Values in the context of Buddhism PART 2 of 2

 

If you would like to read PART 1 of this article

When you have the idea that VALUES are actually driving us in doing the things we do. You can then change VALUES, hence changing your beliefs about those VALUES and changing your behaviour towards things/people and anything that you come into contact with in your reality.

This explains why someone who love to eat meat, may suddenly becomes a full time vegetarian. Many type of experiences could have contributed to it. For example, they develop certain health issues and decided to become vegetarian, because they value HEALTH more than personal food satisfaction in their VALUES hierarchy.

Whereas for some people, they may have terminal disease, but would not even consider changing their diets. For this type of people, they would usually say “If I could not eat what I wanted to eat, life would be meaningless”. You can then know that they VALUE the taste of food more than survival itself. Because they have a high VALUE that Life Must be Meaningful. And for that to happen, they have a governing belief inside their head that says ' eating what you want to eat at any time is giving my life its meaning'.

Literally they would rather die than not being able to eat what they want to eat. BUT this beliefs about achieving the VALUE of Life Must be Meaningful is not helping them in this situation. You want to know a big secret? They also don't know that they have such damaging beliefs, sometime they pick it up when they are small and don't understand much. Yet slowly it becomes an important part of their life. If they are able to change their beliefs from Life Must be Meaningful WHEN I am able to spend more healthy times with my love ones – IMMEDIATELY this person can change their diet preferences with no regrets, hang ups or any chances of reverting back to their original way. All it takes is a shift of beliefs to fulfill the VALUES that they hold.

Now comes the ultimate question, how do we view VALUES in the context of Buddhism. Buddha in his ultimate quest towards reaching enlightenment, is about how humans can be free of suffering and be happy.

Teachings of Buddha often mention how humans create suffering for themselves by clinging on towards what is not real in their emotions and also physical things that we view as permanent.

If we are ask enough questions to find out about a person's high VALUE and what it ultimately means to them. We will often discover one common word and emotion. And that is being HAPPY.

For example, when you ask a person who has a high VALUE on MONEY in their life, what does it mean to have money in your life? They would answer something like ' so that I can feel secure', 'I can do whatever I want , with whomever I want, at any place I want' , ' so I can be free' . Then if you probe further, 'What does it mean to be free? ' What does it mean when you can feel that sense of security?' What does it mean to be able to do all these things?' Finally they would say that ' then I would feel truly happy!'

Buddhism mentioned that all sentient beings wants to be happy and to be free of suffering. And Buddhism went a step further.

For all the VALUES that you may have and fulfilling those values, some of it are base of a 'false' perception. VALUES and BELIEFS based on material things, ability to evoke emotions, and people will not make a person happy forever. They will ultimately be causes of suffering for you. Because life itself is impermanent, material things, emotions and people will also one day be lost through time or separation upon your own death.

Because of the existence of Karma and Reincarnation, you may have already experience many lifetimes as many different people with different values. And because of attachments towards those various false perceptions, the mind takes on reincarnation again and again in hope to search for something that provides ultimate happiness. But each time, we view those material things, people, emotions as the source of our happiness, those in the end will become our suffering and hence the cycle is unending.

To be free of suffering and be happy, one would need to realized that the unending cycle itself is emptiness. Emptiness here does not mean that it does not exist, but realizing the sense of meaningless of attaching to things that are not permanent if we look at it from across many lifetimes.

Then you may ask what are the VALUES of Buddhism? Reducing attachments towards all things, in this sense even reducing attachment towards the SELF. Without the SELF, there is no EGO, hence no attachment of any kind. Meaning, SELFLESSNESS is one of the higher VALUE in Buddhism. Why Selflessness? Because when we don't think about the SELF, thinking about the happiness of others, the welfare of others, then Compassion develops naturally and happiness is realized automatically.

Buddhism encourages as human beings, we need to collect more merits, do more good deeds in order to have the wisdom to realized full Selflessness. Collecting merits and do good deeds itself is an exercise towards being selfless. It is those merits from the good deeds, that propels each rebirth to have a much better chance of realizing the Values of Buddhism and finally being able to achieve Enlightenment 

Values in the Context of Buddhism, needs a person to have a realization of how values actually governs our life. And whether those values and beliefs are actually giving the real happiness that we seek for not only in this life but in all our future lives as well. To check on what are our current values, whether they are aligned towards being more selfless or actually our current value is aligned towards the self. If it is aligned towards the self, we can never achieve lasting happiness. As most likely it is only temporary.

A lot of people go through life, behaving the way they behave without actually knowing what are the things that are driving them. They often think, it is their birth 'gift' which sometimes can be a curse in disguise. The important realization to have, is that we all have the power to change our values and beliefs. Nobody is a victim of circumstances, all are only victims of their own values and beliefs!

