Black & White

ALWAYS ASK, NEVER ASSUME !!

2012-01-26T21:43:00.001+08:00

His request approved, the CNN News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight.

He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.

Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger.

He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, 'Let's go'.

The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off.

Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, 'Fly over the valley and make low passes so I can take pictures of the fires on the hillsides.'

'Why?' asked the pilot

'Because I'm a photographer for CNN' , he responded, 'and I need to get some close up shots.'

The pilot was strangely silent for a moment, finally h e stammered, 'So, what you're telling me, is . . . You're NOT my flight instructor?'

Wishing you good health, peace and happiness

2012-01-21T22:51:00.000+08:00

Wishing all my Chinese readers a healthy, peaceful and happy year of the Dragon, 2012.

The World's Greatest Magician is not Copperfield

2012-01-14T22:34:00.000+08:00

So you think David Copperfield is the world's greatest magician. You are so wrong. Met Lu Chen from Taiwan, truly; THE World's Greatest Magician. After watching the video below, you can follow up with his other unbelievable magic in the other Youtube videos.

He is simply the greatest...without any prop.

Bersihkan Malaysia!

2012-01-13T23:17:00.001+08:00

Always remember this!

2012-01-11T23:59:00.001+08:00

What is life

2012-01-07T22:22:00.001+08:00

We never get what we want,
We never want what we get,
We never have what we like,
We never like what we have.
And still we live & love.
That's life...

The best kind of friends,
Is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with,
Never say a word,

And then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know

What we've got until it's gone,
But it's also true that we don't know
What we've been missing until it arrives..

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back!

Don't expect love in return;
Just wait for it to grow in their heart,
But if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone,

An hour to like someone,And a day to love someone,
But it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile,
Because it takes only a smile to
Make a dark day seems bright.
Find the one that makes your heart smile!

May you have

Enough happiness to make you sweet,
Enough trials to make you strong,
Enough sorrow to keep you human,
And enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes.

If you feel that it hurts you,

It probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people
Don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Happiness lies for
Those who cry,
Those who hurt,
Those who have searched,
And those who have tried,
For only they can appreciate the importance of people
Who have touched their lives.

When you were born, you were crying
And everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so that when you die,
You're the one who is smiling
And everyone around you is crying.

Please send this message
To those people who mean something to you,
To those who have touched your life in one way or another,
To those who make you smile when you really need it,
To those that make you see the brighter side of things When you are really down,
To those who you want to know
That you appreciate their friendship.

And if you don't, don't worry,
Nothing bad will happen to you,
You will just miss out on the opportunity
to brighten someone's life with this message...

2012 has arived.

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

May 2012 bring you good health,happiness,peace and contentment.

**********************************************************

Why Do We SHOUT ?

One day, a professor asked his students 'Why do we SHOUT instead of speak when we are ANGRY?'

All the students thought for a while. One answered 'Because we lost our cool. That's why we SHOUT.'

Asked the professor again, 'But the person is just right next to you, why can't we talk softly but have to SHOUT?'

Everyone gave their opinions but none was accepted by the professor.

Lastly explained by the professor 'When we are ANGRY, our hearts drift apart. To mask the DISTANCE we felt, we instinctively SHOUT instead of speak so the other party can hear us.'

'But as we SHOUT, we get ANGRIER. And we felt we drift apart further. So we SHOUT even louder...'

'It is the opposite when we are in love. Not only we do not shout, we whisper into each other ears. Why?

'This is because our hearts are very close, almost never apart. As our love deepens, we reach a state of communication where there is no need for words.'

'We understand each other well enough just by exchanging look,' concluded the professor.

'Therefore, when we are arguing, DO NOT speak words that will make our hearts drift apart. WAIT a few days.
When you feel your hearts are no longer far apart, pick up the conversation and continue from there.'

What is compassion?

2011-12-26T21:13:00.001+08:00

What is compassion? The dictionary explains:

"Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it."

We humans have the conscience to feel for others' suffering. Whether we are compassionate or not is another matter. The level of compassion of a person also depends on this person's spititual interpretation. Let's take a look at this piece of story which was sent to me recently. After reading through, you may like to contemplate what compassion is all about.

**********************************

Humans can stop and think before they act...if attention is drawn to the pain and suffering of what they are about to do.

This buffalo has changed the life of these butchers - heart-rending news story from China

This buffalo has changed the life of these butchers.

