So what does all that have to do with an Austin day spa?
The answer comes to us from Out On the Porch where Jim Swift begins his report with a tale of woe.
(The following is a transcript of Out On the Porch.)
During the night of November 6, 2000, just two weeks before it was supposed to open in its brand new building, the Daya Day Spa and Salon was gutted by fire.
The owner, Monique Maley, gamely rebuilt and scheduled her new grand opening for September 11, 2001.
There's more.
In October, heavy storms smashed through the roof and flooded the interior. In November, there was an invasion of crickets.
On the first anniversary of the new business, a water main break down the street forced the spa to close for the day.
In July of last year, lightning hit the building.
Just this week, for the umpteenth time, the spa's computer system crashed. Clearly something had to be done.
Chanting.
The ceremony dates back 2,545 years.
Monk Lama Phuntsho says: "One lady from India got married in Sri Lanka. She was very sad because she is going to leave Buddha there and she has to go far away. She was very sad. So Buddha mentioned about, to recite the four sentence(s). 'So wherever I am, whenever you recite to make offering, I'll be there to receive the offering.'"
Swift says: "She was comforted by that."
Phuntsho says: "Yes."
Chanting.
Swift says: "You know, you grew up in Houston."
Maley says: "Yeah."
Swift says: "You don't really look like the 'Earth mama' type."
Laughter.
Maley says: "I'm not 'crunchy granola,' but I'm, I'm open minded, let's put it that way."
Swift says: "And you needed help."
Maley says: "Yeah, absolutely, I mean, everybody needs help."
Chanting.
Swift asks: "What's going through you in the midst of this?"
Maley says: "Now I am going to sound 'crunchy granola.' I found it very overwhelming, very overwhelming. The vibration of the chanting I found extraordinary."
Swift asks: "You feel like it's going to help?"
Maley says: "Absolutely."
Swift asks: "Do you think things will be better here for her now?"
Phuntsho says: "Yeah, sure, you know, the good heart within, then, this blessing will remain."
Swift says: "If she maintains a good heart."
Phunstsho says: "Yeah, if she maintains a good heart, and no harming other beings, this blessing will definitely, will be flowing."
Chanting.
The monks will be in Austin through February 27.
Search Buddhist Channel
We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv