Philosophy from Mushi-shi

Fabian comment :

Sorry, but I don't agree at all. This is one of the most amazing anime I ever watched, it's unlike anything I've ever seen before. Yes, it does have a simple, mission-type structure, but I don't hear people complaining about Cowboy Bebop because of that.

I like Mushi-shi's style, it's so laid back and every single episode seems to reveal another amazing idea. It's a bit philosophical and I think it's deeper than a lot of the crap us anime watchers usually degrade ourselves to. (Highschool romance? COME ON ALREADY!)

I agree and disagree towards the comments.

I must say, I agree that this anime do have a bit of philosophical. In few episodes, Ginko-san say that he is not like other mushi-shi who kill mushi, he kind of live peacefully with it whenever is possible. Like him, we also should try to live peacefully with our surrounding living being by not polluting the world, use less paper, don't use equipment or spray that contain CFC compound etc...etc. Think how we could save this dying earth now. Think how we human going to live if we destroy the forest and polluted the sea and air..hmm I think I overdo it...muahaha.


For Fabian this anime is the best, but it isn't for me. I have my own taste of anime that I like and dislike. Everyone have their own reason why they like to watch certain category of anime. So we can't judge those people that like to watch the so call "crap" you've mention. You can't choose for others!

Anyway, this is my blog and this is my review. I stand by my review, this anime is bored.

~ Alpha

The Evolution of Religion

At my first glance through this article Lama's brand new approach I thought this guy is a model before become a monk. Not until I've read the content that I realise this monk work for about a month as a runaway model at a production house which own by one of his student.

Here I'm not introducing Buddhism to you all or criticising it. It is an overview of world religion. I might quote it as my example since I've read it.

After reading the article, I'm pondering...do we need the religion to be evolve so that it adapt or suit to the new generation of mankind? As I've been taught at school, the world consist of 5 major religion namely Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism & Hinduism. All these religion have a very long history. I'm pretty sure their teaching is based on the society and culture at that original place and time.

It will be untrue to say that these religion didn't change at all after so many years. Yes they could have evolve in the several ways like the method of spreading the message, the ways of interpreting the holy book & etc....(well I can't think of other example...you tell me)

Nevertheless I believe their so core doctrine will endure forever and ever. It is not practical for us to apply the teachings of yesteryear literally. All we need to do is just take the principle of that particular teaching to be apply to our current situation.

But in recent year we could see that the some religion leader have openly condone the activity of gay and lesbian and even legalise their marriage. Are we that desperate to gain more worshipper/follower? Aren't these have violate the teaching of the religion that promote a union between a male and female? I think there are many more example that will prove that some of the religion have changed and slowly drift away from the main teaching.

D0 we need this kind of evolution to suit the new generation and invoke the wrath of the creator?


~ Alpha

Angora Rabbit

Have you ever see this kind of rabbit before?....or should I ask.. Are these rabbit? To me some are like dog..hahaha..

Alpha

A New Breed of Monk.....(2)

I didn't bluff at all. He really become a runway model for about a month. You still feel sceptical? Read on this excerpt from The Star Online

Lama’s brand new approach

By JAMIE KHOO

Not all monks are dull, humourless ascetics in saffron robes and here’s Tsem Tulku Rinpoche to prove it.


Tsem Rinpoche giving formal dharma teachings at his centre in Petaling Jaya.
IT’S 2am, and I am driving around Kuala Lumpur’s dark, dank Chow Kit streets with Tsem Tulku Rinpoche and some of his students. He’s making us play the “pick game” where we must choose between any two of our most feared or disliked scenarios and people.

So here we are peering out the windows to spot transvestites, prostitutes and the homeless, the people that most of the city is oblivious to, or doesn’t want to know.

Tsem Rinpoche, resident lama (teacher) and spiritual director of Kechara House Dharma centre in Petaling Jaya, often speaks candidly about wanting to bring spirituality to “the people who nobody else wants.”

Much in the spirit of new-generation lamas like the controversial Singa Rinpoche, who was recently banned from entering Taiwan, and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, who doubled up as director of the internationally-acclaimed movie The Cup, Tsem Rinpoche kicks dharma (spirituality) out of the cave and into the much more vigorous, defiant and hedonistic 21st century world.

