Arts & Culture Department – We’re By Your Side
On 29 April 2020 (Wed), 146 BWM Arts & Culture Department’s cadres and members, BWM Departments’ Heads, as well as organising committees of 2018/2019 Joyous Rhapsody joyfully participated in a programme organized by the Arts & Culture Department (A&C): “We’re By Your Side”. They sang insightful praises and made voice offerings to the Triple Gems.
Orrhhh-horrrr … With current social distancing measures implemented by the government, is singing insightful praises together possible? Yes, of course! Credits to the dedicated planning and preparations done by A&C’s “Rise & Be Triumphant” and “We’re By Your Side” organizing committees. This was organized with the intention to create an opportunity for everyone to gather virtually over an online platform to exchange concerns, encouragement and send positive energy to one another! Although the physical distance with one another has increased under the measures, our heart-to-heart connections have grown stronger.
Such a rare opportunity to meetup, we wouldn’t miss the chance to take some “family photos” for remembrance. Say cheese!
“We’re By Your Side” was an innovative concert with a variety of content lined up. It also featured two cheerful hosts, sister Jolynn and sister Liybby, who introduced each segment and livened up the atmosphere.
The programme kicked off with Venerable Zu Hong’s opening address. Venerable Zu Hong rejoiced the support team for courageously taking on an unfamiliar task in stride and working their best to give all the participants an opportunity to reminisce Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, our gurus and dharma, as well as to bring forth positive energy. She shared that 2 Malaysian students performed “Manjusri Mantra” Live on Facebook and encouraged everyone to supplicate by singing insightful praises. She quoted “Lotus Sutra”:
“O Śāriputra! After attaining Buddhahood I expounded the teaching extensively with various explanations and illustrations, and with skilful means (upāya) led sentient beings to rid themselves of their attachments.”,
and explained that insightful praise is a skilful mean to learn about Buddha’s unimaginable good qualities and make aspirations to be like him. Just as Teacher Zhen Ru had vowed for every individual who had been moved by the insightful praises, those who sang earnestly, performed, conducted, or hummed with their hearts, to be able to attain Buddhahood swiftly and expeditiously attained the three principal aspects of the path. Lastly, she encouraged everyone to submit their hearts to Buddha and uphold teacher’s wishes, make aspirations to attain Buddhahood through singing insightful praises. Singing insightful praises allows us to keep dharma in our hearts and in turn, for dharma to remain in this world. Everyone’s morale was boosted greatly with Venerable Zu Hong’s discourse. It is our honour that you graced this event and we sincerely thank you!
Following, we watched the playback of “Rise & Be Triumphant” held 2 weeks ago and listened to a heartfelt sharing by A&C’s Director, Sister Irene Lee. We were amazed at how each team in the Arts and Culture Department continued to persevere joyously with their lessons and meetings during the pandemic situation. Mega rejoice to all their efforts! Thumbs up!
Next up, was the highlight of the night that everyone was eagerly anticipating! Brother Daren Ong and Sister Yu Xuan showed their perfect father-daughter chemistry in a joint performance of “Joyfully Welcoming the Bodhisattvas that are Slowly Approaching 《喜迎菩萨冉冉来》”, leading us to chorus and join in the song.
The hosts then announced the 2 insightful praises that received the highest votes to be sang at the event. They are none other than… *drums roll 🥁*… the touching and tear-jerking “Do You Remember 曾记否” and groovy “You Are By My Side” that makes us naturally swayed with the music, as we shine the lights from our mobile phones!
Regardless of the external circumstances, so long we keep the triple gems and how we have benefitted from their kindness in the depths of our hearts, it will be like how Venerable Zu Hong had guided us earlier – it will be as though the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are right beside us. Furthermore, with a group of virtuous friends to give encouragements to one another, to learn and grow together, and to valiantly advance towards our goals, we will surely reach the day when all of us have attained Buddhahood.
To our great surprise, the event concluded with a mass dance to celebrate the upcoming Vesak Day and to recall Buddha’s kindness, his great compassion to liberate all sentient beings in samsara from sufferings and achieve happiness. At the close of the event, A&C shared with us a thoughtfully prepared “parting gift” for everyone, helping us to find peace through listening and singing the insightful praises during this challenging period while our merits bank go “kah-Ching! Kah-Ching!” Didn’t manage to get the gift? Not to worry, you can “dabao” and bring back the gift too by scanning the QR code below:
The evening was splendid and tugged the heartstrings of many despite not having a physical stage or colourful lightings which we are accustomed to.
A very relaxing session (Penned by Sandra Peh)
Very engaging hosts. Wish to increase the duration to sing insightful praises. (Penned by Tan Poh Jee)
Missed out the event? Can’t wait to be under one roof for lessons with virtuous friends again? Or simply singing insightful praises and shouting ‘E-N-C-O-R-E!’ for this event? Do join in the upcoming “Rise & Be Triumphant 2” on 14 May, 3pm to 4pm, and 15 May, 8pm to 9pm~ ^^
Blog Post Penned by Tan Poh Jee
