January

January is coming to an end and I have yet to add anything other than what I did in December last year. 2014 started with a personal vow not to wish for the usual things I ask for, so I can give my heart a rest and stop expecting things to get better. 2013 ended with a promise to focus on the self and continue to reconnect with people whom I care for.

Reading my diary entries in highschool and early college years made me aware of how much I changed. I didn't realize the big change in me all these years, always thinking that I remained the same. But comparing my erstwhile angry, furious, self-centered writings to those at present, I can say that I have definitely become more compassionate and more tolerant of other people.

Perhaps, reading more about Buddhism and visiting Buddhist temples struck something in me. That life is illusory and empty used to be only a theory, but now a principle I hold, so I try to create meaning for myself in this world of constant change, to help me cope with my daily existential grievances. Pain is a passing illusion and relief is always just around the corner. Just be patient, I always tell myself. Perhaps my daily engagement with the very inefficient transportation system here somehow changed me a great deal. To escape great discomfort, I allowed my mind to wander aimlessly and come to myself when I am about to get off the train. No-mind practicing at its best.

Back from my first IPPA (Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association) Congress, held this year in Siem Reap, Cambodia from January 12-18, I was left utterly stunned and restless from all the amazing things I learned about archaeology in different parts of the world, more so about methods in archaeological science, a field I want to specialize in because however it is difficult to admit, I realized I love lab work more than the field.

I wanted to write so badly about Cambodia, but I didn't know where to begin. On cold nights when you feel too lazy to do things, I couldn't even look at the pictures I took for fear that I might just stare for hours on end hoping for muses to visit me so I could begin to write. It seemed like a dream. Yesterday's dream. I used to think that I would certainly cry when I walk on the grounds of Angkor Wat and touch the ancient temples' walls. When I was there, I only stood, overwhelmed, breathless, aiming to breathe in all the memories, wishing for time to stop so I could spend more time recording, touching, investigating. Now back in Manila, it felt surreal, like a beautiful dream you didn't want to wake up from.

Just four days after my return, my sisters and I flew to Boracay for that much-needed getaway. Boracay was never on my bucket list of places to go to, because of my perceived notion that the island is already very much commercialized. Indeed it is, but it was there where I found the finest white beach sand yet. My feet happily tread on the beach, sometimes deliberately burrowing deep to wallow in the creamy sand-saltwater mixture. And the winds! How they blew! The sunset blocked by hundreds of paraws... The lights at night, the blue sky... There is more than one reason to go back.

Just got back from Boracay this Monday and headed straight to work despite feeling extra sleepy and tired. But it's all so worth it.

Now if only I can start writing about my recent travels....

Tekken: The Motion Picture

Those who frequent the arcades are familiar with Tekken, a game for single or double player wherein the goal is to defeat one's opponent. It's pretty similar to other fighting games like Street Fighter, King of Fighters, Marvel vs. Capcom, Mortal Kombat, etc.

Like its popular rival Street Fighter, Tekken also has movies under its name. I'm lucky to have come across Tekken: The Motion Picture which tells the story of Kazuya's revenge against his father for throwing him over the cliff when he was a child. This was witnessed by Kazuya's girl friend Jun Kazama who later on joins the tournament hosted by Kazuya's father with the purpose of investigating the Mishima Conglomerate. The company is suspected of doing illegal biological experiments. Jun is joined by Lei Wulong form Hongkong.

The Tekken Tournament is held in an island (which reminds me a lot of DOA). Invited are fighters from different backgrounds and with different motives for joining. For instance there is a guy named Jack who turns out to be an android with a conscience. His goal is to deliver a sick girl to the doctor whom he believe is the only one who can cure the child. There´s also an Indian-looking girl named Michelle who is out to kill Zaibatsu for destroying her village.

Jun Kazama seems to have a special ability to sense things. She sensed the ominous return of Kazuya whom she thought to be dead. She also repeatedly tells him of the coldness of his spirit, and reminds him that his thirst for revenge should not consume him.

The film lasting for just 57 minutes is too short to allow character development and the plot is too cliché. Also, the ending is a cliff-hanger since Heihachi was able to escape from the island which was destroyed after his other son Lee set off the self-destruction sequence after his realization that he will never inherit the conglomerate. So I guess there must be a sequel.

