Three Stages of Life

丰子恺通过对弘一法师的回忆与思考，总结出人生的真谛——即“人生三层楼”。他说：

 “人的生活，可以分作三层：一是物质生活，二是精神生活，三是灵魂生活。物质生活就是衣食，精神生活就是学术文艺，灵魂生活就是宗教。‘人生’就是这样的一个三层楼。懒得（或无力）走楼梯的，就住第一层，即把物质生活弄得很好，锦衣玉食，尊荣富贵，慈父孝子，这样的就满足了。这也是一种人生观。抱这样的人生观的人，在世间占大多数。其次，高兴（或有力）走楼梯的，就爬上二层楼去玩玩，或者久居在里头，这就是专心学术文艺的人。他们把全力贡献于学问的研究，把全心寄托于文艺的创作欣赏。这样的人，在世界也很多，即所谓的‘知识分子’、‘学者’、‘艺术家’。还有一种人‘人生欲’很强、脚力很大，对二层楼还不满足，就再走楼梯，爬上三层楼去，这就是宗教徒了。他们做人很认真，满足了‘物质欲’、‘精神欲’还不够，必须探求人生的究竟……世界就不过这三种人。

The 3 stages of life defined by FengZiKai :

Materialistic Satisfaction

Artistic Cultivation

Spiritual Search

A visit to Singapore Asian Civilisation Museum

Just dropped in to the museum after a late lunch catch up with friends.
Well, most of my friends are unlikely to join me on museum walk .... So, I am on my own.

ACM is a place with great ambient that makes me feel relax; though the exhibits are of smaller scale, but the content is good .. In late afternoon, the museum is pretty quiet, just a handful of visitors even though the admission is free.

I enjoy visiting museum with no background studies. Once I found something interesting, I will then follow up with a study.  

What I learnt from this visit is Palembang Lacquerware; though they are not intricate, they are sure a remembrance of the past where the Chinese live harmoniously with the Locals in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Saw a piece of Palembang lacquerware offered in Ebay, and am very tempted to acquire it ... Again, I am always open to Temptation of Possession.

Sutra Copying

Om ah Hum, 一切如来心全身舍利宝箧印陀罗尼经Casket Seal Dharani Mantra
*Hand written back in 1871 ( Meiji 4th year )

Sutra copying, a form of meditation... Conveyance of Faith 

The Beauty of Nature - Captured in Print

Open your eyes and mind .. Observe the nature .. Beauty .. even capture in print ... can never be everlasting ... Life is impermanent .. So as Beauty 

World Weary and Faith - 信仰

Merriam-Webster defines world weary as : feeling or showing fatigue from or boredom with the life of the world and especially material pleasures. German author Jean Paul coined the term : Weltschmerz ( meaning world-pain or world weariness ) to denote the kind of feeling experienced by someone who understands that physical reality can never satisfy the demands of the mind. 
Ajahn Chah in his “Clarity of Insight” mentioned : The sense of world-weariness that grows with insight, however, leads to detachment, turning away and aloofness that comes naturally from investigating and seeing the truth of the way things are.It is free from attachment to a sense of self that attempts to control and force things to go according to its desires. Rather, you let go with an acceptance of the way things are.....  The three fetters of personality view, doubt and blind attachment to rules and practices that are normally present underlying the way you view the world can't delude you or cause you to make any serious mistakes in practice. This is the very beginning of the path, the first clear insight into ultimate truth, and paves the way for further insight.

It is alright to feel world weary with a conscious mind as the understanding of how this world is evolving is truly wearily. 

Have faith in your believe to seek the understanding, and accepting the world as it is . 

I have a thought

And I would like to share :

知道，明白，明了，了解， 理解，清楚 都是语言的描述。
人过度依赖语言的表达或叙述，将失去对事物的真正认识， 将远离真理。

真正的明白，在于内心的领悟，只可意会不可言传。

佛曰：不可说。

悟在于心。心知而真明。
心生念，念生欲。
心生万象，万象可止于心。

开心则明理。
请开心。cheers!

修身不如修心
修心需断念

Understanding is the source of Happiness

Sure you understand?

Understand starts with knowing,
Then realizing
Follow by contemplating

You know it is a book
You realize who is the author and publisher
You contemplate what the book is all about, what is the message that the author want to convey.

You know someone care
You realize how much someone care
You contemplate why someone care and the purpose behind the caring

That is true understanding

Understanding need you to be aware, be mindful and Intuitive.

What is happiness?
Joy, thrill, excitement, contentment, satisfaction, comfort …….

Thrill and excitement is short term and periodic
Luxurious comfort can be taken away
Contentment and satisfaction lies in your mind set.

Happiness is an inner state of mind. It is ever lasting, nothing can take it away from you.
It is beyond word and any description.

You feel joyous when you receive a present
You feel excited when you found the present is something that you want.
You feel happy when you truly understand the purpose of giving :
It is because someone care about you.
You feel happy when you receive it with gratitude.

You feel bad for “not able” to own a car
Will you be happy if you “have” a car when it comes free of charge?
You to pay for taxes and services; finding parking space…
You may need to work harder to earn more money in order to keep it.
When you truly understand whether you deserve to own the car, there is no reason to feel bad.

You are sad as you do not receive the love that you want.
But do you understand how the others feel and share your feeling with others?
When you are compassionate, be able to understand other people feelings;
When you start to share, the love may dawn on you.
Sharing reciprocates Receiving.

True Understand leads to Happiness, the feeling is lasting and will not cease by time.

So, Are you happy?

Do teach yourself to be Happy by learn how to :

Be Aware . Be Mindful . Be Grateful. Be Compassion.
Be Truly Understanding.