to tell this story again?

We came out with a suggestion to replace the story telling with a quiz on life story of the Buddha. The questions are basically set in sequence with the story, that is from the birth of Prince Siddhartha to the growing up of the prince, to the four sights, to when Siddhartha left the palace until he attain enlightenment and become the Buddha.

No story telling will be done this Sunday, but throwing of questions to the children. Our purpose is to make the session livelier and to test how much the children have absorb and could remember.

This is how we will have the quiz:

* Children are divided into 3 groups.

* Each group will be given several pieces of paper.

* Each member in the group would take turns writing the answer on the paper.

* Each group will be given 30 seconds to answer each question.

* When time is up, each group’s representative would show their answer and the right answer will be given 1 point.

* By the end of the quiz, the points will be totaled up and the group with the highest score will get 3 extra stars whereas the second group will get 2 extra stars and the last group will get 1 star each.

* For those who did not participate, no extra star will be given. Here, we are encouraging everybody to participate.

What do you think?

"Journey"

2008-04-12T04:05:00.000+08:00

“Journey”, a new Buddhist album has been launched and is now selling at RM21.

The album consists of 3 discs.

Disc 1 consists of 10 songs (9 english and 1 pali).

Disc 2 is the rendition of the Mangala Sutta in Pali with English translation accompanied by the soothing sounds of the Sitar.

Disc 3 is a DVD music video of a song in tribute of the late Venerable Dr.K.Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera.

Now, who are the singers? Presenting the singers for this album:

M.V. Nathan

Datuk Dr.Victor Wee

Oh Kim Leng

Simon & Cedric Tan (MOD)

Raymond Yeo

D2Y (Dhammaduta Youth)

Khoo Nee Wern (Igemz)

Wee Jee Leng

Dharmic Dew

All proceeds will go to participating centers.
For further information on the album, kindly visit Sukhi Hotu Sdn Bhd.

Busy Term For SDS

2008-04-03T12:45:00.000+08:00

This term would be a busy term for us. The theme for this term is Wesak. Wesak, which falls on the 19^th of May would be celebrated everywhere and here in Sungai Long Buddhist Society, we would have a Wesak Day celebration, details yet to discuss.

What we know is that Sunday Dhamma School children will be taking active roles in the preparation of Wesak Day celebration. The younger ones will put up a show while the teenagers would help out like adults.

So, the syllabus for this term includes:

The significance of offerings

Symbols of Buddhism

Life Story of the Buddha

While sharing dhamma on the above topics, we are actually preparing them for Wesak Day. Last Sunday, we showed them how offering is done and have the older kids to actually offer flowers, incense, light, water and fruits to the triple gem, after which we showed them a slide on the significance of offerings.

This Sunday would be a day we tell the children about each symbol and at the same time let the children do some crafts. The smaller children would be doing glitters mandala which would be used as decorations on Wesak Day whereas the older ones would make candle holders which would be sold on Wesak Day.

As for the show, how about a puppet show on life story of the Buddha by the little ones and a song by the older kids?

Well, a big event it will be and it will definitely take up a lot of our time and effort. We hope everyone learn something through this.

If you have any suggestion, please feel free to drop me a line here.

Compilation of Ajahn Brahm's Video

2008-03-27T05:00:00.000+08:00

When I received an email from a friend of mine, telling me that there is a compilation of Ajahn Brahm's video, I was very delighted. I clicked on the link and what I found was too good to be true. There are actually many videos on talks not only by Ajahn Brahm, but many other speakers. Let's see how we can utilize this for our Sunday Dhamma School. Hopefully many can benefit from these videos.

Here's the site I was talking about.

Dhamma Talk by Venerable Thubten Chodron

2008-03-22T09:45:00.000+08:00

What do you think of attending dhamma talks? Well, I personally think that it is a great way to learn dhamma from a different perspective. Different speakers deliver in different way and each one of them makes you think of dhamma differently.

Here's a few dhamma talks by Venerable Thubten Chodron:

# Wisdom and compassion: how to practise in our lives
# Living a balanced life & making wise choices

Here are the details:

Friday April 11, 2008: Bandar Utama Buddhist Society, 8.30 pm

Saturday April 12, 2008: Buddhist Gem Fellowship, 8.30 pm

Sunday April 13, 2008: Shah Alam Buddhist Society, Bukit Rimau, 9.00 am

Let's Rap

2008-02-29T15:05:00.000+08:00

The Four Noble Truth was the syllabus for the first semester in Sunday Dhamma School (SDS). Our greatest challenge is to deliver the same information that many children have known in a different way. So, we used lots of stories and activities to bring out The Four Noble Truth.

One of the activities we did was to show the children two containers. One contained carrot slices and the other contained chocolates. First, I asked the children: “Who wants to eat carrots?” Only one or two raised their hands. Then I asked: “Who wants to eat chocolate?” Everybody raised their hands. Next, I asked them whether I could give the carrots to Aunty (my assistant) and everybody said yes and when I asked whether I could give the chocolates to Uncle (another assistant of mine), everybody shouted NO! Then came my question of why. “Why did you say yes happily when I wanted to give the carrots to Aunty and why did you shouted NO so loudly when I wanted to give the chocolates to Uncle?” I then asked them to write down their feelings for both cases.

I told them: “When you don’t like something and you lose that thing, you don’t feel anything but when you lose something that you like very much, you feel hurt, sad, unhappy and angry. When you are unhappy, you are suffering and you suffer because you are attached to it. Attach to something means you are glued to something. So, when you don’t get it, you feel unhappy. Buddha taught us a way to be happy and that is to walk the middle path. Not too much work and not to much play and everything we do, we should not be too extreme.”

There were other things being discussed (lesson plan discussed with other facilitators) but those were the usual stuffs and I won’t discuss it here.

To end the lesson, I taught them a rhyme so that if they failed to absorb what had been taught, they could still bring home this rhyme. To make it easier for them to remember, we actually rap (singing in a talking way) it.

It’s ok to have wants

But don’t attach to the wants

Your mind is powerful

You can control how you feel

You can control how you act

So choose to be happy

And stop being angry

So everybody let’s join in

Let’s walk the middle path

(**Thanks to Nancy for the idea on rap**)

I told them that they should try to practice it in their daily lives. I introduced this rhyme to my own children and when my children wanted something very badly and cried when I said no, I would bring out the rhyme. I could see some improvements. Hopefully, they can really learn to let go.

Annual Fellowship - Kukup (2007)

2008-03-11T01:00:00.000+08:00

Here are some photos taken during the annual fellowship organized by Sungai Long Buddhist Society. It was held last year and attended by the members and their families. Do you think annual fellowship is a good way to strengthen the relationship between members?

Best Of You Teenager Workshop 2007

2008-03-10T22:23:00.000+08:00

Here are some photos taken during the Best Of You Teenager Workshop 2007 at Sungai Long Buddhist Society.

Finally, I Have Started!

2008-02-25T11:00:00.000+08:00

It took me quite some time to create this blog. I have been thinking of starting a blog about Buddhism awhile ago and finally, this blog is born! Currently I am facilitating in Sunday Dhamma School and I am involved in Buddhist activities. So, I thought I would create this blog to post about my experience in sharing dhamma with the children of Sunday Dhamma School as well as issues to discuss. This blog will also include some announcements of Buddhist activities. Please feel free to give me your suggestions and views. Thank you.