Search Buddhist Channel
Moment of Zen: Advice on life from a Buddhist monk
By Karen Sorensen, GateHouse News Service, Oct 8, 2009
Brockton, MA (USA) -- Serenity may be closer than you think, but it takes a little discipline. A Buddhist monk offers suggestions on small ways you can change your life and find peace.
1. Focus on the "now," says Samu Kim Sunin, founder of the Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom, which has temples in Chicago, New York, Toronto, Mexico City and Ann Arbor, Mich.
Meditation is key, he says. Sit in silence, repeat a short phrase in your head, concentrate on breathing and think of yourself as part of nature.
"What happens (when you're done) is you are a calm, clear, genuine and authentic person, and other people benefit from that," Kim says.
2. Pause before you act. People are too prone to respond impulsively, Kim says, and end up reacting in ways that are angry, sarcastic or judgmental rather than patient, thoughtful and compassionate. As difficult as it might feel at the time, stop for a moment and think about your response.
"If you do that, you will gain perspective and you won't fall victim to ignorance," Kim says. You will be calmer, and you won't cause stress for someone else.
This need not be a huge commitment, but find small ways to "do your best," Kim says.
“The world is an interrelated whole, and we have a collective responsibility to help because we are helping ourselves."
4. Reduce consumption, eat in moderation, be aware of what you use -- and why.
"Consuming mindfully is a small but important step in the right direction," Kim says. "Of course it's challenging, but it's very meaningful."
Some Buddhists are vegetarian on the 16th day of every month "as a way to remember the sacrifices of living beings that sustain our life," according to the North American Shin Buddhist Association. Others attempt to eat only foods that are in season.
5. Be content with what you have. Far too much of what people are worried about is tied to the future or stems from the past, Kim says.
If you want to find peace of mind, he says, count your blessings and enjoy the "now" rather than being dissatisfied and striving for something else. That "something else" -- a job promotion, a larger house, the latest gadget, a new spouse -- is unlikely to make you happy, he says.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv