Realisation: The Goat Who Laughed, Wept, Spoke & Died

		No true good can arise from any true harm. – Stonepeace | Get Books
According to the Matakabhatta Jataka, when the Buddha was in Jetavana, some monks asked if there was any benefit in sacrificing animals as offerings for the departed, to which he replied that no good ever comes from such killing. As he recalled, a long time ago, when Brahmadatta ruled Varanasi, a brahmin wanted to offer a 'feast for the deceased'. He bought a sacrificial goat and asked his disciples to bathe him by the river, before grooming, adorning and feeding him. While doing so, he began to laugh with the sound of a pot smashing, before weeping just as suddenly. Amazed at this, they asked him for the reasons for the strange behaviour. The goat requested that they repeat the question when they return to their teacher, to whom they hurried back and recollected what happened. The master thus personally asked the goat why he laughed and wept. The goat replied that in the past, he too was a brahmin, who taught the Vedas, and sacrificed a goat for a 'feast for the deceased'. Having killed that one goat, he have had his head severed 499 times. He laughed aloud as he realised this would be his last life as a sacrificial animal, after which he would be free from such misery. Yet, he also wept – out of empathy as he realised that due to killing him, the brahmin too may lose his head 500 times. Hearing this, the brahmin announced that he will not kill him. However, the goat exclaimed that whether he kills him or not, he could not escape death that day. To that, the brahmin asked him not to worry, as he would protect him. The goat replied that such protection is weak, while the force of his negative karma is strong. Still determined, the brahmin ordered his disciples not to let anyone harm the goat. While grazing under the disciples' supervision, he stretched his neck to reach the leaves on a bush near the top of a rock. There and then, out of the blue, a bolt of lightning struck the rock. A sharp sliver chipped off and flew through the air… before cleanly cutting off the goat's head! A crowd gathered and began to discuss excitedly about the amazing incident. Having witnessed it all, a tree deva (terrestrial god) told everyone that if only they knew such horrible karmic effects of being reborn into sorrow, they would cease from killing. Wary of such hellish retribution, they gave up their traditional sacrificing of animals entirely. He also further instructed on observation of the moral precepts and encouraged them to do good. Faithfully doing so for several generations, they lived charitably and had favourable rebirths. The Buddha then revealed that the deva was himself as a Bodhisattva. Just as the deva was no ordinary god, the wise talking goat was probably a skilful teaching Bodhisattva too? Unrepented negative karma created can have its effects magnified, though new positive karma repentantly created has mitigating effects too. Having fallen into the lower realms of hell-beings, hungry ghosts and animals, it is seldom easy to exit, with many rebirths there until the corresponding karma depletes. Although the lightning seemed like an 'accident', it was the deliberation of the law of karma exacting through nature. When conditions are ripe, karma finds its way! The Buddha also taught that it is much nobler to sacrifice one's harmful spiritual defilements than others' precious lives. In the Ksitigarbha Sutra, it was advised that to relieve suffering and facilitate better rebirths, merits for sharing with the recently deceased should be created by making meat-free offerings to the Buddha and monastics [before the deceased, during funerals and for at least 49 days, during which rebirth can occur]. Those who do so, and go vegetarian or (even more ideally) vegan personally, even if only for this period will receive much blessings too. Instead of ending others' physical lives, Bodhisattvas facilitate the beginning and furthering of their spiritual lives. – Stonepeace | Get Books Related Articles: The Best Sacrifice http://moonpointer.com/new/2009/11/the-best-sacrifice Offering Of Greater Kindness http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2010/12/offering-of-greater-kindness  – Shen Shi'an | Comment | More     Read More in TDE Books | Get TDE Book 6

《心经》工作坊

 《心经》是全球各地寺院庵堂最常背诵的经典之一。以短短的260个字，这部经阐述了佛陀教导甚深的空义。
 

色不异空，空不异色。色即是空，空即是色。

 

什么是[空性]？如何应用[空性]在我们日常生活中？
我们该如何念诵此经，以及如何才能改变自己，使我们可以在生活上过的更加的快乐？
来参与这工作坊，一同学习《心经》吧！

