Handful of Leaves | Mindfulness & Buddhism in Everyday Life Handful Of Leaves

Bro. Lim Kooi Fong shares the inspirational story behind NORBU, a pioneering Buddhist AI chatbot designed to promote mindfulness and spiritual growth through open dialogue. He was inspired by the Dalai Lama's call to spread the Nalanda tradition of Buddhist learning through open discourse. This led him to create NORBU, a pioneering AI chatbot that provides a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to explore personal struggles, ethical dilemmas, and spiritual questions related to Buddhism. Drawing from diverse traditions and authoritative sources, NORBU guides users through a process of honest self-reflection, applying Buddhist teachings to cultivate greater mindfulness and facilitate positive growth. With its commitment to inclusivity, accuracy, and the principle of Brahma Vihara, NORBU represents an innovative approach to making the Dhamma accessible and fostering mindful conversations that can spark personal transformation.



About the Speaker: Bro. Lim Kooi Fong has been a student of Buddhism and Dharma teacher for more than 30 years. He is the founder of the Buddhist AI Chatbot NORBU (https://norbu-ai.org), the Buddhist Channel (buddhistchannel.tv) and Buddhist Travel (buddhistravel.com). He is a life member of Upakara Kalyana Mitta Buddhist Assocation (UKMBA). He currently manages a bioinformatics company based in Cyberjaya. He actively conducts Dharma talks for Buddhist societies around Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.



Transcript: ⁠https://bit.ly/hol-ep-45



Timestamp:

00:00:00 - Introduction by Cheryl on the Handful of Leaves podcast

00:00:30 - Introduction of Brother Lim Kooi Fong, founder of NORBU AI

00:01:00 - Brother Kooi Fong shares the inspiration behind NORBU AI

00:02:00 - Discussion on Nalanda tradition and its importance

00:04:00 - Initial responses to NORBU AI beta version

00:05:00 - NORBU AI provides a safe space for discussing sensitive topics

00:09:00 - Diversity in the team handling source data for NORBU AI

00:10:00 - NORBU AI as a tool for building mindfulness and awareness

00:11:00 - Discussion on the purpose and potential impact of NORBU AI



Resources:

For individuals: Use Norbu-AI https://norbu-ai.org/

For Buddhist societies: Integrate NORBU-AI Chatbot on your webpage. Contact Bro Lim here: kooifong.lim@gmail.com



Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen



Editor and transcriber of this episode: Cheryl Cheah, Susara Ng, Ke Hui Tee



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In our newest episode, we delve into the intricate journey of spiritual identity with our special guest, Ray Choo, director and producer of Waking Up 2050 🎬. From his personal experiences to the broader concepts of Buddhism, Ray sheds light on embracing the Buddhist identity as a commitment to the path of wisdom and compassion, and unravel the evolving perceptions of religion and spirituality in today's world.


About the Speaker

👤 Ray Choo Hongrui was born and raised in Singapore. He studied Communications Design in Berlin, Germany, at HTW Berlin-University of Applied Sciences where he had the opportunity to try his hand at filmmaking and storytelling and experience a world where Buddhism, its meanings and functions are not established. The conversation in the West is just gaining momentum and presence. In trying to contribute to this dialogue, Ray redefined for himself what it actually means, to walk the path of Dharma. Through WAKING UP 2050, he met his teacher Lopen Pema Deki with whom he took his precepts and continues to study the Dharma. Ray currently works and resides in Berlin as a motion designer.



Transcript: ⁠https://bit.ly/hol-ep-44


Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

00:21 - Waking Up 2050

01:08 - What it means to Identify as a Buddhist

06:19 - Practicing for the Benefit of Oneself and Others

11:38 - What Defines a Good Buddhist?

13:00 - The Practical Application of Buddhism

15:02 - Navigating Social Perceptions

19:44 - Religion vs. Spirituality from an Academic Standpoint

24:23 - The Beauty of the Buddhist Journey

26:13 - From Identification to Letting Go

27:32 - Final Advice: Walking the Path of True Freedom



Resources:

💡 Thus Have I Seen (THIS) Buddhist Film Festival 2023 https://thisfilmfest.com/2023/ 

💡 Waking Up 2050 https://thisfilmfest.com/2023/films/waking-up-2050/



Special thanks to our sponsors:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen



Editor and transcriber of this episode: 

Cheryl Cheah, Susara Ng, Ke Hui Tee



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In this episode, Cheryl and Kai Xin reflect on their ever-evolving journey of deepening their Dhamma practice—a lifelong quest for true happiness!

