Recently I went for a walk with my cousin and we went to Marina Bay Sand to explore Christmas decoration. It is more comfortable for leisurely walk at night.
I know this post is not about Singapore, but I'm too lazy to set up another blog and to me Taiwan is like my second home. Recently I watched the interview of the newly elected Mayor of Kaohsiung, Mr Han Kuo-yu 韓國瑜. I have to admit, I'm now his fan after watching his interview. He is witty, humorous and caring leader who genuinely care for his staff and people. He rewarded his staff with generous bonus during his tenure as a general manager of Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corporation. Most bosses will reward themselves with huge bonus instead. I hope Kuomintang (KMT) or Nationalist party value this talent even though he is very vocal and blunt and not part of their 'elite clique'. Even though I already went to Taiwan several times since 2008 for holiday, next year I will go to Taipei and Kaohsiung again. During the trip, I will visit Buddhist temples in both Taipei and Kaohsiung and explore the buzzing night markets. Most probably I'll travel solo so I have to do more research on Kaohsiung since it be my first solo trip there. I just hope it be safe to travel for solo female travellers. When Democratic Progress Party won the election, I stop visiting Taiwan. Next year, 2019 I will definitely go to Taiwan. DPP has really mismanaged Kaohsiung. I believer there be lesser potholes by next year.
台北高雄明年见！
Its quite fun to attend the rally in Taiwan.
Night before election in Taiwan is very exciting. There are performances and speeches in this 4 hours 50 mins event.
Yesterday I met my ex-colleague for lunch and he shared with me a very interesting and inspiring video on a Dharma talk by Venerable Chao Khun Keng. I enjoyed the talk with him as we had a good discussion on Buddhism. Normally I share what I learned on Buddhism on my Buddhism blog. But since Venerable Chao Khun Keng is a Singaporean, I decided to share in this blog.
Known as Phra Ajaan Keng, Chao Khun Keng is the first Singaporean ordained in the Thai Buddhist tradition and was conferred the ecclesiastical title of Chao Khun by the King of Thailand. I enjoyed and learned a lot from his interesting talk.
He is a humorous and engaging speaker and like typical Singapore, he uses mostly English with a mixture of Mandarin, Singlish and Hokkien (common Chinese dialect from the China Fujian province). He shared what he saw during his meditation and he why he has no doubt on the transference of merit.
I highly recommend that you listen to his talk as shared in the video below. I agree with him on the importance of meditation and not just read the sutras. I experienced the bliss of rapture joy during meditation and it made me realised one does not need much in life to be happy. Now I am happy sharing what I learned from the dharma talks by Venerable monks who shared on Buddha's teaching. Buddha had selflessly spent more than 45 years on teaching the Dharma more than 2500 years ago.
I hope Venerable Chao Khun Keng is in Singapore and will conduct some more talks. I have some questions to ask him.
Some quotes from this video by Chao Khun Keng.
When you meditate, then you can direct your mind from a very chaotic state and enter concentration. That is real. Enjoy the bliss of concentration.
With this support of concentration, are you able to see the truth of this five Skandhas your body, your feeling, your perception, your analytical mind and this consciousness? To say that this is not self, this is suffering if you are attached to it. And this is no self. Its not going to live forever.
Buddha always say We are our owner of our own action, heir of our actions, born of our action, related to action. Whatever we do for good or for bad, we must bear.
Its from your practise of meditation that you see through the eyes of the mind, the wisdom that arises from meditation.
From another video: The highest happiness is the calm state of mind.
Yesterday I went to National Gallery of Singapore to view local arts and special exhibition Minimalism with my elder cousin. We ventured to the top floor as she wanted to explore the gallery outdoor. I was excited to see another city view and took photo of the view.
For Singapore, admission to local art gallery is free.
Nearest MRT: Cityhall MRT
View of Central Business District with major financial institutions and Victoria theatre and concert hall and Padang field.
View of Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay behind the ArtScience museum aka the lotus inspired architecture.
My favourite place in Singapore! Esplanades theatre by the bay that looks like hornet from the top.
Last week I went to Ikea to purchase Billy bookshelf with my cousins. I first brought Billy bookshelf about 6 years ago and it is able to withstand 30kg per shelf. Till now it is still working well. Billy bookshelf is the most resilient Ikea bookshelf.
As I brought more books, I need more space so this time I brought a 2m tall Billy bookshelf. I must stop buying new books as my bedroom is filled with fivebookshelves.
I enjoy spring cleaning my bookshelves as it reminds me of what I have. Its kinda like taking stock of what we have and be thankful and count our blessing. Sometimes I forget what I already have and just buy. For example, I have many files that I purchased in past BookFest. This year, I'm not going to buy files and pens as I already have so many.
I also keep magazines that I like especially Lonely Planet Magazine Asia which is no longer in print in Singapore. I keep many Lonely Planet with Switzerland and Europe on cover as I want to travel to Switzerland in this life. I told myself if I'm still single by 40 years old, I will travel there alone.
I have many Lonely Planet Magazine Asia especially on Switzerland and other travel magazines on Switzerland.
When I was a student, I used to do cross-stitch.
I brought and assembled Ikea bookshelf last week.
I think Dare magazine is quite informative and inspiring but it is no longer in print for many years already. I'm glad I keep it.
I have many clear files. It reminds me to stop buying new file.
From 2013 to 2016, I went to Taiwan for a total of five trips. I think its time for me to visit Taiwan again next year since Kuomintang 国民党 gained many seats in recent election.
