Today is the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism (we celebrate it on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month).

Today is the birthday of Bodhisattva Manjusri (文殊师利菩萨）in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism. 

When we mention the word meditation, a lot of people, particularly people who have no idea what meditation is, would think that it is very difficult. It may require one to sit still for a long time, and not think of anything. This is a common misunderstanding of meditation, particularly for a lot of beginners and outsiders.

When one mentions Buddhism, most people would think it’s just another religion. However, if one examines and studies the teachings of the Buddha, one will realise that it is not just another religion. In fact, it transcends religion and even the so-called philosophy.

Lust or sexual craving is probably the most difficult mental defilement for anyone to control or eliminate.