No.38 - A Moment of Beauty - A New Beginnings.

A Moment of Beauty - A New Beginnings.
I found this funny little mushroom in the fields in Jenaris Precint one day. After two to three days, it slowly weathered and dies off.

Everything changes, from
second to second
minute to minute
day to day
lifetime to lifetime.

Live is Short,
Therefore, love truly and
laugh uncontrollably,
and do not regret anything
that made you smile.

Have a healthy, peaceful, prosperous and Happy New Year 2010.

Best wishes from
Andrew Sum
Resident
Jenaris-Bandar Botanic

Botanical Gardens Moment of Beauty
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. The goal of this personal blog is also to show at least one moment of beauty for each day. We can all benefit from taking some time each day to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. A new lovely photo or image is presented every day. From bright images of flowers and landscape to solemn photos of religious status in shadow, to little hands discovering new things. Gardens-eNews will offers you a wonderful new surprise each day. Why you will like this site is because it is very family friendly and will brings a smile or moment of happiness of so.

No.35 - Christmas in Beijing.

6 Days To Christmas,


Christmas in Beijing.
And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, Which shall be to all people. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, Lying in a manger. - St. Luke 10-12

No.34 - The Travels of Andrew Sum - Beijing in Winter.

Travels to Beijing from 13th November,2009 to 20th November,2009. I and my family spend some eight days in China, saw amazing and popular sights in Beijing, Chengde and Tienjie. I enjoy with the chinese people. We love it here in China. Here are some of the beautiful pics downloaded. Further pics can be access via http://www.facebook.com/ at andrewsumps@yahoo.com.

Winter mountain resort of emperors in Chengde.

Mongolians camps preserved for tourists.

A chinese peasant sellings red dates and fruits.

The Great Wall of China.

Treasured parks with trees some more than 500 thousands years old.

The Forbidden Palace in Beijing.

Modern chinese solders at the Tiananmen Square.

Tiananmen Square.

A museum in Beijing.

Trees during winter.

My daughter having a ice cream in Beijing.

A chinese girl attendent in China Mc Donalds.

No.29 - Sabana Coves Marina Resort – Johore, Malaysia.

Sebana Coves Marina Resort - Johore Malaysia.

On 20th Saturday, June,2009, I went to Sebana Coves. I went by car to Singapre, cross the Johore Causeway, then took a ferry from Singapore to Tanjung Pengarin in Johore, Malaysia.

If you dream to luxuriate your holidays with the soothing whiffs of the Sea, a holiday stay at the Sebana Coves Marina resort is probably the best choice. The resort is a heaven for luxury lovers. Indeed it is a place where you can hear nothng except the azure waters and swaying palm trees and feel nothing except the inescapable joy of being with your loved ones. Nestling close to the tip of Johore, the Sebana Coves Marina Holiday Reort is undoubtedly the place you have always dreamt to spend your vacations.

Asia's premier haven for the discerning traveller and corporate retreat. Located at the southern-most tip of Johor, Malaysia at the source of the tranquil Santi River, Sebana Cove is a truly integrated golf, marina, residential and holiday resort all within a supert eco-setting. The integrated resort is accessible both by road and ferry. The natural retreat with the opulent lush greenery of the oil palm plantation, mangrove swamps, fruit orchards, secondary forests and the Sebana and Santi rivers, allow the savouring of the joys of living away from the hustle and bustle of the city. From the concrete jungle to the green jungle.

No.28 - Life is Beautiful

Life is Beautiful.
The blue sky, the ocean, the river, the swaying branches on a breezy day, children running and playing around, all the laughter, the busy traffic on the road… all these and millions of other things happening everywhere around us is about life.
We are lucky to be here, to experience every moment of our being. Everything is so unique and each of us is different from the other. All the variations and multiplicity of existence are indeed the emergence from one origin.
Everything is a form of energy that vibrates at certain frequencies. Everything is dependent on each other for survival, for existence. We are all indeed a part of each other. A part of the whole manifestation known as the universe.
The plants are here for us just as much as we are here for them. So if we can understand the role they play in providing us with food, the oxygen that we breathe, providing shelter and sustaining other forms of life, maintaining the balance in the ecosystem, should we then not protect and take care of them?

