MacDonald's just launched some new products. Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger looks tempting. Banana Pie is back! But I'm not eating this week!
- Pic from MacDonalds
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, June 30, 2016
MacDonald's New Burgers
MacDonald's just launched some new products. Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger looks tempting. Banana Pie is back! But I'm not eating this week!
- Pic from MacDonalds
- wong chee tat :)
Electricity tariffs for Jul to Sep 2016 to rise by 9.2%: SP Services
Electricity tariffs for Jul to Sep 2016 to rise by 9.2%: SP Services
Posted 30 Jun 2016 17:16 Updated 30 Jun 2016 17:20
SINGAPORE: The electricity tariffs for the third quarter of 2016 will increase by an average of 9.2 per cent, or 1.59 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), compared to the previous quarter.
In a press release on Thursday (Jun 30), SP Services said that this was largely due to the cost of natural gas for electricity generation, which rose by 26 per cent compared to second quarter 2016. It was partly offset by lower non-fuel costs, notwithstanding an increase in Market Support Services fee to meet higher market system and development costs, it added.
Electricity tariff for households will increase from 17.68 to 19.27 cents per kWh for Jul 1 to Sep 30 this year, SP Services said. The average monthly bill for families living in 4-room flats is expected to increase by S$6.79.
SP Services reviews the electricity tariffs quarterly based on guidelines set by the Energy Market Authority (EMA). The new tariffs have been approved by the EMA.
- CNA/mz
- wong chee tat :)
Posted 30 Jun 2016 17:16 Updated 30 Jun 2016 17:20
SINGAPORE: The electricity tariffs for the third quarter of 2016 will increase by an average of 9.2 per cent, or 1.59 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), compared to the previous quarter.
In a press release on Thursday (Jun 30), SP Services said that this was largely due to the cost of natural gas for electricity generation, which rose by 26 per cent compared to second quarter 2016. It was partly offset by lower non-fuel costs, notwithstanding an increase in Market Support Services fee to meet higher market system and development costs, it added.
Electricity tariff for households will increase from 17.68 to 19.27 cents per kWh for Jul 1 to Sep 30 this year, SP Services said. The average monthly bill for families living in 4-room flats is expected to increase by S$6.79.
SP Services reviews the electricity tariffs quarterly based on guidelines set by the Energy Market Authority (EMA). The new tariffs have been approved by the EMA.
- CNA/mz
- wong chee tat :)
Businesses to enjoy 250% tax deduction on wages if employees volunteer at IPCs
Businesses to enjoy 250% tax deduction on wages if employees volunteer at IPCs
Posted 30 Jun 2016 15:37 Updated 30 Jun 2016 16:04
SINGAPORE: From Jul 1 this year to the end of 2018, some businesses in Singapore will enjoy up to 250 per cent tax deduction on wages and related expenses, the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said in a joint press release on Thursday (Jun 30).
The tax deduction applies to companies that send employees to volunteer and provide services, including secondments, to Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) under the Business and IPC Partnership Scheme (BIPS), subject to receiving IPCs’ agreements, the authorities said.
The services include professional services such as in the areas of legal, human resources and accounting, or general voluntary services for IPCs, they added.
IPCs are registered charities that are allowed to issue tax-deductible receipts to donors who want to claim tax relief based on the amount of qualifying donations made. These charities must serve the needs of the community in Singapore as a whole, and not be confined to sectional interests or groups based on race, belief or religion, according to MCCY's website.
Currently, donors to IPCs already enjoy tax relief for 250 per cent of the donations.
BIPS was introduced in Budget 2016 to encourage employee volunteerism through businesses, and forms part of the Government’s efforts to promote philanthropy and volunteerism.
When he announced the scheme on Mar 24, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said it would boost corporate social responsibility (CSR) and make it easier for employees to give back through their workplaces.
In their press release on Thursday, the authorities said: "Through volunteering activities or secondments, businesses and IPCs can build enduring and sustained partnerships, benefiting both parties ... In the long run, the Government hopes to foster a widespread culture of caring in Singapore, where businesses and employees can play a greater role in meeting social needs and building a caring and cohesive society."
The scheme comes with some caveats, however. For example, the donation of goods and wages of the owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships and companies do not qualify for the tax deductions. The companies must also not have applied for other incentive schemes for the same services, and there is a cap of S$250,000 per year of assessment and S$50,000 per calendar year for the expenditure of each business and IPC respectively.
The guidelines and FAQs for IPCs interested in participating in BIPS can be found on the MOF and Charity Portal websites, and more information for businesses can be found on the IRAS website.
- CNA/mz
- wong chee tat :)
Posted 30 Jun 2016 15:37 Updated 30 Jun 2016 16:04
SINGAPORE: From Jul 1 this year to the end of 2018, some businesses in Singapore will enjoy up to 250 per cent tax deduction on wages and related expenses, the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said in a joint press release on Thursday (Jun 30).
The tax deduction applies to companies that send employees to volunteer and provide services, including secondments, to Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) under the Business and IPC Partnership Scheme (BIPS), subject to receiving IPCs’ agreements, the authorities said.
The services include professional services such as in the areas of legal, human resources and accounting, or general voluntary services for IPCs, they added.
IPCs are registered charities that are allowed to issue tax-deductible receipts to donors who want to claim tax relief based on the amount of qualifying donations made. These charities must serve the needs of the community in Singapore as a whole, and not be confined to sectional interests or groups based on race, belief or religion, according to MCCY's website.
Currently, donors to IPCs already enjoy tax relief for 250 per cent of the donations.
BIPS was introduced in Budget 2016 to encourage employee volunteerism through businesses, and forms part of the Government’s efforts to promote philanthropy and volunteerism.
When he announced the scheme on Mar 24, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said it would boost corporate social responsibility (CSR) and make it easier for employees to give back through their workplaces.
In their press release on Thursday, the authorities said: "Through volunteering activities or secondments, businesses and IPCs can build enduring and sustained partnerships, benefiting both parties ... In the long run, the Government hopes to foster a widespread culture of caring in Singapore, where businesses and employees can play a greater role in meeting social needs and building a caring and cohesive society."
The scheme comes with some caveats, however. For example, the donation of goods and wages of the owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships and companies do not qualify for the tax deductions. The companies must also not have applied for other incentive schemes for the same services, and there is a cap of S$250,000 per year of assessment and S$50,000 per calendar year for the expenditure of each business and IPC respectively.
The guidelines and FAQs for IPCs interested in participating in BIPS can be found on the MOF and Charity Portal websites, and more information for businesses can be found on the IRAS website.
- CNA/mz
- wong chee tat :)
UOB suspends London property loans after Brexit
UOB suspends London property loans after Brexit
Posted 30 Jun 2016 10:14 Updated 30 Jun 2016 15:19
SINGAPORE: United Overseas Bank (UOB), Singapore's third-largest lender, has suspended its loans programme for London properties in the wake of uncertainties caused by Britain's vote to leave the European Union.
UOB would be among the first banks in Singapore to turn cautious on such lending, even though it is not a large amount, as Brexit spooked global markets and pushed the pound to multi-year lows.
"We will temporarily stop receiving foreign property loan applications for London properties," a UOB spokeswoman said in an email.
"As the aftermath of the UK referendum is still unfolding and given the uncertainties, we need to ensure our customers are cautious with their London property investments."
Singapore's biggest lender, DBS Group Holdings, said it continued to provide financing for property purchases in London but was advising its customers to be cautious.
"For customers interested in buying properties in London, we would advise them to assess the situation carefully before committing to their purchases as there could be potential foreign exchange and sovereign risks," Ms Tok Geok Peng, executive director of secured lending, consumer banking group (Singapore) at DBS Bank, said in an email.
The Singapore dollar has gained about 10 per cent against the British pound since the referendum.
"There have been London properties available for the last few months before the Brexit. The question is whether these properties can still continue to receive buyers in the short-term," said Ms Alice Tan, head of consultancy and research at Knight Frank Singapore.
Property consultants say data on the number of properties purchased by Singaporeans in the United Kingdom is not tracked that closely. Banks do not disclose lending data for UK property purchases.
UOB said it was monitoring the market environment closely and would review it regularly to determine when it could resume its property loan offering.
- REUTERS/cy
- wong chee tat :)
Posted 30 Jun 2016 10:14 Updated 30 Jun 2016 15:19
SINGAPORE: United Overseas Bank (UOB), Singapore's third-largest lender, has suspended its loans programme for London properties in the wake of uncertainties caused by Britain's vote to leave the European Union.
UOB would be among the first banks in Singapore to turn cautious on such lending, even though it is not a large amount, as Brexit spooked global markets and pushed the pound to multi-year lows.
"We will temporarily stop receiving foreign property loan applications for London properties," a UOB spokeswoman said in an email.
"As the aftermath of the UK referendum is still unfolding and given the uncertainties, we need to ensure our customers are cautious with their London property investments."
Singapore's biggest lender, DBS Group Holdings, said it continued to provide financing for property purchases in London but was advising its customers to be cautious.
"For customers interested in buying properties in London, we would advise them to assess the situation carefully before committing to their purchases as there could be potential foreign exchange and sovereign risks," Ms Tok Geok Peng, executive director of secured lending, consumer banking group (Singapore) at DBS Bank, said in an email.
The Singapore dollar has gained about 10 per cent against the British pound since the referendum.
"There have been London properties available for the last few months before the Brexit. The question is whether these properties can still continue to receive buyers in the short-term," said Ms Alice Tan, head of consultancy and research at Knight Frank Singapore.
Property consultants say data on the number of properties purchased by Singaporeans in the United Kingdom is not tracked that closely. Banks do not disclose lending data for UK property purchases.
UOB said it was monitoring the market environment closely and would review it regularly to determine when it could resume its property loan offering.
- REUTERS/cy
- wong chee tat :)
System Updates: Router Changes
System Updates: Router Changes
- Increase cache size for faster caching
- Increase dns forward max
Good time to test the stability
- wong chee tat :)
- Increase cache size for faster caching
- Increase dns forward max
Good time to test the stability
- wong chee tat :)
McAfee DAT version = 8211 (jun 29th 2016)
McAfee DAT version = 8211 (jun 29th 2016)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
Blog Updates:
Blog Updates:
Minor updates:
- Update labels on some old posts
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
Minor updates:
- Update labels on some old posts
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
Scheduled Maintenance - POSB
Scheduled Maintenance - POSB
We are constantly upgrading our systems to bring you a more pleasant banking experience. During the mentioned period of scheduled maintenance, some of the services will not be available:
iBanking | ||
|---|---|---|
Date
|
Maintenance Period
|
Services under Maintenance
|
Every Sunday
|
0400hrs to 0700hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Foreign Currency Current Account (FCCA) - Foreign Currency Fixed Deposit (FCFD) - Multi-currency Autosave (MCA) - Multiplier Account |
02 July 2016
|
1000hrs to 0000hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Online Equity Trading (SG) - iB trading services |
03 July 2016
|
0000hrs to 1300hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Online Equity Trading (SG) - iB trading services |
10 July 2016
|
0200hrs to 0300hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Intermittent disruption of services |
digibank app | ||
|---|---|---|
Date
|
Maintenance Period
|
Services under Maintenance
|
10 July 2016
|
0200hrs to 0300hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Intermittent disruption of services |
SMS Banking | ||
|---|---|---|
Date
|
Maintenance Period
|
Services under Maintenance
|
10 July 2016
|
0200hrs to 0300hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Intermittent disruption of services |
PayLah! | ||
|---|---|---|
Date
|
Maintenance Period
|
Services under Maintenance
|
03 July 2016
|
0300hrs to 0400hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Disruption of services |
10 July 2016
|
0200hrs to 0300hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Intermittent disruption of services |
D2Pay | ||
|---|---|---|
Date
|
Maintenance Period
|
Services under Maintenance
|
10 July 2016
|
0200hrs to 0300hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Intermittent disruption of services |
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
My Recent KFC Lunch - Caesar Roast Burger
Another fastfood meal this week. This time is from KFC and I ordered Caesar Roast Burger.
- Pic from KFC
- wong chee tat ):
Blog Updates:
Blog Updates:
Minor updates:
- Update labels on some old posts
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
Minor updates:
- Update labels on some old posts
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
McAfee DAT version = 8210 (jun 28th 2016)
McAfee DAT version = 8210 (jun 28th 2016)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
Blog Updates:
Blog Updates:
Minor updates:
- Update labels on some old posts
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
Minor updates:
- Update labels on some old posts
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
McAfee DAT version = 8209 (jun 27th 2016)
McAfee DAT version = 8209 (jun 27th 2016)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, June 27, 2016
Better haze, hotspot detection with new satellite
Better haze, hotspot detection with new satellite
By Chew Hui Yan Posted 27 Jun 2016 10:54 Updated 27 Jun 2016 11:19
SINGAPORE: The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) is making use of a Japanese satellite which allows for more frequent monitoring and improved detection of weather systems and hotspots or haze in the region, the agency announced on Monday (Jun 27).
The satellite, Japan Meteorological Agency's Next Generation Himawari-8 geostationary meteorological satellite, replaced the MTSAT-2 that ceased direct transmission in December. The Himawari-8 was operationalised in July 2015, and MSS has been making use of its imagery since then.
The Himawari-8 has a 10min frequency of updates - compared to hourly updates for the MTSAT-2, allowing for enhanced monitoring of haze and weather systems, said MSS. The Japanese satellite also has more than three times the spectral bands - 16 compared to five - to improve the range of detection, as well as higher spatial resolution, resulting in more detail in the satellite image.
MSS said that it primarily makes use of data from polar-orbitting satellites operated by the US' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Aeronautics and Space Administration to monitor hotspots and smoke haze in the region. These satellites normally make one day-time pass over the region each day.
NEW AEROSAL LIDAR ON JURONG ISLAND
To extend the observation network of real-time weather monitoring systems, the MSS has also installed an aerosol LIDAR – which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, a remote sensing method that uses light from a laser to measure ranges to Earth.
The detection system was installed on Jurong Island to measure the local distribution of particulate matter in the atmosphere, as well as a wind LIDAR.
This adds to the more than 60 automatic weather stations, a lightning detection system, weather radar and wind profiler in the network.
The aerosol LIDAR can measure the vertical extent of particulate matter to heights of about 12km, and provide an indication of upper level transboundary haze drifting into Singapore, MSS said. While it cannot differentiate particle size, it can also detect ash from volcanic eruptions in the region.
The wind LIDAR measures the vertical profile of wind speed and direction up to 12km above the ground level, and will complement MSS' existing wind profiler and enhance the real-time monitoring of upper-level winds, which affect the movement of weather systems and haze over Singapore.
"These new instruments can tell us not just the concentration of PM2.5 in the air but at different levels of the atmosphere and how they move according to wind conditions and atmospheric conditions," said Minister of Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli, who was briefed on the usage of the new technologies on Monday.
"We are still studying it but in the future I'm quite sure these can be used for even finer forecasts by the hour, making it more predictable for the public," he added.
- CNA/av
- wong chee tat :)
By Chew Hui Yan Posted 27 Jun 2016 10:54 Updated 27 Jun 2016 11:19
SINGAPORE: The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) is making use of a Japanese satellite which allows for more frequent monitoring and improved detection of weather systems and hotspots or haze in the region, the agency announced on Monday (Jun 27).
The satellite, Japan Meteorological Agency's Next Generation Himawari-8 geostationary meteorological satellite, replaced the MTSAT-2 that ceased direct transmission in December. The Himawari-8 was operationalised in July 2015, and MSS has been making use of its imagery since then.
The Himawari-8 has a 10min frequency of updates - compared to hourly updates for the MTSAT-2, allowing for enhanced monitoring of haze and weather systems, said MSS. The Japanese satellite also has more than three times the spectral bands - 16 compared to five - to improve the range of detection, as well as higher spatial resolution, resulting in more detail in the satellite image.
MSS said that it primarily makes use of data from polar-orbitting satellites operated by the US' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Aeronautics and Space Administration to monitor hotspots and smoke haze in the region. These satellites normally make one day-time pass over the region each day.
NEW AEROSAL LIDAR ON JURONG ISLAND
To extend the observation network of real-time weather monitoring systems, the MSS has also installed an aerosol LIDAR – which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, a remote sensing method that uses light from a laser to measure ranges to Earth.
The detection system was installed on Jurong Island to measure the local distribution of particulate matter in the atmosphere, as well as a wind LIDAR.
This adds to the more than 60 automatic weather stations, a lightning detection system, weather radar and wind profiler in the network.
The aerosol LIDAR can measure the vertical extent of particulate matter to heights of about 12km, and provide an indication of upper level transboundary haze drifting into Singapore, MSS said. While it cannot differentiate particle size, it can also detect ash from volcanic eruptions in the region.
The wind LIDAR measures the vertical profile of wind speed and direction up to 12km above the ground level, and will complement MSS' existing wind profiler and enhance the real-time monitoring of upper-level winds, which affect the movement of weather systems and haze over Singapore.
"These new instruments can tell us not just the concentration of PM2.5 in the air but at different levels of the atmosphere and how they move according to wind conditions and atmospheric conditions," said Minister of Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli, who was briefed on the usage of the new technologies on Monday.
