I have heard of many people who enjoy eating the soft shell crab and treat this as a delicacy.
Well, I learnt over lunch today the cruel way in which these crabs are bred (more like prepared) for consumption. After reading this and knowing how much cruelty is involved I hope that you will not order them anymore and tell your friends about this. This is how it goes...
Young crabs which have been caught or reared have all their limbs and claws cut off. They are then thrown back into the breeding pond. These crabs apparently undergo and suffer much pain as they wriggle and struggle. Apparently it is the pain that triggers their bodies to shed their hard outer shell. Once this process is over they are harvested.
To all who rear soft shell crabs and those who delight as they eat them, please show conpassion...Om Mani Peme Hung...
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Clockwise? Which direction?
Which way is clockwise?
Surely all of us know that. The thing is that not much thought has been given to this concept that have been us all our life.
It just so happens that clockwise is but one of those little silent things that have taken over our lives. It is just a convention and we have been conditioned to accept that convention. No wonder it is taught that we are a creation of conditioning.
Just like accepting that clockwise is just this direction, many of our attitudes and views and the way we take things to be are also conditioned. This conditioning is not what we really are. Peel away those layers that is not us and perhaps we may find out what we really are made up off. It is taught that we will find that we are empty of any existence and that is when it becomes really frightening. But then we are assured that that is when enlightenment dawns.
Surely all of us know that. The thing is that not much thought has been given to this concept that have been us all our life.
It just so happens that clockwise is but one of those little silent things that have taken over our lives. It is just a convention and we have been conditioned to accept that convention. No wonder it is taught that we are a creation of conditioning.
Just like accepting that clockwise is just this direction, many of our attitudes and views and the way we take things to be are also conditioned. This conditioning is not what we really are. Peel away those layers that is not us and perhaps we may find out what we really are made up off. It is taught that we will find that we are empty of any existence and that is when it becomes really frightening. But then we are assured that that is when enlightenment dawns.
life whizzing by
Aa I was driving along the north south highway a few mornings ago, I passed by one of my favorite spots along the highway. This one is just after the Seremban toll heading north on the right hand side. It is a grassy knoll. It is not naturally grassy though as it once used to be belukar but now is a cleared area used for culturing turves.
That morning, the sun was just up and men were busy changkuling away harvesting the green turves. It was a splendid sight of men at work with nature, away from the roar of us busy noisy motorist. There was calm in that.
I so wanted to take a picture but it was not possible as I was speeding along. A great shot wasted.
Life is like that. We move so fast whizzing past that we have no time to capture the details. We miss the sights, the aroma, the joys. Just like that moment on the road, it can only remain a memory soon to fade with nothing to share with anyone else.
Should we not slow down some? Time and Tide wait for no man, how true!
That morning, the sun was just up and men were busy changkuling away harvesting the green turves. It was a splendid sight of men at work with nature, away from the roar of us busy noisy motorist. There was calm in that.
I so wanted to take a picture but it was not possible as I was speeding along. A great shot wasted.
Life is like that. We move so fast whizzing past that we have no time to capture the details. We miss the sights, the aroma, the joys. Just like that moment on the road, it can only remain a memory soon to fade with nothing to share with anyone else.
Should we not slow down some? Time and Tide wait for no man, how true!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Message of the torch protest
Dear Editor,
Message of the Olympic Torch Protest
I write to respond to “Wrong to hijack the Olympic torch”. I think the writer has missed my point somewhat.
The writer may have stayed with Tibetan households and found them to be at par or better than the poor in our country. That is probably an indication of how tough these people are. But what are their true feelings about the situation in their homeland? I doubt they would share the writer’s disgust.
In India, Tibetans live in settlements and do not have much freedom of work or trade. The conditions in those that I have seen would not be something that neither I nor I think, the writer, would care to spend the rest of his life. Tibetans remain refugees in India and I remember one incident where I fought the hotel people to allow my Tibetan friends to stay the night. This happened in dingy Paharganj in New Delhi, not some posh hotel where there may have been more house rules.
We need to look deeper into this whole episode of the torch run. When I said that my point has been missed is simply that Tibetans are people too and at a deeper level our brothers and sisters. The first person I would think would have realized this would be the writer who has experienced their hospitality. It is far easier to condemn and show disgust than to try to understand the reason behind another’s actions. What I am writing for is that we not be so easy to show disgust because our pleasure of watching the Olympics is threatened.
I am saddened to see images where people throw stones at each other be they Tibetans or otherwise. It should never happen. But that is not to be confused with the message behind the torch protest which is to bring world awareness to their situation.