Shouldn’t we be less selfish and begin to learn and appreciate the contribution of others? Just try for one moment to figure out how we can have food on our plate if not for the fact that somebody had sacrificed his time and energy to grow rice, to catch fish, to grow vegetables or to rear cattle and so on.
Then you need people to transport them to wherever necessary, to a market for instance, where someone will be there to sell them to you or to whosoever needs them. Such is the chain or the network that links us to one another. So must we then not be kind to them or even bless them for all these that they are doing for us?
Realize this and start living at peace with a lot of consideration for all those around you. We make what we are and through the law of cause and effect, you just reap what you sow and when you are kind to others, they will do the same to you.
As man, we have come a long way through the ages to be where we are now. Life is an unceasing process of evolution that is always taking our awareness to a better horizon. Through the various developments and achievements accomplished by our understanding of the environment, the situation in the world has improved.
Going places has become a lot easier now and we can see how fast we can move from one place to another with the help of modern technologies. Everything that happens here or anywhere for that matter has a purpose that fits into the beautiful existence and creation of nature and of which we are a part.
As humans, we belong to one race and every one of us is subjected to the same law and order of the universe. That natural law does not pay favorites and it preaches equality to all. Wherever we are the principle is the same, the more you try to help the others the more of the good returns you receive in one way or another. They may not come to you directly but you may benefit from the good returns through your good health, your spiritual well being or the successful accomplishment of your children and so on. Such is the beautiful arrangement made possible to all of us conscious beings by the natural law that operates the universe. In order to have a beautiful life you give and help make it beautiful for others and your life too will be beautiful.
Bear no grudge against anyone. Be forgiving and learn to love every one around you as you would love your own self.
For they are not only your neighbors but they are also the other aspects of the same common ground which is life itself. When you are kind to each aspect of life, you are being kind to yourself.
It is about time now that we realize that we are all aspects of one lift that permeates the whole universe. We may be separate individuals but we share the same space, breathing the same air and living on this lovely planet together. What each one does effects on the other.
So the rule is to take care of one another. We can create a heavenly abode here by being best more humane and being at peace with the world and with everyone there is. Give the
best of yourself to the world, to the environment, to the people and to all forms of life. After all we are all One.
Imagine, if we are parts of one body where the hand as a part is trying to hurt the legs and the pancreas is not cooperating with the other parts in the system or the kidneys refuse to function and so on, what will happen to the body as a whole? There will be no harmony in the system and disease may perhaps sets in.
Is that what we want to happen in our society, in our country, in our beloved world? Do we have anywhere else to go to, other than the limited space around the globe that we have to share? Why can’t we take good care of that space together?
We are the ones that have been polluting the very space we live in. By polluting the space, we are polluting ourselves and one day we may be threatening our very extinction. In this way, and in so doing, the human race is not very smart after all.

Each individual has a specific role to play to benefit the creative system of life. You may be anything, from professionals to ordinary workers, from kings to the subjects, or from a businessman to consumers. So be it, yet wherever you are just do your best and also give your very best because you are doing that for the good of the entire human race. Whatever good we do now will yield a good return tomorrow or should I say that tomorrow will take care of itself in a good way.
The fact that people continue to hurt one another is because they are not aware of who they are in this universal system. They think they are separated from one another, adopting the attitude of my and mine. Some ceaselessly continue to cheat and harm others, producing the products that may result in the death of many and in the end they hope to be the only survivors in this world. But can they really survive in such an environment? Will they too not parish as well in the unhealthy situation that they have created?
Just remember that we are indeed one existence, of one origin, in one world and within one Universal Mind. There is only one force that flows through us all. That infinite beautiful life.
Be at peace with all there is and you will find peace in yourself. We have been long told to love our neighbors as we would love ourselves, yet we know not why. So, now we know that we are also our neighbors. Love and be considerate to them and you will discover that life is just beautiful. So let us all keep it that way, always.

No.27 - A mother's letter to her dear children.

