Handful of Leaves | Mindfulness & Buddhism in Everyday Life

What do taxes, death and kamma have in common? 🤔 You can't escape them!! Join us in this inspiring episode with Uncle Vijaya who shares candidly about his learnings as a practitioner for 84 years and how the Buddha's teachings guide him through the journey of life, and death.

#Kamma #Intention #Action #Death #Life #Gratitude #Buddhism #Dhamma #LifeLessons #WellBeing #InnerPeace #PresentMoment #LifeJourney

About the Speaker

Vijaya Samarawickrama, fondly known as Uncle Vijaya, is a respected figure within Buddhist communities, delivering countless inspiring Dhamma talks at universities, schools, and Dhamma centers throughout Malaysia, as well as in Singapore and Australia, spanning over six decades. In addition to his speaking engagements, he held the role of Patron at the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society in Kuala Lumpur and served as the Chairman of Nalanda Institute's Education team. He represented Malaysia in various Buddhist conventions and conferences, both locally and internationally. He has authored over a dozen booklets, with more than 150,000 copies distributed worldwide. Before his retirement, he held the position of a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and worked as a lecturer in Drama and Theatre, Public Speaking, and World Religion at Taylor's University American Degree Program.

Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-37⁠

Resources:

Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Cheryl Cheah, Susara Ng, Ke Hui Tee

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Join us for an enlightening journey with HOL's co-founders, Heng Xuan and Kai Xin, as they evolve from nominal Buddhists into a passionate Dhamma-tic Duo. 

#HOLJourney #WisdomUnleashed #ResilienceMatters #Service

About the Speakers

Transcript: ⁠https://bit.ly/hol-ep-36⁠ 

Resources:

Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Zayn See, Yu Xiangzhi

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Cheryl Cheah, Susara Ng, Ke Hui Tee

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In Episode 34, 🎙 Sis Ching Wi shares her journey of leading with mental illness. She highlights the importance of boundaries, compassion, and nurturing potential in leadership roles. Tune in for insights on authentic connection, equanimity, and self-compassion, and her heartfelt encouragement for those silently battling their mental health. 🌟💪 #Leadership #MentalHealth 🧠

Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-34

(00:00) Introductions

Helpline: 

Counseling: https://www.ojoy.org

National Care Helpline: 1800-202-6868

SOS 24-hour Hotlines: 1800-221-4444

SOS 4-digit hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours)

Tinkle Friend:1800-274-4788 (for primary school-aged children)

Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800

Resources to read: 

https://www.sos.org.sg/blog/i-want-to-help-someone-who-has-suicidal-thoughts

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/supporting-someone-suicidal-thoughts/

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Special thanks to our sponsors:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei.

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Cheryl Cheah, Susara Ng, Ke Hui Tee

Get connected here:⁠Telegram⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠YouTube

Dive deep into the riveting narrative of personal transformation in this podcast episode, as we explore the gripping story of conquering addiction with the power of mindfulness and wisdom. 🌟 Discover the secrets to sustainable joy and the art of harnessing higher values to triumph over life's challenges. Join us on this transformative journey of self-discovery and compassion. 🎙️ #AddictionRecovery #Mindfulness #Wisdom #PersonalGrowth 🌱

Transcript:

https://bit.ly/hol-ep-35

(00:29) Curiosity's Grip: How I Got Hooked

(01:44) Emerging from the Abyss: Right Effort and Right Resolve in Overcoming Addiction

(08:50) Spiritual Practice, Teachers, and Friends: My Guardians and Refuge

(09:55) Discovering Sustainable Joy through Mindfulness, Wise Reflection and Meritorious Actions

(15:14) Transcending the Past & Planting Wholesome Seeds in the Present

(18:30) Seeking Help & Moving on with Diligence

(20:32) Harnessing Higher Values to Triumph Over Addiction

(22:04) Transforming Anger and Blame into Compassion and Forgiveness with Wisdom

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei.