We speak about:

🧘‍♂️ How practising Dhamma is not just on our butts and cushions!

🌿 Kai Xin's journey from escaping reality to understanding reality

😇 Who is Cheryl's greatest Buddhist teacher?

#DhammaJourney #DhammaPractice #SpiritualTransformation #InnerPeace #Meditation #SelfReflection #LongRetreats #MonasteryLife



About the Speaker

👤 Koh Kai Xin is a co-founder of HighSpark, a strategic communications consulting and training agency. She started her Dhamma journey at 17 with Buddhist Fellowship Singapore and has been volunteering at various Buddhist organisations. She's now a mentor under the SBM mentorship programme. Her perfect holiday is a long meditation retreat in the forest monasteries.



Timestamps:


00:00:00 - Post-Pilgrimage Catch Up
00:01:51 - From Escaping Reality to Understanding Reality
00:05:12 - Integrating Dhamma Practice with Day-to-Day Life
00:08:41 - Blending Formal Meditation and Wise Reflection to Overcome Defilements
00:10:32 - Seeing the Unsatisfactoriness of Craving
00:13:01 - Benefits of Long Retreats: Seeing the Mind As It Is
00:15:38 - Types of Retreats and Considerations
00:19:25 - The Monastery as a Training Ground
00:22:46 - Ajahn Toilet: Seeing the Body As It Is
00:26:43 - Practical Steps for Aspiring Practitioners
00:28:23 - Final Thoughts



Resources:

💡 Ep 1: Balancing Contentment & Ambition (Ft Tan Chade Meng) https://handfulofleaves.life/podcast-balancing-contentment-ambition-ft-tan-chade-meng/

💡 Ways to support our efforts: https://handfulofleaves.life/support



Special thanks to our sponsors: Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen



Editor and transcriber of this episode: Cheryl Cheah, Susara Ng, Ke Hui Tee



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Google was known to be the "goldenboy" in the tech industry, and many NEVER saw the layoffs coming. How was it like for Gonzalo as one of the key decision makers for the layoffs in APAC, and to lead the team that was most impacted by the layoffs?

In the ever-evolving realm of global business, leadership demands the ability to make challenging decisions. Gonzalo Ruiz Calavero, the Director of Recruiting at Google APAC, boasts 37 years of diverse global experiences and shares invaluable insights on navigating difficult decisions in both personal and professional spheres. This blog post delves into Gonzalo's wisdom, acknowledging his missteps and learning experiences.
Gonzalo Leads all Recruiting activities of Google in APAC since April 2021. In this role he is
responsible for connecting the world’s most innovative people with opportunities across Google,
fueling the future of Google’s products and services in APAC. He currently manages Google’s
largest HR function in Asia with teams spread across multiple geographies. He is helping scale
Google’s operations in APAC which is also the fastest growing region for the company globally.

Previous to joining Google, he worked at Siemens, a German Technology conglomerate active in
the fields of Energy, Healthcare, Industry Automation and Transportation, as the Global Head of Talent Acquisition. In his 35 year long career, he has lived and worked in the US, Spain, Greece, Germany and in the last 13 years in Singapore. He has led teams at Country, Regional and global level, within the full spectrum of the HR areas, from HR operations, Centers of Expertise, Business Partnering and was a member of the Global HR Leadership Team of Siemens for 11 years. He is strongly devoted to the development of the Human Resources practice through numerous engagements, organizations and activities.

Gonzalo graduated with B.Sc. in Economics and Master in International Economic Structure
from the University Autonoma of Madrid. He is married with 3 children.

We speak to Greendot Singapore's CEO, Yong Hong on growth, balance and purpose.



Discover Green Dot's rise from a veggie stall to a beloved meat-free empire and we cover personal learnings, such as



🫡Personal growth: Yong Hong's vegetarian transformation.

