Twisted Emotion :Series 2008 Homosexuality -Right or Wrong ?

• bohiruci

  7 Jun 08, 08:55

  Ven. Dhammika posted an interesting post today:

  http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/2008/05/gay-tragedy.html

  A Gay Tragedy

  Occasionally someone, usually a young man but sometimes a young women
  or an older man or women, will approach me and after a few minutes of
  hesitation or beating around the bush, ask me what the Buddhist
  position on homosexuality is. When they do, I tell then that
  intentional actions (kamma) modify consciousness and that our kamma
  conditions our future.

  Positive intentional acts have positive effects (vipaka) and negative
  intentional acts have a negative effect. Sexual acts motivated by the
  usual intentions, feelings and emotions which exist between two people
  who love each other, would have a positive effect and would not
  infringe the third Precept, whether they be homosexual or
  heterosexual. I underline this point by saying that Buddhist ethics
  about sex are primarily concerned with the motives behind out sexual
  behavior, rather than the gender of our partner. This being so, if two
  people of the same gender express their love for each other physically
  there is no good reason why the kamma this creates should be any
  different from when two people of the opposite gender do the same.
  Having said this I then try to change the subject, not because I am
  embarrassed talking about homosexuality, but because I do not like the
  `single issue' approach to Dhamma. However, a few years ago I had an
  encounter which made me realize that inquiries about homosexuality,
  whether from gays themselves or their families, should be given my
  whole attention. However theoretical or marginal this issue may be to
  me it is likely to be of considerable import to the people who ask
  such questions.

  A young man named Julian rung me asking if he could come and talk to
  me about Buddhism. I said he could and on the appointed day and time
  he came. Julian turned out to be about 20 old, of slight build and
  with pleasant features. He was well groomed and neatly dressed. He
  started by asking me a few questions about some aspects of Buddhism
  but I sensed that these were not really what he was interested in.
  Finally the question came, "Venerable, can a gay person be a good
  Buddhist?" I gave my usual reply but it soon became clear that this
  did not please him. He kept interjecting and expressing doubts about
  what I said. I answered all his objections but he remained unconvinced.

  Arriving at a deadlock and not knowing what more I could say I asked
  him if he was gay. He blushed, cleared his throat and said that he
  was. Then he told me his story. Since his early teens he noticed that
  he was attracted to other boys and had a particular interest in
  woman's clothes. Horrified by these feelings he kept them well under
  control. A year ago while doing his national service he had met
  another soldier who was gay and since that time they had been having a
  relationship, although a guilt-filled and fugitive one. Once or twice
  a month they would pool their recourses and book a hotel for the
  night. He would dress in woman's clothes, put on makeup and they would
  spend the night together. For Julian at least, this would be followed
  by days of self-loathing and resolutions never to do it again. After
  he had finished telling me this he hung his head and said, "This must
  be wrong." "Well," I said, "some people would find it a bit strange.
  But from a Buddhist perspective I really can't see that it is
  particularly harmful. Satisfying sexual urges is a perfectly natural
  thing to do and it is acceptable where it does not involve adultery or
  harming others.

  The conflict you create within yourself by hating what are completely
  harmless feelings hurts you much more than being gay ever could. There
  is no reason why you can't practice the Precepts – respecting the
  life, the prosperity and the sexual feelings of others, their right to
  know the truth and keeping your mind free from intoxicants – while
  being gay." He was silent but I could see that I had not been able to
  still his doubts. Julian visited me two more time over the next two
  month and our conversations were about the Dhamma in general although
  we also went over the same territory concerning homosexuality with
  very much the same results.

  Then, after not having seen or heard from Julian for nearly six month
  I got a call from him. He told me that a famous Taiwanese monk was in
  town giving a series of talks and that he had managed to get a few
  minuets with him. He had asked the monk the same question he had asked
  me and the monk had told him that homosexuality was a filthy, evil
  thing and that homosexuals get reborn in the lowest hell where they
  are boiled in excrement for eons. Julian said this with in an almost
  triumphant tone, seemingly glad that he had proved me wrong or that he
  had found someone who agreed with him. I asked him what else this
  venerable monk had said. "Nothing," he replied. "He was going
  somewhere and only had a few minuets to talk."