 

《心经》工作坊
工作坊内容 （授课语言：中文） • 课诵 • 背诵《心经》 -  学习如何背诵 • 讲义 • 讨论 • 迴向
日期：	2014年1月5日至3月23日，星期日 （无课日期：1月26日，2月2日）
时间：	下午4时至6时
地点：	宏船老和尚纪年堂|一楼|9号教室
赞助费：	$40
截止日期：	2013年12月22日 只限160名学员
报名表格：	《心经》工作坊 EXCEL
询问：	电话：6849 5300 | 电邮：sem@kmspks.org | 海报

指导法师:

传观法师于2002年出家，剃度师为上妙下境长老。2003年受具足戒出家后于美国新墨西哥州法云寺学习大乘经典及禅修，也同时研究上座部巴利藏经。2006年返回新加坡后跟随广声大和尚在光明山普觉禅寺继续修习。

2009年至2013年6月，法师曾担任佛教图书馆常住法师。2013年7月至今，法师是光明山普觉禅寺的常住法师，而在各佛教场讲经说法及带领禅修活动。此外，法师也通过个人博客、面薄及苹果和安卓手机电脑程序等方式与佛教网民进行交流。

New Year Bell Resonance

Listen to the auspicious and refreshing chimes of the bell 108 times to regain clarity and peace in oneself.

Let us start the new year afresh with new resolutions to cultivate a compassionate heart, be grateful and treat all beings equally.

31.12.2013 (Tuesday)

Aspiration Lamp Offering Behind the Hall of Great Compassion, 10.00 pm

Bell Resonance 108 Times In Front of the Hall of Great Strength, 12.00 am

Recitation of The 88 Great Buddha Names & The Great Repentance Ceremony Hall of Great Compassion, 12.30 am

01.01.2014 (Wednesday)

Offering to Heavenly Realms Hall of Great Compassion, 6.00 am

2014 Alms Offering to the Sangha Hall of Great Compassion, 8.00 am Dinning Hall, 11.00 am [more]

The Grand Diamond Gem Repentance Ceremony Hall of Great Compassion, 1.30 pm

Enquiry:　6849 5300 | poster

The Meaning of Alms Offering to the Sangha

As a bee gather honey from a flower and flies away without injuring the flower, its colours or its scent, so let the sage wander in the village. (The Dhammapada v49) 

 

Born as a Prince, the Buddha renounced his palace life and went on his alms round to obtain the four basic life requisites – Robes, Food, Lodging and Medicine. It is a great example of Buddha’s humility and should be practised by all ascetics.

 By offering food to the Sangha, it is a way for lay people to practice joyful giving and letting go of attachments. By receiving food from the lay community, the Sangha sustain themselves for the sake of learning, practising and sharing the Buddha’s teachings.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Alms Offering

 

By learning and sharing in harmony together, the Buddhist community strives towards achieving a common objective, Enlightenment – Nirvāṇa.

What Does a Bhikkhu Need? How to Help a Bhikkhu? Dedicating Meritorious Acts The Right Way to Give Alms Ashoka and the Buddha

Alms Offering to the Sangha 2014

“He who reveres those worthy of reverence, the Buddhas and their disciples, who have transcended all obstacles and passed beyond the reach of sorrow and lamentation – he who reveres such peaceful and fearless ones, his merit none can compute by any measure.” (Dhammapada v195- 196)

Date: 1st January 2014, Wednesday.
Time: 8.00 am – 10.00 am.
Venue: The Hall Of Great Compassion.
Enquiries: 6849 5300.

Packages for Alms Offering (while stocks last!)	Offering Details
BOUNTIFUL HARVEST PACKAGE $48 (food and medication)	Redemption of Alms Offerings: 1st Jan 2014, 6:30 am – 9:00 am Venue: Ven Hong Choon Memorial Hall Level 1
ABUNDANCE PROSPERITY PACKAGE $388 (daily necessities)	Redemption of Alms Offerings: 1st Jan 2014, 9:00 am – 10:30 am Offering to Sangha: 1st Jan 2014, 11:30 am to 12 noon Venue: Ven Hong Choon Memorial Hall Level 2 (Dining Hall)
BOUNDLESS WISDOM PACKAGE $388 (Sanga robes, shoes and luggage)

Kindly register and purchase the above packages from our Front Office. Please produce your official receipt on the day of event to redeem the packages at the mentioned time and venue.