⏳ Patience for success: Valuable long-term insights.

⚖️ Balanced living: The four pillars of purposeful life.

🧠 Mental wellness: Practical healthy mindset tips.



Stay tuned till the end for Yong Hong's tailored advice for young adults finding purpose in life.



Tune in for growth and inspiration 🎧🌱🚀



About our Guest:

Yong Hong is an ordinary young entrepreneur, he started Greendot at the age of 22 with his good friend Justin. Green Dot was started with the thought to help professional women to stay healthy and love themselves. With this as motivation, it has grown from a small vegetarian stall to a vegan food restaurant chain in Singapore.

As a young CEO at age 33, Yong Hong currently manages a team of 200 staff. He is responsible for Green Dot 15 stores, including 12 Green Dot outlets Lotus Heart Vegetarian Chinese Restaurant, Greendot Patisserie, and a central kitchen. To him, work is a journey to cultivate himself and an opportunity to find insights within. Yong Hong has a great passion for yoga and music. He hopes to learn n grow with the people he meets.


Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-pod-ep-32


Timestamps:

(00:00) : Introductions

(00:45) : The story behind Green Dot, Singapore's largest meat-free chain

(04:29) : Three phases of Green Dot, Work > Career > Mission

(11:07) : Becoming a better person after becoming vegetarian

(13:53) : Patience is key; the result will come, but it's not immediate

(16:15) : How parenthood changed my perspective on mission, meaning and priorities

(19:15) : Building the four pillars of priorities in the right order for a balanced life

(22:14) : Tips on taking care of our mental hygiene

(25:00) : Advice to young adults who are trying to find purpose





Special thanks to our sponsors:

Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Loo Tiong Ngee



Editor and transcriber of this episode: Tee Ke Hui, Cheryl Cheah, Koh Kai Xin




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🌟 Discover the Power of Sense Restraint: Your Path to Inner Peace and Spiritual Liberation! 🌟

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of modern life? PJ and Cheryl unveil the secrets of sense restraint – a revolutionary concept that promises harmony and balance in a distracted world. Through mindfulness and wisdom, unlock true freedom and happiness, navigating life's challenges with grace and equanimity.

Hear inspiring stories of individuals transformed by sense restraint, from overcoming addiction to finding peace amidst chaos. Dive into guided meditations, educational resources, and real-life case studies to empower your journey. Embrace sense restraint and unlock inner peace, wisdom, and spiritual liberation today! 🌟



About the Speaker

PJ is someone who discovered Buddhism while procrastinating as a student and later discovered Ajahn Brahm and the Suttas in the executive retreat of 2010 in Chiang Rai.

He procrastinated again on the spiritual path through various roles with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), including industry development and strategic planning. He's taking his time now working towards being a nobody.

'Restrain' in this modern world of freedom and enjoyment seems like a curse word. So when one says restrain leads to peace, to calm and to stillness, what does that truly mean? Cheryl and PJ discusses this.

Timestamp:

- (01:08)🧘 Right restraint in Buddhism is not about self-restraint but sense restraint, where one avoids getting caught up in sensory experiences.

- (19:02) 🚪 Cutting off distractions helps in spiritual practice.

- [19:28](https://youtu.be/FLnvx_M5xtw?t=1168s) 🧘‍♀️ Awareness of mental state is crucial for sense restraint.

- (20:11) 🍽️ Extreme sensory restriction can lead to counterproductive reactions.

- (21:08) 🚴‍♂️ Buddha's journey highlights the importance of the middle way.

- (22:32) 🍴 Extremes in self-restriction are common but unwise.

- (24:32) 📚 Recommended starting points for studying Buddhist texts.

- (27:34)💡 Practice restraint by being kind to yourself and others.

Resources:

PJ Recommends to get started here:

Bhikkhu Bodhi: In the Buddha's Words

Bhikkhu Nyanamoli: The Life of the Buddha

SuttaCentral , https://www.accesstoinsight.org/, https://suttafriends.org/



Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei

Editor and transcriber of this episode: Cheryl Cheah, Susara Ng, Ke Hui Tee