Buddhist themes of reincarnation and renewal of the earth is dominant in the film. Before Jack died, his last words were, "Farewell. When I come back next time, I will be human for you" derives from the belief in reincarnation. Likewise, Heihachi's desire to destroy the world so that a pure world will be able to rise is also a main Buddhist concept often used in animé.

龍華寺 (Longhua Temple), Shanghai 04072013

After Qibao, we went to Longhua Temple. J said that she has not been here so it was included in our list of important places to visit. Longhua means "luster of the dragon". The temple is dedicated to Maitreya Buddha, a Messianic entity in Buddhist cosmology who is said to come to teach enlightenment when dharma (right way) is forgotten in the human world. This belief runs somewhat parallel to the eschatological beliefs in the Judeo-Christian tradition. (While this is an interesting study to pursue, I will have to stick to my present goals lest I be led astray again, but this will be a cool project if ever I have the time.)

this pagoda has been around since the 10th century and can be seen from far away

two of the four Heavenly Kings. I think these four are a mainstay in all temples...

The entrance fee of Longhua Temple is only CNY 10 and yet one can see many things. The area occupied by the temple is very big and Jade Temple pales in comparison. And since we went there in the afternoon, I couldn't remember how many times I asked myself if I had come to the end already. There's just way too many entrances and one courtyard to the other takes you to different praying stations.

Buddha with swastika.

 While looking at the Buddha sculptures, I chanced upon one with a swastika sign on his chest. While I know that swastika was originally associated with Buddhism before it became a Nazi symbol of tyranny and oppression, I don't think I have ever seen the sign in any Buddhist temple I have been to. The swastika actually symbolizes being with the higher self, a main thought in Buddhism.

Guanyin... I can tell by the number of hands!

Another familiar deity is the Guanyin Pusa, or more popularly known in the West as the Goddess of Mercy. The many hands of this deity signifies her willingness to uplift the lives of many people.

Read more about my 2013 Shanghai Adventure

玉佛禅寺 (Jade Buddha Temple), Shanghai 04062013

Weary and tired from walking too much the whole day and after a huge disappointment at going to Shanghai Railway Station for nothing (V said there was a wig shop there but we didn't find it), we headed to Jade Buddha Temple where two very famous jade buddha statues can be found.

Entrance fee is 20 CNY and visitors have the option to pay another 10 CNY to go to the temple's interiors.

Jade Reclining Buddha

We spent less than an hour inside the temple because it was about to close when we got there. Still I think an  hour would suffice since there isn't much to see. My friends and I agreed that 龍華寺 (Longhua Temple) with entrance fee of just 10 CNY is better.

Read more about my 2013 Shanghai Adventure

Zoo and Botanical Gardens, History Museum, Hung Kings Temple 03012013

Entrance fee: 8,000 VND
What to do: roam around and observe animals, take pictures, rest under the shades, savor the presence of trees
Nearby places: History Museum, Temple of the Hung Kings

The Hung Kings Temple was erected by the French in 1926 as a memorial to those who fall in defense of France during the First World War (1914-1918). In 1954, the South Vietnam Government reconstituted it as a place to worship the Hung Kings, Confucius, General Tran Hung Dao, and Le Van Duyet. The temple was renamed as Temple of the Hung Kings in 1975.
(Information taken from plaque outside the temple)

Hung Kings Temple

side view of Hung Kings Temple

The History Museum was established on August 23, 1979. It not only exhibits artifacts reflecting the national history, but also artifacts from other Asian countries including 10th-19th century wares from China, Cambodia, Japan, Thailand, and France. Interesting exhibits include the Xom Cai Mummy, Buddhist statues, stone carvings from Cambodia from the 9th to 13th century, blades from the late 18th century, and Tay So Dynasty coins. 

Entrance fee: 15,000 VND, pay extra 32,000 VND to be able to take photos inside
Note: I declined paying extra. Did take down notes, though. :)

The Xom Cai mummy got its name from the place in District 5 of Ho Chih MInh City. It is actually the remains of Mrs. Tran Thi Hieu who died in 1869. According to studies, the body is soaked in red solution. The aristocratic woman was 60 years old, and stood 1.52 meters high.

