Dec 10, 2023, Joyous Rhapsody: ‘Heading towards the First Light with Gratitude’ Concert

On the 10th of December 2023, Joyous Rhapsody: ‘Heading towards the First Light with Gratitude’ concert, continued a second day of musical extravaganza at BW Monastery’s Hall of Jewels. A total of 744 audience members, volunteers, and performers attended both the afternoon and evening sessions. 

Steering the event were the two emcees, Lua Yue Min and Joshua Li. Their enthusiasm was truly delightful. Special thanks to  Joshua’s adaptability as he took on the sole hosting responsibility in one of the two concerts with a fellow emcee coming down with Covid. 

The opening act was once again BWM Insightful Praise Class 2 who gave us the Insightful Praise ‘The Lamp Shines‘《灯明了》. They chose this Insightful Praise in the hope that through the voice offering, they could illuminate the lamps given to us by Buddha and Bodhisattvas in our hearts. They also convey the boundless merits and wisdom accumulated by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas over countless eons, envisioning the liberation of sentient beings from suffering and the attainment of ultimate happiness.

Following this, the Auspicious Xin Pin Chinese Orchestra, under the Arts and Culture Department, presented three praises:

  1. Fragrance of the Orchid in the Monastery 《兰若飘香》 

  2. Reunion 《重逢》

  3. You're by my side《有你在身旁 》

The Auspicious Xin Pin Chinese Orchestra practices every week at 30 Lor 27 Geylang, on Sunday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:00pm. If you are interested in joining any of the Arts and Culture Department groups, please sign up using the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXOoKqdfWrL2RFy8tY4tbT2LoezG1U5EpxY_E2D6mL01Zsqg/viewform?pli=1

Next up is Auspicious Buddhist Hymns Section bringing us 2 Insightful Praises.

  1. Recalling those from the Past《忆昔人

  2. By the Shore of Yearning《相思湖畔》

They are conducted by Conductor Yang Zhongjie, using showcasing the choir's singing style of Acappella. 

The next to perform was BWM Insightful Praise Class 1 performing 3 Insightful Praises, each with a powerful meaning to empower us, the Dharma Warriors:

  1. Supreme Dew Defeats Death《滅死胜甘露》

2. The Zither and Sword《琴剑》

3. Illuminating the Ocean of My Heart《照彻心海》

Then we have the youth group, Yazers with their rendition of the Insightful Praises

  1. In this Moment《在这个时候》

  2. Prayer《祈祷

  3. Awaken《醒觉》

Together the audience collectively offers vocal homage to 'Excellent Teacher of the World,'《世间大导师》 from the 19th scroll of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra (Flower Garland Sūtra).

This indicates a collective act of paying respects and offering vocal homage to the Excellent Teacher of the World as described in the 19th scroll of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra.

Abstract of Lyrics:

Excellent teacher of the world, most venerated, free from defilements,

Across unfathomable eons, how rare it is to encounter him.

Buddha radiates resplendent light, visible to all in the world.

For the multitudes, he expounds vast teachings, benefiting all beings.

The Tathagata comes into the world, to remove the darkness of ignorance

Such light as he brings to the world is a rare sight to behold.

Having cultivated generosity, ethical discipline, patience, joyous perseverance, serenity,

And wisdom — all to perfection, with these, he illuminates the world.’

On this second day, we were honoured to invite the Virtuous Lamrim class of S21W024C and the first round Lamrim class of S21G018C from the Lamrim Discourse Class to present their vocal offerings.

S21W024C brought us 'When I Meet You Again'《又见你的容颜》

'Moment of Bliss' 《幸福时刻》was performed by the Class S21G018C.

The group Auspicious Joyous Choir Section joined us again offering their fun and exciting rendition of the 3 insightful praises gor a second day:
1. We are Together 《我们在一起》

2. The Swaying Tree Shadows are illuminated by the Bright Moonlight 《树影婆娑明月照》

3. Follow Closely the Practice of Manjusri Bodhisattva 《跟上文殊行》

As a finale, everyone sang together in praise of 'The First Ray of Dawn’ 《第一缕晨光》!