"We are still studying it but in the future I'm quite sure these can be used for even finer forecasts by the hour, making it more predictable for the public," he added.
- CNA/av
- wong chee tat :)
Rainier weather this year may help ease haze episodes: Masagos
Rainier weather this year may help ease haze episodes: Masagos
By Linette Lim Posted 27 Jun 2016 11:40
SINGAPORE: More rain is expected around the last quarter of the year, and this means the forest fires that cause the annual transboundary haze are more likely to be put out, said Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli on Monday (Jun 27).
"Therefore we hope that with more rain, there will be less haze episodes that come to us," said Mr Masagos, speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the Meteorological Service Singapore’s (MSS) HQ at Changi Airport Terminal 2.
However, he added: "But we cannot be sure – this is the weather, it is most unpredictable, and there can therefore be dry spells. Dry spells take its toll over a longer period, and forests continue to be burned, particularly peat and forests, then we will particularly be affected by this.”
According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), weather conditions this year are "expected to be less conducive for hotspot activities as compared to 2015".
Responding to queries from Channel NewsAsia, NEA explained that based on assessments of model outlooks from international climate centres, there is a possibility of La Nina developing in the third quarter of 2016.
"Rainfall is expected to be normal to above normal from June to September," it said.
"However, as there could still be extended periods of drier weather, escalation of hotspot activities can occur which may lead to transboundary haze, and Singapore could be affected if the winds blow the haze towards Singapore."
NEA added that the region is currently seeing neutral conditions - neither El Nino nor La Nina - after a strong El Nino event which resulted in prolonged periods of dry weather in the second half of the year.
- CNA/av
- wong chee tat :)
By Linette Lim Posted 27 Jun 2016 11:40
SINGAPORE: More rain is expected around the last quarter of the year, and this means the forest fires that cause the annual transboundary haze are more likely to be put out, said Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli on Monday (Jun 27).
"Therefore we hope that with more rain, there will be less haze episodes that come to us," said Mr Masagos, speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the Meteorological Service Singapore’s (MSS) HQ at Changi Airport Terminal 2.
However, he added: "But we cannot be sure – this is the weather, it is most unpredictable, and there can therefore be dry spells. Dry spells take its toll over a longer period, and forests continue to be burned, particularly peat and forests, then we will particularly be affected by this.”
According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), weather conditions this year are "expected to be less conducive for hotspot activities as compared to 2015".
Responding to queries from Channel NewsAsia, NEA explained that based on assessments of model outlooks from international climate centres, there is a possibility of La Nina developing in the third quarter of 2016.
"Rainfall is expected to be normal to above normal from June to September," it said.
"However, as there could still be extended periods of drier weather, escalation of hotspot activities can occur which may lead to transboundary haze, and Singapore could be affected if the winds blow the haze towards Singapore."
NEA added that the region is currently seeing neutral conditions - neither El Nino nor La Nina - after a strong El Nino event which resulted in prolonged periods of dry weather in the second half of the year.
- CNA/av
- wong chee tat :)
Flashy lifestyles hide hints of credit card woes
Flashy lifestyles hide hints of credit card woes
By Chew Hui Yan Posted 25 Jun 2016 15:16 Updated 26 Jun 2016 02:22
SINGAPORE: They flash their credits cards at high-end restaurants and hang out at hip nightspots. The more adventurous among them think nothing about taking yearly vacations in the most exotic, far-flung places.
But such a lifestyle has also been identified as the main reason young professionals tend to rack up unsecured debts, Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS) said.
The organisation, which helps people clear their debts, believes a lot of this is due to peer pressure.
“If you have friends who go clubbing a lot, you might feel pressured to go with them because if you don’t, you’d start to lose your friends,” CCS president Kuo How Nam said in an interview with Channel NewsAsia.
This pressure might eventually lead to an unsustainable lifestyle, which is further glamourised on social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.
“Don’t be fooled; people might post pictures of designer bags and nice restaurants but what you don’t see is how much they owe,” Mr Kuo said.
“Once, I picked up an issue of Tatler magazine (a luxury publication targeted at high-net-worth individuals) and recognised a client. Social status is more a function of how much you spend rather than how much you have.”
The CCS administers the Repayment Assistant Scheme, which was introduced in April last year to help those with large unsecured debts.
In 2015, it counselled 4,675 people, of which about 11 per cent were aged 30 and below. People aged 31 to 40 make up more than one third (about 1,800) of the total.
The CCS said this could be due to several reasons. For instance, people aged 31 to 40 may have young children and parents to look after; younger ones are less likely to have such responsibilities. Younger professionals thus are under less pressure financially and have greater freedom to spend on themselves.
Another contributing factor is the fact that one needs a minimum annual income of S$30,000 to be eligible to apply for a credit card. This means young adults who have just entered the workforce might not even qualify.
Mr Alfred Chia, the chief executive officer of financial planning company SingCapital, also noted that young professionals tend to have better financial literacy and responsibility compared to the older generation.
“The numbers are healthy and we’ve seen an increase in young working adults seeking financial planning,” he said. Over the last five years, SingCapital has seen an annual increase of 8 to 10 per cent in clients aged 30 and below.
Despite these encouraging statistics, Mr Kuo offered this note of caution for young professionals: “Be careful. How you spend your money is affected by who you mix with. This determines your lifestyle which decides whether or not you get into debt.”
It is also never too early for young professionals to start planning their finances, said Mr Chia. “It is normal for us to deviate from our plan but having one will remind us to come back to it,” he said.
For more on unsecured debt, catch Channel NewsAsia’s Spotlight segment on Sunday, Jun 26, at 10pm.
- CNA/av
- wong chee tat :)
By Chew Hui Yan Posted 25 Jun 2016 15:16 Updated 26 Jun 2016 02:22
SINGAPORE: They flash their credits cards at high-end restaurants and hang out at hip nightspots. The more adventurous among them think nothing about taking yearly vacations in the most exotic, far-flung places.
But such a lifestyle has also been identified as the main reason young professionals tend to rack up unsecured debts, Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS) said.
The organisation, which helps people clear their debts, believes a lot of this is due to peer pressure.
“If you have friends who go clubbing a lot, you might feel pressured to go with them because if you don’t, you’d start to lose your friends,” CCS president Kuo How Nam said in an interview with Channel NewsAsia.
This pressure might eventually lead to an unsustainable lifestyle, which is further glamourised on social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.
“Don’t be fooled; people might post pictures of designer bags and nice restaurants but what you don’t see is how much they owe,” Mr Kuo said.
“Once, I picked up an issue of Tatler magazine (a luxury publication targeted at high-net-worth individuals) and recognised a client. Social status is more a function of how much you spend rather than how much you have.”
The CCS administers the Repayment Assistant Scheme, which was introduced in April last year to help those with large unsecured debts.
In 2015, it counselled 4,675 people, of which about 11 per cent were aged 30 and below. People aged 31 to 40 make up more than one third (about 1,800) of the total.
The CCS said this could be due to several reasons. For instance, people aged 31 to 40 may have young children and parents to look after; younger ones are less likely to have such responsibilities. Younger professionals thus are under less pressure financially and have greater freedom to spend on themselves.
Another contributing factor is the fact that one needs a minimum annual income of S$30,000 to be eligible to apply for a credit card. This means young adults who have just entered the workforce might not even qualify.
Mr Alfred Chia, the chief executive officer of financial planning company SingCapital, also noted that young professionals tend to have better financial literacy and responsibility compared to the older generation.
“The numbers are healthy and we’ve seen an increase in young working adults seeking financial planning,” he said. Over the last five years, SingCapital has seen an annual increase of 8 to 10 per cent in clients aged 30 and below.
Despite these encouraging statistics, Mr Kuo offered this note of caution for young professionals: “Be careful. How you spend your money is affected by who you mix with. This determines your lifestyle which decides whether or not you get into debt.”
It is also never too early for young professionals to start planning their finances, said Mr Chia. “It is normal for us to deviate from our plan but having one will remind us to come back to it,” he said.
For more on unsecured debt, catch Channel NewsAsia’s Spotlight segment on Sunday, Jun 26, at 10pm.
- CNA/av
- wong chee tat :)
Police warn of new tactic used in phone scams
Police warn of new tactic used in phone scams
Posted 23 Jun 2016 17:50 Updated 23 Jun 2016 18:00
SINGAPORE: Following a spate of phone scams involving impersonators, police are now warning against a new tactic used by scammers.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday (Jun 22), police said they have been informed of cases where members of the public received phone calls from people impersonating Government officials or representatives of courier companies, who then instruct them to download certain applications on their mobile phones.
Police said these applications, when downloaded, may introduce malware into devices that could in turn allow the scammers to gain access to incoming messages. This could then lead to the theft of important information, such as banking credentials and other personal details.