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Susara Ng, Ke Hui Tee, Cheryl Cheah

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Have you ever wondered why do people offer food in ghost month? Can ghosts eat them?

Join our lovely podcast co-hosts Kai Xin and Cheryl on an engaging chat exploring Buddhism's take on the origins of ghost month, ghostly encounters and hell.

To make this episode even more terrifying or interesting (depending on whether you are a scaredy cat like Cheryl or a brave soul like Kai Xin), we are also going to read real life ghost stories submitted from our audiences.

Stay tuned and learn more about ghosts!

Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep33-ghost

Timestamp:

(02:11): The background of the Hungry Ghost festival

(08:08): The dead teach us how to live

(11:30): Does hell exist?

(13:50): Ghost food

(18:46): Recollecting our own virtues

(21:51): Army ghost story

(27:30): The nature of fear

(31:59): Virtue and fear

(34:55): Ghost story II : A possession near Bukit Timah

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Loo Tiong Ngee

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Ng Yah Tyng, Cheryl Cheah, Koh Kai Xin

Get connected here:⁠Telegram⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠YouTube

It's easy to condemn the actors as 'selfish', or 'stupid' to throw everything away, including their careers, reputation and one can only imagine the negative consequences on their families and spouses.

What is really going on in the mind of people who have affairs?

In the latest episode, we speak to Jason*, who has both been someone who cheated on as well as someone who was cheated on in his past relationships to understand what's beneath the surface, to see the human behind the 'cheater', and explore what we can do to move forward and forgiving oneself and others.

Note: this episode was recorded before the recent scandal and aimed to offer a different perspective and reflection on the same topic.

Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-pod-ep-31

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introductions

[00:54] Experience of cheating and being cheated on

[05:49] Getting to the root cause

[08:57] Creating the conditions to not hurt others

[09:48] Mind is the forerunner of all states

[10:15] Morality and Right Effort

[11:31] Moving on with forgiveness, self-love and Right Effort

[15:32] Finding closure with your ex-partner

[16:23] Giving yourself closure

[17:34] Summary and wrap up

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Loo Tiong Ngee

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Tee Ke Hui, Cheryl Cheah, Koh Kai Xin

Are you someone who constantly seeks to go above and beyond, setting high standards for yourself?

Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of overachievers with Ven Damcho and explore the intricate dynamics that drive their relentless pursuit of success.

🔍 Explore the hidden manifestations of overachieving and learn how to recognise them.

💪 Harness pain as a catalyst for success and avoid the traps that lead to more pain.

⚖️ Find your centre amidst the Eight Worldly Winds.

✨ 4 essential aspects of striving skillfully.

Transcript: http://bit.ly/hol-pod-ep-30

About our guest:

Venerable Thubten Damcho is a Buddhist nun residing at Sravasti Abbey, one of the first Tibetan Buddhist training monasteries in the United States. Born and raised in Singapore, she graduated from Princeton University in 2006 and worked as a high school teacher and public policy analyst in the Singapore government before returning to the U.S. to take novice ordination in 2013. She tells her story in The Straits Times Singapore.

Venerable Damcho's monastic life is rich and varied. She serves as assistant to Sravasti Abbey’s founder, author and well-known Buddhist teacher Venerable Thubten Chodron. Her other responsibilities range from translating Chinese texts into English to removing weeds from the Abbey's 300-acre property. Venerable Damcho has given Dharma talks in Spokane, Idaho, California, India, and Singapore. She was the Chinese-English interpreter at a full ordination program in Taiwan in 2019, and has studied Tibetan through Maitripa College and with other teachers since 2017.

Timestamps:

[00:00:16] Introductions

[00:01:34] Do you consider yourself an overachiever?

[00:05:03] Recognising one’s overachieving tendencies & manifestations

[00:10:57] Pain leading to more pain. Pain leads to less pain.