Dear Ones,

The truth is best as it is. No one can alter it, neither can anyone improve it. Have faith in the truth and live it. Now you will ask, what is this mysterious truth? To know that you are infinite is truth. To find that you must always begin with yourself.

The one who has no 'I' and 'me' and 'mine' does not grieve for the unattainable. Never take delight in quarrelsome disputes or engage in controversies to show superiority of intellect or talent. Remain calm and composed with no hostile feelings in your heart towards anyone. Never abandon the disposition of charity for all beings...

No one can become a true ascetic by a shaven head alone. An undisciplined person who utters lies, is full of desire and greed, lives a life of falsehood. Silence does not make a sage. Like Buddha, follow the middle path, keep perfect balance. Let your actions speak louder than words.

Ignorance causes the ruin of the world. Envy and selfishness break human ties and hatred is the most violent of all fevers. Never deceive or despise another. Never lash out with anger or resentment, or wish to harm another. Be free. Be free from pride, vanity and ego. Have faith and wisdom and you will be respected everywhere, in every land. Teachers can only teach, but you and you alone will have to make an effort towards self-transformation.

Overcome all unruly cravings. Be moderate. Health is the highest gain; don't ruin it for the sake of vanity by starving yourself to be thin and taking dangerous drugs to achieve it. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna tells Arjuna: "A harmony in eating and resting, in sleeping and wakefulness, in whatever the action, brings freedom from all pain." A harmonious mind finds a place of rest in the spirit within, where all restless desires disappear in the vast ocean of joy and truth, where the mind becomes steady and fully content and the greatest upheavals can no longer disturb it. Contentment is the greatest wealth.

Victory breeds hatred; the defeated live in pain. Happily, the peaceful live with the wisdom of giving up both victory and defeat. Buddha said it is not life, wealth and power that enslave men, but clinging and craving for more and more. The one who is not bound to wealth or power, who uses it rightly, will be a blessing to others. Always inspect your thoughts before you act, for as we sow, so shall we reap. Seek the welfare of others and bring back those who have gone astray and enlighten them who live in the night of error.

Whatever may be the cause of your suffering, never wound another, be gentle, show kindness. Benevolence towards all beings is the very heart of true religion. Cherish in your heart boundless love and compassion to all that lives...

All creation arose from the desire of the cosmic mind to create. Desire, therefore, is the fuel behind the manifested universe. Everything we perceive from the simple to the very complex arose from desire. However, that is very different from ego-based desire, which is only motivated by selfish fulfillment. Ego-based desire is the root cause of all suffering. Therefore, constant feeding of desires is not the key to happiness, but renunciation and discrimination provide the answer. That simply means giving up the lesser for the greater, and, the uncertain for the certain. Meditate in solitude and try to perceive the fleeting nature of the world. Gradually discrimination will awaken to remind us to be effortless in our quest and to finally dwell in a state of unchanging oneness...

Mother

No.26 - A letter from a father to his little son.

Adapted from Rajesh Mani –The Times Of India

Dear Pranav,

It's been 20 months since you set foot in the world. When I held you for the first time in my arms at the hospital, your tiny hands were twitching and your eyes were shut tight.

Your clenched fist reminded me of a science lesson that said to get an idea about the size of your heart, you should clench your fist. I could imagine the little heart throbbing inside you. The eternal miracle of birth. When it was my turn to witness it, I cried.

Before I married your mother, I used to debate one question endlessly with my friend. Which is, "Is it really worth bringing another life into this world?" Especially when terror has become an ugly leitmotif in the canvas of our lives?

When I switched on the TV that Wednesday night, the question of whether I was right in bringing you into this world haunted me again.

This is my attempt at an answer. Call it catharsis.

I feel there are two ways to raise you. One is to wean you on cynicism. Where you'll erect a sky-high wall in your mind and live your life pouring scorn on everything you see. Which is one way of insulating yourself from fear... A kind of indifferent machismo.

The other way is to prepare you to live in this world. I can't imagine the world for you, son. But i can certainly show you the way to live in an uncertain world. Make a pact with yourself. Understand the following early on.

