Sunday, July 18, 2010

Big thank you for your help

On 5th Jul 2001 I was able to make a first donation of $1,200/- to the Dover Park Hospice from the money collected from the 102pcs of CD sold up to that point of time.
I am truly grateful for the help from the Buddhist Library, my friends: Joyce,Jono, and Wan Ming who has each sold for me or purchased from me no less than 20 pcs of the CDs each. Not to mention the Buddhist Library has also generously donated the amount due to them as my contribution to their organisation as their share of contribution to the Hospice.
Likewise, I am very touched by the generosity of some who have not only purchased my CD but top up with extra donation to help the cause.
As for those who are not buddhists, if you believe in the cause, there is no boundary to compassion. You can still make a "purchase" of the CD and not collect it if you are not comfortable in keeping it. We will give it to someone who would like to have it or needs it on your behalf.
The latest generous act from Dro-Phen Ling and some other devotees there have also up the amount collected from my CD sale close to the target of donating the second $1,000/- soon. So please help and hopefully we will be able to hit the targeted amount of $7,000/- in another 6 months time.
The above is a copy of the official receipt from the Hospice to show proof of my donation. Once again thank you all and please carry on helping

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Text/Lyrics of Tracks

Track 1:

Taking refuge and generating Bodhicitta

I take refuge until I am enlightened in the Buddhas, the Dharma and the Sangha.
By the positive potential I create by practicing generosity and the other far reaching attitudes, may I attain Buddhahood in order to benefit all sentient beings.

The Four Immeasurables

May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes
May all sentient beings be free of suffering and its causes
May all sentient beings not be separated from sorrowless bliss
May all sentient beings abide in equanimity, free of bias, attachment and anger

King of Prayers

Due to the length of this text please go to the following link: http://www.thubtenchodron.org/PrayersAndPractices/the_extraordinary_aspiration.html

Track 2:

The Great Compassion Mantra

Namo ratna trayaya
Namo arya gyana sagara
Berotsana buha radzaya
Tatagataya arhate samyaksam buddhaya
Namo sarwa tatagatebhye arhatebhye
Samyaksam buddhebhye
Namo arya avalokite
Shoraya bodhi satoya
Maha satoya maha karunikaya
Tayata om dara dara
Diri diri duru duru
Itte wate tsale tsale
Trasale trasale
Kusume kusuma ware
Ihli mili tsiti dzola mahpanaye soha

Track 3:

Request to Lama Tsongkhapa

Mig may tse way ter chen chen re zig
Dri may kye pay wang po jam pel yang
Gang chen kay pay tsug gyan tsong kha pa
Lo zang dra pay shab la sol wa deb

Long Life Prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Gang ri ra way kor way zhing kam dir
Pan dang de wa ma lu jung way nay
Chen re sig wang ten zin gya tso yi
Zhap pay si te bar du ten gyur chig

Track 4:

Dedication

As the single source of benefit and bliss
May the teachings of Buddha remain in this world indefinitely and
May those of supreme birth who uphold the precious doctrine
Live long firm lives like banner of victory
May the lives of the glorious spiritual teachers be firm and
May all sentient beings, as vast in numbers as space, be well and happy
By accumulating merit and cleansing obscurations, may I and others
Be quickly placed at the stage of Buddhahood
I pray that the spiritual teachers may enjoy excellent health
I pray for their long and supreme lives as well
I pray that their concerned activities may spread forth and expand
Grant blessing that I may never be separated from my spiritual teachers
By this merit may all sentient beings have obtained omniscience
Defeat the harmful enemies of the three poisons
From the turbulent waves of birth, old age, sickness and death
May all be liberated from this ocean of samsara

Monday, April 19, 2010

Call to all buddhists

I realised that on the second day of my release of the CD, it was already being copied. I think maybe we are used to this idea of "burning a copy" of something that we like without considering about the law on piracy. However, I do urged you all out there who are interested in getting a copy of this CD, to buy it from direct sources because you are actually robbing the Hospice concerned off the amount that is due to them.
This really contradicts Buddha's teaching on generosity and that is precisely what the cause of this project about. Therefore, by burning a copy for private use or whatever use, you are not only contradicitng the teaching but also committing an offence at the same time. So please DO NOT create this bad karma. Amituofo.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Track Listing

1.Taking refuge and generating Bodhicitta-The Four Immeasurables-King of Prayers- (The Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra) (18:17)
2.The Great Compassion Mantra (13:57)
3.Request ot Lama Tsongkhapa-Long Life Prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama (4:52)
4.Dedication (4:35)

CD Artwork


PROJECT WITH A CAUSE

WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?
This initial print of a 1,000 copies of the CD, which is selling at a recommended retail price of $10/(*)per CD, is done with an aim to raise fund for Dover Park Hospice. 70% of the proceed will go to the Hospice and 20% will go to the organizations that help to distribute the CD. The producer will only take 10% of the collection to defray administration costs. The cost of the production is fully bond by Rita Sze Music Enterprise and various contributors as listed in the CD booklet.
* There are some outlets selling the CD at a different price due to discounts given to members and also deductions for credit card charges. Please be understanding as they are trying to keep the donation sum in tact and they are not profiting for their own purpose.

WHY DOVER PARK HOSPICE?
My late mom has spent her last 5 days of her life there. Impressed with their level of service and the dedication of their staff and volunteers plus their sensitivity to the religious needs of the patients I am determined to offer help to this charitable organization in whatever way that I can do best.

WHY ONLY BUDDHIST PRAYERS AND MANTRA?
Started to be a serious Vajrayana practitioner about 6 years ago, I have tried to learn various prayers and mantras not solely by chanting them but also to understand the meaning and the reasons for such chanting.

Those included in this CD are some of those that have touched my life greatly and created a great impact on my realization of various things and events that took place.
Therefore I hope this will help those who are in need, by reciting or singing along with my CD, or if not, just by listening to the sound of it and leave an imprint in their mind.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO EMBARK ON THIS PROJECT ALONE?
I am trained in music for a great part of my life and that is the thing that I feel I can do best. So instead of burning paper offering items to my mom I think by spending the same amount of money to create a product that will not only benefit different organizations financially but also people in need spiritually, will be a more meaningful way of remembering her. Besides, I think this is more in keeping with what Buddhism is about.

I also did not seek help from other musicians in this project because I feel this is a very personal project. By engaging others, it will no doubt render a more “commercial viable sound” to the CD but I think the feeling and sincerity shown will be very different.