[00:12:57] Finding one’s centre amidst the Eight Worldly Winds

[00:17:02] Internal and External Drivers of Skillful and Unskillful Striving

[00:28:15] Finding a balance between Striving and Contentment

[00:31:47] Internal signpost for skilful striving

[00:33:40] Understanding the competitive mind

[00:36:48] Sympathetic Joy as an Antidote to Jealousy and Arrogance

[00:40:18] Aspects of Skillful Striving - Aspiration, Reflection, Joy, Rest

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Loo Tiong Ngee.

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Tee Ke Hui, Cheryl Cheah, Koh Kai Xin

In this fire-round episode, Ven Damcho will answer 5 top-rated questions you asked on Telegram about masturbation, lust, kinks and more!

Join our Telegram Handful of Leaves to be part of the conversation!

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Venerable Thubten Damcho is a Buddhist nun residing at Sravasti Abbey, one of the first Tibetan Buddhist training monasteries in the United States. Born and raised in Singapore, she graduated from Princeton University in 2006 and worked as a high school teacher and public policy analyst in the Singapore government before returning to the U.S. to take novice ordination in 2013. She tells her story in The Straits Times Singapore.

Venerable Damcho's monastic life is rich and varied. She serves as assistant to Sravasti Abbey’s founder, author and well-known Buddhist teacher Venerable Thubten Chodron. Her other responsibilities range from translating Chinese texts into English to removing weeds from the Abbey's 300-acre property. Venerable Damcho has given Dharma talks in Spokane, Idaho, California, India, and Singapore. She was the Chinese-English interpreter at a full ordination program in Taiwan in 2019, and has studied Tibetan through Maitripa College and with other teachers since 2017.

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Wilson Ng: Navigating the uncertain waters of love and lust while learning to accept his sexuality, Wilson has learnt a lot from the mistakes made. He is learning to accept himself for his attachment to lust and to see the inherently unsatisfactory nature of sex and lust.

Transcript:

https://bit.ly/hol-bonus-ep

(2:46) How do monastics skilfully relate to sexual desire?

(4:20) Importance of spiritual friendship in navigating desire-related afflictions

(6:14) Dealing with lustful thoughts while in a committed relationship

(9:31) Self-awareness of own identity & respect for others’ identity

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Tan Key Seng

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Tee Ke Hui, Cheryl Cheah

Get connected here:

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"Sex" and "the Buddhist." Two words you rarely hear in a sentence!

Buddhism is always associated with meditating or chanting and "purity." While that is an important path of the practice, let's not forget the human behind the Buddhist, where our sexuality, sexual relations and desires can play a big part of our lives as we navigate sometimes messy and chaotic adulthood.

We'll do the topic that nobody wants to talk about.

In this episode, you will be hearing new voices on the show! Wilson and Cheryl will be partnering up as co-hosts, and we dive into this topic with Venerable Damcho, a nun based in Sravasti Abbey.

🧐What can we learn about sex from a fully celibate monastic? Keep an open mind and come and find out for yourselves!

We cover:

🤭What's a healthy way to think about sex?

🙀Is porn destroying your sex life?

🙂Don't settle for Grade F Happiness

😩If lust is consuming your mind.... here's the antidote

And many more!

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Venerable Thubten Damcho is a Buddhist nun residing at Sravasti Abbey, one of the first Tibetan Buddhist training monasteries in the United States. Born and raised in Singapore, she graduated from Princeton University in 2006 and worked as a high school teacher and public policy analyst in the Singapore government before returning to the U.S. to take novice ordination in 2013. She tells her story in The Straits Times Singapore.

Venerable Damcho's monastic life is rich and varied. She serves as assistant to Sravasti Abbey’s founder, author and well-known Buddhist teacher Venerable Thubten Chodron. Her other responsibilities range from translating Chinese texts into English to removing weeds from the Abbey's 300-acre property. Venerable Damcho has given Dharma talks in Spokane, Idaho, California, India, and Singapore. She was the Chinese-English interpreter at a full ordination program in Taiwan in 2019, and has studied Tibetan through Maitripa College and with other teachers since 2017.