Word of caution : Kindly note that no staff and volunteers are authorised to solicit donations for this event.

Kindly note that due to limited parking lots in the Monastery, it is advisable to use the public transport.

 

The Grand Prayer that Blesses and Benefits All Sentient Beings

Join us in one of the grandest Mahayana Buddhist rituals in the forms of extensive prayer and merits dedications; it is a majestic example of universal compassion. The opportunity to participate in such a meritorious event is most precious and should be cherished by all.

[About the Festival] [eBook on the Festival (pdf)]
[Talk on the Festival (Mandarin) - 16 and 23 Nov 2013]

宏船老和尚圆寂廿三周年纪念

“佛法博大精深，其弘传之责任，不仅出家人，而尤赖在家居士共肩此艰巨任务。俾人人皆知正觉之大道。吾人研 习佛法，约有远缘，近缘两大类别之根器，其夙根敏颖者，一闻千悟，可以顿超如来地，此曰近缘。其由积渐勤学，循序而进，终至解行相应，契合佛心而成道者， 虽不一定今生证得，而待来生者，即曰远缘。便不论如何，诸位如能时时得有闻法之机会，或得阅及而受文字般若之熏陶；心生欢喜，以是因缘，即是种下菩提之 因，久远将来，当亦有成佛之机会。故曰佛教方便多门也。”—— 摘自《宏船长老法汇》

启建法界圣凡冥阳两利水陆普渡大斋胜会

本寺定于农历十一月初三（2013年12月5日）下午2时开始净坛，初四至初十（2013年12月6日至2013年12月12日）为期七日，以此殊胜功德，超度十方法界、四生六道、水陆空行一切孤魂，并为十方信众超度各姓门中历代宗祖、六亲眷属、冤家债主、一切亡灵。
以此胜福功德，庄严十方施主合家眷属，消灾免难、福慧增长、身心安乐、如意吉祥。更为祈祷：世界和平，国泰民安。普愿十方善信，同赴胜会，共沾法喜，利乐有情。登记立位，功德无量。

法会地点: 光明山普觉禅寺 报名地点: 光明山普觉禅寺| 寺务处 报名日期: 2013年9月1日起至牌位满额为止 询问电话: 6849 5300 | 6849 5333 *本寺从未派人出外沿户登记或收取法会功德金，恐未周知，顺此敬告。

水陆法会是佛教中最隆重、最殊胜的一种经忏佛事法会。全名是：法界圣凡水陆普度大斋胜会。
[更多详情]
法界：是指诸佛与众生本性平等，理常一故，通称法界。
圣凡：是指十法界中，有四圣界即佛、菩萨、缘觉、声闻；有六凡界是天、人、阿修罗、地狱、饿鬼、畜生。
水陆：是指在水、陆中三界众生居住受报之处。空中飞行之众生须依陆地而休息，故属于陆地，加上水中生灵，共称水陆。
普度：是指悉皆度化六道众生，使之解脱饥饿之痛苦。
大斋：是指不限制的给予众生饮食。
胜会：是法施之意。除布施众生饮食外，又有诵经持咒之法施，令受苦众生心开意解，得法水之滋润，故名胜会。
会者：聚集之意，教渡者与被教渡者集会于一堂。即是说：藉此启建水陆法会普度大斋之功德，超度六道中受苦众生，使之离苦得乐，趣入佛道。

内坛、大坛、供斋，超荐功德金表 :

一 内坛功德主: • $30,000以上 • $20,000 • $10,000 • $5,000 • $3,000	三 诸经坛 ( 消灾植福 ): • $300 ( 5-6个名 ) • $200 ( 1-4个名 ) • $20 ( 限1个名 )	五 供斋香积金类别: • 上堂大斋 $3,000 • 福寿大斋 $2,000 • 如意斋 $1,000 • 罗汉斋 $500 • 随缘
二 大坛功德主: • $2,000 • $1,000	四 净土坛 ( 附荐超度 ): • $300 ( 5-6个名 ) • $200 ( 1-4个名 ) • $20 ( 限1个名 )