He promotes a “brand” of spiritual practice that doesn’t require any compromise on who we really are. His diverse mix of students is evidence enough of that. Dharma talks at Kechara House find local fashion personalities sitting on the floor next to award-winning singers, college students, high-powered business women and KL’s socialites as well as former drug addicts, gamblers, manic depressives and self-confessed bad boys from gangs. With Tsem Rinpoche, you start where you are.

Even the fact that Malaysia does not have a predominantly Buddhist mass consciousness doesn’t faze him. Instead, he actively promotes the strong inter-religious and racial harmony here.

“We are fortunate to live in a country where the Government gives us the freedom to do as we like (as long as) we follow the law.’’

Tsem Rinpoche’s gurus from Gaden Monastery in India sent him to Malaysia in 1992 to teach as they felt it would be most beneficial for people in this region. He currently lives full-time in KL. He started Kechara House in 2000.

“Dharma centres serve as places of education for Buddhists to become better citizens of a country, not to make other citizens Buddhist,” he explains.

In inspiring a younger generation, he is incredibly candid about himself: “Look! Do I look holy? Do I look disciplined? Do I look like a ‘high holy Tibetan lama’? No! I am you; I think like you and have the same problems as you.


Tsem Rinpoche instructing his students in the courtyard of Kopan Monastery in Nepal. "If you like to eat, then eat! If you like having sex, then have it! If you like nice clothes and jewellery, buy and wear them! I want the freaks, the people who can be themselves. Live with the motivation of being kind, change your minds, but also play computer games, have sex, party. What’s wrong with that? We’re not Buddhas yet,” he points out, realistically. “The important thing is to keep your motivation good, clean, straight.”

Tsem Rinpoche, 41, embodies this balance himself, and is willing to try unconventional methods of reaching out and appealing to people, especially the younger generation.

That was how he became a runway model for about a month in 2004, working with Catwalk Productions (owned by Ming Chan, who is one of his students) and singing in karaoke sessions with his students. He is also on YouTube (which has brought visitors from as far as Australia and America to him in KL).

He cites the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Gandhi as among his favourite people for their outstanding messages of peace and kindness; but also Madonna, Ru Paul (which perhaps explains Tsem Rinpoche’s entertaining diva-like antics during his sermons and talks) and Bette Davis for “their determination and strength.”

Though Tibetan Buddhism is famed for exotic rituals and high tantric empowerment, Tsem Rinpoche prefers to stress on the importance of mind transformation teachings (lojong), focusing most ardently on developing “basic” qualities of compassion, kindness, generosity, patience, effort and wisdom.

His central teachings are based on The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation composed by Tibetan saint and scholar Geshe Langri Tangpa which concentrates on changing our perspectives on the world and people around us.

Tsem Rinpoche will soon be releasing Compassion Conquers All, a book of teachings

which deals specifically with the Eight Verses and how to apply it practically within our lives.

“Spiritual practice is a change of attitude,” he points out in his book of collected teachings Nothing Changes, Everything Changes, “It has everything to do with us changing – how we perceive people, how we react to people, how we talk, our emotions, happiness, anger, delusions, jealousies, successes, motivations, enthusiasm – and the beauty is that nothing around us changes.”

Often, he speaks of depression and the mental afflictions that so often plague the 21st century, and thus, the corresponding need to apply spiritual transformation and practice to turn our minds towards a more peaceful place.


Tsem Rinpoche giving a traditional greeting to Gaden Shartse Monastery Abbot, Ken Rinpoche.
“We have everything that we need – technology, comfort, convenience. Physically, we’re not suffering anymore but so much suffering now happens within our minds.”

The “suffering” he refers to is not necessarily what we commonly regard as great pain, but includes daily frustrations with family, career and relationships, our strong attachment to and expectations of things and people, and the corresponding struggles we face when there is unexpected change or disappointment.

The lojong, thus, cut across religion or cultural barriers by offering an alternative philosophy of living that can be applied variously in our lives.

By now, it’s past 3am and the “pick’’ game is over. When I ask him why he never lets us pick between nice things, he replies: “Those things and people aren’t inherently disgusting themselves. They’re only disgusting because you think they’re disgusting. And until you give up those hang-ups, I’ll keep making you pick!”