人性的光輝面... The Bright Side of Human Nature ...

The buffalo standing still, sad and frightened to tears

水牛淚流不止。Buffalo weeping nonstop.

2011年4月16日星期六

人性的光輝面...The Bright Side of Human Nature...

主旨： 這頭水牛改變了這些屠宰工的一生This buffalo has changed the lives of these butchers

The Buffalo standing still, sad and frightened to tears

According to the news release from China’s People’s News, whether people believe it or not,

this incident actually happened in Hong Kong.

The Weekly World Newsreported that a group of workers were bringing a water buffalo into a packaging factory,

ready to slaughter it to make steak and beef stew.

When they approached the front door of the slaughterhouse, the sorrowful buffalo suddenly stood still,

refusing to move forward, kneeling on its two front knees, and with tears streaming from its eyes.

How could the buffalo have already been aware that it was going to be slaughtered, before entering the slaughterhouse?

This shows that it was even more alert than many a person.

"When I saw what is believed to be a stupid animal actually crying, and when I noticed that its eyes

were full of fear and sadness, I could not help but shiver."

Extremely shocked by this, butcher Shiu Tat-Nin recalled: "I quickly called other people to come see,

and they were as surprised as I was!

We pushed and pulled the water buffalo, but it would not move; it just sat there crying constantly."

Billy Fong, the boss of the Hong Kong packaging plant said,

"Mankind has always thought that animals are not like people who can cry,

but this buffalo is really sobbing like a baby!"

At that time there were at least a dozen strong, burly men present, but their hearts were softened by the buffalo's crying,

and those who were responsible for killing water buffaloes were even more touched by this, tears welling out of their eyes.

Buffalo weeping non-stop

When workers from other slaughterhouses heard the news, they also ran to the crying and kneeling buffalo,

and the site was soon crowded with people who were astonished at what they saw.

Three of them were so shocked that they said that from now on, even when they slaughter other kinds of animals,

they will never forget that buffalo’s tears.

At the point when a buffalo is crying and people are crying as well, we can all be sure that none of them will kill the buffalo now.

Then the question was how to take care of this matter.

Finally, they decided to buy the water buffalo with cash, and then they sent it to a Buddhist temple,

for the monastic to take good care of it, so that it could be assured of living out its life peacefully.

When this decision was made, an amazing thing happened again:

"When there was an assurance that the buffalo would not be killed, it finally agreed to move, got up, and it’s here with us."

How could a water buffalo understand human words?

Shiu said: "Whether you believe it or not, this is really true, although it sounds really incredible."

Undoubtedly, this buffalo has changed the lives of these butchers.

Be thankful for what you have : a healthy body.

2011-12-25T02:04:00.000+08:00

We all have read about the story of a man who complained that he had no shoes until he saw another with no feet.

Take a look at this petite and pretty lady, and sing along with her.

To all my Christian readers, A Merry Christmas, and keep walking!!

(By the way, for those readers from the Western world, this song is in Japanese.)

Title of Song: 'Aruki Tsuzukeyou' (Means: 'Keep Walking')

Meaning of Lyrics:

Wanna walk, wanna run, by my two feet
Wanna grasp, wanna hug, by my two hands
These are things which everyone can easily do, aren't they?
Even though these are not unusual things, still I can't do any
But... believe me
Someday, happiness will surely come to whoever do their best

Anyone can be Tony Fernandes

2011-12-11T12:32:00.001+08:00

This viral email is dedicated to "Now everyone can fly"!

*************************************

Spare a thought for Uncle Tony F, Chief Executive of 'Air Asia"......

Arriving in a hotel in KL Sentral he went to the bar and asked for a pint of draught Guinness. The barman nodded and said, "That will be one Ringgit please, Uncle Tony."

Somewhat taken aback, Uncle Tony replied, "That's very cheap," and handed over his money.

"Well, we try to stay ahead of the competition", said the
barman. "And we are serving free pints every Wednesday evening
from 6 until 8. We have the cheapest draught in Asia"

"That is remarkable value" Uncle Tony comments

"I see you don't seem to have a glass, so you'll probably need one of ours. That will be 3 Ringgit please."