I am not campaigning for their cause rather urging for some reflection on why they are protesting. Respect asked for is simply respect for their cry for help from the rest of the world. It may be their last cry yet. There may not be very many brave ones left who are prepared to risk personal exposure.
It begins with disgust and very soon leads to contempt then hatred. There is one thing beautiful coming out of Tibet and that is the teaching on equality and compassion. Has the writer not absorbed any of this during his stays with them?
Message of the Olympic Torch Protest
I write to respond to “Wrong to hijack the Olympic torch”. I think the writer has missed my point somewhat.
The writer may have stayed with Tibetan households and found them to be at par or better than the poor in our country. That is probably an indication of how tough these people are. But what are their true feelings about the situation in their homeland? I doubt they would share the writer’s disgust.
In India, Tibetans live in settlements and do not have much freedom of work or trade. The conditions in those that I have seen would not be something that neither I nor I think, the writer, would care to spend the rest of his life. Tibetans remain refugees in India and I remember one incident where I fought the hotel people to allow my Tibetan friends to stay the night. This happened in dingy Paharganj in New Delhi, not some posh hotel where there may have been more house rules.
We need to look deeper into this whole episode of the torch run. When I said that my point has been missed is simply that Tibetans are people too and at a deeper level our brothers and sisters. The first person I would think would have realized this would be the writer who has experienced their hospitality. It is far easier to condemn and show disgust than to try to understand the reason behind another’s actions. What I am writing for is that we not be so easy to show disgust because our pleasure of watching the Olympics is threatened.
I am saddened to see images where people throw stones at each other be they Tibetans or otherwise. It should never happen. But that is not to be confused with the message behind the torch protest which is to bring world awareness to their situation.
I am not campaigning for their cause rather urging for some reflection on why they are protesting. Respect asked for is simply respect for their cry for help from the rest of the world. It may be their last cry yet. There may not be very many brave ones left who are prepared to risk personal exposure.
It begins with disgust and very soon leads to contempt then hatred. There is one thing beautiful coming out of Tibet and that is the teaching on equality and compassion. Has the writer not absorbed any of this during his stays with them?
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Plight of the Tibetans
There was a rebuttal to my opinion but i have not decided whether to respond. I think he missed my point.
Here is the star link http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/focus/20943202&sec=focus
Here is the star link http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/focus/20943202&sec=focus
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Dying and Dreaming
I lost a few friends this past few years to death. The day will come when I will lose all of them when I die.
I dreamt that I was walking along a path. This path used to be one of those that as a young boy I had often used when running about with boys from the same village. The shrubs that lined this path had leaves that were prickly and tend to cut our skin if we were not too careful which often happens when we became too engrossed in our games.
In this particular dream however the leaves were green, fresh, young and new growing off their long stems. I take this to be a good sign.
Within the same dream was another aspect. It got me thinking about how we are so much a slave to attachment and emotions. For example a young boy will forgo the opportunity, excitement and experience of studying in a foreign land simply because he has affections for a girl and being apart becomes something unthinkable.
As grown adults we too have moments when we pine for those we love. Very often we miss our family when we are away from home. Sometimes it is just the knowing that they are near that makes us feel good. Each may be going about their own individual activity.
We are very attached and emotional animals. Perhaps, the solution lies in us being able to move a plane higher by “feeling” on a mental level. That way distance and separation does not become an issue as when we are all mentally connected there is no separation. Of course, the teachings tell me otherwise. It tells me that as long as there is one iota of craving, a thought such as the one I have just talked about is but one distraction that will lead me astray.
The true path should be one that leads me to rejoin the great ocean, just like the droplets of rain rejoining the sea. That way all becomes inseparable and free of ‘you’ and ‘I’.
I dreamt that I was walking along a path. This path used to be one of those that as a young boy I had often used when running about with boys from the same village. The shrubs that lined this path had leaves that were prickly and tend to cut our skin if we were not too careful which often happens when we became too engrossed in our games.
In this particular dream however the leaves were green, fresh, young and new growing off their long stems. I take this to be a good sign.
Within the same dream was another aspect. It got me thinking about how we are so much a slave to attachment and emotions. For example a young boy will forgo the opportunity, excitement and experience of studying in a foreign land simply because he has affections for a girl and being apart becomes something unthinkable.
As grown adults we too have moments when we pine for those we love. Very often we miss our family when we are away from home. Sometimes it is just the knowing that they are near that makes us feel good. Each may be going about their own individual activity.
We are very attached and emotional animals. Perhaps, the solution lies in us being able to move a plane higher by “feeling” on a mental level. That way distance and separation does not become an issue as when we are all mentally connected there is no separation. Of course, the teachings tell me otherwise. It tells me that as long as there is one iota of craving, a thought such as the one I have just talked about is but one distraction that will lead me astray.