  How often has this happened to me? I have told an inquirer something
  about Buddhism which I know to be sound, sensible and in accordance
  with the Tipitaka, they go to another monk who tells them the exact
  opposite and then they come back to me asking me to explain the
  anomaly. Then I am stuck with the problem of either saying that the
  other monk doesn't know what he is talking about (which is often the
  case) and appearing to be an arrogant upstart, or biting my lip,
  saying nothing and letting the person go away with yet another
  half-baked notion or superstition thinking that it is Dhamma. How
  often? Very often! In most cases this is just frustrating. In this
  case it had tragic consequences.

  "Look Julian" I said, "You asked me what Buddhism would say about
  homosexuality and I told you based on my 20 years of studying the
  Buddhist scriptures and thinking about various issues in the light of
  the Buddha's Dhamma. I don't know what else I can say." I told him
  that if he wanted to talk with me at any time he was welcome to do so
  and then we hung up.

  Four days later I was browsing through the paper and a small article
  tucked away on the eighth page caught my eye. The heading read `Man's
  Body Found in Park.' I scanned the article briefly and was about to
  turn to something else when the name Julian sprung out at me. In an
  instant my attention was riveted. I read the part where this name
  appeared and sure enough it was about the Julian who had come to see
  me. I returned to the top of the article and read it all the way
  through. Four days earlier, perhaps only a few hours after ringing me,
  Julian had gone to a park in the centre of Singapore late at night,
  taken an overdose of sleeping tablets and been found dead the next
  morning. A suicide note had been found in his pocket but the article
  did mention what it said. I was overwhelmed by sorrow. The thought of
  him lying there utterly alone, hating himself and in such despair that
  he would kill himself almost made me cry.

  But soon anger was welling up through the sadness and diluting it
  until it had completely replaced the sadness. I pictured the Taiwanese
  monk blithely dispensing his ignorant and ultimately toxic opinion
  before rushing off to give a sermon about compassion or receive the
  accolade of the crowd. I became so angry that I resolved to write him
  a letter and tell him what he had been responsible for. Then I thought
  it would probably be a waste of time. He probably wouldn't even
  remember talking to Julian.

  It seems to me that most thoughtful people would agree that sex
  without love is a pretty unattractive thing. Physically, it is little
  more than `exchanging fluids' as the AIDS awareness literature so
  delicately puts it. What lifts sex above the fluids exchange level is
  the motives and emotions behind it – affection, tenderness, the desire
  to give and receive, the bonds of companionship, fun even. This fits
  well into the Buddha's famous statement, "I say that intention is
  kamma." Is sticking a knife into someone a positive or a negative
  action? It depends! If the knife was held by an enraged violent person
  it would probably be negative. If it is held by a surgeon performing
  an operation to save someone's life it would certainly be positive.
  From the Buddhist perspective, sexual behavior is not judged primarily
  by the gender of the people involved, by the dictates of a code of
  behavior drawn up in the Bronze Age or by whether a legal document has
  been signed, but by its psychological components.

  Homosexuals are as capable of wanting and of feeling love and
  affection towards their partners as heterosexuals are and where such
  states are present homosexual sex is as acceptable as heterosexual sex.

  This is a simple and logical truth and it is in accordance with
  Buddhist teachings but circumstances were such that I was unable to
  help Julian see it. All his experience had told him that being
  attracted to people of the same gender is wrong. Those around him had
  always expressed disapproval towards homosexuality and sniggered at
  gays. The law (in Singapore) told him that homosexuality is so heinous
  that it must be punished by 10 years imprisonment, more than for
  manslaughter. He knew that religious teachers, Christian, Muslim and
  even some Buddhists, consider it so evil that it will have dreadful
  consequences in the life hereafter. All this denigration and ignorance
  prevented him from hearing the gentle, reasonable and kindly words of
  the Buddha. It caused him inestimable suffering and finally drove him
  to suicide.