Life is precious. And equally fragile. So every day is a gift. Get up early once in a while just to watch the sun rise. Stare at it intently and burn it in your memory. Be aware of every passing second. Look around you. There's a thin stalk of plant finding its place under the sun in a crevice on the wall of our apartment.

Appreciate mother's cooking. Praise it to heavens... Make it a habit to eat together as a family. No, make it a rule. Fall in love with books. Words will transport you to worlds far away. It will also keep you informed and prepared.

Follow your heart. The mind can waver but the heart seldom does. Respect your conscience. It's like a post-it note from God.

When you grow up, seek a job you love. As you enter the world of careers and cocktails, you'll get sucked into a vortex called rat race. Don't be overwhelmed. We're all human. But have the courage to step out of it. Nothing will be lost. Some illusions will shatter. Good riddance.

Money. It's important. But it has its place. Don't make the mistake of putting it right on top.

Find your love. Hold it dearly. Be a good husband. A patient father. Give your children space to make their mistakes. But hold them when they fall.

Speak up when you have to. Like this occasion. Whether we like it or not, we're living in a democracy. Sure it has its pitfalls. But don't forget the positives too. The real fight in a democracy is between remembering and forgetting. Go and vote. It's your chance to give shape to the kind of society you want to live in.

Be alert. But try not to live in a state of fear.

It you were to get caught in a situation similar to what happened and should we lose you, then you will have left us with enough lovely memories for the remaining years. That will only happen if you start living every day like it is the last day of your life. Though it can never compensate your loss, at least we'll find strength in your love for life.

Don't have regrets. They defeat the very purpose of life.

Immersed as I am in work most of the time, this letter is also a wake-up call for me.

Love, Dad

No.24 - The Holy Teaching of Vimalakirti.

The Dharma-Door of Nonduality.

Then, the Licchavi Vimalakirti asked those bodhisattvas, “Good sirs, please explain how the bodhisattvas enter the Dharma-door of nonduality!”

Thereupon, thirty-one bodhisattvas expressed their views on nonduality. I quote three of these expressions as examples:

The bodhisattva Srigandha declared, ‘I’ and ‘mine’ are two. If there is no presumption of a self, there will be no possessiveness. Thus, the absence of presumption is the entrance into nonduality.’…

The bodhisattva Tisya declared, ‘Good’ and ‘evil’ are two. Seeking neither good nor evil, the understanding of the nonduality of the significant and the meaningless is the entrance into nonduality…

The bodhisattva Suddhadhimukti declared, ‘ To say, ‘This is happiness’ and ;That is misery’ is dualism. One who is free of all calculations, through the extreme purity of gnosis – his mind is aloof, like empty space; and thus he enters into nonduality.’

And near the end we read:

When the bodhisattvas had given their explanations, they all addressed the crown prince Manjusri: “Manjusri, what is the bodhisattva’s entrance into nonduality?”
Manjusri replied. “Good sir, you have all spoken well. Nevertheless, all your explanations are themselves dualistic. To know no one teaching, to express nothing, to say nothing, to explain nothing, to express nothing, to indicate nothing, and to designate nothing – that is the entrance into nonduality.”

Then the crown prince Manjusri said to the Licchavi Vimalakirti, “We have all given our own teachings, noble sir. Now, may you elucidate the teaching of the entrance into the principle of nonduality!”

Thereupon, the Licchavi Vimalakirti kept his silence, saying nothing at all.
The crown prince Manjusri applauded the Licchavi Vimalakirti: “Excellent! Excellent, noble sir! This is indeed the entrance into the nonduality of the bodhisattvas. Here there is no use for syllables, sounds, and ideas.”

No.23 - Dedications of Virtuous Merits.

When the monk Bodhidharma went from India to China he was welcomed by Emperor Liang. The emperor asked him, "What merit have I gained since I built so many temples, erected so many pagodas, made so many offerings to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and did numerous other virtuous deeds?" Bodhidharma's reply greatly disappointed Emperor Liang. Bodhidharma said, "Your Majesty, there is none. You have gained no merit. What you have done produces only worldly rewards, that is, good fortune, great power, or great wealth in your future lives, but you will still be wondering around in samsara."

Buddha often emphasized that to study and explain to others even a few sentences of the teachings that show how to be rid of samsara creates infinitely greater merit than making tremendous offerings to as many Buddhas all over the universe as there are grains of sand in the great Ganges River.

One who makes numerous offerings to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, helps sentient beings, and does many good deeds, and yet dedicates all the merits accumulated thereby to one's own or one's relatives' interest such as making more money or enjoying a longer or better present or future life produces limited effects.

One who does those same good deeds but dedicates all the merit to saving sentient beings from suffering in samsara receives much greater merit than the one with selfish purposes.

And one who does the same good deeds with no specific purpose or desire at all receives infinitely greater merit than the two mentioned above.

No.21 - Kindness

When Mahatma Gandhi was in South Africa, he once went to a hotel and ordered food. Since he was well-known for his struggle for justice for fellow Indians, the waiter recognized him. He was delighted and treated him with great respect.Gandhi noticed this, when he finished his meal, he paid the bill and said smilingly; "thank you, young man." The waiter looked shocked,"What did you say,sir?"
"Well,thank you," Gandhi replied. The waiter was overwhelmed. He said, "Sir, you are the first one to thank me for doing my job. Everyone takes our services for granted as they pay for them. I shall never forget your kindness." He then took Gandhi's hand and kissed it.
KIND WORDS CAN BE SHORT AND EASY TO SPEAK BUT THEIR ECHOES ARE TRULY ENDLESS............
In our busy life we usually tend to forget to use kind words, with our friends, our parents and everyone around. Therefore, please try to be little polite and warm towards everyone. The merits would be great.

No.20 - Letting Go And Be Free.

There is a kind of monkey trap used in Asia. A coconut is hollowed out and attached by a rope to a tree or stake in the ground. At the bottom of the coconut a small slit is made and some sweet food is placed inside. The hole on the bottom of the coconut is just big enough for the monkey to slide in his open hand, but does not allow for a closed fist to pass out. The monkey smells the sweets, reaches in with his hand to grasp the food and is then unable to withdraw it.
The clenched fist won't pass, through the opening. When the hunters come, the monkey becomes frantic but cannot get away. There is no one keeping that monkey captive, except the force of its own attachment. All that it has to do is to open the hand. But so strong is the force of greed in the mind that it is a rare monkey which can let go.
It is the desires and clinging in our minds which keep us trapped. All we need to do is to open our hands, let go of our selves, our attachment and be free.

No.19 - Love's Secret.

Love's Secret
William Blake


Never seek to tell thy love,
Love that never told can be;
For the gentle wind does move
Silently, invisibly.

I told my love, I told my love,
I told her all my heart;
Trembling, cold, in ghastly fears,
Ah! she did depart!

Soon as she was gone from me,
A traveler came by,
Silently, invisibly
He took her with a sigh.

No.18 - Go Not To The Temple......

Go not to the temple to put

flowers upon the feet of God,

First fill your own house with

the Fragrance of love.....

Go not to the temple to light

candles before the altar of God,

First remove the darkness of

sin from your heart.....

Go not to the temple to bow

down your head in prayer,

First learn to bow in humility.....

before your fellowmen.....

Go not to the temple to pray

on bended knees,

First bend down to lift someone

who is down-trodden.....

Go not to the temple to ask for

forgiveness of your sins,

First forgive from your heart

those who have sinned against you.

No.17 - Valentine's Day.

