We don't get to watch the Dubai Open on Astro sports channel, not even the final men's championship where Federer face off Mikhail Youzhny today.
However the result is out. Top seed Federer easily defeated Youzhny in 2 sets, 6-4 6-3. According to the official site of the Dubai Open, although Youzhny competed well, making Federer work hard to close out the match, he failed to bother the world number one after losing an early lead.
Federer is unstoppable this year. Nadal is not on top form to give Federer a good competition. Although the number one player was defeated by Andy Roddick in January, we knew it doesn't matter because he managed to defeat Roddick in their following match at the Australian Open recently.
Seriously I do not want to watch tennis when only one player dominating the game. It's feels like watching Michael Schumacher winning every F-1 Grand Prix. Can any player step up their game and stop Federer?
I'm not really a big fan of Federer because he is too perfect. This guy is a genius. And he is better than Tiger Woods in golf. Now he is in the final against Mikhail Youzhny at the Dubai Tennis Championships tomorrow.
The fact that Nadal lost his match against Youzhny simply worries me. It seems that he is going to have trouble maintaining his game this year. We are not sure if he is going to play better on clay. Hope Nadal, the king on clay, will improve his game when he play in Monte Carlo Open.
With Federer's wins at the Pacific Line Open in Indiana Wells and the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami last year, it is only fair to believe that the world number one is going to defend his championships again after tomorrow's game. In the meanwhile I don't think Federer is not going to have any problem taking on Youzhny, the world number 18.
This is taken from the Sakya Resource Guide website. So, what is happiness in the Buddhism point of view? Read this and enjoy.Discourse on Happiness
I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was
living in the vicinity of Shravasti at the Anathapindika mona-
stery in the Jeta Park. Late at night a deva appeared whose light
and beauty made the whole Jeta Grove shine radiantly. After
paying respects to the Buddha, the deva asked him a question in
the form of a verse:
"Many gods and men are eager to know
what are the greatest blessings
which can bring about a peaceful and happy life.
Please, Tathagata, will you teach us?"
(This is the Buddha's answer):
"Not to be associated with the foolish ones,
to live in the company of wise people
and to honor those who are worth honoring-
this is the greatest happiness.
"To live in a good environment,
to have planted good seeds
and to realize that you are on the right path-
this is the greatest happiness.
"To have a chance to learn,
and to be skillful in your profession or craft
and to know how to practice the precepts and loving speech-
this is the greatest happiness.
"To be able to support your parents,
to cherish your own family
and to have a job that you like-
this is the greatest happiness.
"To live correctly, to be generous in giving,
to be able to give support to relatives and friends
and to live a life of blameless conduct-
this is the greatest happiness.
Discourse on Happiness
"To avoid doing bad things,
to avoid being caught by alcoholism or drugs
and to be diligent in doing good things-
this is the greatest happiness.
"To be humble and polite,
to be grateful, and content with a simple life
and not to miss the occasion to learn the dharma
this is the greatest happiness.
"To persevere and be open to change,
to have regular contact with monks and nuns
and to participate in dharma discussions-
this is the greatest happiness.
"To live diligently and attentively,
to perceive the Noble Truths
and to realize Nirvana-
this is the greatest happiness.
"To live in the world,
with your heart undisturbed by the world,
with all sorrows ended, dwelling in peace,
this is the greatest happiness.
"He or she who accomplishes this
will remain unvanquished wherever she goes.
Always he will be safe and happy-
This is the greatest happiness."
-Mahamangala Sutta (Suttanipata 1)
If you have noticed the side bar on your right, there's this 'Fund my Studies' ChipIn widget. My intention is to raise $850 (which include tuition, room and three meals a day) to study at the International Buddhist Academy next year. The course will commence from June 4th to September 15th each year. I will sponsor my own flight tickets and living expenses which may comes to about RM4 000. During the 3-month course, I will go through the philosophy class as well as learning Tibetan language. Below is the course outline:The Moonlight Distinguishing the Views, by Kunkhyen Gorampa (1 month)This text is praised due to its clarity in identifying and critiquing the three major interpretations of Madhyamika philosophy which developed in Tibet, comparing these approaches with the classical Indian sources. Studying this text instills a correct understanding of the Madhyamika view, particularly regarding the definition of inexpressibility and emptiness. [Check out my previous post on emptiness which mentioned about the Madhyamika philosophy]
Abhidharmakosha, by Acharya Vasubhandu (the first two chapters in 2 months)
This is the key text used for the study of abhidharma within the Tibetan traditions due to its systematic and exhaustive treatment of ontology, psychology, cosmology, causality, states of consciousness, etc. It is an indispensable text for all students of philosophy and is considered a vital part of the Buddhist path. As was said by Buddhaghosha, "Those who study the Abhidhamma literature experience unending joy and serenity of mind."If you would like to chip in a few bucks (or more), kindly click on the ChipIn button. You contribution is much appreciated. I will keep you updated about this course from time to time.
**Update** I've removed the ChipIn button because I'm funding my studies through sponsored post and Adsense.
We don't get to watch the Dubai Open on Astro sports channel, not even the final men's championship where Federer face off Mikhail Youzhny today.
