Calm amidst the Storm

I took particular interest in the article on the Straits Time yesterday on Nadya Hutagalung tumultous past has calmed down, thanks to her dual support of her hubby and Buddhism.

Hooray to Buddhism, as this is one of the VERY VERY few times that ST carries an article on a notable artiste that has embraced Buddhism.

I am a Buddhist, thought I can't quite that I am card-carrying Buddhist aiming to show everyone the way to Nirvana. Buddhism, I find, is an intensely private religion or more of a way of life where one should practice what one preaches. It combines philosophy, inner reflection and meditation as a way to self discovery.

To me, it is so private that no one notices it and sometimes I feel as if it is losing its luster to other more "hip" religions. And frankly I can understand why it feels as if it's losing its luster.

First, many Buddhist organizations do not make a big show of it's events apart from during Wesak Day. Secondly, not many people feel the call of attending classes or sermons on a weekly basis.

Thirdly, when I was growing up, Buddhist classes were mainly talking about mundane stuff like suffering etc etc and chanting some Pali verses which I have no clue what I am chanting about. At that stage I had other pressing problems (like girlfriends - or lack of, trying to fit into a clique) than to debate about suffering, karma etc etc.

But it is as scientific as any religion gets, and is one where you reap what you sow (the concept of Karma). It invites people to come and see (ehi passiko).I respect this aspect of the religion as it encourages curiousity, and allows for multiple diversity in views. Some may find Buddhism their ideal religion, and to other, other religions may be more suitable for them.

In order for Buddhism to take a more prominent role in society, I believe that it should renew itself to appeal with the younger generation, and speak more with ease and not in tongues. While I appreciate the appeal of the philosophy, I doubt that we will find many discoverers who will follow through, when they start debating through many of the philosophical phrases like:

Emptiness is form, form is emptiness, emptiness is nothing but form and form is nothing but emptiness.

THis phrase is from the Heart Sutra, which is one of the most powerful (if not confusing) phrase I have come across.

I believe that Buddhism needs to connect with more lay people and simplify the Dhamma for people to be able to enjoy the serenity of Buddhism.

It is an uphill struggle to get people to understand the Dhamma, but I am glad that Nadya has found it!

I hope you too will find it.... one day. Ehi Passiko!

technorati tags:buddhism, nadya hutagalung, dhamma, relevance, renewal, karma

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Fair Use - My FOOT!

I recently bought a CD, Lisa Ono, only to find that the CD is copy-protected by some technology from Midbar Tech.

I have copy protected CDs. As far as I am concerned, I am a responsible person who do not encourage music piracy, nor participate in it. I have been buying original music since time immemorial - I started buying originals since I was 12 years old and had to save up money over 2 weeks to buy my special tapes.

I digress, but the point of the matter is that fair use allows the user to make a small number of copies of his music collection for his own personal use. For instance, I listen to music at home, in the car and at work, and if you are like me, you will find that carrying the CD from home to the car to the office on a daily basis is not only a chore, it is ridiculous!

What is even more ridiculous is the RIAA, through the promotion of this Midbar technology, wants the use to buy 3 copies of the CD just for his own personal use. It's as good as robbing the consumer.

In this case, I do support all the hackers who try to find ways to defeat such copyrights because it is my right to listen to music that I have purchased however I want, provided I do not profit illegally from it.

I find this practice archaic, and undemocratic. Personally, I stuffed up as I should have looked closer at the CD sleeve to see if this was copy protected or not. I learnt the hard way with Sheila Majid's new Legenda CD, I've been bitted twice now with Lisa Ono's CD.

I swear that this will be my last CD that I will ever buy that have copy protection on it, and I hope both the RIAA or whoever promoted this technology, as well as the company itself go bust, as they are living in the ancient times. I this Steve Jobs is onto something, about eliminating copyright.

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