My short article here on VALUES and also BUDDHISM will never be extensive enough for you to know all about it, but if reading through this article creates enough curiosity in you to start searching for answers, then I would have achieve what I set out to write. And most likely it is written for you.

May you be Happy !

 **Those who like to know more about Feng Shui, please visit my blog at http://gkhamconsulting.blogspot.com

Values in the context of Buddhism PART 1 of 2

This article was inspired by a dream I have had on 25 November 2013 morning. In my dream I was teaching a class of students on Values and their important in change. When class was about to be over, one student asked me a question " How do you explain Values in Context of Buddhism ?". That's a good question I answered, and this is what that have been explained in the dream.....strange?

Value is a broad and deep subject for me to be writing and in the context of Buddhism, just almost never crossed my mind. However I gave a lecture in my dream, and before I woke up, I heard an inner voice that tells me I need to write this up. This is a 2 part blog, as the subject I am trying to explain does take more words than usual.

What is personal Values? Values are the driving force that governs your every thought and behaviour. What you personally deem as important, not important in your life. Each person raise in human society will slowly grow up to 'value' certain things/ thoughts or behaviour in which the person will recognize as important.

These Values serve as the filter in our existence in everyday life. Everyday there are millions of events happening simultaneously around us from the most minute bodily function to the gross change of the weather surrounding us. Our brain definitely cannot and will not take in ALL the information that is happening. Therefore our brain will only selectively FILTER out what is important to us. That is crucial for our survival, or else we will go mad in even few minutes of trying to comprehending all that is happening around us.

Our SUBCONSCIOUS mind is already handling our bodily function, from how many times your heart is supposed to be pumping to distributing all the nutrients in your body and more.

So where does VALUES comes in? VALUES are the pre-programmed prime importance that we have given our brain to lead our daily lives. Most of our actions are checked by our own subconscious on whether it is fulfilling those VALUES or detracting us away from the VALUES that we have.

For example, a person will UNCONSCIOUSLY have the values hierachy of

1. Love
2. Money
3. Family Relationship
4. Health
5. Serving the community

So for this person, he (presuming its a male) will find it very difficult to have time to exercise. He does not understand why? He keep telling friends and family members that he knows the important of good health but somehow there is not any time in his life to do it. Or somehow he cannot start.

If you look at his value list, you can instantly know why. Health is ranked number 4 in what he view is important in his life. Therefore, getting signal that he is loved, earning enough money (whatever the amount) and good family relationship are more important than health. Therefore no wonder he cannot find time to exercise.

Because each VALUES will have certain criteria that is already set by his UNCONSCIOUS mind of what needs to happen in order for that value to be viewed as fulfilled. WHAT IF his Love Value has a condition that he must do activities together with his spouse in order to fulfill this LOVE value?

Presuming if the spouse have a Health Value of no 10 in her list. Then what are the chances of this person being able to start even a simple exercise routine?

Exercise is definitely not in the Value list...

The most amazing part of VALUES are that MOST people go through life, behaving the way that the behaving, making the decisions that they make WITHOUT every realizing WHY they do it.

It is because, most people don't ever sit down and sort out what is the thing that they VALUE in life. Therefore they picked up VALUES that sometimes may not be valuable any more with their present life condition. For example, if a person that grows up economically deprived (poor) in a bad neighbourhood, as he/she grew, they picked the value of the need to be recognized/respected by others. And when they looked around the neighbourhood, they adopted the beliefs that in order to fulfill this value, I must have luxurious items to show my status in society and among friends.

This person will then have No 1 or No 2 Value in life and Recognized/Respected. So their behaviour will constantly seek out to buy luxurious item, branded items even at the expense of bursting their credit cards to fulfill his/her beliefs that the owning of the product needs to happen to fulfill the Value of being Recognized and Respected.

Friends and society, who does not understand this, will then view them and insane, slaves to branded products etc.

Each and everyone of us have a VALUE list in our UNCONSCIOUS mind that is governing our behaviour. Our behaviour are also attune to our BELIEFS system which governs our every thought in handling and fulfilling the conditions that are in it. Once the conditions are fulfilled, then we will think that we are in 'congruent' (your are aligned with your purpose in life) with our VALUES. And when we are in congruent, finally we will FEEL satisfied, complete and HAPPY.

Can Beliefs and Values change? Definitely. As most people does not consciously find out their beliefs and values. Most changes happen after strong experiences in life, traumatic events such as death of loved ones or strong realization of a need to change.

Hence most of the time, you will see people setting New Year Resolution, Goal Setting that never seems to happen. It is because their Beliefs and Values does not change, therefore the behaviour is unable to be congruent with their resolution and goals. It is just that simple.

CONTINUE TO PART 2.........

 **Those who like to know more about Feng Shui, please visit my blog at http://gkhamconsulting.blogspot.com

TESTIMONIAL : Obtaining Visa

One of my client in the Philippines, JE What'sapp me a while back. Asking me whether I can help her in some prayers for her brother who was rejected in his application for student visa to Australia.

