During her career in emergency medicine, Dr Ng Yuen Yen realised that as a doctor, she was not able cure death. She then awoke to the fact that the Buddha has cured death and that she’d have to understand that for herself. 

This episode attempts to unpack Nibbana (enlightenment) and shares a balanced approach on how we can slowly increase our happiness in the here and now.

About the speaker: 

Dr Ng Yuen Yen was born into a Buddhist family. She obtained her MBBS Singapore in 1979, FRCS (A&E Edinburgh) in 1987, Homecare USA in 2002, and BA (Honours) from the Buddhist & Pali University, Sri Lanka. She lectured at Mangala Vihara on Early Buddhist History from 2001 to 2019 to Diploma students. She also teaches meditation at Buddhist societies and is a certified .b mindfulness teacher.

Transcript here: https://bit.ly/3xaBwuv

(0:28): Welcome and intro to today’s topic

(2:10): Who is Dr Ng Yuen Yen?

(4:50): Loving the Dhamma

(6:27): A doctor can’t cure death, what can?

(8:18): The goal changes

(10:42): What is the cure to death that Buddha found?

(12:00): Different realms of existence

(13:18): Heaven and hell on earth

(13:57): Simplicity as a form of happiness

(15:46): The gradual path of relinquishment

(18:10): An attainable path walked by the wise

(19:21): Breathing in long, you know you are breathing in long. How well do you know your breath?

(21:06): Clouds in the skies are impermanent, just like our body

(23:28): What pebbles are you throwing into your mind pool

(26:08): Is peace boring?

(26:30): Eat, drink and be merry

(30:34): No more netflix and parties?

(31:14): Friends who support you well

(32:55): Taking refuge in the Triple Gem

Thanks to this episode's sponsors:

Siau Yen Chan

V You Guang

Tan Jia Yee

Lim Soon Kiat

Click here to sponsor

Sis Ratna Juita is a TEDx speaker, facilitator and lifelong learner. She facilitates training in areas of Mindfulness, Well-being, Personal Mastery & EQ. She went through a transformational journey through mindfulness practice and now dedicates her life to empowering others to do the same. She co-authored the book “Women Empowered: Personal Journeys to Become Empowered Women”.

She has volunteered at Buddhist Fellowship since 2007, and has been giving back to the community by grooming youth leaders and facilitating workshops for youths in Buddhist societies in Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia.

Transcript here: https://bit.ly/ep12-hol-ratna

Timestamps: 

(0:01): Intro to today’s topic

(1:10): Introducing Ratna Juita

(3:59): The challenges of being a female solopreneur

(5:26): Two ways she went through the overwhelming situations

(7:48): What is your body telling you?

(11:09): Detach from your emotions

(12:46): Where does the sensation end?

(16:04): Who are you spilling your tea to?

(16:48): Opening up your story can also help you heal

(18:40): The ABCs of mindfulness

(24:55): The inner critic is not always your enemy

(27:48): Comparing with our own journey

(28:30): Establishing personal boundaries as a way of self-love

(29:20): 4 Questions for daily self-reflection

Thanks to this episode's sponsors: 

Siau Yen Chan

V You Guang

Tan Jia Yee

Lim Soon Kiat

Click here to sponsor

In this episode, Datuk Charlie shares his experiences dealing with hostile colleagues who sabotage his work and how to navigate stressful situations.

Datuk Charlie started his career as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and later worked in Construction, Real Estate Development and Legal Services. Some of his roles and contributions: 

(0:01): Introduction to Datuk Charlie Chia and the topic today

(2:14): How he got started in his Buddhist Journey

(3:34): The benefits of Dhamma in the corporate world

(5:50): How Dhamma helps you as a leader

(6:54): Finding a win-win situation

(8:55): Toxic workplaces are inevitable

(9:40): I want your job: Turning jealous colleagues into good friends

(13:42): The three great virtues of patience, tolerance and understanding

(14:22): Karma: Why don’t I get good results when I do good deeds?

(16:01): How do take care of one’s mental health when in a toxic workplace?

(23:26): The art of managing changes

(25:03): Synchronise with the law of nature

(28:12): The 5 cosmic laws of nature

(30:50): Have you heard of Karmic Management?

(32:05): Practical steps to prioritise well being

Learn more about the 5 Niyamas here: https://www.learnreligions.com/the-five-niyamas-449741.

The 5 Niyamas are found in the Buddhist Visuddhimagga commentaries by 5th BCE Buddhist Scholar Buddhagossa and are not part of the Suttas. 

Special Thanks to: August Lum for creating the new soundtrack for our podcast: His work here

Transcript here: bit.ly/3pcAVUp

Special thanks to the sponsors of this podcast

Siau Yen Chan

V You Guang

Tan Jia Yee

Lim Soon Kiat 

Click here to sponsor

About Heng Teng Teng:

Transcript here

Timestamp

(03:19): Teng Teng and her journey to founding her own consultancy

(04:45): The three definitions of failure

(05:43): Sharing of her significant early memories when she failed

(08:35): The chase for inflated levels of happiness

(13:48): Reflecting on impermanence in the face of failure

(16:34): How do we know when to quit?

(17:22): Finding clarity by tuning into our body

(21:31): Is your inner critic always helpful?

(23:39): What seeds are you cultivating in your mind?

(29:55): Failing in meditation and the spiritual path

(36:43): Advice to those struggling on the path

(42:27): Where to find Teng Teng’s work and connect with her

August Lum for creating the new soundtrack for our podcast: His work here 

Click here to sponsor

Our guests: 

Hao is the asian Ariana Grande, joining us today to share the perspective of how to look out for the “One” after dating 7 exes.

At a grand old age of "42", Kyle, a creative director had gave up looking for the one but he still wishes to be found in a relationship.

Transcript: here

Timestamps: 

(00:54): When to pursue a relationship?

(02:29): What happens when you settle for less

(05:54): Why add another layer of suffering by being in a relationship? 

(11:33): Loving is not equal to possession

(12:07): How to make a relationship work?

(17:54): Moving in before marriage 

(19:14): The four sure fire way to ruin a marriage 

(21:47): Complain vs criticism

(24:48): Sex education in the Asian context

(25:59): Losing your virginity before marriage

(29:41): Is having sex unwholesome?

(33:13): Summary

----

RAINBodhi (Singapore): https://rainbodhi.org/singapore/

Welcome the rainbow: https://sujato.github.io/rainbow/

Where to find Kyle: https://kyleneo.com/

Buddhist circle hao is in:

Gwen's work has received recognition from TED, Obama Foundation, and The World Economic Forum. Beyond these achievements, Gwen shares her journey dealing with anxiety and depression, and what it truly means to be vulnerable, authentic, and empathetic.

Get connected here:

Telegram

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

Transcript: here

This episode is sponsored by:

Alvin Chan

Lynn Leng

Joanne C

Time stamps: 

(04:07): How would you spend your last day?

(05:40): One thing people don't know

(07:33): Spirituality and an embodied life

(09:29): Noting one's bullsh*t

(11:27): What it means to be authentic

(14:56): Being human

(16:58): Accepting imperfections

(20:09): Feeling safe within oneself

(23:57): 3 levels of empathy 

(26:38): Definition of empathy

(28:50): What it means to empathise

(31:51): 5 ways to empathise

(39:28): The don'ts of empathy

(45:40): What it means to be vulnerable

(47:31): Vulnerability is not what's externalised but what's internalised

(50:15): What's next?

Do you remember the songs that accompanied you through the key moments of your life? Whether it is falling in or out of love or going through lonely and dark nights, a good song would never fail to resonate, to give strength, and to heal. 

This Vesak month, we learn more about Buddhist music from the eyes of Buddhist musicians. 

There are two parts to this episode. We speak with Dr Kang Kee who left his job as a research scientist in order to create a social impact to the community. We learned about what inspires him to keep going on after more than 10 years, and how Buddhist music has helped make a difference in people's lives.

In the same episode, we also speak with the musicians, Pauline and Kelvin, from the Buddhist Band named BuddySings.

Get connected here:

Telegram

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

Links and resources: 

Vesak day 2022 activities in Singapore and Malaysia

Buddhist music (English) playlist 

Buddhist music (Chinese) playlist 

Wheel of life concert by BuddySings!

Transcript and pictures with Bro Kang Kee: here

Transcript and pictures with BuddySings!: Here

Support our efforts here: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/

This episode is sponsored by: 

Alvin Chan

Lynn Leng

Joanne C

Timestamp for Part 1 with Bro Kang Kee: 

(02:06): Bro Kang Kee and his journey from a research scientist to a full-time music producer 

(06:25): Why choose music to create impact? 

(08:33): Personal stories on a song for a youth who passed away, and a youth in coma.

(12:53): Meaningful songs that are niche vs shallow songs that can go viral.

(14:54): Sources of inspiration

(19:07): Can music and Dharma go together?

(23:21): Aspiration for the Buddhist music scene

(25:47): How can one start contributing to the scene?

(27:09): Getting in touch with Bro Kang Kee and the upcoming activities

Timestamp for Part 2 with BuddySings!

(32:29): Meet Pauline & Kelvin 

(33:42): Buddysings! in three words.