Police also reminded members of the public that no Government agency would ask for payment or personal information - such as bank usernames, passwords or one-time password (OTP) codes - through a phone call.
Police have advised members of the public to be wary when receiving calls of unknown origin, and to do the following:
- Ignore such calls;
- Do not follow the caller's instructions to install applications onto their phone;
- Do not give out personal information or bank details, whether on the website or to callers over the phone;
- Call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online, if they have information related to such crimes. Dial 999 if urgent police assistance is required.
Earlier in June, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issued a warning about suspicious calls. The callers would claim to be an MOM or Government officer and would ask those on the other end of the line to transfer money to an account to resolve issues related to their stay in Singapore or work pass application.
There have also been reports of phone scammers impersonating officials overseas, or claiming to be representatives from DHL.
- CNA/dl
- wong chee tat :)
Posted 23 Jun 2016 17:50 Updated 23 Jun 2016 18:00
SINGAPORE: Following a spate of phone scams involving impersonators, police are now warning against a new tactic used by scammers.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday (Jun 22), police said they have been informed of cases where members of the public received phone calls from people impersonating Government officials or representatives of courier companies, who then instruct them to download certain applications on their mobile phones.
Police said these applications, when downloaded, may introduce malware into devices that could in turn allow the scammers to gain access to incoming messages. This could then lead to the theft of important information, such as banking credentials and other personal details.
Police also reminded members of the public that no Government agency would ask for payment or personal information - such as bank usernames, passwords or one-time password (OTP) codes - through a phone call.
Police have advised members of the public to be wary when receiving calls of unknown origin, and to do the following:
- Ignore such calls;
- Do not follow the caller's instructions to install applications onto their phone;
- Do not give out personal information or bank details, whether on the website or to callers over the phone;
- Call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online, if they have information related to such crimes. Dial 999 if urgent police assistance is required.
Earlier in June, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issued a warning about suspicious calls. The callers would claim to be an MOM or Government officer and would ask those on the other end of the line to transfer money to an account to resolve issues related to their stay in Singapore or work pass application.
There have also been reports of phone scammers impersonating officials overseas, or claiming to be representatives from DHL.
- CNA/dl
- wong chee tat :)
Singapore Airlines rules out acquisition of Virgin Australia
Singapore Airlines rules out acquisition of Virgin Australia
Posted 24 Jun 2016 11:28 Updated 24 Jun 2016 11:37
SINGAPORE: Flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) has ruled out buying a majority stake in Virgin Australia, saying its interests in the market are “best served through an independent Virgin Australia”.
The statement on Friday (Jun 24) comes after speculation that SIA was interested in acquiring Virgin Australia, following news that Air New Zealand plans to sell its 25.9 per cent stake in the Australian airline.
“SIA wishes to put on record that it has not contemplated taking a majority stake in Virgin Australia. SIA’s interests in the Australian market - as well as in Virgin Australia itself - are best served through an independent Virgin Australia,” SIA spokesperson Nicholas Ionides said.
The Singapore carrier currently has a 20.09 per cent stake in Virgin Australia, and has committed to supporting the Australian airline’s recently announced entitlement offer. This could increase SIA’s shareholding to a maximum of 25.9 per cent, should other Virgin Australia shareholders not take up their entitlements.
“SIA and Virgin Australia have an extensive commercial partnership that has gone from strength to strength over the past five years, providing many consumer benefits. SIA is confident of the long-term prospects of Virgin Australia and is committed to supporting its long-term growth,” Mr Ionides said.
- CNA/cy
- wong chee tat :)
Posted 24 Jun 2016 11:28 Updated 24 Jun 2016 11:37
SINGAPORE: Flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) has ruled out buying a majority stake in Virgin Australia, saying its interests in the market are “best served through an independent Virgin Australia”.
The statement on Friday (Jun 24) comes after speculation that SIA was interested in acquiring Virgin Australia, following news that Air New Zealand plans to sell its 25.9 per cent stake in the Australian airline.
“SIA wishes to put on record that it has not contemplated taking a majority stake in Virgin Australia. SIA’s interests in the Australian market - as well as in Virgin Australia itself - are best served through an independent Virgin Australia,” SIA spokesperson Nicholas Ionides said.
The Singapore carrier currently has a 20.09 per cent stake in Virgin Australia, and has committed to supporting the Australian airline’s recently announced entitlement offer. This could increase SIA’s shareholding to a maximum of 25.9 per cent, should other Virgin Australia shareholders not take up their entitlements.
“SIA and Virgin Australia have an extensive commercial partnership that has gone from strength to strength over the past five years, providing many consumer benefits. SIA is confident of the long-term prospects of Virgin Australia and is committed to supporting its long-term growth,” Mr Ionides said.
- CNA/cy
- wong chee tat :)
Singapore banking system remains sound following Brexit outcome: MAS
Singapore banking system remains sound following Brexit outcome: MAS
Posted 24 Jun 2016 15:44 Updated 24 Jun 2016 22:34
SINGAPORE: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Friday (Jun 24) that "Singapore’s interbank money markets continue to function in an orderly manner and its banking system remains sound", following the outcome of the UK’s referendum on EU membership.
Britain voted to leave the European Union, in a decision that sparked upheaval across Asian markets.
In response to media queries, the Singapore central bank said: "The liquidity positions of the major banks in Singapore are healthy, and overall banking system liquidity remains adequate. MAS will provide additional liquidity to the banking system if needed.
"The trade-weighted Singapore dollar remains within its policy band, notwithstanding heightened volatility in international foreign exchange markets today. MAS stands ready to curb excessive volatility in the Singapore dollar.
"We have been prepared for the market volatility. MAS had been in close contact over the past weeks with banks in Singapore, foreign central banks and regulators to take preparatory actions to ensure the resilience of our financial system and markets in the event of Brexit."
MAS added that it would continue to be vigilant and stay in close contact with fellow central banks and regulators, as uncertainty is likely to persist following the referendum outcome.
Meanwhile, deputy president and group chief investment officer of GIC Lim Chow Kiat said the Singapore sovereign wealth fund runs a "long-term and diversified portfolio" and is "prepared for a period of heightened market uncertainty".
"What's most important to us is that markets remain open," Mr Lim said.
MEDIUM- TO LONG-TERM IMPACT ON SINGAPORE "MODEST": MTI
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said while the immediate aftermath of Brexit has led to substantial uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets, it is "too early" to assess its full consequences.
"Based on analysts’ current estimates of the impact of Brexit on the UK and the Eurozone economies, MTI’s assessment is that the medium- to long-term direct impact of Brexit on the Singapore economy is likely to be modest," the spokesperson said.
The full impact of Brexit on the UK, the EU and the global economy will be heavily dependent on the UK’s subsequent trade arrangements with the EU and other markets, including Singapore, MTI said.
With Brexit, the UK is no longer covered by the existing trade agreements that the EU has, according to the trade ministry. This means it will need to negotiate new agreements with its trading partners, including Singapore.
However, the nature and precise timing of the negotiations will depend on when Brexit takes effect following the UK’s deliberations with the EU, stated the MTI spokesperson.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and assess the economic consequences of Brexit on the Singapore economy and our businesses," the spokesperson added.
SINGAPORE FIRMS IN UK COULD FACE SLOWER GROWTH: SCCCI
Responding to the Brexit vote, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) president Thomas Chua said in the immediate term, Singapore companies will face some uncertainties in terms of how Brexit will impact Asia. “Companies who are already in the UK may face the prospects of a slower growth,” he said.
Added Mr Chua: “For our SMEs who are suppliers to the UK MNCs based here, they will be affected if their UK principals become more cautious in their business plans due to a weaker British Pound. While the UK may traditionally be the first-choice hub of our companies to access the European market, they may now review UK as their preferred choice, and open to consider other options.
He noted that both Singapore and London are key financial centres in the world and with the uncertainties following Brexit, combined with the growth potential of Asia, Singapore may stand to benefit as more financial institutions may consider to set up here.
LONG-TERM IMPACT ON S'PORE 'HARD TO ASCERTAIN': SBF
Meanwhile, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) expressed concern over the outcome of the vote.
“The decision to leave the EU adds more risk to Europe’s stability and to global markets at a time when the world economy needs more stability,” SBF said in a statement. “The possibility of a weaker EU, given its importance as a trading and investment partner to Singapore, will have significant impact on our economy.”
SBF also said the long-term impact of Brexit on Singapore and the world is “hard to ascertain”, although new configurations are currently being negotiated and put together, and the ripple effects of these “will take time” to work out and “add prolonged uncertainties”.