Seeing the stone carvings taken from Cambodia, one cannot help but wish to see Angkor Wat immediately. The intricately designed carvings are proof of the ancient Cambodians' exceptional skills. 

Buddhist-related statues are many. One notices some headless statues in the exhibition hall. Inscribed stelae with carvings narrating consecrations of a holy footprint of the God Vishnu by Prince Gunavarman, drainage works, and donations to the God Siva, can also be viewed.

Another interesting find is the wooden pile unearthed by Louis Malleret in Oc Eo. The wooden pile was part of an ancient architecture that has long ago disappeared and is considered rare.

History Museum with giant porcelain jar encased in glass outside

As I viewed the exhibits, a group of tourists arrived with a French-speaking Vietnamese guide. I took it as an opportunity to practice my French and listened to her. She was then explaining the symbolisms of a statue of Amitabha. The hands represent compassion, the lotus flower purity, the long ears longevity, the head intelligence of the Buddha, which also represents enlightenment.

When the tour guide noticed me along with the group, she jested that I should pay. I said, "Je ne comprends pas" and ran off, much to the delight of the French touring group who laughed at my joke.

As we were nearing the exit, I happened to find a statue of 關羽 (Kim Loai in Vietnamese) holding the Spring Autumn Annals.  關羽 is sworn brother to 劉備 in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. With his signature long beard and his choice of weapon, the crescent blade, it is not hard to recognize the Chinese general who is also worshiped as a deity, according to my father. And the statue could very well be the proof of this.

Photos taken inside the Zoo and Botanical Gardens:

Read about my 2013 Ho Chih Minh adventure HERE

My Date with a Vampire Season 1 (Episodes 20- 35)

Last Holy Week, I keep myself busy watching series that I do not get to watch on normally busy days. As of writing I just finished (and already missing) X. Now I alternate between My Date with a Vampire and Jetman, the two being extra long series. (Now I wonder when will I be able to watch Spartacus, Big Bang Theory, and Game of Thrones???)

And so 王珍珍 finally learns the relationship between 山本一夫 and 未來 and being a naturally good girl that she is, tries to help patch things up between father and daughter. Again we see here her annoying side, always meddling in other's affairs. It should be noted that when 復生 was kidnapped she would also try to do her part, endangering herself in the process and adding to other people's concerns. But then, she's just like that, so totally naive and she means no harm to anyone, which makes her lovable to all the other major characters. In fact, she may be the thread that binds them all.

況天佑 finally moves out of the apartment and now lives with  馬小玲. His decision to move out is so as not to further endanger the people living near him as more and more people get killed due to Herman's doing, as ordered by 山本一夫. He even resigned from his job on the very day he was supposed to be promoted.

妙善 appears just in time when 山本一夫is considering doing everything for his daughter's happiness. 妙善 suggests that 山本一夫, 況天佑, and 馬小玲 go back to 60 years ago to change history by defeating 將臣 simultaneously preventing the original vampire from biting 山本一夫, 況天佑, and 復生. 山本一夫 was surprisingly cooperative, but he is now willing to do anything for his daughter who detests being a vampire more than anything else. 馬小玲 is supposed to team up with her aunt from 60 years ago, 馬丹娜, to seal the vampire.

And because 妙善 reappears, 林國棟 pleads for one question to be answered. 妙善 grants this and is asked if 山本一夫 will turn him into a vampire. 妙善 answers in the affirmative. So this is also one thing I will be waiting for in season 1.

Before the mission, 馬小玲 and 況天佑 spend time together. 況天佑 seems to be happier when he is with 馬小玲 than with 王珍珍. Even his words which seem to admonish the arrogant ghostbuster may hide deeper and more meaningful sentiments than he himself would admit explicitly. And so it is confirmed that there IS something between the two even with unspoken words. And it should happen that as the two cuddle inside 馬小玲's car, 王珍珍 should see them and run away broken-hearted. She will then cause herself to be run over by a car. In order to change her fate, the two became more resolved to succeed in their mission.