  I am reminded of Julian because three weeks ago I represented Buddhism
  in a seminar on religion and homosexuality at Catholic Junior Collage
  (Boy! Haven't Catholic collages changed!). Of the 800 students in the
  audience I assumed that a certain number would probably be homosexual
  and may be struggling to understand their feelings. Knowing that what
  I said may well have something to do with them growing up either happy
  and well-adjusted or tortured and self-loathing, I did took great care
  to explain the Buddhist position on homosexuality

   

  I am posting this because its worthwhile to share .As Buddha Sakyamuni usually meditated on the level of his Assembly ,and He always know when to stop when the Dharma seeker will feel uncomfortable.It doesnt matter if it is Mahayana or Theravada master ,We  just shouldnt say harsh word to the Dharma-seeker .

  Homosexuality are seems as a unacceptable social behaviour ,but I really feel one should empathise as many of them come from broken families and family in dispute.

  Many of my friends have left the "gay" circle ,and as creative people in the Arts circle and soon setting up families

  Thats the reason why I always use Twisted Emotion as the thread on Homosexuality

  Its nothing to be condemned as long as they do not commit more grave offense like matricide , patricide ,destroying the sangha ,homicide or stealing of the Sangha property

   

  any comments ?

   

   

   

   

• RiG&GO

  7 Jun 08, 12:24

  thanks for the interesting article, i always felt that buddhism doesnt condemn homosexuality.this  had clear my tots. thanks

• An Eternal Now

  7 Jun 08, 13:57

  Originally posted by RiG&GO:

  thanks for the interesting article, i always felt that buddhism doesnt condemn homosexuality.this  had clear my tots. thanks

  Not say that we see homosexuality as acceptable behavior. But we do not condemn, discriminate, or hold prejudices against them. We do not promote gay-phobia.

  As Ven. Dhammika wrote somewhere,

  ...Theravada Buddhist countries like Sri Lanka and Burma had no legal statutes against homosexuality between consenting adults until the colonial era when they were introduced by the British. Thailand, which had no colonial experience, still has no such laws. This had led some Western homosexuals to believe that homosexuality is quite accepted in Buddhist countries of South and South-east Asia. This is certainly not true. In such countries, when homosexuals are thought of at all, it is more likely to be in a good-humored way or with a degree of pity. Certainly the loathing, fear and hatred that the Western homosexual has so often had to endure is absent and this is due, to a very large degree, to Buddhism's humane and tolerant influence.

• Bodhi hut

  7 Jun 08, 14:10

   

  There is nothing wrong being Gay, Bisexual or hetrosexual...it voice down to the behvaiour of the individual....but in such issue political and moral ethics play a great part in the perception of the soecity and there are too some religion does not hold this disorientation as accepatable. Thats why there are countries fighting to hold an equality among gay groups. In Canada it is already legalise to have gay marriage.

  They too can be enlightened....generally, we are all sentinent being...so there is no difference at all..

   

• cycle

  10 Jun 08, 13:26

  Originally posted by An Eternal Now:

  Not say that we see homosexuality as acceptable behavior. But we do not condemn, discriminate, or hold prejudices against them. We do not promote gay-phobia.

  As Ven. Dhammika wrote somewhere,

  ...Theravada Buddhist countries like Sri Lanka and Burma had no legal statutes against homosexuality between consenting adults until the colonial era when they were introduced by the British. Thailand, which had no colonial experience, still has no such laws. This had led some Western homosexuals to believe that homosexuality is quite accepted in Buddhist countries of South and South-east Asia. This is certainly not true. In such countries, when homosexuals are thought of at all, it is more likely to be in a good-humored way or with a degree of pity. Certainly the loathing, fear and hatred that the Western homosexual has so often had to endure is absent and this is due, to a very large degree, to Buddhism's humane and tolerant influence.

   

   

   True.

   

• An Eternal Now

  10 Jun 08, 13:29

  I have a CD with me right now where in one of the topics my Taiwanese teacher spoke about homosexuality.

  I may be posting after listening to it.

