With the coronavirus being spread globally and causing a pandemic, people are anxious, frustrated, and scared of contracting this virus. Many are practicing 'social distancing', which is the practice of deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. For example, social events are canceled, people start working from home, classes are either canceled or moved online. Some even closed down cities or services for their dwellers. People start

As we continue from the Four Means of Embracing mini-series, we continue to explore the second means of embracing: Kind words. Speaking kind words is important on many levels. First, our mode of communication with people is language. Even though you may communicate through e-mails remotely, you still have to use language to communicate. Therefore, knowing how to speak is an art (No wonder people pay to learn how to speak!). Second, words are very powerful. If you have heard o

As we continue from the Four Means of Embracing mini-series, we continue to explore the first means of embracing: Generosity. Generosity is important in many aspects. First, it is the first of the six paramitas. Second, it is also the first of the four means of embracing. Third, many Buddhist practices stress the importance of generosity. Fourth, there is a saying that generosity is the medicine of greed. In this aspect, we would think that generosity is limited to an act of

What place do kindness and compassion have in today's world? In ancient times, people do not need to work long hours, hence they have time to further develop themselves. People in the past had more time to interact with people as there were not many things to do during the day. Jobs in the past were interactive in nature, and people in town know each other. Now, with economic advancement, we may need to work long hours, and hence have little time for ourselves. Furthermore, w