But while the three are out to find 將臣, leaving 妙善 and her assistant-guard together with 金正中 behind as they guard the threads that connect the three to the present time, one of  山本一夫's henchmen 碧加 barged in uninvited and succeeds in making the mission a flop. It is revealed that  金正中 now has super powers thanks to the life energy transferred to him by White Snake. Anyway, we also see here that Ken and 未來 are no match against  碧加 who is revealed to be a witch even before she was turned into a vampire. She was rescued by 山本一夫 when she was chased by villagers, and for that she would do anything for him.

One important thing that happened here, something that will have repercussions in the future, is that 馬小玲 unknowingly dropped and left behind her camcorder where she recorded the night she and 況天佑 had fun at a karaoke bar. It was picked up by 高保’s grandfather. 高保, by the way, is 況天佑 police partner. [Spoiler alert: Later on, when 王珍珍 happened to pass by 高保’s house to ask about news of 況天佑, the two would discover this camcorder inside 高保’s grandfather’s bag. At that time, 高保 was cleaning up his house. 王珍珍would have the camcorder fixed and would see the video, an OOOOOPS moment.]

When they got back to the present time, each was distraught over their failure. 王珍珍 miraculously gets well but smiles and is still friendly with 馬小玲 as before. Apparently either she loses part of her memory including seeing 馬小玲 and 況天佑 together, or she is just pretending that nothing of the sort happened, a move that I interpret as an attempt to save her friendship with 馬小玲, being the martyr that she is.

Because for some reason, the DVD contains incomplete episode parts, for instance, the theme song 夢裡是誰 is not played whole for each episode. And it has to happen that episode 22 has only 20+ minutes, which definitely sucks as this is where 未來 gets sucked into the vacuum when she tries to protect the thread that connects her father to the present time. 

In episode 25, 山本一夫 and 王珍珍 go on a date. The girl was interrogated by the vampire on what she would do if she found out that her loved one is a vampire. The girl gave satisfactory answers, saying she would not mind the difference and in addition, would not let her beloved suffer the sorrows of immortality and would ask to be made into a vampire so she could accompany her beloved until the end of time. So I guess we shall have to give extra credit to 王珍珍, who is such a darling to everyone. 

The depressed Ken, following 未來 disappearance, sees 王珍珍 as someone important to 山本一夫, and attempts to kill her to hurt 山本一夫 but is caught off-guard at the girl's innocence and her apparent concern for 未來. And yes, this goody-two-shoes unknowingly saved her own life just by being herself--- stupid and kindhearted. And later on, Ken becomes an ally.

It is around this time that 王珍珍 is informed of 況天佑's true nature. Seeing that 況天佑 and 馬小玲 are more compatible, she goes all on her own to face 山本一夫  and persuade him to stop his evil plans. Before she faces 山本一夫, her courage seems to have touched 況天佑 as it becomes obvious that suddenly, 況天佑 shows real affection for the girl. This is after 金正中 accidentally spills the beans about what 山本一夫 wants and the trade-off: either he gets 王珍珍 or he increases his vampire army to dominate the earth. Ever the goody-two-shoes who's willing to sacrifice herself for the good of the majority, 王珍珍 decides to go to 山本一夫 but is sent away because 山本一夫 can sense that she still has feelings for 況天佑.

And so, feeling he has lost everything, 山本一夫 makes his major move by turning all the policemen into vampires. 況天佑 and company all move from the apartment to 求叔's arcade shop as they plan how to defeat  山本一夫. Later on, Ken, 金正中 , and 高保 break inside the police office and force spirit balls inside policemen who were turned into vampires, so that the spirits contained inside the balls may possess the vampires and control them. This is to prevent the vampires from wreaking havoc outside the police office. 高保 may be the only human in this mission but he does well. In later episodes, he is revealed to be the reincarnation of a warrior, and thus, will play a major role.