• cycle

  10 Jun 08, 14:00

  My opinion is that regardless of a heterosexual or homosexual relatonships, the same longings for love, tenderness, emotions from a partner/partners expressed  physically or mentally are all forms of attachment, which if left untamed, would leads to various kinds of sufferings to oneself as well as to others. 

  So, yes, we do not condemn homosexuality, but same as heterosexuality, we must be mindful of the attachment to sensual gratifications derived from both the above types of relationships（情执).

  By understanding and practising the Dharma, one would be able to see the ultimate truth of life, and would be able to get out of the delusions that are blinding us all this while, the delusions that we wrongly chased after, be it the temporary enjoyments of materialism or matters of the heart( gay or otherwise).  

• cycle

  10 Jun 08, 14:04

  Originally posted by An Eternal Now:

  I have a CD with me right now where in one of the topics my Taiwanese teacher spoke about homosexuality.

  I may be posting after listening to it.

  
  Looking forward to it.

• domonkassyu

  10 Jun 08, 14:33

  hi..rgd the issue on homosexuality, is it not an abnormal course of nature? while true that men may love men on an emotional level (also for women-women). but are not humans meant to procreate? homosexuality on a very grand scale can wipe out humanity is it not?

  as the posted article, the inquirer x dresses as a woman while meeting up with his gay partner. just from the context, it looks like the gay partner actually reacts to a woman outline.

  i also read an article in malaysia from a monk on homosexuality and how he condemn it.

• An Eternal Now

  11 Jun 08, 00:58

  Originally posted by cycle:

  
  Looking forward to it.

  Typed out :) Sorry if there's typos.

  谈有关�性�的问题

   

  "自由�有一个�度， �影�到自然，�影�到大众。"

   

  陈明安传教士: �性�就是因为性别认知错误。因为�性�里�，比如女�性�，总有一个亲相是男的，�能认知，�能认�自己现在是女性，认为我应该是男性，异性，所以��自己内心是男性，结果自己的身体是女性，这样�性�就出�了。

   

  如果�性�结婚，以�没有孩�，这两个人也会��社会的负担。如果领养孩�，两个人也是女的，你说这一个孩���哪一个是爸爸，哪一个是妈妈?

   

  在这一个�孩�的�长�育当中，他看到别人有爸爸，妈妈，自己为什么没有爸爸，妈妈。他的心�能够很�全�?

   

  在自然当中，这就是很�自然。什么��自然�长，你这一方�就讲�过去了。

   

  你们两个�性�，�也是爸爸妈妈生去�的�，还是自己蹦出�的? 你们的爸爸妈妈生你们两个�性�出�，结果你们长大了，���自然的人为的错误�想认知。你用这�错误的�想认知产生行为，然�以这�行为的存在性，传授给下一代，那下一代会认知正确�? 一定多多少少都会�到影�的。因为�想认知的错误而产生行为，以这�行为�传给下一代，下一代会正常�? 如果你说你这样是正确的，是�法的，那你这样的正确�法，��你的父�生你是�正确，��法的。这样对�对? 往上类推，往下类推�。岂有此�。

   

  自由�有一个�度。�影�到自然，�影�到大众。如果他们说�性�是正常的，是�法的，那他们的父�亲�就是��法的�? 他的父�生她的时�，�也是一男一女而生下�的�?

   

  现在很多人都是强�夺�，似是而�地讲一大堆。自由�以，但是最其马这个社会的使命感与公德心一定�存在，�能离开这个大�蹄(?)。

   

  如果你为了自由，没有这�伦��德心。那这个社会�是大乱了�?伦��德心一沦丧的�，根本没有自由�谈了。

   

  Q: 请问传教士，如果去��性手术，这��性的身体是�是会�早衰败?

   

  A: 当然，没错，�我刚�所讲过，对自我性别的认知错误，她�想到说去�性啊。

   

  Q: �说手术很��，�进开刀房�几次呢。

   

  A: 到最�会�得自己是男是女，都�清楚。女的���男的，�没有男的那�体魄。因为她本身体内的内分泌，�方�的器官都存在。你�能改�外表而已。你看，�怎么改�都没有用。

   

  男的���女的，这个喉结怎么办? 女的���男的，你�有这个喉结�怎么办?