In spite of what you have been told by everyone, the truth is that Valentine's Day originated hundreds of years ago, in India, and to top it all, in the state of Gujarat !!!It is a well known fact that Gujarati men, specially the Patels, continually mistreat and disrespect their wives (Patelianis). One fine day, it happened to be the 14th day of February, one brave Patelani, having had enough "torture" by her husband, finally chose to rebel by beating him up with a Velan (rolling pin to make chapattis).Yes....the same Velan which she used daily, to make chapattis for him.... only this time, instead of the dough, it was the husband who was flattened.This was a momentous occasion for all Gujarati women and a revolt soon spread, like wild fire, with thousands of housewives beating up their husbands with the Velan. There was an outburst of moaning "chapatti-ed" husbands all over Anand and Amdavad.The Patel men-folk quickly learnt their lesson and started to behave more respectfully with their Patelanis.Thereafter, on 14th February every year, the womenfolk of Gujarat would beat up their husbands, to commemorate that eventful day - the wives having the satisfaction of beating up their husbands with the Velan and the men having the supreme joy of submitting to the will of the women they loved.Soon The Gujju men realized that in order to avoid this ordeal they need to present gifts to their wives....they brought flowers and sweets. This is how the tradition - Velan time - began.As Gujarat fell under the influence of Western culture, the ritual soon spread to Britain and many other Western countries, specifically,the catch words 'Velan time' !!! In course of time, their foreign tongues, this got anglicized to 'Velantime' and then to 'Valentine'. And thereafter, 14th of February, came to be known as Valentine's Day and now you know the true story of Valentine's day.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

No.16 - Concord

Concord

In modern times, these verses are frequently used by leaders in addresses to public assemblies.

Come together, speak in agreement, may your minds see alike, even as the gods of yore, in mutual agreement, took their offerings. May your deliberation be uniform, and uniform your conclusion, uniform your mind, and thoughts. Together, I utter forth a common prayer to you and a common oblation do I offer you. Your intention the same, your hearts the same, may your minds be the same so that there may be amongst you perfect unity.

No.15 - Smile

Smile

It costs nothing, but creates much.

It enriches those who receive it without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash, and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None are so rich they can get along without it;

and none are so poor but they are richer for its benefits.

It creates happiness in the home,

fosters goodwill in a business,

and is the contersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary,

daylight to the discouraged,

sunshine to the sad,

and it is nature's best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen.

No.13 - A Shield Against Criticism

A Shield Against Criticism

AT ONE TIME, the Lord Buddha said, "Atula, kings are criticised, kings are praised. The sun, the moon, the earth are criticised by some, and praised by others. I too, the Lord Buddha, am criticised; I too am praised. There is no need to heed the criticism of fools, but of the wise, take heed to win their praise and to escape their censure.

Criticising others is not something new. This has been so from ancient times. Those who are silent are criticised, those who talk much are criticised, those who talk in moderation are criticised. No one is free from criticism.

There never has been, there never will be, nor is there now, anyone who is always praised, not anyone who is always blamed."

Let this discourse be as a shield against criticism.

No.12 - Why We Must Do Good Deeds.

The Elephant in the Parileyya Forest.

Wishing to be alone for some time the Buddha set out for the Parileyya Forest. On reaching the forest and after meeting with some of his devoted disciples who were living alone there, the Buddha rested under a huge sala tree.

Now a certain full-grown male elephant, the leader of a herd was living in the forest with females and young ones. Feeling a bit restless, the elephant left the herd and wandered off. After a while it happened to come to the sala tree where the Buddha was alone by himself. The elephant on seeing the Buddha seated at the foot of the sala tree, felt calm like a man who had his grief allayed by the cool waters of a thousand pools. A great feeling of devotion to the Buddha arose in him and he stood gazing at the Buddha. From that moment, he wanted to serve the Buddha and made it his daily duty to sweep the ground where the Buddha set. Daily he brought water to the Buddha for washing His face, he fetch water for bathing, he offered swall twigs as tooth cleaner, he brought sweet, delicious fruits of different sizes and offered them to the Buddha and cared for the Buddha in any way he could.

When the Buddha entered the village for alms food, the elephant would carry the Buddha's alms bowl and robe on his head and accompanied him up to the edge of the village. There the Buddha would take the bowl from him and the elephant would await His return, whereupon he would again take the alms bowl and robes and return to the tree with the Buddha. Whilst the Buddha was meditating he would stand guard to ensure that the Buddha was not endangered in any way. He would fan and ward off any pests and insects from disturbing the Buddha.

