How Buddha died

Since we are on the subject of Buddha's last words, let us see how Buddha died. In the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, we are told that during one of his preaching tours, Buddha became ill suddenly after he had eaten a special delicacy, sukaramaddava (literally translated as "soft pork") in the house of Cunda Kammaraputta, a blacksmith, at a place called Pava. Some scholars believe it was a special delicious dish of mushrooms or truffles, while others believe it to be a dish of wild boar's flesh. Buddha proceeded on to a small town named Kusinara, but died in at a grove of sala trees just outside the town. Ananda prepared a resting place for him between these two large sala trees. Before he died, he spoke his last words, "Everything is subject to change. Remember to practise the teachings earnestly".

Buddha's last words

Pastor Rony Tan of Lighthouse Evangelism claimed that the dying Buddha's last words was "I am still searching for the way." Actually I think he was just joking. Anyway, for those who are curious, last words of Buddha can be found in Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (大般涅槃經). "Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation."

Four men in the Bible who did not see death

There are four men in the Bible who did not see death. Two had already happened, and two are prophesised.

The two that had already happened are Enoch and Elijah.
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him (Genesis 5:24 KJV).
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God (Hebrews 11:5 KJV)
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11 KJV).
Enoch and Elijah went straight from Earth to Heaven.

The two that are prophesised are the beast and the false prophet.
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelations 19:20 KJV).
The beast and the false prophet went straight from Earth to the lake of fire, the final destiny of all unbelievers.

Tintin and Asterix

While both Tintin and Asterix were both intelligent and resourceful people, Tintin and his friends needed a lot of "luck" to get out of sticky situation. Things are different for Asterix and friends. They always have the magic portion to rely on. Whenever they get into trouble, they just bash their way out.

The Jews, the Chinese and the New Year

With Chinese New Year coming, let us contrast the attitude of the Jews and the Chinese towards a new year.
The Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah as the start of the civil year in Israel. It is a time of reflection and soul-searching, seeking forgiveness from God and remembering His judgment. It marks the chance for repentance and forgiveness in the eyes of God and to start afresh with a clear conscience in the coming year.
The Chinese celebrates the New Year with much superstition. Cleaning the house symbolizes sweeping away all traces of misfortune. To avoid bad luck, people, especially children, must be at their best behaviour. Fireworks were used to chase away evil spirits. Putting on new clothes symbolizes discarding of the old year and its misfortunes. The whole objective is to improve their luck for the coming year to achieve greater material prosperity.

Becoming a Christian

A person who claimed to be a Christian should be interested in these three things:

1. Who is this Jesus Christ that saved me?
2. What am I saved from? (If the person who spoke to you did not make it clear.)
3. How should I act thereafter?

I remembered this is how I became a Christian. A friend and I was outside the squash court at my school and he use the four spiritual laws to tell me about Christianity. Usually I was against Christianity. But on this occasion, I listened and just accept Christ as my saviour. After I became a Christian, I kept saying to myself, "I am now a Christian." But I did not know what I should do next. My friend who brought me to Christ just asked me to attend the Christian Fellowship at the Church next to my school on the coming Wednesday. Thereafter, I just attended the Wednesday meetings during the school days. My Bible is just a collect of booklets of three of the four Gospels (I did not have the Gospel of Matthew). I did not have the whole Bible with me. I managed to buy one later but was confiscated by my father. My knowledge of Christianity grew only after I joined my current Church.

Works do not add merit to salvation

All the works that we do after believing in Christ do not add any merit to us. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do (Luke 17:10 KJV). So why don't we just sit down and enjoy ourselves after salvation? After all, it is free. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1 KJV). No. The "good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 KJV)" have their purposes.

To glorifies God
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV)

To confirm your faith
The works that you have done, the fruits that you have produced will confirm to yourself and to others that you are a true Christian, that you truly believe in Christ as your saviour.
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; (2 Peter 1:10 NASB)

To witness to others
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. (James 2:18 KJV)

While salvation is free, discipleship is costly. So we should work out our salvation "with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 KJV)".