   

  事实没有办法改�的。为了一个�想认知的错误，把自己�得晕头转�。你看有多少人�性，但是�有很少数的人能得到幸�和快�，大多数的人都是�幸�的，是�是这样啊?

   

  Q: 有人�性�，也是结婚了啊。

   

  A: 但是到最�都很痛苦。人很奇怪。�性都是自己欺骗自己。你看那个喉结，男的���女的，你有办法拿掉�? 女的���男的，你有办法生出��? �是把�部分�掉，就自己骗自己，"我已���男的，女的。"�怜。

   

  �想很��。�想错了，什么都完蛋。把自己都�得晕头转�的。�想很��。

   

  有的是从长辈就错误了。长辈因为没有男孩�，就想�把他的女儿塑造�为一个男孩�，�满足他内心的一个期望。结果那一个女孩�就塑造�了男人�想，其实是女儿生。连他自己也都错觉了。

   

  Q: �性�以�是属于比较地下化的，现在好��行起�，�为一�风气，连电视也都在演这一��。

   

  A: 这是一�心里传染病。

   

  Q: 有演电视的人，演了�性�之�，入�回�过�。�这样很入�，是�是因为把他们�在�好的��引�出�?

   

  A: �泄出�把你内在的情趣和情绪�时引导出�。

   

  Q: 美国有一个影星，因为长得率，所以大家都�他演床�。��他自己说，因为�演�，所以得了性上瘾。

   

  A: 性幻想。因为他�去�摩，他还没上�之��去�摩，��性幻想。这是一�病症，��性幻想症。

   

  Q: 他说他都会上瘾，都�去��会没有。

   

  A: ���泄。性幻想幻想一�，就��泄。人长大了，身里�熟，有身体上的需求，�延伸到�想，幻想。他是为了演�，然�为了�摩，��一�性幻想。性幻想出�了，��自己无法控制，��跟人家有那么一回事的关系了。这是一�病�。

   

• bohiruci

  11 Jun 08, 07:28

  Originally posted by domonkassyu:

  hi..rgd the issue on homosexuality, is it not an abnormal course of nature? while true that men may love men on an emotional level (also for women-women). but are not humans meant to procreate? homosexuality on a very grand scale can wipe out humanity is it not?

  as the posted article, the inquirer x dresses as a woman while meeting up with his gay partner. just from the context, it looks like the gay partner actually reacts to a woman outline.

  i also read an article in malaysia from a monk on homosexuality and how he condemn it.

  
  erm ...condemn is too strong a word .. i think as Many mahayana shifu has said

  we shouldnt condemn people as we are still in the shared karmic existence .

  If we dont have compassion for others ,how do we have perfect our Compassion just like Avalokiteshvara  ?

   

• cycle

  11 Jun 08, 13:14

  Tks, AEN.

  I would also like to post some extracts from Master Shen Yan's article[ 圣严法师谈天下事-‘å�®å’›’]  on homosexuality. Hope it helps.

   

  -å�Œæ€§æ�‹- 

  在佛教的戒侓中，�性�者是�许出家的。

  �性�会在僧团中制造很大的问题，虽然�会因此生�孩，�是，引起的问题比男女间的感情更严�。对于一个在家佛教徒�讲，�性�的行为，也一定�改过。

  �论从人的生�或心�层��看，�性�都是��康的。

  中国易�讲天地相对，阴阳调和，刚柔互济，水��容�也能相互调补，如果男人和男人，女人和女人��夫妻，这是很�常的，�常的事会使自己的身心�康失去平衡。�性在一起就是一�矛盾，表�上�以得到性欲的满足，但这�是�象的调和，无法得到阴阳两性之间的调剂。

  �性�也会造�社会的�平衡。�性�看男人和一般人��，看女人也和一般人��，就造�社会的�平衡，一般的社会也会排斥他们。�性�自以为这是基本人�，��妨�社会，也�妨�任何人，这�是他们两人相好，社会�该歧视，隔离他们，但他们自己跟一般常人的生活环境制造了樊篱。

• cycle

  11 Jun 08, 13:35

  Originally posted by cycle:

  Tks, AEN.

