Thekchen Choling

  Generosity - a noun that refers to the quality of being kind and giving more of something than is necessary or expected. It’s about giving without expecting something in return and receiving help with an open heart. But generosity doesn’t come naturally or easily to many of us because we’re wired to feel that we’ll be left with nothing to enjoy when we give away our precious things. Interestingly, the Buddhist practice of generosity, or dana, counteracts the feelings of emptiness. In fact, when we do good things for others, it liberates and brings us great joy and satisfaction. Dana, or generosity, is regarded as one of the “six perfections” or “six paramitas” one strives to develop and practice on their spiritual path to enlightenment. There are virtues or strengths that allow us to improve ourselves and help others effectively. The six perfections are: generosity ethical self-discipline patience diligence meditative concentration wisdom Among the six, generosity is the foundati...

  Parents serve as the first teachers, imparting essential values, morals, and social skills that form the bedrock of a child's character. The emotional support and guidance parents offer create a secure and nurturing environment, fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth in their children. Important life skills, such as resilience, when developed young can enable children to better handle the challenges of the future. Instilling a sense of spirituality and mindfulness is paramount to building self-awareness and resilience. While it can feel like an uphill task, and the Dharma, rooted in ancient wisdom, offers profound teachings that can serve as a guide for children. As parents, cultivating an environment that introduces practices and beliefs has to involve a delicate blend of intention, creativity, and patience. Lead by example  Children are keen observers. Often, the most impactful lessons come from actions rather than words. Demonstrating the principles of the Dharma t...

  In a world inundated with individual pursuits, the gentle whispers of compassion find a profound echo in volunteerism – an embodiment of selfless giving and service, weaving seamlessly into the tapestry of what it means to live meaningfully. Volunteerism can be understood as a process of fostering personal growth and weaving threads of kindness through communities. In fact, volunteers find themselves equal recipients in the act of giving and caring. Compassion: More Than a Virtue, a Way of Life Compassion isn't a distant virtue but a relatable call to action, a reminder that kindness isn't a grand gesture but a series of small, heartfelt acts that alleviate the suffering of those around us. Consider a volunteer at a community kitchen. Compassion isn't a theoretical concept, but the warm smile they share as they serve a plate of food. Their actions are guided by a genuine concern for the well-being of others. The engagement goes beyond mere charity to foster a sense of emp...

  As the dazzling lanterns light up the landscape and the vibrant energy of Lunar New Year sweeps in, it's not just about lively parades and sumptuous feasts. Every beginning is an opportunity to embark on a new chapter with a profound sense of purpose and hope. Infusing Dharma into your celebrations can provide you opportunities to cultivate merit and wisdom, making your Chinese New Year celebrations more fulfilling and meaningful. Here are some aspects you can consider when approaching the new year: Cleaning as a Form of Purification Before Chinese New Year, people spring clean their homes and offices to sweep away past negativities and to usher in auspicious new conditions for the new year. Our homes and living spaces are also a mandala for us to take care of. Buddha has taught that “cleaning our places of practice creates the cause for a clear mind in oneself”. Hence, cleaning these places are a great way of purification, to have a clear mind, and to accumulate merits. Illumina...

  Valentine’s Day – a day dedicated to celebrating love, when the sweet scent of romance fills the air... From candlelit dinners to bouquets of red roses, it inspires us to express our love to the ones we love or hope to win the hearts of. Then comes the question: ‘How do we express our love?’ The irony of Valentine’s Day is that it may cause misery for some because of how we expect love to be expressed. It is human nature to want love and to be loved, and so when we give love, we naturally expect love in return. We often attach conditions to love because the patterns, rules and beliefs of our environment, relationships, society, and ego have trained us so. Take for example, the relationship between a married couple where the wife expects the husband to meet certain materialistic standards to maintain their affection and approval. The wife may expect the husband to earn a high level of income so that they may achieve a certain social status and live a high life. If the husband fall...

  In this modern society where most of us are chasing after a wealthy life, a profound opportunity lies before us: we can turn our financial success into something more meaningful and enduring—Dharma. Practising Dharma is about applying compassion, wisdom and skilful means in our daily lives. This offers us a path to turn money into a force for positive change. Being aware of our relationship with money can be the start of a meaningful and purposeful life.   Money as positive energy According to Peter Kedge, “money is energy” and you work with it “just as you would work with positive energy in your day-to-day life”. It is important to utilise every opportunity that one has to enhance, maximise, protect, and to multiply this positive energy. In Buddhism, money is seen as a manifestation of positive karma. The cause for financial abundance is born through giving, and the results are harvested through cooperative conditions of offering service. By using skills of gathering, ...

  "Letting go is fearless. Then, moving on and being alright, that’s fearless too.”  - Taylor Swift It's human nature to attach ourselves to people, things, ideas, and circumstances that give us security and comfort. But what if we cannot let go of these attachments? We begin to experience suffering. Attachment, or upādāna in Buddhism, refers to grasping or clinging to people, things, ideas, or circumstances with the hope of finding lasting happiness and fulfilment. It often involves dependency and the creation of expectations. And when these attachments are disrupted or taken away, they can lead to suffering in the form of disappointment, frustration, or pain. Let's look at these scenarios: Scenario 1: You’ve recently experienced a breakup and are struggling to let go of your feelings for your ex-partner. You constantly check your ex's social media profiles, reminisce about the relationship, or refuse to accept it's over. You still hold onto the hope that your ex ...

  Every year, around early April, the roads leading to Buddhist temples, Chinese cemeteries and columbaria in Singapore bustle with life. Along the roads, crowds can be seen trudging their way towards the majestic temple and columbarium carrying bags of paper offerings, fresh flowers, and joss sticks, rain, or sunshine. When you notice these signs, that is when you know the Qing Ming Festival has arrived and is in full swing. This annual event as commemorated by Chinese Singaporeans around the island is a spectacle for the ordinary passer-by – a show of filial piety dedication that never fails to captivate those witnessing it.  Understanding Qing Ming in Singapore Qing Ming, also called the Tomb Sweeping Festival, is a day that the Chinese faithfully remember and honour their ancestors and deceased loved ones. Steeped in Chinese culture, it fosters a strong bond between the living and their ancestors. It takes place in early April, 106 days after the winter solstice in Decembe...