(39:00): Challenges faced in the Buddhist music scene

(42:08): Opening the doors to the Dhamma through music 

(45:57): How BuddySings! begun

(50:01): View of Life - the new single

(52:26): How can Dhamma music motivate one in the Buddhist practice

Is money the root of all evil? Should we deny wealth because it brings us more trouble? Is it really true that money can't buy happiness? 

In this episode, Seow Kek Wee helps us reevaluate or relationship with money and how to achieve financial and spiritual wealth at the same time.

About the guest speaker - Seow Kek Wee

As a veteran investor of more than 20 years, Kek Wee is the Head of Investment Research of Unicorn Financial Solutions Pte Ltd, advising and managing assets in excess of $0.5 Billion.

Get connected here:

Telegram

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

More about Seow Kek Wee & his work: 

https://thegreyrhino.sg/

Investment Classes

The Grey Rhino YouTube page

Useful resources: 

Parabhava Sutta

Transcript: click here

Timestamp: 

(02:31): The journey to becoming a fund manager

(07:20): Is money the root of all evil? 

(08:24): The right way to view money

(12:00): Giving without compromising your own well-being

(13:26): The four types of people 

(15:52): How to save money while enjoying life 

(26:40): Being intentional with our career path to grow wealth

(32:55): A simple life is not about doing nothing

(36:18): Summary of the 4 steps to successfully managing & growing one's wealth.

(36:52): The downfall of mankind

(40:30): Using wealth purposefully

(41:52): Being a steward of money; compassion with wisdom 

(45:05): Growing money slowly is not equal to growing little money 

(45:21): For beginners - how to get started with investment

Special thanks to Tan Key Seng, Lynn Leng, Alvin Chan for sponsoring the podcast!

Good and bad, isn't exactly black and white. 

Transcript: link

Get connected here:

Telegram

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

Resources and useful links:

Helplines: 

Timestamps: 

(02:19): Bad people deserve love

(08:23): The wise use of our limited amount of compassion

(13:33): How to see the human behind the evil act

(18:38): Reconciling the cognitive dissonance between ideals and the reality.

(22:05): Precepts - why breaking the 'rules' can help you to understand them.

(28:05): Having good intentions is not good enough

(35:00): Compassion must be accompanied by wisdom

(37:15): Anger is a manifestation of compassion

(41:18): The 4 divine abodes to turn anger into a force for good

(43:49): Good people are punished and bad people get away doing evil things. Really?

(45:49): Standing up for oneself 

(53:50): What is the opposite of anger?

(55:52): Can a peaceful person garner the same amount of support for change vs an angry person?

Correction: Venerable Angulimala was stoned during alms round but was not stoned to death. 

Special thanks to Tan Key Seng, Lynn Leng, Alvin Chan for sponsoring this podcast.

Are you a good person? Who exactly defines what is good/bad and what is right/wrong? 

In this episode, Sister Sylvia Bay shares what it means to be good, the tipping point when good turns bad, and how to develop wisdom along the path to happiness. 

About the guest speaker: 

Sylvia Bay has been dedicated to the study and practice of Buddha's teaching since 1992. She graduated with a B.A. (Hons) First Class, in Buddhist Studies, from the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka in 2000 and joined the teaching staff of the Buddhist and Pali College (Singapore) in 2001. Since 2002, Sylvia has also been a regular speaker on Buddhist doctrine, Buddhist history, and the practical application of the Buddha's teachings in daily life, at the invitation of various Buddhist organisations in Singapore.

More about Sylvia Bay's work: 

Website

Books 

Talk - Dhamma is hope

Article - Cultivating faith in fearful times

Transcript here: link

Get connected here:

Telegram

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

Useful resources: 

Paññāsutta - Discourse on wisdom

Dhamma roadmap talk - morality and effort

TIMESTAMP:

(03:07) What is the definition of good?

(06:26) Relooking at Righteous Anger

(11:08) Who defines what is good and bad? Isn't it subjective?

(19:09) Invest in the purity of the act, not the outcome.

(19:58) How does one not be invested in the outcome?

(26:42) Can desire be good? 

(29:34) Dealing with moral shame. Am I good enough to be a Buddhist? 

(36:30) Being patient with oneself 

(39:46) The four mental states to cultivate

(42:59) The difference between having faith in the Buddha and having faith in oneself

(46:25) Dealing with our inner critic

(49:45) How do you know when to give in to desires and when to not give in?

(57:45) What is wisdom?

(1:00:45) Actionable steps to grow in wisdom

Terms: 

Jia lat (in Hokkien) - terrible 

Akusala (in Pali) - Unwholesome 

Special thanks to Key Seng Tan, and Lynn Leng for sponsoring this podcast. 

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