There are buttons to be pushed, and Tsem Rinpoche makes sure yours are thoroughly flattened. After all, it is only in the truly unexpected that we learn – and just as Chow Kit's roads seem an unlikely lesson, it’s actually just been yet another journey through our own untempered minds.

A New Breed of Monk.....(1)

A monk who became a runway model for about a month?

We'll explore it later...

Alpha

Review : Mushi-shi

Finally I've finish watching the anime. This anime contain 26 episode. It not up to my expectation. I don't like this kind of anime.

The story line is too straight forward, whereby the main character Ginko-san will travelling from one place to another place and he will try to solve their place caused by mushi. So the whole series is following the formula. Sometime I feel very boring watching it.

Another thing is that the character in this anime is not a bishonen type. They didn't draw a nice face for Ginko-san and same with the rest of the characters.

But I like their theme song "The Sore Feet song" by Ally Kerr.

The bright side of the anime is that it suitable to be view by children, it doesn't have nudity, spilling of blood or violent.

To know more of the anime : Mushi-shi

Alpha

Another MV recommended by Omega

Although it quite a old song....who care anyway...as long as the message of the song could reach to the whole world. Hmm...maybe could not touch everyone in the world but at least his song have touch Omega my friend!



By Michael Jackson - Earth Song



Alpha

MV recommended by Omega

By Michael Jackson - Heal The World


Alpha

Will Omega blog?

Once again I've contacted Omega to contribute on this blog. Well as usual he agree to it. Hope this time he really write something as he never blog a single words since the inception of this blog.


Alpha

Mushi-shi Theme Song

Actually I want to embed this theme song on the blog. But since I still can't figure out how to do it, I think I just put the anime theme song here from Youtube.



The name of this song is "The Sore Feet Song" by Ally Kerr.

This is the full version of the song.



Maybe you also want the lyrics...here you go

I walked ten thousand miles, ten thousand miles to see you,
And every gasp of breath i grabbed at just to find you,
I climbed up every hills to get, to you,
I wondered ancient lands to hold, just you.

And every single step of the way, of pain,
Every single night and day,
I searched for you.
Through sandstorms and hazy dawns i reached for you.

I stole ten thousand pounds, ten thousand pounds to see you,
I robbed convenient stores coz i thought they'd make it easier.
I lived off rats and toads, and i starved for you.
I fought off giants bears and i killed them too.

And every single step of the way, of pain,
Every single night and day,
I searched for you.
Through sandstorms and hazy dawns i reached for you.
I'm tired and i'm weak, but i'm strong for you.
I wanna go home, but my love gets me through.

Lalala....

Hmmm...if you google around, you will find Olsen Twins also sing "The sore feet song". But it is a totally different song. Well have a look at it....



Alpha

How I'm Going to Embed Song?

I thought want to embed song in this blog. Trying to make this blog more interesting. But i still don't know how to do it. Searching through Google also didn't help at all.

Maybe some of the good Samaritan reader could point me to correct site, so i could learn it. I'm appreciate for any help forwarded to me.

Alpha

Oops!...I Did It Again

Nope I'm not talking about the song of american singer Britney Spears. It just about my blog. I did mentioning that I'll update more and give a touch up for my blog. But it already more than 6 months I didn't do a single things....not even update it. Well today I've check thru my email and comments section. Surprise to get 32 comments.

To my horror my blog have been taken over by those online advertisement. I've no choice, I delete it all. Maybe I have to monitor closely to prevent this to happen in the future.

Well what happen to me in this 6 months of absent? Hmmm....Nothing much happen to me. Is the same old me.Working in the same old company and having the same old colleagues.

Now is 3.34am....its quite late....or should i say quite early for me to be awake to write a blog at this hour?

I better get some sleep.

Alpha

New Generation of School Kids

Guess what, today's kid no longer naive or innocent as those of yesteryear. Having dinner yesterday with few school going youth is an eye opening to me.

Since one of the youth is sort of a counsellor prefect, he tell us some of his school type counsel patient case. Well the story ranging from anxiety/stress of exam to the death of kitten. But one particular story catch my attention.

This patient of his is a sissy type student having a big crush on his classmate (just name him Student A). My friend only handle this case on the initial state as it have to hand over to the teacher to solve it (too complicated for youth to solve the problem). From what he know this Student A is a very popular guy plus he is a athlete. Hmmm...must be very handsome and with all those biceps and...well just do some imagination yourself...hehehe.