Uncle Tony scowled, but paid up. He took his drink and walked towards a seat.
"Ah, you want to sit down?" said the barman. "That'll be an extra 2 Ringgit . You could have pre-book the seat, and it would have only cost you a Ringgit"

"I think you may to be too big for the seat sir, can I ask you to sit in this frame please"
Uncle Tony attempts to sit down but the frame is too small and when he can't squeeze in he complains "Nobody would fit in that little frame".
"I'm afraid if you can't fit in the frame you'll have to pay an extra surcharge of RM 4 for your seat sir"

Tony swore to himself, but paid up. "I see that you have brought your
laptop with you" added the barman. "And since that wasn't pre-booked either, that will be another 3 Ringgit"

Uncle Tony was so annoyed that he walked back to the bar, slammed his drink on the counter, and yelled, "This is ridiculous, I want to speak to the manager".

"Ah, I see you want to use the counter," says the barman, "that will
be 2 Ringgit please." Uncle's face was red with rage.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Of course I do Mr Fernandes

"I've had enough, What sort of Hotel is this? I come in for a quiet drink
and you treat me like this. I insist on speaking to a manager!"

"Here is his E mail address, or if you wish, you can contact him between 9 and 9.10 every morning, Monday to Tuesday at this free phone number. Calls are free, until they are answered, then there is a talking charge of only 10 sen per second provided you use Tune Talk. Using other mobile carriers would incur our normal charges of 30 sen per second

"I will never use this bar again"

"OK Uncle , but remember, we are the only bar in Asia selling pints for one Ringgit...so that NOW EVERYONE CAN DRINK.”

**************************************
Ha ha. Wait when uncle Tony wishes to go to the gents!!!! He will get the stink of his life!!

"Anak" By Freddie Aguilar

2011-12-04T15:43:00.001+08:00

Truth transcends race, nationalitliy, belief, time and even space. Truth does not need a specific language to express itself. Love is similar. But not the physical, passionate and romantic love which will not last very long when the physical beauty and attraction start to fade. True love is the love from deep inside the heart. The love for one's parents is an example; but still this love for parents may not even last long especially when they get old, weak, and physically dependant. I have seen this through my eyes.

However, there is one type of love that really knows no bounds and no conditions. A Mother's love. Perhaps a father's love as well. You see, I am a father.

The song "Anak" written and sung by Freddie Aguilar captures the nuance and feeling of this parental love for their children. "Anak" was originally sung in Tagalog by the Filipino singer Freddie Aguilar; and has been an evergreen rendition of what true parental love is. If you are a mother you know what I mean. And if you are a father like me, maybe you will also know what I mean.

Whenever I had a chance to listen to those talented Filipino performers/singers in hotels I would always request them to sing "Anak".

Today, having read somewhere about a son's nostalgic feeling for this song, may I present "Anak" in the different languages. No matter which language you speak, true love for one's children is the same, although outwardly the children may not realize how true and unconditional a parent's love is.

How we view life

2011-11-28T23:45:00.001+08:00

We usually see America or USA to be precise, as a nation of plenty. This CBS 60 Minutes video, shows the stark side of USA. Don't worry, you don't have to spend 30 minutes watching this. This video is only 14 minutes. It showed the interviews on several families who were "down and out" with no place to call home, living in vans and trucks. Families with their children. Listen to their stories.

I hope some pampered kids in town would watch this and listen to the last sentence by the young girl at 13.10 minute of the video.

Auntie Bersih : On Youtube

2011-11-25T16:02:00.001+08:00

Below is taken from this blog

Our hero has a voice and she is doing it for our future. Have you registered to vote? That's the least you can do for yourself and your loved ones.

Annie Ooi Siew Lan and Rosni Malan have pleaded with the king not to dissolve Parliament until electoral reforms have taken place.

Rosni’s husband, Baharuddin Ahmad, died from heart complications during the rally. Ooi, nicknamed “Aunty Bersih” was seen being sprayed with chemical-laced water cannons and tear gas during the rally.

They are asking the king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, to use his discretion to not consent to Parliament’s dissolution anytime soon.

Speaking on their behalf, their lawyer M Visvanathan said: “What we’re trying to achieve is to put enough pressure on the powers-that-be, especially the Yang Dipertuan-Agong, to invoke his discretion. He does have the discretion, it should be exercised in this case.”

“It is not a demand…(We ask) that the Agong use his discretion not to dissolve Parliament.”

http://www.petitiononline.com/petitions/per2011b/signatures

RM100 PR Job?