----

Wilson Ng: Navigating the uncertain waters of love and lust while learning to accept his sexuality, Wilson has learnt a lot from the mistakes made. He is learning to accept himself for his attachment to lust and to see the inherently unsatisfactory nature of sex and lust.

TRANSCRIPT: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-27

(0:00) Introductions

(1:07) How is sex different from other sensual pleasures?

(5:09) Why is sex such a taboo in the education system and in society?

(8:32) Helpful conversations to understand the causes, conditions and effects of our sexuality

(13:52) Living with our desires as lay Buddhists with kindness and wisdom

(18:03) Reflecting on the kindness of others to remedy a transactional mindset

(21:23) The mind of attachment projects unrealistic expectations of others

(26:45) The drawbacks of porn consumption on individuals and society

(33:22) Impact of Pornography on Masculinity and Treatment of Women

(37:33) Facilitating discussions on sexuality in the classroom with mindfulness

(39:59) Wisdom as an Antidote to Attachment, Craving is never satisfied by fulfilling it

(43:44) Don’t settle for Grade F happiness, strive for Grade A happiness!

RESOURCES:

Exploring Monastic Life program at Sravasti Abbey

Our abbess Venerable Thubten Chodron teaches often on the kindness of others

Her book Guided Buddhist Meditations is a great resource for analytic meditation

The Mask You Live In

Miss Representation

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei,

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Tee Ke Hui, Cheryl Cheah

Get connected here:

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Forget the avengers. Hiri & Otappa are taught to be the guardians of the world.

In this episode, learn from Sis Miyen about Hiri & Otappa: simply translated as **wise** fear and shame.

🔸How can Hiri & Otappa lead us to peace?

🔸Common misconceptions about these two words.

And many more!

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Low Mi Yen, a clinical psychologist and one of Malaysia’s foremost proponents of the application of

psychology, mindfulness and self-compassion, for individual, couple, family, workplace and community, for

more than 27 years. Pioneered Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in Malaysia since 1999, providing

corporate training, coaching, crisis intervention, psychotherapy, psychological assessment, lecturing and

supervision, mindfulness and self-compassion interventions in enhancing resilience.

TRANSCRIPT: https://bit.ly/hol-pod-26

TIMESTAMP:

(00:00): Introduction

(03:23): What is Hirī & Otappa?

(07:30): Don't mix up Hirī Otappa with Kukkucca. What's the difference?

(09:18): Eight factors that can help us to facilitate or cultivate Hirī and Ottappa

(11:58): How Hirī and Ottappa can lead to peace, story of Kai Xin's moral dilemma

(17:32): How do we know what's really a good deed?

(20:50): Your conscience and long-term happiness or keeping the precepts

(25:00): Treasure Dhana Sutta, the Seven Noble Treasures

(30:00): Is ignorance bliss?

RESOURCES:

Discourses on the topic of Hiri & Otappa:
Kaṇha Sutta, AN 2.7
Sukka Sutta, AN 2.8
Cariya Sutta, AN 2.9

Hiri & Ottappa - The Guardians of the World are two of the seven Noble Treasures -
Treasure Dhana Sutta (AN 7:5, AN 7:6)

Quick learning on Hiri & Otappa:

Step-by-step learning
https://www.fourthmessenger.org/dhamma-studies-1/unit-1/lesson-1-2-hiri-ottappa/

KUKKUCCHA:

Remorse & guilt = feelings that arise after bad action is committed
Kukkucca often discussed together with uddhacca (restlessness), both uddhacca-kukkucca is
the 4th of the 5 hindrances in our meditation practice. Refer to the full text of “The Five
Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest” by Nyanaponika Thera
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel026.html

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR THE PODCAST:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña.

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Tee Ke Hui

Get connected here:

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