As the three are busy taking care of police vampires, 況天佑 and 馬小玲 go to Japan to obtain the 13 Notes on how to exterminate a vampire (十三札記). Before that, they must face the four guardians. The first one is 孔雀 the monk who first appeared at the onset of Season 1 when 馬小玲 and 王珍珍 were in Japan. 孔雀 simply lets them pass, acknowledging his earlier defeat from the lady ghostbuster. The second one is 白蓮花 whom the two must defeat in a gamble game where souls are at stake. 況天佑 defeats him and the two go on the third pass, two roads one leading to life, one to death. They are forced to go on separate ways, so that at least one will survive to return to Hong Kong. 況天佑 is thrown into an illusion of having a happy married life with 馬小玲, whereas other unluckily chooses the death road. [From here we see that indeed  況天佑's subconsciousness wishes to be with 馬小玲.] Having come to his senses and realizing the trickery, 況天佑 leaves and finds 馬小玲. The two go on to face the final guardian, 禦命十三. 孔雀, 白蓮花, and other monks, realizing the corruption of 禦命十三 as really a sidekick of 山本一夫, tell the two to immediately go back to Hong Kong, and use the 定身咒 to seal 禦命十三.

況天佑's camp's plans are then discovered when one spirit-possessed policeman is made to face 山本一夫. 碧加 is sent to exorcise the spirits possessing the policemen. The vampires go on a feeding rampage. 金正中's father was bitten and later on he died. 嘉嘉 sneaks out of the arcade and finds 林國棟 out of concern for him. Ken drinks 血天使 (Blood Angel), a formulation concocted by 求叔. This would make him stronger, and so he faces 山本一夫 again. [Now Ken is a remarkable man, passionate but still calculating and able to wait patiently for the right time to face his enemy.] 

況天佑 and 馬小玲 returns just in time, and 馬小玲 has to be put into sleep to lure her aunt 馬丹娜 out so that the two Dragon descendants will have more chance to succeed.  王珍珍 finally asks 馬小玲 if she has feelings for 況天佑, and 馬小玲 said yes, but that she can't be with him. 王珍珍 leaves for the second time to talk to 山本一夫 and to persuade him to bite her and transform her into a vampire so she can accompany him forever in their immortal life. She even stabbed herself to prove her decision is final, knowing that 山本一夫 will not be able to bear her death. But this is stopped by the arrival of 況天佑, who later on, will bite 王珍珍, thus infuriating 山本一夫.  I have to note that Herman isn't much, having fallen after just one strike from 馬小玲. [碧加 still is who I consider to be the strongest of 山本一夫's henchmen. Ken is one level below her, having been bitten not by 山本一夫 but by 未來.] 

Having sucked 王珍珍's blood, 況天佑 transforms into a super vampire [actually a scary-looking ugly vampire] and fights with 山本一夫. When 況天佑 is losing, 未來 is sent by 妙善 (now the Goddess of Mercy who observes from Heaven). 未來 holds her father down as 馬小玲 and 馬丹娜 recite their nine-word mantra to summon the dragon and finally defeat 山本一夫. But 況天佑 falls unconscious. And well, they succeed. Or so they think.

A year has passed and 況天佑 still has not awakened. Ken and 未來are now married and are expecting a child. They are now regular humans, following the demise of 山本一夫. But another vampire is created: 王珍珍. 馬小玲 has lost her powers because she cried for 況天佑 after the battle, just before 況天佑 passes out. 金正中 now takes care of the ghostbusting business, indeed a good disciple as 況天佑 once remarked. People are now busy preparing for 況天佑's birthday while still wondering when he will wake up.

When he finally does wake up, he tells of his dream about a red moon, and also his conversation with the 觀音 (Goddess of Mercy) and 如來 (Tathagata). 如來, seeing the sufferings of humans, plans to use 大日如來淨世咒 to destroy the world and let it grow anew, that is, unless 況天佑 succeeds in defeating a more evil power. The apocalypse is slated on July 1, 1999. Upon waking up, he is made to choose whom to marry and he chooses  王珍珍. On their wedding day, Ken and 未來 arrive dying after having been attacked by 山本一夫, who is revived by 禦命十三.