 

 

 

Medicine Buddha Puja - kmspksmedia

《水陆法会》讲座

《水陆法会》讲座

光明山普觉禅寺将举行一年一度的水陆大斋胜会。为了让大众更了解法会价值与意义，在法会开始之前，本寺将举行关于《水陆法会内容与注意事项》的讲座。欢迎诸位善信届时前来聆听讲座，同沾法喜，共沐佛恩。

日期：2013年11月16日，23日（星期六）

时间：下午2时至3时30分

地点：宏船老和尚纪年堂 | 一楼 | 9号课室

指导法师: 明法法师

下载海报

无需报名

询问：电话：6849 5300 | 电邮：sem@kmspks.org

Group Practice

 
All Enquiries
Tel: 6849 5300 | Email: sem@kmspks.org
Announcement: Suspension of practices for September

Recitation	Suspension Date	Resumption Date
Pu Men Pin	27 Sep 2013 (Fri)	4 Oct 2013 (Fri)

Meditation
Come experience a mind and body transformation through our weekly group meditation practice. You will feel rejuvenated and refreshed after each session! Free Admission.

Practice	Schedule	Venue
Meditation Group Practice	Every Wed 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm	Hall of No Form

Sutra Recitation
The choice of what is chanted varies from Sutras, Praise to the Triple Gem, Confession of Faults to Mantra.

Recitation	Schedule	Venue
Pu Men Pin	Every Fri, 8.00pm	Hall of Great Compassion
Medicine Buddha Sutra	Every Sat, 7.30pm	Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddha, 2nd level
Pureland	Every Sun, 9.15am	Hall of Great Compassion
Diamond Sutra	Every Sun, 2.00pm	Hall of Great Compassion
The Great Compassion	Every 27th of lunar month, 10.00am	Hall of Great Compassion
Pls call 6849 5300 for more info

Note: There will be no practice on days when major events are held. Please check dates and times with the group leaders, the News on temple’s Notice Board or on our website. Recitations are conducted in Mandarin.

药师消灾燃灯法会

药师消灾燃灯法会
本寺定于7/10/2013至13/10/2013(农历九月初三至九月初九)举办药师消灾燃灯法会，设供灯消灾延寿，敬请踊跃参与！

虔诵药师经
地点 万佛宝塔
日期 7/10/2013- 12/10/2013, 农历九月初三至初八
时间 晚上7点30分
法会后，有巴士车载送至宏茂桥地铁站

虔礼药师宝忏一咏日
地点 大悲殿
日期 13/10/2013, 农历九月初九 l 星期日
时间 早上9点正

燃灯消灾延寿功德金
· 福位功德主 $100.00 l 合家6个名字
· 禄位功德主 $50.00 l 合家2个名字
· 寿位功德主 随缘 l 1个名字
报名地点：寺务处  询问：6849 5300




药师如来护安康 宝莲彩灯照喜乐
药师消灾法会期间( 7/10/2013至13/10/2013 ) 佛台上供着七彩宝莲灯兼念佛机（七彩绚丽颜色变幻及多种圣号唱诵），欢迎善信诚请回家供养三宝、聆听圣号，功德殊胜。
七彩宝莲灯念佛机   每对$68 数量有限 • 欢迎预订 电话: 6849 5333

十二首佛曲:
1 一声佛号一声心
2 阿弥陀佛（四字）
3 南无阿弥陀佛
4 南无观世音菩萨
5 六字大明咒
6 阿弥陀佛
7 阿弥陀佛（地钟念佛）
8 观音菩萨（地钟念佛）
9 南无地藏王菩萨
10 南无消灾延寿药师佛
11 药师心咒
12 黄财神心咒

注：凡预定七彩宝莲灯念佛机者，请凭收据在15/10/2013 起至寺务处领取。