- CNA/dt/xk
- wong chee tat :)
Posted 24 Jun 2016 15:44 Updated 24 Jun 2016 22:34
SINGAPORE: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Friday (Jun 24) that "Singapore’s interbank money markets continue to function in an orderly manner and its banking system remains sound", following the outcome of the UK’s referendum on EU membership.
Britain voted to leave the European Union, in a decision that sparked upheaval across Asian markets.
In response to media queries, the Singapore central bank said: "The liquidity positions of the major banks in Singapore are healthy, and overall banking system liquidity remains adequate. MAS will provide additional liquidity to the banking system if needed.
"The trade-weighted Singapore dollar remains within its policy band, notwithstanding heightened volatility in international foreign exchange markets today. MAS stands ready to curb excessive volatility in the Singapore dollar.
"We have been prepared for the market volatility. MAS had been in close contact over the past weeks with banks in Singapore, foreign central banks and regulators to take preparatory actions to ensure the resilience of our financial system and markets in the event of Brexit."
MAS added that it would continue to be vigilant and stay in close contact with fellow central banks and regulators, as uncertainty is likely to persist following the referendum outcome.
Meanwhile, deputy president and group chief investment officer of GIC Lim Chow Kiat said the Singapore sovereign wealth fund runs a "long-term and diversified portfolio" and is "prepared for a period of heightened market uncertainty".
"What's most important to us is that markets remain open," Mr Lim said.
MEDIUM- TO LONG-TERM IMPACT ON SINGAPORE "MODEST": MTI
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said while the immediate aftermath of Brexit has led to substantial uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets, it is "too early" to assess its full consequences.
"Based on analysts’ current estimates of the impact of Brexit on the UK and the Eurozone economies, MTI’s assessment is that the medium- to long-term direct impact of Brexit on the Singapore economy is likely to be modest," the spokesperson said.
The full impact of Brexit on the UK, the EU and the global economy will be heavily dependent on the UK’s subsequent trade arrangements with the EU and other markets, including Singapore, MTI said.
With Brexit, the UK is no longer covered by the existing trade agreements that the EU has, according to the trade ministry. This means it will need to negotiate new agreements with its trading partners, including Singapore.
However, the nature and precise timing of the negotiations will depend on when Brexit takes effect following the UK’s deliberations with the EU, stated the MTI spokesperson.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and assess the economic consequences of Brexit on the Singapore economy and our businesses," the spokesperson added.
SINGAPORE FIRMS IN UK COULD FACE SLOWER GROWTH: SCCCI
Responding to the Brexit vote, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) president Thomas Chua said in the immediate term, Singapore companies will face some uncertainties in terms of how Brexit will impact Asia. “Companies who are already in the UK may face the prospects of a slower growth,” he said.
Added Mr Chua: “For our SMEs who are suppliers to the UK MNCs based here, they will be affected if their UK principals become more cautious in their business plans due to a weaker British Pound. While the UK may traditionally be the first-choice hub of our companies to access the European market, they may now review UK as their preferred choice, and open to consider other options.
He noted that both Singapore and London are key financial centres in the world and with the uncertainties following Brexit, combined with the growth potential of Asia, Singapore may stand to benefit as more financial institutions may consider to set up here.
LONG-TERM IMPACT ON S'PORE 'HARD TO ASCERTAIN': SBF
Meanwhile, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) expressed concern over the outcome of the vote.
“The decision to leave the EU adds more risk to Europe’s stability and to global markets at a time when the world economy needs more stability,” SBF said in a statement. “The possibility of a weaker EU, given its importance as a trading and investment partner to Singapore, will have significant impact on our economy.”
SBF also said the long-term impact of Brexit on Singapore and the world is “hard to ascertain”, although new configurations are currently being negotiated and put together, and the ripple effects of these “will take time” to work out and “add prolonged uncertainties”.
- CNA/dt/xk
- wong chee tat :)
Bonds - May 2016
Bonds - May 2016
- wong chee tat :)
Announcement Date
|
Auction Date
|
Issuance Date
|
Tenor
|
New/Re-Opening
|
Issue Code/
ISIN Code |
Maturity Date
|
Wed,
20 Jan 2016 |
Wed,
27 Jan 2016 |
Mon,
01 Feb 2016 |
5-yr
|
Reopen
|
NX11100X/
SG7Y76964295 |
01
Jun 2021 |
Thu,
18 Feb 2016 |
Thu,
25 Feb 2016 |
Tue,
01 Mar 2016 |
30-yr
|
New Issue
|
NA16100H/
SG31A7000004 |
01
Mar 2046 |
Mon,
21 Mar 2016 |
Tue,
29 Mar 2016 |
Fri,
01 Apr 2016 |
2-yr
|
Reopen
|
N513100T/
SG3259987679 |
01
Apr 2018 |
Wed,
20 Apr 2016 |
Wed, 27
Apr 2016 |
Tue,
03 May 2016 |
7-yr
|
Reopen**
|
NX13100H/
SG3260987684 |
01
Jul 2023 |
Fri,
20 May 2016 |
Fri,
27 May 2016 |
Wed,
01 Jun 2016 |
10-yr
|
New Issue
|
NX16100F/
SG31A8000003 |
01
Jun 2026 |
Tue,
21 Jun 2016 |
Tue, 28
Jun 2016 |
Fri,
01 Jul 2016 |
2-yr
|
Reopen**
|
N514100H/
SG3264998216 |
01
Oct 2019 |
- wong chee tat :)
Blog Updates:
Blog Updates:
Minor updates:
- Update labels on some old posts
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
Minor updates:
- Update labels on some old posts
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
McAfee DAT version = 8208 (jun 26th 2016)
McAfee DAT version = 8208 (jun 26th 2016)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, June 26, 2016
McAfee DAT version = 8207 (jun 25th 2016)
McAfee DAT version = 8207 (jun 25th 2016)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
- wong chee tat :)
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
- wong chee tat :)
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
- wong chee tat :)
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
六字真言頌 怙主三寶
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
六字斷除六道苦難頌
嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
- wong chee tat :)
The Sutra of the Master of Healing
(Bhaisajayaguru-Vaidurya-Prabhasa Tathagata)
Translated into Chinese from Sanskrit by Reverend Hsuan Tsang
Translated into English from Chinese Version by Prof. Chow Su-Chia
Revised by Upasaka Shen Shou-Liang
Thus I have heard: While wandering through many lands to convert the beings, Bhagavan arrived at Vaisali. He dwelt under a resounding tree, and with him was a big crowd of beings, including eight thousand monks, thirty-six thousand Great Bodhisattvas, as well as kings, ministers, brahmins, lay-disciples, the eight groups of dragons, and other celestial beings, such as kimnaras and the rest. This infinite mass surrounded him with devotion. He preached to them.
Then Manjushri, son of the Dharma-king and chief disciple of the Buddha, rose from his seat. He bared one of his shoulders, bent his right knee to the ground in the direction of Bhagavan, bowed, joined the palms of his hands, and reverently said: "World-honoured! We only wish you would tell us such and such names of the Buddha, their original vows, and their boundless virtues so that the hearers may know how to keep away from all karmic hindrances by their wisdom, to the blessing and joy of all beings who live in the formal period of Buddhism."
Then the World-honoured praised the disciple Manjushri and said: "Good! Excellent! Manjushri! Out of great pity you asked me to mention the names of the Buddhas and the virtues achieved from their original vows, so as to pull out from all beings the hindrances of the karma which bind them, to the blessing and joy of those who live in the formal period of Buddhism. Now listen well and bear in mind to what I shall tell you." Manjushri said: "Very well, we are happy that such is your wish. We are glad to listen." Then the Buddha said to Manjushri: "Eastward from here, beyond Buddha-land about ten times as numerous as the sands of the Ganga, there is a world called ¡®The Pure Crystal Realm¡¯, the Paradise of Yao Shih. Its Buddha has a few titles, such as The Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, The Arhat of Perfect Knowledge, The Prefect Mind and Deed, The Well Departed Sugata, The Knower of the World, The Peerless Nobleman, The Man Who Brings The Passions of Men Under Control, The Teacher of Devas And Men, The Buddha, and Bhagavan. At the time when that World-honoured Buddha of Medicine became a Bodhisattva, he made Twelve Great Vows to grant all beings with whatever they pray."