JE's family had plans for migration to Australia from Phillippines. In fact she has already bought a house for her family in Australia prior to her brother's visa approval.

Anyhow, with our Kam Dong San Taoist Deities agreement, I have decided to help her through spiritual means.

Talisman used in helping her brother's application

Official Edict 表文 that was send, to summon the help of Heavenly Army & Generals

Finally few days ago she What'sapp me again, informing me that her brother's student visa has been approved.

I wish her family well in their steps towards their family dream.

Email content from JE
On behalf of my entire family, I would like to thank Master Ham and his temple for praying for my family and especially to my brother who just received his student visa from Australian embassy. He was denied last May and he was so depressed whether he could be able to pass the application for the second time. We tried our best at the same and we also asked Master Ham for helping us to pray for his successful application. Eventually after two months of waiting and hoping, we finally received an email that the application of my brother's student visa was granted.

Thank you Master Ham and also to your temple who always put our family in prayer. I know that we will also have many tears in the days to come, helping and praying for us made me feel more confident that Buddha's  grace will be with us.

May Buddha bless you and your family also. Thank you so much.

**Those who like to know more about Feng Shui, please visit my blog at http://gkhamconsulting.blogspot.com

TESTIMONIAL : A Call for Help....

Last year December, one of my foreign students message me for help. As his mum was diagnosed with psychiatric problem.

He immediately sent over his mum BaZi (date of birth and time) and I looked through and advised him on Feng Shui allocation. I have also advised him to do Fish Liberation for his mum. After few weeks, he informed me he sensed something wrong with his mum, not only physically but also spiritually. He sent over his mum's photo.

In my meditative stabilization, I confirmed that his mum had some entity attached to her. After I have drawn some talisman for his mum, in that very same night, I had dreams of 2 caucasian person trying to harm me in the dream. I was retreating in the dream into some store and they are trailing me and a few people that I was helping to escape from these 2 person.

It is a very strong sign, because before this, it has been a very very long time since I have dreams of people trying to harm me, what's more caucasian person.

Anyhow when he received the talisman, he did burn 1 talisman each night for her mum to ingest. And the effect quickly verified that there was entity attached to her mum.

After about 1 year, finally I have received good news from him this week. His mum has fully recovered, with help of traditional Chinese Medicine, chanting dedication for her mum and also fish liberation. And here is his testimonial for our Kam Dong San Temple. Join Us in our next liberation and also temple activities. http://www.facebook.com/kdspg

He requested that the testimonial remain as anonymous. All details can be verified with email communication and progress details.

TESTIMONIAL

 My experience with Kam Dong San temple support.

------In December 2012, my mother quickly lost her mind, and some of her physical abilities. After 10 days spent in hospital, they couldn’t find anything and electro-shock therapy was recommended to “cure” her. She is in her 70ies with no psychiatric history, so this suggestion was very painful. I was convinced that she was victim of a transient stroke, but no traces were found. 

Revolted against the Western approach to her case, I took on my own to design her treatment. I ordered some supplements, gave her some B-12 shots every week, sent her for acupuncture and also found a real, traditional doctor in Chinese medicine in the UK. Not the “reformed” Chinese medicine, but the traditional one: this guy follows the Hunyuan school and use strong herbs, that were shipped to us every week. As I practise traditional Feng Shui through the tutelage of Master Ham, I was relieved to find someone with a traditional approach.

For the spiritual part, I dedicated the next 6 months of animal liberation donations to her recovery. 

I also, every day, practiced the compassion mantras that Master Ham advises me to do. Moreover, Master Ham sent me some talismans as we suspected a case of spirit possession (she had depressive tendencies).  

The talismans experience was very telling: she never knew she was taking them as the ashes (talisman burned) were mixed with some medicine every night. But one night after the 4^th or 5^th talisman she complained that her stomach was burning and made some weird screams, for hours. She was very agitated and my father and I had to restrain her. She was also always taking the thunder wood necklace off her neck.

During the 6 months of treatments she made constant progresses. Now to this date she has totally recovered, which is astonishing: and she is a much more positive person, laughing, with a good stamina, and getting along well with my dad. Before they used to argue all the time…
I am convinced that it was important to treat both the physical and the spiritual parts. The case was heavy. Through my karma, I have this connection with Chinese culture: a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine came to me, and the Kam Dong San temple helped me too. The reactions I noticed after some talismans and the effects I saw sometimes after the animal liberations were no fluke. 

I am very grateful for the recovery of my mother and I know the spiritual work of the Kam Dong San temple and Master Ham were a big part of it. May we all continue this good karmic work.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Continuation of the case :- March 2014

My student notified me that her mum had some relapse again after she recovered, she was hospitalized. They found that she had meningitis. She has also lost her ability to walk.

When my student informed me on the relapse, I immediately asked him whether he continued chanting Mantra for his mum. He has cut down the chanting to once day. I have advised him to continue to chant and dedicate to his mother.