2011-11-18T20:22:00.001+08:00

This was what one blogger wrote about his encounter with the RM100 "giveaway". Hey it's our money, not your money that you are giving. YOU F@#$%&# BN politicians!!!

"Yesterday, some teacher from my daughter's school called and said to come to the school to collect the financial aid of RM100 that will be given to all students from Primary 1 to Form 5 as announced by the Government during the recent budget. I took my daughter to her secondary school but only to be told to go to another primary school nearby. First we had to line up to register to receive the aid. After that, we were told to move to the hall to attend an Aid Awarding ceremony. One VIP from certain parliamentary area was invited to give out the aid. There were speeches after speeches and I could not help but to think that this gathering has underlying tone and related to the upcoming 13th General Election. Never mind the ceremonies. We still have to wait for the VIP to present an envelop which I thought would contain the money. No, it's an empty envelop. With that empty envelop, we are then told to line up yet again at another counter to receive the actual money. Wow, what bureaucracy! I appreciate the financial aid no matter how big or small the amount maybe but the hassle we have to go through to get the money is something that is left to be desired. Fed-up, I left after half and hour. I will collect the money later. "

Are you embarrassed?

2011-11-12T20:50:00.001+08:00

This came through email:

I was doing a highly specific Yoga exercise

to relieve Perkatak

related stress.

Do you discriminate against people who practice Yoga?

Just thinking deeply about

the next sponsor

for her handbags.

Why did you interrupt me?

I had almost figured out

a solution

to our biggest problem

鈥︹€y monorail

I wasn't sleeping !

I was meditating on the EPG

and envisioning a new

paradigm for CHOGM鈥�

.....minus the irritating irritaTUN!

Ah, the unique and unpredictable

circadian rhythms

of the sleepy heads!

This is just a 15 minute

power-nap

like they raved about

in the BTN boot camp.

I love sleep. My life has a tendency to fall apart

when I'm awake, you know?

"I'm not asleep... but
that doesn't mean I'm awake."

People who say

they sleep like a baby

usually don't have one.

Pardon me,

while I take my power nap.

My wives just completed their

COW (club of obedient wives) modules last night.

A power nap is

when you sleep on someone

who's weaker than you.

"Sleep is the most

moronic fraternity

in the world,

with the heaviest dues

and the crudest rituals.

"Some people talk in their sleep.

Speakers talk while other people sleep.

I'm actually doing a

Stress Level Elimination Exercise Plan (SLEEP).

__._,_.___

Wake up call for Muhyiddin

2011-11-10T23:47:00.001+08:00

DPM cum Education Minister Muhyiddin, below is a wake-up call for you!

The Refreshing New Image of China's Talents

2011-11-08T16:30:00.000+08:00

(Yang Lan)

The refeshing new image of China's sophisticated and talented young generation. Yang Lan, China's most popular TV hostess. A banana like me cannot read Chinese, but the internet has it all. Yang Lan, a businesswoman and co-owner with her husband of Sun Television Cybernetworks in Shanghai, speaks impeccable English. And look at her flawless facial complexion! What a lady!

Yang Lan, a journalist and entrepreneur who's been called "the Oprah of China," offers insight into the next generation of young Chinese citizens -- urban, connected (via microblogs) and alert to injustice.

Yang Lan’s rise to stardom in China has drawn comparisons to Oprah Winfrey’s success in the US. It’s easy to see why: Yang is a self-made entrepreneur and the most powerful woman in the Chinese media. As chair of Sun Media Investment Holdings, a business empire she built with her husband, Yang is a pioneer of open communication.

Yang started her journalism career by establishing the ﬁrst current-events TV program in China. She created and hosted many other groundbreaking shows, starting with the chatfest Yang Lan One on One. The popular Her Village, which now includes an online magazine and website, brings together China’s largest community of professional women (more than 200 million people a month).

Yang, who served as an ambassador for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, wields her inﬂuence for philanthropic endeavors, too. She founded the Sun Culture Foundation in 2005 to raise awareness about poverty and to promote cross-cultural communication.

"Yang stands out as a role model for women who want to achieve across the industry spectrum in an increasingly global society."

The Paley Center for Media, “She Made It” Initiative, 2007

When someone sent me this video, I thought I might spend a few minutes watching it, given it's length of 18 minutes. But once I saw her face and heard her voice and perfect English diction, I forgot about the time, although it was past midnight.

