I have been spending my paternity leave just catching up on some reading especially for stuff that I am figuring out to do. Top of the list is photography. I finally splurged on a digital SLR. (In fact, I ran out to buy my Nikon D80 8 hours after Ashlynn was born just to save on the 2% GST hike).
Getting and paying for the camera is the easier part. The tricky part is how to take good pictures with them. I picked up a book " The Joy of Digital Photography" by Jeff Wignall. It's got pretty nice pictures and pretty good tips all presented in a not too intimidating fashion.
I think the crux photography is really observation and timing. Having the patience to look at people's reactions, moods and actions, and willing to spend time with them. I like this quote from the great photographer Edward Steichen that photography's job was "... to explain man to man and eac man to himself"
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Recommended Books
Okay, finally got round to reading a book that President Nathan recommended when Laura and I shared a table with him during the Mid Autumn Festival Light Up in 2005. In the course of our discussions, we both very impressed by his knowledge and understanding of various religions, especially Buddhism. President explained how Buddhism had developed in reaction to the stifling and oppressive nature of Hinduism's caste based system. He recommended a book by Sun Shuyun "Ten Thousand Miles Without a Cloud."
The book is Shuyun's account about retracing the steps of Xuanzang, the Chinese monk who travelled from China to India to bring back critical Buddhists works and translating them from Sanskrit to Chinese. I guess most Chinese know of him from 西游记，Journey to the West fame. I think what makes Shuyun's account interesting is that she grew up in China during the Cultural Revolution, where the Communist tried to eliminate Buddhism.
What struck me was how revolutionary Buddhism in its day was, countering the dictates of the caste based system. Shuyun quotes from Asoka, a Buddhist from a backward caste
"Buddhism was a rejection of Brahminism and caste. In the Sangha, everyone is treated as equal, whether you are a Brahmin or a sweeper. It is revolutionary, the first of its kind. It shows the world how a community based on equality can work. Like The Mahabodhi temple, it opens its doors to everyone, even women -- they were fourth-class citizens for a long time in India, and could not go near the temples.
The interesting thing however was that if Buddhism was so revolutionary in releasing the downtrodden from their chains, why did it not survive in India, the land of its birthplace? Shuyun attributes it to the fact that Buddhism never completely dominated Indian life, nor was caste eliminated even at its height of popularity.
Another factor was Shankara, a Hindu born in Kerala about 700AD.
" [Shankara] ... was unhappy with the numerous sects... He felt that Brahmin priests were mainly intent on emphasizing their separateness and safeguarding their privileges, leaving out a large section of society. Something needed to be done to reclaim the ground, moral, doctrinal, ritualistic as well as social, that had been lost to Buddhists...."
Shankara wrote "Who are you? Who am I? From where do I come? Enquire thus and you will realize that the entire world is but a dream, a mere hallucination, born of imagination. With such a realization, you will be freed from the delusions of the world."
Sounds rather Buddhist, right. but I think what Shankara managed to do was to successfully appropriate Buddhist elements that pointed to the flaws of Hinduism and thus then return Hinduism to its roots.
As a Christian myself, I see all religions as vulnerable to capture by the elites. Same thing too for Christianity and Catholicism... as we struggle to be true to the teachings of our founder without being captured by societal elites.
The book is Shuyun's account about retracing the steps of Xuanzang, the Chinese monk who travelled from China to India to bring back critical Buddhists works and translating them from Sanskrit to Chinese. I guess most Chinese know of him from 西游记，Journey to the West fame. I think what makes Shuyun's account interesting is that she grew up in China during the Cultural Revolution, where the Communist tried to eliminate Buddhism.
What struck me was how revolutionary Buddhism in its day was, countering the dictates of the caste based system. Shuyun quotes from Asoka, a Buddhist from a backward caste
"Buddhism was a rejection of Brahminism and caste. In the Sangha, everyone is treated as equal, whether you are a Brahmin or a sweeper. It is revolutionary, the first of its kind. It shows the world how a community based on equality can work. Like The Mahabodhi temple, it opens its doors to everyone, even women -- they were fourth-class citizens for a long time in India, and could not go near the temples.
The interesting thing however was that if Buddhism was so revolutionary in releasing the downtrodden from their chains, why did it not survive in India, the land of its birthplace? Shuyun attributes it to the fact that Buddhism never completely dominated Indian life, nor was caste eliminated even at its height of popularity.
Another factor was Shankara, a Hindu born in Kerala about 700AD.
" [Shankara] ... was unhappy with the numerous sects... He felt that Brahmin priests were mainly intent on emphasizing their separateness and safeguarding their privileges, leaving out a large section of society. Something needed to be done to reclaim the ground, moral, doctrinal, ritualistic as well as social, that had been lost to Buddhists...."
Shankara wrote "Who are you? Who am I? From where do I come? Enquire thus and you will realize that the entire world is but a dream, a mere hallucination, born of imagination. With such a realization, you will be freed from the delusions of the world."
Sounds rather Buddhist, right. but I think what Shankara managed to do was to successfully appropriate Buddhist elements that pointed to the flaws of Hinduism and thus then return Hinduism to its roots.
As a Christian myself, I see all religions as vulnerable to capture by the elites. Same thing too for Christianity and Catholicism... as we struggle to be true to the teachings of our founder without being captured by societal elites.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Cook with Jamie
Went down to Borders yesterday to pick up Kevin's birthday present The Dangerous Book for Boys which I am sure that he will enjoy himself plus his 4 rather dangerous boys. Yup, boys just love a little rough handling, and I was pretty much bitten by Ian who was probably pretending to be a dinosaur or something other.
Also bought Cook with Jamie. I had laid my eyes on this book a couple of months ago, but never had the heart to buy it. (Too expensive!) However, Laura gave me a 30% voucher which I used to buy the book. The book is so handsomely illustrated with techniques, descriptions, pictures... and so invitingly, casually written. Its the kind of book that so inspiring that it just makes you want to get out of your armchair on experiment with his concoctions. I also like how patiently he explains things that other cooks just assume that you know. Currently exploring his website now... www.jamieoliver.com/
Also bought Cook with Jamie. I had laid my eyes on this book a couple of months ago, but never had the heart to buy it. (Too expensive!) However, Laura gave me a 30% voucher which I used to buy the book. The book is so handsomely illustrated with techniques, descriptions, pictures... and so invitingly, casually written. Its the kind of book that so inspiring that it just makes you want to get out of your armchair on experiment with his concoctions. I also like how patiently he explains things that other cooks just assume that you know. Currently exploring his website now... www.jamieoliver.com/
Monday, January 01, 2007
New Year Thoughts
Quote from GK Chesterton that bears reflecting in the new year.
"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards. Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."
Never really had the chance to read any of Chesterton's books but will include it in my reading list. There is a particular good introductory website http://www.chesterton.org/ that bears checking out. Will try to pick up the following book recommended by the website G.K. Chesterton - The Apostle of Common Sense
"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards. Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."
Never really had the chance to read any of Chesterton's books but will include it in my reading list. There is a particular good introductory website http://www.chesterton.org/ that bears checking out. Will try to pick up the following book recommended by the website G.K. Chesterton - The Apostle of Common Sense
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