況天佑 learns of the existence of 羅侯, an ancient magician who wants nothing more than to be the ruler of the three spheres: the godly realm, demon realm, and human realm. 羅侯's plans were foiled by the five legendary warriors. Suddenly out of nowhere, 羅開平 comes back from the spirit realm after training there for his earthly mission. He comes back as the reincarnated 空勇者 (Air Warrior). 高保, as already mentioned, is the reincarnated 地勇者 (Earth Warrior), whereas 孔雀 is the 火勇者 (Fire Warrior). 王珍珍, as revealed by 禦命十三,is actually the reincarnation of the pure saintly woman whose blood is needed to complete the 葬月儀式 (Moon Funeral Rites), a ritual murder ceremony that would allow the performer to suck in the yin powers of the moon. 山本一夫 kidnaps 王珍珍 and her mom. He also finally turns 林國棟 into a vampire, just when the latter has changed his mind and doesn't want to anymore, due to his better conditions by some twist of fate. 山本一夫 places 嘉嘉 inside a cell with the vampire 林國棟 and is herself turned into a vampire. 王珍珍 becomes a puppet and does 山本一夫's bidding.

On the night of the 葬月儀式, the three reincarnated warriors are joined by the 風勇者 (Wind Warrior) Peter, who is also the priest friend of 馬小玲. These four warriors, with 金正中, fight with 禦命十三 and plan to rescue 王珍珍. Meanwhile, 況天佑 and 馬小玲 come face to face with 山本一夫. 馬小玲 has to fake her death to force 況天佑 to transform into a super vampire and defeat 山本一夫. But the enemies are just too strong for 況天佑's camp to win, and one by one, they fall to death. When the ritual is about to be finished, 山本一夫 suddenly remembers his previous life as the 天勇者 (Heavenly Warrior), one of the five who stopped 羅侯 many many years ago.

羅侯 possesses 山本一夫 to also gain an immortal body, with 山本一夫 struggling to stop him from succeeding in his plans. It is revealed that before his death in the past, 羅侯 killed all the five warriors and promised to be reborn to fulfill his wish. 天勇者 (Heavenly Warrior) retorted that he and his four comrades would also be reborn to again thwart his plans.王珍珍  comes to her senses and realizes why 山本一夫 must be with her in all the worlds they are born into. Seeing that 羅侯 is inside him, she plans to stab 山本一夫 with the devil blade but is killed instead. 

The unconscious 況天佑 is visited by visions of 觀音 who tells him to get up and ask for the powers of the five warriors. It is only when his former wife 阿秀 shows up that he found the strength to get up and fight [yes, pretty much like in animé]. And it MUST happen that  況天佑 wins otherwise everything would have been in vain. And he is the lone survivor in this feat. 如來 asks him one wish and he wishes that he and 山本一夫 were not bitten by 將臣.[Take note, he wished that HE and 山本一夫 were not bitten, what about復生 ???]

So history was changed, the wish granted. 復生 died by the Japanese soldier's gunshot. 

And so back to the present with no vampires. But as everyone congregates together at the Waiting Bar and drinks White Snake's famous concoction, everyone feels like he/ she has met everyone before. 況天佑  and 馬小玲 who just arrived from America, look at each other and feel like they've known each other for long.

See summary and notes:
Episodes 1-12
Episodes 13-19
___________________________________________________________

Whew! This blog post alone took me almost a week to finish. 
Now, on to Season 2!!!

Some Basic Buddhist Doctrines

Last Holy Week while cleaning our room, I chanced upon my old college readings in Philo 10 (Approaches to Philosophy). I didn't get to read everything at that time because I was still a freshman when I took it and reading the materials caused severe headache and I couldn't comprehend what I was reading anyway. And also because at that time I was still to engrossed with animé to get serious with my college education.

Since I feel the need to review Buddhist materials mainly because most of what I am watching (i.e. My Date with a Vampire) contain Buddhist principles, and in relation to my personal life, I have to relearn the art of meditating and detachment. Moreover, I need inspiration to make it easier for me to accept the harsh realities of life.

The heart of Buddhism lies in the four noble truths:

1. Existence is unhappiness.
- Life is subject to the inevitable evils of illness, old age, and death, as well as the sadness caused when loved ones are stricken by these ills.