Don't believe me?

I couldn't embed the Ted Video here. So here is the link : CLICKHERE

I cry for you Malaysia!!

How to cure tennis elbow

2011-11-01T20:53:00.001+08:00

Tennis elbow is a very painful problem. It hinders your physical ability, especially lifting things. There are commercial gadgets which you can buy to help alleviate the pain.

Actually you don't need to pay anything to cure your tennis elbow. I found this out when I had tennis elbow many months ago. I did a few sets of wrist stretching and twisting exercises for many weeks. And one day the pain just disappeared.

If you wish to learn more on how I did it, please CLICK HERE:

How to sleep without lying down

2011-11-01T14:25:00.000+08:00

Sleep is a wonderful free tonic. It doesn't cost a diamond or the price of a designer handbag.

Just close your eyes, and the world will go by..... bye bye!

Illiterate grandmothers are solar engineers

2011-10-25T15:04:00.000+08:00

It doesn't mean that you need to go to the university to do clever things. It also doesn't mean that if you had a degree from the university, you can do clever things. You want to do something useful and even technical? Then learn it from the illiterate grandmothers of Rajasthan, India. They are "graduates" from the" Barefoot College" founded by Bunker Roy.

These "graduates" are ordinary rural folks, including illiterate grandmothers. Whether the government wants to recognize their abilities or not, it doesn't matter. The most important fact is that they are competent in the things they do. They are the real solar engineers, artisans, dentists and even doctors.

Presenting Bunker Roy, explaining how this is possible.

(TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts.)

Il Volo : Three kids taking the world by their voices

2011-10-17T23:56:00.002+08:00

I am no music expert, but these three kids make no mistake will conquer the world with their powerful voices. I present 3 Youtube videos to prove my point. After that, you can listen to more of them from the links provided in Youtube.

Well as usual, some skeptics said they were fakes. Time will tell if we don't have first hand knowledge. I think they are for real.

Moringa the miracle tree

2011-10-12T23:31:00.000+08:00

Do the above "drumsticks" look familiar? They are Moringa pods or kalor, or commonly known as "drumsticks".. You will find them in Indian and Malay curries. Apparently these Moringa pods and leaves have great medicinal properties and contain lots of essential vitamins and minerals, more than the conventional fruits and veges. The trees are right at our doorsteps and many of us are surprisingly ignorant of their great nutritional and medicinal values.

If you are interested to know more, please read my article HERE:

(Moringa tree by the roadside)

Bloody politicians spinning again

2011-10-11T10:52:00.001+08:00

The bloody politicians are spinning again!! Long live the internet and the truth shall prevail. Give me another few more years and I shall kick them out.

Photo copied from someone's facebook entry.

Apple's Steve Jobs, visionary leader, dead at 56

2011-10-06T11:14:00.001+08:00

Yesterday I posted the article on the last talk by my spiritual teacher, Ven. K Sri Dhammananda before he died. His last talk was about the frailty of this human body, and how we need to be wise to realise that we cannot cling to this body forever.

Today, Steve Jobs is dead at 56. The world has lost its greatest technological wizard of all time.

Reuters reports:

[SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Steve Jobs, who transformed the worlds of personal computing, music and mobile phones, died on Wednesday at the age of 56 after a years-long battle with pancreatic cancer.
The co-founder of Apple Inc, one of the world's great entrepreneurs, was surrounded by his wife and immediate family when he died in Palo Alto, California. Other details were not immediately available.
His death was announced by Apple and sparked an immediate outpouring of sadness and sympathy from world leaders, competitors and other businessmen including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
The Silicon Valley icon who gave the world the iPod, iPhone and iPad had stepped down as chief executive of the world's largest technology company in August, handing the reins to long-time lieutenant Tim Cook.
He was deemed the heart and soul of a company that rivals Exxon Mobil as the most valuable in America.

"Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve," Apple said in a statement.
"His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."
Apple paid homage to their visionary leader by changing their website to a big black-and-white photograph of him with the caption "Steve Jobs: 1955-2011." The flags outside the company's headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop flew at half mast.
Jobs' health had been a controversial topic for years and his battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer a deep concern to Apple fans and investors.
In past years, even board members have confided to friends their concern that Jobs, in his quest for privacy, was not being forthcoming enough with directors about the true condition of his health.
Now, despite much investor confidence in Cook, who has stood in for his boss during three leaves of absence, there remain concerns about whether Apple would stay a creative force to be reckoned with in the longer term without its visionary.
Jobs died one day after the consumer electronics powerhouse unveiled its latest iPhone, the gadget that transformed mobile communications and catapulted Apple to the highest echelons of the tech world.