Spirit possession almost all the time related to karmic problems in previous and current life. Talisman will delay and hold the retribution, but as long as the problems are not solved at the root level, it will continue to manifest itself after a period of time.

As of end of March, I was informed that his mother is recovering but still cannot walk....

**Those who like to know more about Feng Shui, please visit my blog at http://gkhamconsulting.blogspot.com

Heavenly Wealth or Earthly Wealth ?

On this year's Zhao Gong Ming Xuan Tan 趙公明玄壇 Celebration (God of Wealth). One of my Taoist Disiple, Fa Hong have requested for God of Wealth Statue to his office for the whole year.

A few weeks after that, when I met him at the temple. He told me that his shop neighbour, told him God of Wealth from the Heaven are not as powerful. Those Earth bound God of Wealth are more giving and will give more compare to God of Wealth from Heaven.

What they are referring to Earth bound God of Wealth are actually Death Marshals.

They have many names but their work task is the same which is to bring those who have pass on to where ever they are suppose to be. Their primary task is actually not to distribute or help those who need wealth, but somehow people feel that these Marshals are more approachable compared to the Heavenly Deities.

Actual Earth Bound God of Wealth is known as Earth God. We have regional earth deities, area earth deities and also household earth deities. They are known as 土地神 Tu Di Shen or Di Zhu 地主.

Why are they known as Earth Wealth God. Because they are Earth Bound deities of the area, and usually can help grant some favours or give the person some hints or help in acquiring some extra money, not necessarily wealth.

Now the ultimate question is which one is more GIVING? Earth Bound Deities, help in specific individual matters. For example, if you are working for  a company, and request for help from Earth Bound Deities, if your request is granted, then most likely your boss would increase your salary.

Heaven God of Wealth on the other hand bestow streams of energy. They do not grant outright wealth as the Earth Bound Deities. These streams of light energy are what we know as wisdom energy. Wisdom energy as the name imply increase a person's wisdom.

What's wisdom got to do with money or wealth? It is an idea that sparks of a whole new way of earning money and wealth. All it takes is 1 good idea and that will change the way you see your business or the skills you have. An idea can blossoms in hundreds and perhaps millions of dollars.

So would you rather have a new idea or increase in salary?There is no comparison, as I have inform Fa Hong, it is like comparing an airplane with a car.

In reality however, we all need as much as we can, both from Earth Wealth God and also Heaven Wealth God.

**Those who like to know more about Feng Shui, please visit my blog at http://gkhamconsulting.blogspot.com

Buddhist with a Mind

On 1 Sept, officially we had our 34th Monthly Fish Liberation event. If including personal liberation,We have been liberating fishes for more than 3 years already.

During our breakfast session with fellow committees after the liberation, James told me his Mrs, Ai Li was criticized by one of her friend who is active member in another Buddhist organization. According to her friend, what we are doing is wrong (fish liberation). He/she said that we are encouraging more people to breed these fishes and capitalize more money from our liberation activities.

If he/she was a non Buddhist, my usual response would be Ah, Uh Huh Really?. BUT this time is different because it is coming from someone who labelled themselves a Buddhist. Sometimes, it is very sad to hear stories of not only 'blind' but mindless Buddhist who make literally 'stupid' statements to show that they are 'holier than thou'.

Yes as I label myself Buddhist,  I too can swear, because it is the only way to get my point across in this case. 

1. ALL sentient beings are equal. Helping humans and saving fishes essentially is the same. All is to train a person in being compassion. If compassion with a filter for different type of beings that is not compassion that is the starting of discrimination.

2. Not saving those fishes, those people will breed less of it. With that logic, society should NOT help any hungry children, people who are ill and those basically located in 3rd world countries. Because according to his/her logic, why not just let them all die, so it is easier. 'Those' people would then learn not to make so many children. If we keep helping those children, we are encouraging them to have more. Is that the line of thought he/she is having?

3. I know the Buddhist organization that he/she is involve in likes to help and raise funds to help kidney patients. Why bother? Those patients should have ate less sugar, salt, drink more water etc. Why raise funds for dialysis machines, you are encouraging people to abuse their kidneys.

Every being rebirth into samsara is due to karma. We are practicing compassion in helping those beings because we know that samsara is suffering, not only we are suffering others are suffering too. It is their karma that they are reborn as fishes, but just because they cannot talk does not mean they don't feel hurt and fear.

All beings wish to be free from harm. And through countless eons of rebirth in samsara, any of this beings could have been our parent or loved ones from previous life. If your mother is being kidnapped today, would you say that giving money to the kidnappers would only encourage them to kidnap more people? Let your mother die to teach those people not to kidnap anymore?