2. Unhappiness is caused by desires.
- Asking the universe more than what it is ready to give causes us sorrow when our demands are not met.

3. Desires can be destroyed.
- The knowledge of this helps us control our desires.

4. Desires can be destroyed by the eightfold path:
   a. right understanding
   b. right purpose (aspiration)
   c. right speech
   d. right conduct
   e. right vocation
   f. right effort
   g. right alertness
   h. right concentration
- When all stages are achieved, one is said to enter Nirvana, a state marked by a sense of liberation, inward peace and strength, insight into truth, the joy of complete oneness with reality, and love toward all creatures.

Buddhism focuses more on the cessation of misery rather than on metaphysics since the latter does not help in attaining wisdom (or Nirvana). Buddhism focuses more on the spiritual edification, the discipline of the mind.

What I appreciate most from Buddhism is the view that no doctrine is the final truth. Any theory may be countered by another and so instead of harmonious peace, there are unresolved hostilities. This deviates from humble soul-searching and understanding. Compromise, understanding, respect, and tolerance are necessary in order to build a community.

Other teachings of Buddhism:
1. Hatred can only be appeased by non-hatred.
2. Everything is in a flux, nothing is permanent, and one must accept the changes to be able to adjust to reality.
3. Compassion comes from seeing others in the same tragic situation, which makes one realize that life is impartial and favors no one.
4. Love is defined not as a dependent attachment but as an unlimited self-giving compassion flowing freely to all living creatures.

"-an all-embracing love

for all the universe

in all its heights and depths

and breadth, unstinted love,

unmarred by hate within,

not rousing enmity."

5. Nirvana can be attained without external help. It can be attained by one's own discipline and mindfulness.

白蛇傳說之法海 (2011)

白蛇傳說之法海 (The Sorcerer and the White Snake) is a 2011 action fantasy film based on the legend of the white snake popular in Chinese mythology. The film stars Jet Li as the abbot Fahai who journeys around to vanquish demons together with his disciple-turned-monster Nengren. At the onset, it seemed like a film about Buddhism and the fight versus good and evil, though there is romance involved as the film also explores the love affair between a mortal and a snake demon in the persons of Xuxian and Susu respectively.

Susu the snake demon falls in love with the physician Xuxian and the two marry each other without Xuxian knowing about his wife's true nature. Susu, though a snake demon, has a good heart and helps her husband create medicine where she breathes magic into. When Fahai detected demon magic in the medicine, he gave Xuxian a spirit blade meant to protect him. When Susu took on her snake form and couldn't revert to human form, she was stabbed by Xuxian who was unaware that the snake and his wife are one. When Xuxian learned the truth, was advised to get a special root to help Susu recover and he did though when the root was taken, other captured demons were freed which possessed Xuxian.


Then the more important fight scenes begin as Susu and her sister Qingqing fight Fahai to "save" Xuxian who was under the care of the monks in the process of banishing the demons. Fahai fights the two sisters to prevent any interference but the snakes were successful in destroying the temple.


It is in this scene where we see the dedication of the praying monks as they remain indifferent to what is happening around them even to the point when they were already submerged in the water. This is a  beautiful metaphor for the Buddhist message not to worry about the tribulations in life and still strive to do what is right or what is expected of a person.


It is also in this scene where Fahai is seen contemplating about his actions and questioning if he is doing the right thing. As a monk, it is his duty to capture demons and have them meditate to attain enlightenment. At this point though, seeing the love between Susu and Xuxian, he begins to entertain doubts but nevertheless achieves enlightenment.


He then was able to trap Susu but also granted her final wish to see Xuxian one last time. The ending of the two lovers' romance was tragic as Susu was sucked to the temple to spend her days on meditation.


I think that the type of Buddhism adhered to by Fahai is one that believes even demons have the capacity to attain enlightenment through constant meditation. As such, Nirvana is not limited to the religious but extends to all beings as a manifestation of mercy from the Heavens. One important Buddhist precept is the nature of a thing regardless of physical manifestation, as embodied by the young monk Nengren who, despite having been transformed into demon form after being bitten by a bat demon, retains his humane characteristics as he helped fish other monks from the waters and deliver them to safety.