The first vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained unexcelled complete Enlightenment, my body should be shining like a brilliant light, throwing beams on infinite, and boundless, worlds, adorned with a retinue of thirty-two forms of the Great Men and with eighty physical characteristics of the Buddha, I shall make all beings wholly equal to me.¡¯
The second vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, my body should be like a crystal in spotless purity both within and without, with splendorous radiant light, in the majesty of its virtue, sitting serenely, adorned with the aureole, brighter than the sun and the moon, I shall reveal my great power to all the beings in obscurity, in order that they may act freely according to their bent.¡¯
The third vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should grant by means of boundless wisdom, to all beings the inexhaustible things that they may need and that they may be free from any want.¡¯
The fourth vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect enlightenment, I should bring those who have gone the heterodox ways to dwell tranquilly in the way of Bodhi; and those who travel on the Vehicle of the Sramana and the Pratyekabuddha on the Vehicle of the Sramana and the Pratyekabuddha to stand firmly in the Great Vehicle of Bodhisattva.¡¯
The fifth vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should enable the innumerable beings to observe all the moral laws to mend their ways to pure living, and to obey the three cumulative commandments. Should there be any relapse, or violation, they shall again become pure once they hear of my name, then they shall not fall into evil existences.¡¯
The sixth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, those beings who are physically inferior, with imperfect senses, such as, the ugly, stupid, blind, deaf, mute, crippled, paralysed, hump-backed, leprous, lunatic, or sick in many respects, shall all of them, when they hear my name, regain their normal appearances and become intelligent. All their senses shall be perfectly restored, and they shall not suffer from diseases.'
The seventh vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, those who are tormented by diseases, who have nobody to whom they can seek for help, without a refuge, without a doctor, without medicine, without relatives, without a home; these poor and miserable beings shall all of them be free from diseases and troubles, and shall enjoy perfect health of body and mind, once my name reaches their ears. They shall have families, friends and properties a-plenty, and shall all be brought to the supreme Enlightenment of Buddha.'
The eighth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, women who are tormented by the hundred of sufferings of the female sex, who are much wearied of life and long to make bodily sacrifice, shall all of them, when they hear my name, be transformed into men instead of women, in the next re-birth, they shall get the form of manhood and shall in the end attain the supreme Enlightenment of Buddha.'
The ninth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should let all being to escape the evil nets of Mara, to be free from other non-Buddhist cults. If they should have fallen into the dense forest of false doctrines, I should assist and lead them to the noble truths, and gradually induce them to lead the life of a Bodhisattva and soon they shall attain supreme Enlightenment of Buddha.'
The tenth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should bring it to pass that all those who are recorded and condemned by the royal law to be bound and whipped, to be enchained in prisons, to be sentenced to capital punishment, too meet numerous other disasters and insult, to be afflicted with sorrow and anguish, to be troubled both in body and in mind, shall, when they hear of my name, escape evil kalpas through the awe-inspiring majesty of my blessedness and virtue.'
The eleventh vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should bring it to pass that all beings who are tormented by hunger and thirst and who, in order to obtain drink and food, if they can carefully remember my name and cherish it, then I should let them taste the flavour of the Dharma, and eventually lead a tranquil and happy life.'
The twelfth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, all beings who are poor and naked, tormented day and night by mosquitoes and wasps, by cold and heat, when they hear my name and carefully remember and cherish it, shall receive the wonderful garments of all kinds, as well as valuable ornaments, chaplets of fragrant flower; and various kinds of instrumental music shall resound. Whatever they dream of, they shall have in abundance.'
"Manjushri, these are the twelve wonderful sublime vows made by the World's Most Venerable Buddha, of Medicine when he was a Bodhisattva."
"Now Manjushri! when the Buddha Medicine as a Bodhisattva, made his vows the stern virtues of them have reached the Buddhaland; if I should speak kalpa after kalpa about these virtues I could not mention all of them. Verily, this Buddhaland is eternally pure, it has no women, nor has it any evil influences, and no screams of pain are heard there. The ground is of lapis lazuli, golden cords set bounds to the ways of this land, the walls, towers, castles, halls, verandas, and bird nets are made of seven precious things. In all aspects it is equal to the Western Paradise. There is no difference between the two. There are two Great Bodhisattvas in this country: the name of one is Radiance of the Sun; that of the other, Radiance of the Moon. They are the chiefs of a host of Bodhisattvas. They represent the Buddha. They guard the treasury of the right doctrine of the Buddha of Medicine. Therefore, Manjushri, all good men and women who have confidence in faith should wish to be born in the world of Buddha."
Then the Buddha spoke further on to the disciple Manjushri and said: "Manjushri, there are those who do not distinguish good from evil. They indulge incessantly in greed and avarice. They do not know what alms-giving is, and what the effect of such a deed will be. They are idiots. They have no faith. They accumulate riches, and guard them carefully. When they see a beggar, they are not glad in heart. When they have to bestow a charity, it is like cutting a piece of flesh from the body. A deep and painful regret ensues. There are other innumerable greedy and stingy beings who gather money but do not use it even for themselves, so how could you expect them to give it to their parents, wives, children, servants, or beggar? These beings, after their death, shall be reborn as hungry ghost or as animals. Now, it may happen that, as men in a former incarnation, they had by chance heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine. Now, it may happen that, as men in a former incarnation, they had by chance heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine. Now in the evil incarnation the name of that Tathagata accidentally recurs to their mind. Then when they remember him, they suddenly disappear and again be transformed into men. There they remember their former life, they are afraid of the sufferings of the bad incarnation. They do not rejoice at worldly pleasures. They gladly practice charity, and they praise the giver. They are no longer greedy and do not regret the alms given by themselves. Yes, in time they are able to bestow upon the one who asks them even for their head, eye, hand, foot, blood, flesh, and other parts of their body, to say nothing of their money and property!"
"Furthermore, Manjushri, there are beings who, though having learned everything point and point from the Tathagata, trespass against the Commandments. There are others who, though not trespassing against the Commandments, trespass against the minor rules. Others who, though neither trespassing against the Commandments nor against the minor rules, have not got the right views. Still Others who, though having the proper ideas, neglect to learn, and thus they are unable to understand the deep meaning of the Sutras taught by the Buddha. Others are studious but proud. Because their hearts are be-clouded with pride, so they think highly of themselves and think little of others. They criticise the correct doctrine of the Buddha and become the companions of Mara. These fools are not only themselves erring, but they also dig pitfalls for millions of others. They then do evil and are incessantly reborn into hells, as animals or as hungry ghosts."
"It may occur that they then heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine, they may turn from their wickedness, they may follow the right teaching, and they do not fall into evil destinies any more. But if there should be any among them who are unable to turn from wickedness, who do not follow the right teaching, and who fall into evil destinies as a consequence, then, they still have the chance to become men in the next re-birth in case that, through the magic power of the vows of this Tathagata, they are able to hear his name chanted just for a moment. If they take heart to follow the right doctrine and curb their lust, they will be enabled to leave their homes and to become monks. They cling implicitly to the teaching of the Tathagata, swerve no more from it, and from the right principles and learn more, then they will understand the profound meanings. Far from being haughty, they do not criticise the right teaching, do not become companions of Mara. Gradually they will enter the way of Bodhisattvas and will soon attain perfect enlightenment."
"Furthermore, Manjushri, there are beings who are avaricious and envious. They praise themselves and depreciate others. For this reason, they fall into the three evil destinies. During innumerable millenniums they suffer misery, after their death they will be reborn among men but as oxen, horses, camels or donkeys. They will be tormented constantly by whip, by hunger, and by thirst; they must carry heavy loads on their backs and walk long ways. Even if they were reborn as human beings, they will be reborn in a poor hut, and when they grow up they will become man-servants and maid-servants. They will be ordered around by other people and will never be their own bosses. When such beings, in a former incarnation, heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine, they will now be save by Him. If they remember him and whole-heartedly have recourse to the Buddha, all their sufferings will be removed through His majestic power. Their senses will be sharpened. They will become wise and they would like to listen and become learned. They will strive solely for the sublime teaching; they will hold social intercourse with friends who will lead them to the good deeds. They will cut all nets of Mara. They will pierce the veil of ignorance. They will let the stream of suffering flow off and be released from pains of birth, old age, sickness, death, and all the worries and miseries."
"Still, Manjushri, there are beings who like to do that which is repugnant to others, who like to quarrel and cause displeasure both to themselves and to others. By deeds, words and thoughts, they create all sorts of bad karma. They constantly do harm to each other, they hatch plans to injure one another. They pray to the spirits of the mountains, trees and tombs. They kill living things, take their bleeding flesh, and offer it to the Yaksas and Rakshasas. They write down the name of their enemy, make a picture of him, and, by the use of sorcery, they curse over it. They use black magic and poison. They conjure up a ghost from corpse. This puts an end to the life of the enemy and destroys his body."
"When, by chance, these beings hear of the name of the Buddhas of Medicine, then all these evil things will lose power to harm them. They learn to have compassion on each other. They wish to be of service, they wish to make each other happy. They renounce malice and the impulse to create suffering. Everyone rejoices. Being contented with the property he owns, he does not covet that of others. They are helpful to each other."