I bet in a swift second, you mind would only be thinking on how to raise money to help your mother instead of all this 'namtok' (Tibetan for mindless self chattering)

It is a very heavy karmic burden to enroll yourself into, when you discourage a person to do merits either for themselves or for others. Any good merits that they fail to do as a result of your speech would be a bad karmic seed you are planting for yourself.

We have liberated more than 8000kgs of fishes about 24,000 fishes so far. Imagine what sort of karmic consequences would a person need to bear if I, personally have listened to these so called 'mindless' Buddhist when we first started 3 years ago?

As a Buddhist we always have to be mindful of body, speech and mind. If your Buddhist teacher have not taught you, I am here to teach you today. Not because I'm holier, but as human to human I don't want to see you suffer further by sowing bad karmic seeds.

As I have told my committee members, not all that wear a monk's robe and have bald head have wisdom. Part of being a Buddhist is about asking the right questions, knowing what is sowing good karmic seeds and bad karmic seeds. The Demon that is most real to many Buddhist are the Divine Child Syndrome. A demon that like to prey on those that think Buddhism will give them status based on their

1. Seniority in a temple or Buddhist organization
2. Close acquaintance to a monk, nun, lama, guru, shifu, rinpoche and what have you.
3. Having done so much practice and chanted how many mantras compare to others
4 Being in a well recognized Buddhist organization
5. Having done so much charity to fellow humans
6. Knowing a lot of Sutras

Because after knowing and done so much, if that has not humbled your ego but in fact increase it, a sure sign for the Demon of Divine Child Syndrome to get you and be a part of you.

May you have some understanding on the importance of Animal Liberation soon....

**Those who like to know more about Feng Shui, please visit my blog at http://gkhamconsulting.blogspot.com

What's next after Death?

Recently a relative of mine pass away. It has been some time since I participated in a funeral ceremony. If it is work situation, usually I will be there when the coffin in going into the ground, or when family members bring the ash remain urn to the columbarium. Seldom do I sit through the final ceremony.

And there I was in a Taoist funeral ceremony, usually they will have Taoist Priest in full uniform chanting away and leading relatives to circumambulate the coffin, before the final send off. In front they have a roast piggy, roast chicken and some other meat stuff. The question in my mind was “Does this departed person really moved on, in Bardo?”

That is not just a curious question, but the key question in all funeral. Does the deceased manage to move on? If they cannot move on, then no matter how elaborate the setup or fancy the costume of the Taoist priest or 'paid' monk is, it does not help the person who is in Bardo.

In case you are not sure what Bardo is, it is the intermediate state of between death and rebirth (not necessary human). Those that stuck in Bardo, usually become wandering ghost due to their attachment with previous life and also not realizing that they have already died.

If you think living in human realm is difficult, then living in Bardo is even worst. It is like moving from where you are now to the worst part of Ethiopia.

There are those that does not need to go through Bardo.

1. Those that are highly cultivated, they can direct their mind in meditative stabilization in their final moments to go where they are suppose to go.
2. Those who have develop really nasty karma in this life, straight they will go the realms of hell without needing to float here and there.
3. Those that have collected a lot of good merits, even in their final moments they are still thinking of what they can contribute to society. So their mind does not create the confusion for them to go through Bardo. Directly they will go to upper realms of Samsara.

For the rest of us folks, Bardo is the way to go.

In Taoist and Buddhist traditions, there are ways to lead these minds in their Bardo state. Most common way, is for the relatives of departed ones to do a lot of good merits and dedicate it to them. So that in their Bardo they receive merits of those actions and can move on.

What are some of the ways doing good action?

1. Animal liberation or fish liberation. Saving lives and dedicate those merits to them in Bardo.
   If you just buy a few fishes to release, it would not help much, because when they are alive they ate more than that!
2. Offering food to monks – constant offering in a period of time eg once or twice a week for few month or so.
3. Donations to various religious institutions – those that constantly servicing the community. If you donate to those that enrich their religious leaders then it is as good as none.

You can also participate their name when there is a Buddhist Bardo Guidance Session. Bardo Guidance Session, is when monks or a cultivated person guides the deceased through the Bardo. This is usually done in stages – letting the person know they have died, and guiding them through the different mental states occuring in the mind while in Bardo. Usually the help of Buddha or Bodhisattvas are requested in the ceremony to guide these minds.

The crucial factor then comes in. If I paid a lot of money for Bardo Guidance for the departed loved ones, will it guarantee that they move on? If money is the sole reason they are doing the Bardo Guidance for you, be it layperson or monk, then most likely the deceased is still stuck in Bardo.

Common sense, if Buddhas and Bodhisattvas worked for money – then they would still be beings stuck in samsara and not called Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. To make it worst due to attachments to colour paper we called money. Therefore through emotions of greed, how can a person invoke Buddhas or Bodhisattvas to abide in the Bardo Guidance session to help in the ceremony.

Bardo Guidance should be done base on compassion and Bodhicitta. Compassion in understanding that samsara is about suffering. Compassion towards those minds in Bardo. Compassion on the relatives striving to help their deceased love ones to go beyond Bardo.