Later, when the Buddha returned to Savatthi, the elephant died of a broken heart. For the good deed that he had done, the elephant was reborn in Tavatimsa Heaven and lived in a golden palace, where he came to be known as Parileyyaka-devaputta.

No.11 - Why Is It So Important To Practise Patience So As To Eliminate Anger.

Why Is It So Important To Practise Patience So As To Eliminate Anger.

Knowing that he was about to pass away, Sariputta, approached the Buddha and asked His permission to return to his mother's home. The Buddha, knowing his intention, gave His blessings and sent him off together with 500 monks. Sariputta's mother was a wealthy person, worth more than 40 million of money, and it was her hope that her son, Sariputta would inherit this great wealth after her death.

Arriving at his home village, he saw many of his nieces and nephews, whereupon, he requested that they go and inform their grandmother that he will be returning home and that he would like to stay in the room of his childhood. Upon hearing this news, his mother was filled with joy thinking that her son has finally come to his senses and is returning home to his inheritance.

Upon reaching his mother's house, Sariputta stood outside, hoping that his mother would see him and come to offer him some food. His intention was to give his mother the opportunity to do Dana so that she would gain some merits. His mother, who was now 120 years of age, upon seeing her son, began to complain. "I have a wealth worth 40 million money, and my son is not even interested in them. And now he is standing there like a beggar begging for food." Sariputta, suffering from diarrhoea and feeling very sick, acknowledged her and entered his room. Seeing that he was sick, his mother stood outside and observed him from the window of his room.

That night, while she was still patiently sitting outside Sariputta's room waiting for the right moment to enter, she saw four beings appearing in her son's room. These four beings were radiating rays of light from their bodies with the brightness of the morning star. She saw these four beings paying respect to her son before going away.

After some time, she say another being appearing in her son's room. This being was radiating light from his body with the brightness of the full moon. This being too, paid respect to her son before going away. And not so long after that, at about 3 am in the morning, she saw yet another being appearing in her son's room and paid respect to her son before going away. This being was radiating light from his body with the brightness of the afternoon sun. She became very curious at these unusual happenings.

The next morning, Sariputta knew that it was time to let his mother into the room. Upon entering the room, she questioned her son regarding the unusual sights she had seen the night before. She first asked about the four beings whose brightness was equal to the morning star. Sariputta replied that they were the Four Heavenly Guardian Kings. her mother was surprised to find out that the Four Guardian Kings had actually visited her house. She then wanted to know, who was the more superior: the Four Great Kings or her son. Sariputta answered; "you have seen them paying their respects to me." Upon hearing her son's reply, she was impressed. A certain degree of joy began to develop in her heart knowing that her son, after renunciation had achieved a level greater than the Four Guardian Kings.

She then continued to inquire about the second being whose brightness was as the full moon. Sariputta replied, "He is Sakka, the King of Heaven." She was even more impressed that Sakka himself had actually visited her house and again wanted to know who was the more superior? And Sariputta answered; "You have seen Sakka paying his respects to me." The mother was greatly impressed.

Coming to the third being whose brightness was as the afternoon sun. Sariputta told; "He is Maha Brahma, the deity you have been worshipping everyday at home." His mother then exclaimed with great surprise; "You mean the same Maha Brahma I have been worshipping everyday actually came to my house?" She again wanted to know who was the more superior? And Sariputta answered; "You have seen Maha Brahma paying respects to me." Realising the great achievements of her son, tears of joy flowed from her eyes.

A thought entered her mind: "If even the Maha Brahma and the heavenly gods pay respects to my son, who is only a disciple of the Buddha, what about his teacher the Buddha? He must be far more superior than my son."

When Sariputta saw the thoughts of his mother through his Arahant eyes, he began to preach the Dhamma to her;

Such indeed is He the Exalted One: Worthy, Supremely Enlightened, endowed with Knowledge and Conduct, Well-gone, Knower of the worlds, Enlightened and Exalted.

Upon contemplating the verses on the perfection of the Buddha, Sariputta's mother became a stream winner.

This is one of the tenth good deed. It is to practise patience so as to eliminate anger.