The true path should be one that leads me to rejoin the great ocean, just like the droplets of rain rejoining the sea. That way all becomes inseparable and free of ‘you’ and ‘I’.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Plight of the Tibetans
Dear Editor,
I refer to the disgust expressed by “Sports Lover” over the Olympic torch protestors printed in your paper Saturday 12 April 2008.
Although this paper should not be a forum for international issues that have no direct bearing on us Malaysians but I feel it is necessary to put things in another perspective.
The plight of the Tibetans and the loss of their homeland since 1959 have not received much international exposure and judging from Sports Lover’s comments much less here than the rest of the world. It is possibly a reflection of our ignorance on this issue.
From my little exposure to Tibetans both here and my travels there as well as seeing their pathetic survival in India and Nepal, I believe that their cause of fighting against the loss of their homeland and culture deserves more respect than the use of the word “disgust” by sports lover suggests.
We watch the Olympic from the comforts of our favourite cushy sofa but have we given a thought to the sufferings of the millions who have died through flight or worse still through imprisonment and torture? I do believe in the spirit of sports and salute the dedication shown by sportsmen and women and that they should not be the ones to lose out. However, what other forums or ways are there left? The pope has spoken. So has the American president. And Richard Gere.
Historians may argue forever over who actually has sovereignty over Tibet and parts of Qinghai but the humiliation and suffering of the Tibetan people continues. Instead of talking about what is the right way, perhaps it is better to look at things from a more informed angle with some compassion thrown in.
Dear Editor, I hope that you kindly publish this letter so that others can know a little about what is happening outside our shores.
Thank you
I refer to the disgust expressed by “Sports Lover” over the Olympic torch protestors printed in your paper Saturday 12 April 2008.
Although this paper should not be a forum for international issues that have no direct bearing on us Malaysians but I feel it is necessary to put things in another perspective.
The plight of the Tibetans and the loss of their homeland since 1959 have not received much international exposure and judging from Sports Lover’s comments much less here than the rest of the world. It is possibly a reflection of our ignorance on this issue.
From my little exposure to Tibetans both here and my travels there as well as seeing their pathetic survival in India and Nepal, I believe that their cause of fighting against the loss of their homeland and culture deserves more respect than the use of the word “disgust” by sports lover suggests.
We watch the Olympic from the comforts of our favourite cushy sofa but have we given a thought to the sufferings of the millions who have died through flight or worse still through imprisonment and torture? I do believe in the spirit of sports and salute the dedication shown by sportsmen and women and that they should not be the ones to lose out. However, what other forums or ways are there left? The pope has spoken. So has the American president. And Richard Gere.
Historians may argue forever over who actually has sovereignty over Tibet and parts of Qinghai but the humiliation and suffering of the Tibetan people continues. Instead of talking about what is the right way, perhaps it is better to look at things from a more informed angle with some compassion thrown in.
Dear Editor, I hope that you kindly publish this letter so that others can know a little about what is happening outside our shores.
Thank you
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
A Dream of lost babies and flip flop-having only one face
I had a dream two nights ago which on reflection gave me some interesting insight and lessons.
It was actually two dreams in one. In the first part of this dream, I was in a hospital nursery. There was this couple with a baby who had just learnt to crawl. On the blue tiled floor was scattered lost of colorful toys. These toys were like Lego strewn all over. Somehow the baby was dropped onto the floor and she vanished. Well sort of vanish. We knew she was somewhere among the toys but just could not be located. I tried to help and in doing it made a show like I was concerned and threw sidelong glances at other people to check whether others knew I was ‘concerned’.
The next stage of the dream had me leaving this nursery. I boarded what appeared to be a huge ship but the difference was that this ship could fly. So there we go soaring over the dark sea and its huge waves. Even though soaring, this ship somehow ploughed the waters and the wake of the water was awesome.
I chanced to look at my feet and I had flip flops on. And one, the one on the right foot was coming loose. Even though I tried to hold on to it by squeezing it, there was a loss of control and that flip flop fell into the sea below. Within my thoughts the flip flop was not so important as I had another good pair of hiking boots. It was quite a high fall and I could see it fall and disappear.
What this dream taught me was that to act with greater sincerity. In my dealings and thoughts I should not act because I wanted people to think I was of a certain nature. That nature of mine should be natural and should come from the heart not for some hope of recognition or reputation. I should learn to develop myself such that every act and thought as well as the words that leave my lips are naturally free of falsity. I should have only one face which will be the same irrespective of what others see me as, what I should show to others and what I would like myself to be. That is the meaning of the first part of the dream.