Bodhicitta is a sudden and lasting compassion for all beings, accompanied by a falling away of the attachment to the illusion of an inherently-existing self. When the idea of existing self does not exist, only we can relate that to the deceased, and for them to release their attachment towards samsara and move on.

That also explains why does reciting a lot of mantras will also guide departed loved ones through Bardo. Because of compassion the relatives have towards the deceased person, they will be able to move Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and with mantras to gather merits eventually the deceased would be able to move on.

Sadly however in our modern day, many people don't think much about the deceased after they died. Many think that they are dead and that is it. Unfortunately that is just the beginning, wandering spirits at home or attach to a person will bring their own energy down. Energy down means less vitality and also means lowering of luck. Spirits of relatives don't intentionally set out to make it worst for you, but in essence they don't know where to go, so they hang around because of the karmic link you have with them.

And then they complain why they have funny dreams of relatives that have passed away. Some is plainly due to laziness , not willing to seek out where they can participate their deceased relatives in Bardo Guidance or do good deeds on their behalf. Excuses are endless, really doing it out of compassion are only the few. Sigh.....

***Where to go for Bardo Guidance? or know which mantra to chant www.facebook.com/kdspg

The Job Offer at Kam Dong San Temple

It's been a while since any update on this blog. Partly because there is not much 'supernatural' events happening since February and also because I am busy with temple commitments and duties besides work.

Mentioning on temple commitments, as I notice on a string of events that happened to friends and people that I know of and changes of their contributions stand, which gave me a strong sense to write this posting.

Other than my career in Feng Shui, most of my time is invested in temple actitivies. Temple that I am mentioning is Kam Dong San Temple 金洞山 (KDS) in Penang. (www.facebook.com/kdspg). I am fortunate in whereby my wife is also actively involved with the temple. Therefore our time priority for the past 4 years have been work, temple and family.

When KDS officially started servicing the community 4 years ago, I realized that I have 'signed' on a very challenging role. Even though I have worked with many major corporations in my 'past life' in training and consulting, nothing prepared me for this role other than the constant support spiritually by all the deities of KDS. 感謝金洞山眾位仙師祖師扶持弟子.

This is the unwritten job description that I have received from upper management-----

The 'boss' (deities) have gave you full trust in handling all the miscellanous affairs of running the common routine. They will not be around physically but they will be around spiritually 100% of the time looking over you.

You will have no salary, increments or even a career path whatsoever in managing the organisation.

There will be funding coming into the organisation in terms of donations. And all those funds will be use ultra wisely in the growing and expanding the work of the organisation. Failing which, not only heavy karmic retributions for this life but for many lives to come.

You will need to lead a group of person, whom will not be paid a single cent for their contribution to the temple. You will need to encourage them to show up on time, do more than what they have been paid in their normal career and still be happy to do more.

This group of people is not motivated by overtime, incentives, company trips, bonuses or freebies.

Also you are not allowed to recruit those with celebrity syndromes, diva queens, princess syndrome, pity me syndrome, bi-polar syndrome and also those that cannot work in a team.

You must treat customer with utmost care, not only they must understand what the organisation is doing, in each of your interaction, you must be in your best to leave a favorable impression. Because religion and its adoption is about personal value, it does not change in a single session of being in the temple, but through many interactions with people in the temple and also the impression they take away of the temple.

The management team that you are going to select must be through thorough observations in a span of time . They must be willing to do all the above and also agree to abide by the prime directives set up by the Deities which are

1. No illegal activities whatsoever in their personal life.
2. No extra marital affairs for those who are married and single person are not allowed to engage in affairs with married person.
3. Cannot do any business or promotion of business towards temple members or patrons.

You will also need to care of your management team personal issues, as most will involve karmic problems, work problems, family issues and such.

You will be on call 24hrs if there is any spiritual disturbance experience by your management team.

Finally the most important, is to make sure you lead this group of people in doing activities that will increase their worldly and spiritual merits. So that this lifetime is not wasted on mundane activities. Responsibility in leading by example, planning and doing activities which constantly reminding and also making them realized that they need to do more for their own sake. Because if any of them fall to hell, you are partly to blame.

They will not respect you because you have a title, because non is given to you and you are not encourage to receive any title. You are no Guru, Rinpoche or even a Lama in Tibetan terms. You are definitely not the Chosen One or ANY of those connotations. They will call you Shi Fu (Master) 師傅 or 師父， because of your occupation – as that is a formal address to someone who is good in their field.

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

That was the 'offer' I receive when I sign on KDS. After 4 years, we are doing more activities than when we first started. Our team of committees grow stronger, we have our ups and downs which mostly is people adjusting their own character of focusing on how to contribute with others.