Student A also likes this sissy guy. But must be Student A have confusion over his sexual preference cause him to be dump and the sissy guy seek counsel. According my friend, Student A said that he likes both male & female...wow...maybe have to blame his imbalance hormone.

So my point is....during my day as student I've never heard of such incident happen. What we got is just normal boy have crush on girl...girls have crush on boy....etc.....but not of gay/lesbian type of case.

Where will the this lead to??? What happen to this world????

Alpha

Short-Cut = Disaster

Thought that I have nothing to write, but suddenly I've encounter a scaring experience.

So as usual Friday night, I will take the gospel van to fetch some members for night service. After reaching the 1st house, I proceed to the 2nd member house. To reach the 2nd member house we usualy will take a short cut. A short but narrow road.

But yesterday when I reach there, on the left hand side of the road there is a small trench. Not sure the drench is for drainage or laying piping system. What I know is that it quite deep.

Thinking I could go through the road, half way I see a backhoe is working at the other end. Well I just reverse the van. Ooops wrong move. The van got stuck on the loose earth. I try to move forward...nope it didn't move....try to reverse ....nope it also didn't move.

Luckily there is still some worker nearby. So they tell me to move forward while they will push the van from behind and they say I can't reverse anymore or else it will fall down the trench. Fortunate the van got stuck or else it will sure inside the trench.

It's really bad, even with the help of 'man-power' the van still didn't budge. No choice....here come the backhoe! A chain is use to help the backhoe to pull the van move forward. Yesssss, it work! So it time to reverse back to the main road.

Haiz~~~still stuck. Luckily a god send hilux is there (i really don't know where it come from). So using the chain again and the hilux (4x4) to pull the van back to the main road.

At last I'm free.....oppps....the van is free. After thanking those guys I proceed to fetch the members.


Backhoe


Hilux


Alpha

I Just Don't Know

Well I promise to update the blog & gave a face-lift to my blog. But it didn't realize. Furthermore I found out that I really don't know how to refurnish my blog....haha....

I think I have to put aside my idea of refurnish my blog.....now need to concentrate on writing something of it.

Thinking.....still...thinking...what to write.....

Alpha

Revival of the blog

I know...I know I've abandon this blog for few months. As usual I'm BUSY.....actually I'm LAZY...hehe.

But worry I'll update this blog very soon with the new face-lift.

Watch out for this space...

Coconut Tarts

Tada...., my creation.... it is delicious. Not too sweet as I've reduce the amount of sugar. The filling almost not enough to put into my 40 plus pastry. So I've to reduce the amount of filling into each of the pastry. See the pic...the filling is not evenly distributed.

As you can see the pic that some pastry look darker than others......it my oven, the heat is uneven. The back of the oven is much more hotter than the front one.

Over all.....I've successfully bake coconut tarts.

Alpha

What am I blogging?

I'm wondering why I keep on blogging about baking cakes or tarts. I know....I know.... because there aren't anything particular happening around me beside than what I'm doing now.

Am I turning the blog to become a culinary or bakery blog? Or I should rename the blog.... "ALPHA BAKERY BLOG".

Anyway.....my next project will be Coconut Tarts.

~ Alpha

Egg Tart

Today I bake the egg tart. The result is quite disappointing. This is my second time making tart.

My 1st attempt is making sweet potato tarts. It rather unsuccessful. So back to my egg tart, it is too sweet, I don't know is it my fault that I measure the sugar wrongly or is the recipe.

Besides that the egg tart have burn mark around it filling. I think I've over bake it.

Well, I'll try to make it better next time.

Alpha

Alpha & Omega Are Twin?

A very interesting question ask by a reader.

No. Alpha & Omega aren't twin. We are just friends. Omega lives in Singapore while I'm stuck in a country called Malaysia.

Supposedly this blog is for us to co-contribute where we can write our daily experience or our thought. But since the start of the blog...only I myself write on it....while Omega haven't contribute anything yet.

Well instead of Alpha & Omega, I think I should change the blog to Alpha only.

So you can see this blog are struggling to survive. I'll try my best to blog more frequent.

Alpha