His death triggered an immediate outpouring of sympathy.
"The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come," Gates said. "For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely."
Outside an Apple store in New York, mourners laid candles, bouquets of flowers, an apple and an iPod Touch in a makeshift memorial.
"I think half the world found out about his death on an Apple device," said Robbie Sokolowsky, 32, an employee for an online marketing company, who lit a candle outside the store.
Cook said in a statement that Apple planned to hold a celebration of Jobs' life for employees "soon".
APPLE, NEXT, IPHONE
A college dropout, Buddhist and son of adoptive parents, Jobs started Apple Computer with friend Steve Wozniak in 1976. The company soon introduced the Apple 1 computer.
But it was the Apple II that became a huge success and gave Apple its position as a critical player in the then-nascent PC industry, culminating in a 1980 initial public offering that made Jobs a multimillionaire.
Despite the subsequent success of the Macintosh computer, Jobs' relationship with top management and the board soured. The company removed most of his powers and then in 1985 he was fired.
Apple's fortunes waned after that. However, its purchase of NeXT -- the computer company Jobs founded after leaving Apple -- in 1997 brought him back into the fold. Later that year, he became interim CEO and in 2000, the company dropped "interim" from his title.

Along the way Jobs also had managed to revolutionize computer animation with his other company, Pixar, but it was the iPhone in 2007 that secured his legacy in the annals of modern technology history.
Forbes estimates Jobs' net worth at $6.1 billion in 2010, placing him in 42nd place on the list of America's richest. It was not immediately known how his estate would be handled.
Six years ago, Jobs had talked about how a sense of his mortality was a major driver behind that vision.
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life," Jobs said during a Stanford commencement ceremony in 2005.
"Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important."
"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

(Reporting by Poornima Gupta, Edwin Chan, Andrew Longstreith, Sarah McBride; Editing by Gary Hill and Tiffany Wu) ]

I note that Steve Jobs was a Buddhist. The usual parting words for Buddhists in time of death is this:

"Anicca Vatta Sankhara" : "All Component Things Are Impermanent"

K Sri Dhammananda's last talk.

2011-10-05T15:06:00.001+08:00

(Ven. K Sri Dhammananda)

Usually I don't post Buddhist articles in this blog. I post them in my other Buddhist blog "Life Is Like That". But this time is special. The article below came through a forwarded email today. Ven. K Sri Dhammananda was my Buddhist teacher. What I learned about Buddhism mainly came from him. During the 1980s I used to attend his Friday talk without fail, from 8pm to past 9pm. For more than one year, every Friday evening, Chief Reverend, as he was fondly addressed by all devotees, graciously answered all the questions I submitted to him. That was where I learned my Buddhism with full confidence; and am now able to share with others by answering their questions through "All Experts.com".

I am sure the person who initiated this email has posted the authentic last talk by Chief Reverend. I don't think he/she has any reason to do otherwise. From my experience with Chief Reverend's manner of speaking, the article below should be authentically his.

The subject of his final talk was fittingly appropriate given his physical condition then. I hope everyone who cares to read this can contemplate wisely the message of Chief Reverend .

Anicca Vatta Sankhara : All Component Things Are Impermanent.

The Buddha's final advice:

vayadhammā saṅkhārā appamādena sampādetha

All compounded things, all experiences (mental and physical), all phenomena by their very nature decay and die, and are disappointing: it is through being not-blind-drunk on, obsessed by, or infatuated with, the objects of the senses that you succeed in awakening, or obtain liberation.

Or more succinctly:

All things are disappointing, [it is] through vigilance [that] you succeed.

Strive on with diligence.

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This is The Late Chief Reverend of Brickfield, Most Ven K Sri Dhammananda very last dhamma talk at the Maha Vihara given on the 7th July 2006 and he came as always when they rang the bell at 8.10pm into the PH Henry hall but this time in his wheel chair.

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*Human Life ( last talk by Chief Priest , Maha Vihara, 7.7.2006)*
"Dear devotees actually I never thought I would have the chance to see and talk to you , half of my body is dead, but my heart , my mind still has energy . What is this diseased body , is it life? Its not life , its the house , life is the energy , mental, kammic and cosmic all joined together as "energy ", that is life.

Body is decayed and life goes away .Actually we must be happy when time comes to depart without suffering , to crave so much for the body , we spend our whole life decorating , looking after it , one day it decays and when energy and the elements dissipate then mental energy will build another house . Life started with mental energy and then birth occurs . Every single child cries , none smiles after birth . Life is suffering we are using whole amounts of energy to maintain this physical body , but one day we have to depart .Then leaves solidity and fluidity ~ 2 elements only , heat and motion has gone.

Christians and Muslims are particular about the body as they believe in resurrection , we do not believe that there is anything in this physical body . Spend thousands on funerals , but the departed never get anything. Only way to support the departed , you must know how to make use of this life , that is why religion is needed to help us to cultivate compassion , sympathy and kindness and supporting others.

David Morris sent me a letter , he said there are 2 reasons to be happy as an old man , (1) he will be free from pain and suffering . (2) Ever since he became a Buddhist he has tried his best to maintain and uphold the 5 precepts , if there is another life it won't be an unfortunate one as he departs with confidence .

In the end the dying man takes no solace in dancing and singing , only meritorious deeds will you get confidence and this will support the kammic energy in the rebirth . Must know how to handle life , by doing service to others to help release their suffering . Many die with fear and confusion in mind , can't take rebirth in upper realm . Meditation is important to maintain purity . Prince Siddharta when he was born there were 5 astrologers invited to predict his fate, 4 said that he would either grow up to be a sage or monarch . Last one said definitely a sage . When craving and attachment is completely removed , mind is then completely pure .This body is not life . Its a house built by energy and 4 cosmic elements. Unfortunately in the past 2500 years , Buddhists in Asia have introduced a lot of rites and rituals, never introduced by the Buddha.Just keep away from evil by reducing anger, jealousy enmity , try to do meritorious deeds, try to develop the mind through understanding. Try to purify the mind.

If you are cruel hot tempered or stingy try your best to take this out . If you pray to God to take this out do you think God can do that? Buddha can't also , but he can tell you how to do that . War is declared by the human mind, peace also comes from our minds , not from heaven nor from God.
First by understanding without believing , when you develop a right understanding , then you can carry on a religious way of life . When you doubt , you think , investigate, accept or reject . Others say if there is doubt, then God will punish you.
All over the world different schools have sprung up and they follow their own traditions which they have maintained for a long time . Buddha had rejected old traditions , but it was introduced to the primitive narrow minded people . People in Asian countries don't study the dharma.
Next do Good . Reduce the anger and do something to train the mind through
right understanding . Change the mind , through your own experience you can understand right and wrong.
I have been in Malaysia for 53 years , used to have even no room to sleep. The Chinese were the main Buddhists here and through Buddhist societies we made them understand what Buddhism is.
My mind mental and life energy is still active but I am half way dead , you must know how to do this . Although the end of my life is now near , I have no fear. Arahants can disconnect mind from body to experience nibbanic bliss and at that time you cannot tell if they are dead or alive , their bodies are still warm and their complexions will remain ruddy . They can do that for 1 week at the most. Remember there are 4 kinds of happiness: (1) Happiness of Possession - In owing your own property , your house , land , business , bank account. (2) Happiness of Enjoyment - Using what you have earned you can enjoy good food , nice house,nice dress without abusing, bluffing, cheating others. (3) Happiness of Debtlessness - Try best not to borrow from others , spend within your own means, you gain self respect. (4) Happiness of Blamelessness - Try to lead life without doing harm to anybody.

These 4 kinds of happiness must be with you . Don't be lazy do some work , do not neglect what you have earned, maintain and protect what you have earned , then you can decide what to do including adopting a Buddhist way of life up to arahant , know how to adjust your way of life , how to associate with others , who are they ?Associate with good people ,not harmful wicked people .Support your father and mother ,look after your wife and children, don't neglect relatives, help them . Develop your mind to the extent that you are not shaken by the 8 winds of change, praise /blame , fame /shame , gain /loss , pleasure /pain and treat all the same , then at this stage nothing will affect you." All meetings end in partings
That which rises must fall
That which is collected will be dispersed
Birth ends with death