  I would also like to post some extracts from Master Shen Yan's article[ 圣严法师谈天下事-‘å�®å’›’]  on homosexuality. Hope it helps.

   

  -å�Œæ€§æ�‹- 

  在佛教的戒侓中，�性�者是�许出家的。

  �性�会在僧团中制造很大的问题，虽然�会因此生�孩，�是，引起的问题比男女间的感情更严�。对于一个在家佛教徒�讲，�性�的行为，也一定�改过。

  �论从人的生�或心�层��看，�性�都是��康的。

  中国易�讲天地相对，阴阳调和，刚柔互济，水��容�也能相互调补，如果男人和男人，女人和女人��夫妻，这是很�常的，�常的事会使自己的身心�康失去平衡。�性在一起就是一�矛盾，表�上�以得到性欲的满足，但这�是�象的调和，无法得到阴阳两性之间的调剂。

  �性�也会造�社会的�平衡。�性�看男人和一般人��，看女人也和一般人��，就造�社会的�平衡，一般的社会也会排斥他们。�性�自以为这是基本人�，��妨�社会，也�妨�任何人，这�是他们两人相好，社会�该歧视，隔离他们，但他们自己跟一般常人的生活环境制造了樊篱。

  continue fr above;

  有人说，出家人�结婚也是�常的。 但出家人�结婚并没有找�性的对象��泄性欲，�是用修行方法��导，把性的需求慢慢的淡化掉。所以说，出家人�结婚是自我的自由��；若强逼他人结婚，倒是很奇怪地妨�了人的自由之�。

  �性��是出家人，心�上并没有办法把性的需求�导，淡化 ，而是照样追求性的�泄，追求性伴侣的安慰，心�上和出家人根本��。

  出家人的独身行为�会为社会带�困扰，�会给社会制造问题，�性��会给社会带��忧。

   

   

• cycle

  11 Jun 08, 13:51

  Originally posted by cycle:

  continue fr above;

  有人说，出家人�结婚也是�常的。但出家人�结婚并没有找�性的对象��泄性欲，�是用修行方法��导，把性的需求慢慢的淡化掉。所以说，出家人�结婚是自我的自由��；若强逼他人结婚，倒是很奇怪地妨�了人的自由之�。

  �性��是出家人，心�上并没有办法把性的需求�导，淡化，而是照样追求性的�泄，追求性伴侣的安慰，心�上和出家人根本��。

  出家人的独身行为�会为社会带�困扰，�会给社会制造问题，�性��会给社会带��忧。

   

   

  continue fr above;

  �使社会容许�性�，�歧视他们，他们还是觉得和其他正常人处在��的世界，因为他们看正常世界就是�一个社会，他们自己也会形�他们的俱�部，故有�性�酒�，玈館，咖啡厅。。。什么都有，自己划地自�，与外界隔�。这么�，对他们自己，对社会，都是��康的现象。

   ç«™åœ¨ä½›æ•™çš„立场看，因与果如果ä¸�正常，就会有异常现象出现。

• cycle

  11 Jun 08, 14:11

  Originally posted by cycle:

  continue fr above;

  �使社会容许�性�，�歧视他们，他们还是觉得和其他正常人处在��的世界，因为他们看正常世界就是�一个社会，他们自己也会形�他们的俱�部，故有�性�酒�，玈館，咖啡厅。。。什么都有，自己划地自�，与外界隔�。这么�，对他们自己，对社会，都是��康的现象。

   ç«™åœ¨ä½›æ•™çš„立场看，因与果如果ä¸�正常，就会有异常现象出现。

  
  continue;

  有�性�倾�的人，象抽鸦片一样，他就是喜欢�性的男（女）人，看到�一�特性的人，他就�魔，心里痒痒的。如果�现自己有这�倾�，必须�高警觉，��陷进去。�性�是从平常养�的，也是一�业障，如果社会环境容许他，就更糟糕了。这�事一旦陷进去，就很难自拔，这和戒烟戒酒一样，也有�功的案例，但是很痛苦的。

  我还是希望藉由�康的宗教观念，�导正�性�的问题（��康的宗教是�一回事）。如果�性��信佛教，我们愿�接�他；也希望他日�能改过。

• wilsonhao

  11 Jun 08, 15:17

  I certainly doubt that Homosexuality will be banished to hell and so on, and i seriously do not believe this idea. If a homosexual has not harm anyone and himself, what bad karma does he receive to be going to hell? We must remember that we are not theological. God condemns homosexual, but we do not believe in God in the first place. What then must we follow his words that homosexuals will go to hell?