"Furthermore, Manjushri, there are four groups in our community: the monk, the nuns, the male devotees, and the female devotees. There are other pious men and women, who believe and observe the first eight of the Ten Commandments. They observe all points from three months to a year. Because of this good seed they have planted, they expect to be reborn in the Western Paradise where the Buddha Amitayus dwells. But, though they hear the correct doctrine of the Buddha, they can not discern and put enough trust in it. When they hear the name of the Buddha of Medicine at the time of their death, then there will be eight Bodhisattvas who, with magic powers, will traverse the intervening space to come to show them their ways, and amidst the colourful flowers of that world, they will be born there by transformation."
"Sometimes they are also born in the Heaven. Though they are born in Heaven, the original good roots are still there, they will not fall into evil destinies again. When their life in Heaven is ended, they will again become men. Or they may become supreme rulers, governing the four inhabited continents of the Universe, and rule in independent majesty."
"Innumerable beings are established in the excellent Karma resulting from the practice of the Ten Commandments. Some are born as Kshatriyas or as Brahmins, some as lay-disciples, some born in a large family. They abound in riches, with their treasuries and granaries overflowing. Their appearance are awe-inspiring. They have enough relatives and kinsmen, they are clever and they gain in wisdom. They are as strong and brave as the most powerful. If it is a woman who heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine, and if she whole-heartedly cherishes it, she shall never again become a woman in the next re-birth."
"Then, Manjushri, when the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, had attained perfect Enlightenment, to become the Buddha of Medicine, he saw by virtue of his vows, that the beings were suffering from all sorts of diseases, such as tuberculosis, bilious fever, or that they were affected by a spell or by poison, or that some were by their nature short-lived, or that some have died a violent death. He wish to fulfil all their desires by putting an end to all these diseases and miseries. Therefore the World's Most Venerable entered into a Samadhi called the Removal of Suffering for All Beings. While He was in this contemplation a great radiance of light of light was sent forth from his Ushnisa, and he pronounced the great Dharani as follows:
"NAMO BHAGAVATE BHAISAJAYA-GURU-VAIDURYA-PRABHA-RAJAYA
TATHAGATAYA ARHATE SAMYAKSAMBUDDHAYA TADYATHA OM
BHAISAJYE BHAISAJYE BHAISAJYA SAMUDGATE SVAHA"
When He, in his radiance, had spoken this mystical formula, the earth was shaken and emitted a great light. All beings were delivered from their diseases and miseries, they are now happy because their bodies and minds are at rest.
"Manjushri, if you see a pious man or woman who suffers from a disease, you shall do the following whole-heartedly for those sick people: let them keep clean by taking frequently baths and rinse their mouths, give them food, medicine and clean water, and recite the Dharani for a hundred and eight times, then all diseases will disappear entirely. When one of them has a particular wish, he shall concentrate and recite the magic formula. Then he will fulfil all he wishes, he will be without disease, and will live longer. After his death, he will born in paradise without having to return to this world, and will in the end attain perfect Enlightenment. Therefore, Manjushri, if there is a pious man or woman who very seriously prays to the Buddha of Medicine and, he or she must always keep in mind this magic formula and never forget it."
"Still more, Manjushri, there may be a pious man or woman who hears the name of the Buddha of Medicine and repeats it and fosters it, he chews the Dantakastha (a stick for cleaning the teeth) in the morning, takes bath and rinses his mouth, until he is quite clean. He then prays with incense and flowers, he burns the incense and rubs the body with perfume, sings the Sutra and proffers offerings before the image of the Buddha. He copies the Sutra or has it copied, learns it by heart, has it explained to him. He makes offerings to his Buddhist teacher and gives alms generously and not let him be in want of anything. Then all the Buddhas will protect him and keep him in mind. His prayers will be granted, he will eventually attain perfect Enlightenment."
Then the disciple Manjushri saluted the Buddha and said: "World honoured, I swear that I will pray Buddha-truth, I shall cause, by many means, all male and female devotees to hear the names of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, I shall shout the names of the Buddha into their ears even in their sleep. World honoured, when someone learns this Sutra by heart and reads, proclaims and expounds it to other people, copies it himself, or has it copied, makes offerings reverently and seriously with various fragrant flowers, perfumed unguents, sandal-powder and burning incense, with garlands, strings of pearls, flags and music; he also makes bags of five-coloured silk and puts Sutra into them, sweeps clean a place, displays the bags the bags on a high table that they may lie there in readiness, then the four great Kings of Heaven with their retinue and the other innumerable hundreds and thousands of celestial hosts will come to make offerings and to protect the Sutra. World-honoured, where the treasures of this Sutra flow out and can be received through the blessing of the Vow of this World honoured Buddha of Medicine, and his name can be heard, then they will know that no violent death will ever occur at that place, and nobody¡¯s spirit will ever be seized by evil demons and evil spirits. And if it has already been wrested from him, he can still restore it as he was before, he will have peace both in Body and mind."
Then the Buddha said to Manjushri: "So it is, so it is! It is exactly as you say, Manjushri, if a devout man or woman who wishes to make an offering to this world honoured Buddha of Medicine, he or she must first make an image of this Buddha, prepare a clean place to erect it, strew various flowers, burn all sorts of incense, adorn the place with curtains and flags, for seven days and seven nights, keep the eight prohibitory commands, eat clean food, take baths so that one may have a clean odour, put on clean clothes, free the mind from dirty, angry and malicious thoughts, wish to be of service to others, and try to bring happiness to everybody. One should be full of compassion, glad to give alms, and sympathetic to every one. Thus cleansed, he should go around the Buddha image to the right, and sing the hymns with drum music. Moreover, he must remember the blessing of the Vows of Tathagata, read aloud this Sutra, meditate upon its meaning, recite and explain it. What he wishes for will all be fulfilled. If he wishes for wealth, he will become rich. If he wishes to become an official, he will become an official. if he wishes to have a son or a daughter, he will get a son or a daughter. When he has a bad dream, sees evil omens, sees strange birds flocking together, or has his room filled with strange apparitions, if this man, will all the sacred implements worships and make offerings, then the World honoured Buddha of Medicine will bring it to pass that the bad dreams and the bad omens which prophecy ill luck will vanish completely and will do him no harm. He will be protected from the dangers of water, fire, sword, poison, elephants, lions, tigers, wolves, bears, snakes, scorpions, millipedes, mosquitoes, gnats and other frightful and unpleasant things if he whole-heartedly remembers the Buddha, worships Him , then all troubles will vanish."
Furthermore, Manjushri, in case there is a pious man or woman who does not care for other gods during his or her whole life and whose only thought is to become a Buddhist disciple, and who observes either five or ten of the Commandments, or the four hundred commandments of the Bodhisattva, the two hundred and fifty of the monk, or the five hundred of the nun, and who fears he may relapse into sin and fall into evil destinies; if he or she can only recite the name of the Buddha, worships Him and makes offerings to Him, he and she will certainly not suffer from the three paths of transmigration - the hells, hungry ghost and animals."
"A woman may suffer from great pain while giving birth. If she can whole-heartedly worship the Buddha of Medicine and to invoke the name Tathagata, worship Him and make offerings to Him, all pain will vanish, the newly born baby will have a sound and healthy body; whoever sees him will rejoice at his being so clever, so strong and healthy; and no demon comes to rob him of his vitality."
Then the Buddha spoke to Ananda: "If I praise the virtues of the Buddha of Medicine and let you know that the actions of the Buddha have an occult meaning that it is difficult to understand. Can you believe me?"
Ananda said: "Virtuous World honoured One, I have no doubt in my belief about the Sutras of Tathagata. My reason for this belief is that the karma of Tathagatas, formed through deeds, words and thoughts, is perfectly pure. World-honoured, the disc of this sun and moon may be torn down, the inconceivable high Sumeru mountain may be shaken, but the words of the Buddhas will never change. World-honoured, the beings whose faith is as yet insufficient may question the occult meaning of the Buddha¡¯s acts. They think: How is it possible that, by only remembering the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, we can reap so many blessings? Then they do not believe, nay, they challenge. Such people forfeit their blessing and joy over one long night, they fall into evil existences and drift eternally in the stream of miserable life."
Then Buddha told Ananda: "When all these beings hear the name of the World-honoured Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata and cherish it whole-heartedly, and have no more doubts, then it is impossible for them to fall into evil destinies again. Those who have fallen into evil destinies, they have done no good deeds. Ananda, this is the occult meaning of the acts of the Tathagatas; it is hard to believe! You can conceive of it now, and so you know that all that I have told you has its root in the power of the Tathagatas. Ananda, all Shramanas and Pratyekabuddhas, and the Bodhisattvas who have not yet reached the ten stages, are unable to believe the full truth and to expound it, only the Bodhisattva who has only one life that binds him can do it. Ananda, it is difficult to get a human body. It is also difficult to have faith in the Triple Gems, to believe and to revere them. But it is still more difficult to hear the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata. Ananda, the Bodhisattva deeds of the Buddha of Medicine, his skilful means to convert the beings, and his far reaching vows are innumerable. If I should expound them in great detail, I could speak kalpa after kalpa and even longer, the kalpas would soon be exhausted, but the deeds, the vows, and the skilful means of the Buddha would not be exhausted."
There was, at that time, a great Bodhisattva in the community. His name was Seeker of Salvation. He stood up from his seat, bared his right shoulder, touched the earth with his right knee, bowed with the palms of his hands joined together, and said to the Buddha: "Virtuous World honoured, in the decline of the formal period there shall be beings who are exhausted by many misfortunes, they are thin in consequence of long illness. Such a being can neither eat nor drink, his lips and throat are dry. Everything he sees is dark. The signs of death are presently manifest. His parents, family, relatives and friends stand around him weeping. His body lies on the bed, he sees the messengers of Yama leading his spirit to the judge. Verily, all beings have a spirit which originates with them. Everything they have done, be it good or bad, was in the record. Everything was kept with judge Yama. Just at that time, this judge questions the man. He sums up his deeds. He assigns him his place according to the proportion of his good and bad deeds. If at that time the relatives and friends of this sick man could make him believe in the Buddha of Medicine and ask the monks to recite this Sutra, light a seven-layer lantern, hang up either consciousness may returns after seven, twenty-one, thirty-five, or forty-nine days. At that time when he returns consciousness, he feels like awakened from a dream, he remembers the award he has received for his good or bad deeds. For he has himself been a witness of the reward of his deeds."
"He remembers this throughout his life¡¯s hardships, he no longer commits any evil deed. Therefore men and women who are firm in their faith cherish the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, worship Him and make offerings to Him with what they can."
At that time, Ananda asked the Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation: "Pious man, how shall we worship the Buddha of Medicine and make offerings to Him? What are the significances of the banners and the lanterns?"
The Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation said: "Virtuous One, for the sick people whom one wishes to free from their sufferings, it is necessary to keep the eight prohibitory commands during seven days and nights, and to make offerings of food and drink and other things, according to one¡¯s capability, to the congregation of monks; to perform worship according to the ritual, for six times day and night and have offerings made to the Buddha of Medicine; to recite this Sutra forty-nine times, to light up forty-nine lamps, to have seven image of the Tathagata made, to have seven lamps put infront of each image, the flame of each lamp may illuminate a cartwheel. For forty-nine days these lamps must be kept burning unceasingly. Hang up five-coloured banners, forty-nine spans long, and set free various kinds of animals to the number of forty-nine. In this way, the sick people are made to overcome the danger of being violently killed by evil spirits."
"Furthermore, Ananda, in case of a Kshatriya or an Abhisecana or King at a time when calamity arises, such as pestilence among the population, invasion by foreign countries, revolution in his own country, ominous displacement in a constellation, eclipse or the sun or the moon, wind and rain out season or drought through no rain, this Kshatriya or Abhisecana King must then have pity on all beings, set all captives free, perform the above mentioned ceremonies of offering, and make offerings to the Virtuous Buddha of Medicine. As a consequence of these good deeds and the power of original vow of Tathagata, he will bring about the result that his country will be delivered, that wind and rain will come in good time, and will let the crops ripe, that the people will be happy without sickness, that no cruel Yaksha in his country will torment the people, and that all evil omens will at once disappear. And the Kshatriya¡¯s or Abhisecana King¡¯s life, material appearance, vitality, and sickless independence will all be benefited. Ananda, if the Queen, the wives of the princes, the crown-prince, the princes, the ministers, the court councillors, the ladies of the palace, the provincial officials or the common people suffering from diseases, or if another calamity occurs, he shall also hang up five-coloured banners for warding off all the evil spirits, light lamps and keep them burning, set animals free, strew many coloured flowers, burn precious incense, then the diseases will be cured and all afflictions will vanish."
Then Ananda asked the Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation: "Pious man, how can a life that has come to an end be prolonged?"
The Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation said: "Virtuous One, did you hear that the Tathagatas say that there are nine kinds of violent deaths? Therefore, I exhort you to hang up the life prolonging banner, to light up the lamps, and to perform the pious deeds. By performing the pious deeds, one¡¯s life come to a natural end without suffering from any painful experience."
Ananda asked: "what are the nine kinds of violent deaths?"
The Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation said: "The nine violent deaths are;
(1) There are beings who become sick. Though the sickness is not serious but there is neither medicine nor a doctor for the treatment. In case they take the wrong medicine, they may meet violent death which can very well be avoided. Some trust in Maras and Heretics, or masters of magical and bewitching powers. From a frivolous prediction of good or bad luck, fear and uneasiness arises. Those people whose own heart cannot clearly discern, question fortune-tellers whether misfortunes awaits them. Some kill living beings for a sacrifice in order to propitiate the spirits. Some call out to the evil spirits and ask for protection, they wish to prolong their lives, but all to no avail. They are ignorant of the right way. They believe in heterodox views, not recognising the doctrine of moral karma. This leads in the end to a violent death. They enter into hell and can never get out of it. This is the first violent death.
(2) Some are violently executed by order of the law.
(3) Some hunt for pleasure, lead and unrestrained life with women and wine, and dissipated without halt and limit. Then the fiends come and violently snatch their spiritual vigour.
(4) Some come to a violent end by being burnt by fire.
(5) Some come to a violent end by being drowned.
(6) Some come to a violent end by being devoured by wild beasts.
(7) Some come to a violent end by falling from a steep cliff.
(8) Some come to a violent end by being destroyed by poison, by image spell Vetala, by spoken-spell Dharani, or by demonical influence to resurrect a corpse and cause it kill another person.
(9) Some suffer hunger and thirst, do not get anything to eat or drink and thus die an untimely death.
"These are what Tathagata briefly named as the nine kinds of violent deaths. Besides, there are innumerable other kinds which cannot all be told here."
"In addition, Ananda, the judge Yama keeps a complete list, with the deeds of each inhabitant on earth recorded, if any of the beings are not filial and commit the five mortal sins, revile the Triple Gems, infringe the laws of the country, and violate the natural moral laws, then the judge Yama examines, whether their sins were grave or light, and punishes them accordingly."
"Therefore I now ask all beings to light up the lamps and hang up the banners, to set free the animals, and to do good deeds, so that misery and grief can be overcome and the life¡¯ hardships can be avoided." At that time, there were twelve Yaksha spiritual generals in the assembly, viz:
General Kumbhira,
General Vajra,
General Mihira,
General Andira,
General Majira,
General Shandira,
General Indra,
General Pajra,
General Makura,
General Sindura,
General Catura,
General Vikarala.
These twelve Yaksha Generals, each having seven thousand Yakshas in his retinue, raised their voices, simultaneously and saluted the Buddha by saying: "World¡¯s Most Venerable, we have experienced today the wondrous power of the Buddha by permitting us to hear the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, we have no further fear of the evil destinies. All of us are of one mind, that is as long as this form lasts, we shall have recourse to Buddhist Trinity. We swear to bear the responsibility to let all beings be benefited by the path of truth and to let them be abound with happiness. Wherever it may be - in villages, cities, capitals, or even in unfrequented forests, when any one preaches this Sutra and cherishes the names of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, worships Him and makes Him offerings, we and our retinues shall guard and protect him, deliver him completely from all distress, fulfil all his wishes. When he falls ill and calls for help, he should also read this Sutra, take a five-coloured skein and tie it into knots, forming the letters of our names, and untie the knots when his wishes are fulfilled."
At that time, the World¡¯s Most Venerable praised the Yaksha Generals and said: "Excellent, excellent, Great Yaksha Generals! If you want to return the favour of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, you must always be of service to all beings and make them happy."
Then Ananda saluted the Buddha and said: "World¡¯s Most Venerable! What is this revelation called? By what name shall we cherish it?"
Then Buddha said to Ananda: "This revelation is called: ¡®The Blessing of the Original Vow of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata¡¯. It is also called: ¡®The scared formula¡¯ which tells how the twelve Yaksha spiritual generals vowed to be useful to all beings. A third name is called ¡®The Removal of All Karmic Hindrances¡¯. So you shall bear in mind."
When Bhagavan was preaching these words, all the Great Bodhisattvas and the Great Sramanas, the kings and the great ministers, the Brahmins, the Upasakas the gods, the dragons, the Yaksas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, human and non-human beings, all others in the assembly heard the words of the Buddha. All of them greatly rejoiced, accepted the belief and promised to keep it faithfully.
- wong chee tat :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)