The second part of the dream tells me that I should not hold onto little things in life. I should not let petty issues trouble me in that there are so many more precious things in life. There are bigger issues and goals. I should learn to let go.
It was actually two dreams in one. In the first part of this dream, I was in a hospital nursery. There was this couple with a baby who had just learnt to crawl. On the blue tiled floor was scattered lost of colorful toys. These toys were like Lego strewn all over. Somehow the baby was dropped onto the floor and she vanished. Well sort of vanish. We knew she was somewhere among the toys but just could not be located. I tried to help and in doing it made a show like I was concerned and threw sidelong glances at other people to check whether others knew I was ‘concerned’.
The next stage of the dream had me leaving this nursery. I boarded what appeared to be a huge ship but the difference was that this ship could fly. So there we go soaring over the dark sea and its huge waves. Even though soaring, this ship somehow ploughed the waters and the wake of the water was awesome.
I chanced to look at my feet and I had flip flops on. And one, the one on the right foot was coming loose. Even though I tried to hold on to it by squeezing it, there was a loss of control and that flip flop fell into the sea below. Within my thoughts the flip flop was not so important as I had another good pair of hiking boots. It was quite a high fall and I could see it fall and disappear.
What this dream taught me was that to act with greater sincerity. In my dealings and thoughts I should not act because I wanted people to think I was of a certain nature. That nature of mine should be natural and should come from the heart not for some hope of recognition or reputation. I should learn to develop myself such that every act and thought as well as the words that leave my lips are naturally free of falsity. I should have only one face which will be the same irrespective of what others see me as, what I should show to others and what I would like myself to be. That is the meaning of the first part of the dream.
The second part of the dream tells me that I should not hold onto little things in life. I should not let petty issues trouble me in that there are so many more precious things in life. There are bigger issues and goals. I should learn to let go.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Fishes and squirrels and rabbits
I happened along a shop along old pudu lama and they have the biggest carps I have ever seen. I believe they call them Kois. Anyway I took a shot with my simple phone camera and surprisingly the image came out quite good. Only thing though, it does not really show how big the fishes are. Some are like 2 feet long. Imagine!Not so free is that creature in a makeshift cage. What do you think it is? Some say it is a civet cat but the civets I have seen are not like these. Thyeir nose is sharper. This one looks more like a rabbit and a squirrel! You would never guess where this creature was caught-right in the middle of busy Ampang. Possibly wandered off from the zoo (if so, quite a trek though for this poor creature).
By the way civet cats I learnt consume berries but do not digest them. In Indonesia they eat the coffee beans and their droppings become prized coffee beans. That is why they are also called coffee rats. Check it out @ http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?musang
Thursday, April 3, 2008
'black' or 'white'?
Today a friend is travelling, taking a long train ride south. The reason for this journey is to visit a sister who is scheduled for an operation to remove a tumour, a pretty large one.
Every operation involves risk and it is not a journey to relish. It is a journey that does not carry with it the excitement that comes with setting forth on an adventure.
Very often we find ourselves in a family gathering not out of sharing some joyous moment but for some sas tearful event. The chinese say that family meet either for some 'black' or 'white' event. It echoes very appropriately the way the rat and dollar race has got to us. We just 'have no time' to catch up in lighter moments to share live or just simply for that cup of tea.
We do not catch a train to drop by or over at a brother or a sister or father or mother to say hello or simply to to chat nothings. I remember my grandmother used to trudge with her rattan weave bag from town to town visiting her daughters. I remember my aunties too doing the same and they will drop over for a few hours and then walk a long way to the bus stop and then take the last bus home to her village home many miles away.
That's how life was in the old way. What happened? We have cars and many other means of getting about yet we do not do the old way? We wait for the 'black' or 'white'....
Every operation involves risk and it is not a journey to relish. It is a journey that does not carry with it the excitement that comes with setting forth on an adventure.
Very often we find ourselves in a family gathering not out of sharing some joyous moment but for some sas tearful event. The chinese say that family meet either for some 'black' or 'white' event. It echoes very appropriately the way the rat and dollar race has got to us. We just 'have no time' to catch up in lighter moments to share live or just simply for that cup of tea.
We do not catch a train to drop by or over at a brother or a sister or father or mother to say hello or simply to to chat nothings. I remember my grandmother used to trudge with her rattan weave bag from town to town visiting her daughters. I remember my aunties too doing the same and they will drop over for a few hours and then walk a long way to the bus stop and then take the last bus home to her village home many miles away.
That's how life was in the old way. What happened? We have cars and many other means of getting about yet we do not do the old way? We wait for the 'black' or 'white'....
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