  I dont mean to offend anyone of some dharma but i've read some sutras like the cause and effect and i really dont agree on some. I give you an example; If one blows a candle infront of a buddha statue, one will be bird beaked in the next life. Now, if we were to look here, is it of so significant that one will have such a humilating punishment if we just blow a candle away? I seriously dont know. More like to sentence to instill fear on us so that we wont blow candle away next time. Is buddhism about instilling fear? Certainly not for what i know.

   Also, if blowing a candle we receive this kind of karma, then i think all of us can prepare to go hell already. All sentient beings have made countless mistakes and wrongdoings. And i have even heard some ridiculous things(not from buddhism i suppose) , and it goes like this; If you eat meat, you will go to hell.

• Display Name

  11 Jun 08, 15:45

  To me, it doesn't matter my friend is homosexual or not. They can also bring their partner for outing.
  It is their freedom, just like some people like to brush teeth before going toilet some the other way. As long as they don't come and influence me that will be fine.

• An Eternal Now

  22 Jun 08, 17:55

  Originally posted by MinisterMentor:

  From:

  https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8332784&postID=2906073625361764985&page=1

  "Cycling - Moving in the Green Way"

  2 Comments - Hide Original Post Collapse comments

  [Photo]16 June 2008
  
  Was notified by my Brother that I appeared in the newspapers. That notification kept me excited till the evening when I finally saw the article... It's really a very small appearance.
  
  [Photo]In the afternoon, went with Baohui to Rivervale Plaza to purchase a bicycle. I reckoned that a bicycle would really be beneficial for me to meet up with her. Firstly, it would be a great exercise. Secondly, it would really save cost. Thirdly, I could contribute to a Greener world.
  
  Was upsold by the shopowner to purchase a mountain bike instead. Installed in a basket for my bag, a bell and a comfortable cushion backseat for Baohui. All for about S$160. The decision factor arrived after a simple Maths breakdown of how this bike could save more than I spent on it.
  
  It was challenging to carry one person at the back, since I had never in my life done that. Often we had to alight from the bicycle when I gave up conquering the upward slopes. Still remembered how Jian Hao and I used to learn bicycle riding from Wayne and Zhi Yong after our PSLE.
  
  Singapore is really a good location for cycling. Especially where I stay since Aljunied GRC has committed to a barrier free zone. Following the new regulations allowing foldable bicycles on board trains and buses, there would surely be a renewed interest in cycling. I could envision a scenario where I could cycle to the train station, travel to Clementi, and then cycle to NUS. This has a potential saving of more than hundreds of dollars per month! And talk about how much benefits that is to the environment.
  
  However, more has to be done in order to get everyone to cycle in a small island. Already, there are much discontent between walking pedestrians and cyclists as well as between drivers and cyclists.
  
  At night, found out that my Brother also had a bicycle (secretly). Haha...

  posted by Yoong Kheong at 2:20 PM on Jun 17, 2008

  Anonymous said...

  Aljunied GRC?
  
  Right, I'd better keep an extra eye out for one new rider on the pedestrian walkway.
  
  Pedestrians must never hesitate to insist on their right of way whenever and if ever such conflicts occur.
  
  After all, humans came first, before the wheel was invented.
  
  And if ever you feel threatened as a two-legged walking human being, raise the alarm - fight back, reclaim your right of way.
  
  This is a totally deranged public policy, two-leggeds and uneducated two-wheelers sharing narrowest of pavements - ABSOLUTE MADNESS!
  
  And I hope you are reading this, dear Madam Member of Tampines GRC.

  Erm.. wrong topic?