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A Hokkien Poem That Teaches

The 10 Demeritorious Actions

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Oo Min Kia Mai ChoA Choot Si Khor Tho

There are things you must not doSuch things can lead to rebirth

in suffering realms

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Tham Sim Chin Hong HiamLu A Khor Chin Thiam

Greed and Covetousness are dangerous

You will suffer terribly

4

Kah Kee Kor Kah KeeSi Leow Khor Ooi Khee

Being Selfish and Self-Centered Upon death he goes to a woeful state

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Lu Mai Seng Tay Ork

Chee Jit Hor Lang Tock

Don’t be hot-tempered and angry One day you will be hit or

assaulted by others

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Mai Gheen Chui Chui Poon

Lu A Huih A Koon

Do not hate anybodyYour blood can boil

(Your blood pressure can rise)

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Goo Chee A Hai Lu

A Khor Chin Jia Ku

Delusion or Ignorance will harm youThere will be pain or suffering for a long time

8

Bo Sian Sin Eng Ko

Si Leow Kah Chai Lo

You don’t believe in Kamma?You will know after death

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Lu Mai Kong Pian UahA Khee Khor Ooi Tuah

Do Not Tell LiesIt can bring you to a suffering state

10

Kong Uah Ai Cheah SitEau Kin Ai Lau Sik

We must speak the truthIt’s important to be honest

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Mai Sai Chua Long ChooA Hor Lang Phab Lu

Don’t slander or carry talesYou can be beaten up

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Kong Lang Pai Bo Ho A Hor Lang Sak Toh

Talking bad about others is wrongPeople can assault or hit you down

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Chor Uah Beh Sai Kong

A Choh Lang Bo Song

Harsh Speech should not be usedIt can hurt a person’s feelings

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Meh Lang, Lay Lang MaiA Seong Chin Lee Hai

Don’t scold or use abusive speechThis can great wound a person’s heart

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Lang Mai Kong Eng UahLu Cho Peng Iu Puah

Don’t gossip or talk frivolouslyYou can break up friendship

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Mai Kong Tang Kong SaiLang Luah Lu Kah Chai

Don’t indulge in empty, useless talkYou’ll regret when you get blamed

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Thai Lang Pai Eng KoLu A Chin Khor Lo

Killing is bad KammaOne will face great suffering

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Chong Seng Mai Cho Thiah

Lu A Chin Pai Mia

Don’t hurt sentient beingsYou’ll have a very painful life

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Mai Thau Thek Ming KiaAu Si Lu Khor Mia

Do not steal thingsYou will suffer in future lives

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Mai Lau, Mai Chiak Lang

A Khor Siang Ka Thang

Don’t swindle, don’t cheat othersYou can suffer like a worm

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Lu, Gua Mai Sia ImmKa Theng Hor Kooi Chim

We must not commit sexual misconductIn time we will be ‘kissed’ by the devil

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Luan Luan Lai Boh Cho Ang Boh Bay Ga Loh

If there is no sexual immoralityHusbands and wives won’t quarrel

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Lang Bo Cho Pai SuHwa Hee, Peng Aun Oo

If we do not do wrong thingsHappiness and Peace Will Be With Us

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The End

With Metta,Bro. Oh Teik Bin

“Refrain from any bad deed”This wise advice we must heed