Members came and 90% stayed since the first day they started coming to KDS. Those that have step into KDS Tao circle and experienced the blessings will stay and become regulars. Members are free to go to other temples, practice Buddhism or whatever practices that they have.

I myself have sat with and among members and patrons of KDS when good Tibetan Buddhism Gurus are in town for teachings. I have sat with fellow Buddhist practitioners in Bhutan to receive Teachings from realized Yogis. All that does not change my motivation to work in KDS and I don't believe it will changed members and committees will, to come to KDS. If they have stop coming as a result of going to other temples or teachings, then it is their path and I respect that.

Tao cannot be force or coerce, those that have affinity will definitely seek it. Spirituality is to be realized through consistent actions and not just understandings on the surface. In degenerate times, we can only focus and try to influence those with deeper affinity.

Well if you have read this posting and still feel you have what it takes to contribute in the Tao and KDS. We are still constantly looking for the right people with affinity to join our committee teams. Don't know whether you have what it takes? Then join us as member and experience the Tao circle of KDS Deities to decide. Life is too short to sit on the fences.

願金洞山香火永世流傳

**Those who like to know more about Feng Shui, please visit my blog at http://gkhamconsulting.blogspot.com

One for me please....

It is getting quite often that people will write email or post message on my Facebook account asking for Taoist talisman. Usually, they wouldn't say what is their problem, but would like to have a talisman.

This is like you going to your doctor friend and asked 'Can you give me some medicine to swallow?' and when your doctor friend asked you ' What's wrong?' you replied ' I don't know, but taking some wouldn't hurt right?'.

Some would even give me self diagnosis. I suspect I am being hexed or I suspect that a lot jealous people are out there to get me. Can you please give me a talisman to solve all this? This is similar to going to the doctor and said ' I need this specific medication, because I have a feeling I am suffering from xxx desease or illness, just give it to and my problem will be solved.

This is what I called living in the FAST FOOD culture and society. Not only people nowadays expect a 'fix' from Western meds. They are starting to have the same idea with religion and also Taoist talisman.

For example, when your physical body have some problem such as lethargic and frequent tiredness. You don't expect the doctor the give you a pill to solve it. With further questioning and investigation, it would reveal that you constantly sleep late. So your habit of sleeping late is causing the physical stress in your body and those are just the effects. To solve this problem, you just need to adjust yourself to sleep earlier.

Same with spiritual problems or prevention of spiritual problems. Some problems can be prevented by knowing the correct protocol, such as when you visit funeral parlour and Yin areas, what are the things you should be aware and the do's and don't.

Some  spiritual problems can be solved by specific action of doing meritorious deeds. Some can be solved by chanting specific mantras. Some can be solved by requesting protection from a specific deities and the list is endless.

What about Taoist talisman? Taoist Talisman especially Liu Ren talisman usually have a specific purpose or goal that has been embedded into the talisman. The talisman will carry specific command, request, energy field, deities energy signature and also sometimes houses specific heavenly army request to perform a specific task. Thefore it is very difficult to ask for a general request on a religious instrument that are specific in nature.

Some talisman can only be issued upon deities approval. Some require the person to personally attend and visit the temple to acquire it. On most cases, it is wise to develop a relationship with the temple or deities before requesting for any talisman.

In life most of the time, the things you need MOST to solve your spiritual problems, will often times be not what you THOUGHT you need. Most of the time, it is what you are most reluctant to do, which is the thing that will solve your spiritual problem.

**Those who like to know more about Feng Shui, please visit my blog at http://gkhamconsulting.blogspot.com

Taoist Method to Increase Luck During Chinese New Year 2013

Due to popular demand for How to increase luck during Chinese New Year Period on Facebook, therefore I am writing this article for 2013 CNY.

This year I am will be sharing on how to increase your luck during the Chinese New Year period using Taoist method. If you are interested in increasing your luck in general, read up my previous year article here. http://yinyangjournal.blogspot.com/2012/01/8-ways-to-increase-your-luck-for-dragon.html

I will be sharing 2 methods with the readers. 1^st method is based on Qi Men Dun Jia calculation, so you will be informed on the direction to travel on 1 – 4 day of Chinese New Year, and by travelling on the specific direction to a destination, you will be acquiring a boost of luck for about 5-7 days if done correctly.

I have been teaching Qi Men Dun Jia -QMDJ 奇門遁甲 globally for the past 7 years. In fact I am the first one in the world to teach a systematic QMDJ in English. Currently I have about 800 students globally, so you can definitely be confident on the information that I will give you.

What is QMDJ? It is the ancient science of timing. When and where in the 8 direction of the compass that is currently having the optimum Qi 氣 that you can tap. In ancient times it is used mainly in warfare, when, where to attack and when and where to retreat your troops. Information that is been exclusively reserved for high ranking generals. Does China still use it today? Definitely, all rocket launches in China space program exclusively uses QMDJ calculation to select an optimum timing for their launch.

Travelling for Optimum Luck During Chinese New Year Period

Day 1 of CNY – Travel NorthEast start journey from 11am and before 1pm

Day 2 of CNY – Travel West start journey from 11am and before 1pm

Day 3 of CNY – Travel North start journey from 9am and before 11am

Day 4 of CNY – Travel North start journey from 9am and before 11am

So how do you use it precisely? When I Travel NorthEast for example, it means you need to take out your Iphone, Android, Tablet or even on PC (googlemaps) check your interactive maps. Check which location is the NorthEast from your home. Using your home as the reference point and your destination must be NorthEast from your home, in this example.

You can draw a straight line, don't worry about the actual road requires you to turn left or right. The important factor is starting point, destination and the ending location from your home.

Your destination point must be at least 5km or MORE from your home via car.

Then some might as is QMDJ a Taoist Method? Earliest record of QMDJ was that it was passed down to the Yellow Emperor 黃帝 by Goddess of the 9 Heavens 九天玄女 to defeat ChiYou蚩尤.

Lucky Colour to Wear

While you are travelling to the location, what colour should you wear? I have listed here also the lucky colour for the first 4 days of CNY

Day 1 – Red, Pink, Orange, Maroon, Yellow and Brown

Day 2 – Gold, Brown, Yellow and White

Day 3 – White, Yellow Brown and Beige

Day 4 – Light Blue, White and Grey

Some people have the idea that since 癸巳year is a Water Snake year, therefore Water generate Wood, which means that good colour to wear is Green. The year itself is too far away from the day, although the effect of the year lingers throughout, it will not be powerful enough to effect what you wear on the day.

Since this article is about Taoist Method to increase luck during the CNY period. Taoist method will not be complete if I am not mentioning which Deities to request for luck and how to go about it.

Preparation before Request for Boost of Luck from Deities

Before going to the temple during Chinese New Year period, the most important is to do some preparation. Which means the body must be clean, from an aura perspective.

How to achieve this? Many methods, but the most simple method is to take a 'flower shower'. You must have at least 7 types of different flowers to mix into the water, and White Lily must be included.

1. Put all the flowers into a clean pail and put half cold and half warm water into it.
2. Just about to finish your shower, take water from the pail and pour from your head and let it trickle until your toes.
3. Then use clean towel to wipe body dry.

If you want the cleansing to be more effective and you do have Guan Yin statues at your home, after chanting of at least 9 times of Da Bei Zhou 大悲咒 Great Compassionate Dharani Mantra on the water. Request from Guan Yin for the water to be use to cleanse your body. Then you can pour the cup of water to the pail with flowers.

Which Deities to visit to request for Good Luck?

There are 3 Deities that you definitely will have to visit.

1. City God 城隍
2. Local District God 大伯公
3. Tai Shang Lao Jun 太上老君for 2013

First on your list during Chinese New Year must be the City God 城隍廟. It is worthwhile to visit the City God, offer your respect and request for a smooth year ahead. For all deities, when you are visiting their temple, it is important to state your full name and address when you are doing your prayers and request of blessings.

Second on the list is the local district earth god 大伯公. District Earth God, also have authority to bestow some wealth luck to patrons. Again important to state who you are and where you live.

Finally for this year, you definitely have to visit Tai Shang Lao Jun 太上老君, to request for blessings, protection and overall general well being. For major deities like Tai Shang Lao Jun, important to bring cakes and biscuits to offer them.

All the above 3 deities would have covered you on occupation, wealth and finally protection luck for the year. Of course you must visit them regularly too after CNY, and not a one time requestee!

For 5^th day, it is the Wealth God Zhao Gong Ming Xuan Tan Celebration, 武財神趙公明元帥寶誕. Find a local temple that does have Zhao Gong Ming, bring lots of chocolate, sweets, cakes and so on to offer to this him. And request for increase in wealth luck for the year. Why sweets and chocolate? Because he has 2 assistance Zhao Cai Tong Zi 招財童子and Jin Bao Tong Lang 進寶童郎 who were promoted to deityhood when they were children. And those sweets chocolate are for them.

Put it all together

Finally how to put it all together. Well you have to prepare yourself aurically, then use QMDJ, find which temple is located on the favourable location from your home in that 4 days. Then visit that temple to request for blessings. You will definitely increase your luck a lot on 3 factors.

1. Acquired the favorable moving Qi while travelling.
2. Worn the lucky colour of the day, enhance your own aura using the Qi of the day
3. Request from the right deities for the precise blessings for the coming year.

If you are located in countries where there is not much Taoist temples. Then you can visit a Buddhist temple. It will also enhances your luck from the energy field of the Buddhist temple.

If you are in Penang, Kam Dong San Temple at Macallum area. www.facebook.com/kdspg where I am a part of, have all the deities listed in this article.

Feel free to share out this article in full.

Wishing you a strong 2013 ahead and all wishes fulfilled according to Tao!

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