The 2023 Joyous Rhapsody concert came to a successful finale. Rejoice to all performers, the supporting volunteer team, and the attending audience. Also, thanks to the young Main Organizing Committee  team: The Arts and Culture Department, Assistant Director, Miss Angeline Liu, and the concert Assistant Concert Leads, Mdm Jannie Lim and Miss Jennifer Wong for their strong support.

Looking forward to the upcoming 2024 Joyous Rhapsody! Happy New Year and may the Triple Gems bless one and all!

Eng

2023年12月10日吉祥悦:《承载深恩 迎向曙光》

2023年12月10日吉祥悦: 《承载深恩 迎向曙光》 音乐会第二天也在吉祥寺聚宝堂隆重举行。下午场, 晚上场 共 744位观众/义工/表演者出席。

两位司仪掌舵: 赖悦敏与李靖恒。太随喜了! 尤其是靖恒师兄。因为有队友确诊,其中一场还独当一面主持。太感恩他。

赞颂2班为我们以《灯明了》掀开序幕。他们选这首赞颂曲目是希望透由音声供养,得佛菩萨引领的灯,还有无量劫来佛菩萨悲智功德,要让众生离苦,得到究竟的快乐的愿景!

接下来,文化艺术处属下的吉祥心品华乐团带来三首赞颂:

• 兰若飘香

• 重逢

• 有您在身旁

吉祥心品华乐团每周在伟城中心 30号芽龙27巷练习。时间是星期日下午2点 - 4点。有兴趣参加文化艺术处的各组,请报名:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXOoKqdfWrL2RFy8tY4tbT2LoezG1U5EpxY_E2D6mL01Zsqg/viewform?pli=1

吉祥佛曲组献上他们班上勤奋又热爱赞颂的小组勇士们的《忆昔人》 二重唱。之后将由全班同学呈现《相思湖畔》 三重唱。

扬忠杰指挥带领这次演出以清唱,无伴奏的形式展现合唱团的演唱方式。同学们非常积极地练习和配合,只为了呈现最好的音乐给佛菩萨与观众。

赞颂1班带来三首提策我们发菩提心的赞颂:

滅死胜甘露 (取自“入菩萨行论”)

有一种不死的药、能消灭死亡的良药,这是石破天惊的好消息!是什么药?你要不要?不死药就是发菩提心。赞颂1班至诚邀请大家一起来发殊胜的菩提心,来当贵宾赴一场成佛的饗宴。

是谁拨动美妙的琴弦,传来悠扬的琴声。啊!原来是师父演说般若的妙法音。师父也传授双剑修持的秘诀,用于斩断烦恼障和所知障。琴和剑合一,代表一种证悟的境界,可以脱离生死轮回的痛苦,这不正是我们所渴望与追求的吗?

2. 琴剑

是谁拨动美妙的琴弦,传来悠扬的琴声。啊!原来是师父演说般若的妙法音。师父也传授双剑修持的秘诀,用于斩断烦恼障和所知障。琴和剑合一,代表一种证悟的境界,可以脱离生死轮回的痛苦,这不正是我们所渴望与追求的吗?

3. 照彻心海

这首赞颂是在忆念师长大悲的深恩。照彻心海就可以明心见性;就像“心经”上所说,观自在菩萨,行深般若波罗蜜多时,照见五蕴皆空,以般若智慧明见世间万法的实相,并且可度一切众生的苦厄,达到自利利他的境界。感恩师长,长期以来,如父母般陪伴和守护着我们,并且宣讲各种妙法。赞颂的后半段是在祈求师长的摄护和皈依,同时也发愿永远不离弃师长,而要生生相约,再续菩提缘。

Yazers 为大家呈现了三首赞颂:

  1. 在这个时候

  2. 祈祷

  3. 醒觉

大众一同音声供养《世间大导师》

出自《大方广佛华严经》第19卷

以下是部分颂词:

世间大导师,离垢无上尊,

不可思议劫,难可得值遇。

佛放大光明,世间靡不见,

为众广开演,饶益诸群生。

如来出世间,为世除痴冥,

如是世间灯,希有难可见。

已修施戒忍,精进及禅定,

般若波罗蜜,以此照世间。

第二天邀请到资深的S21善024C,与年幼的S21G018C,两个广论班音声供养。

S21善024C带给我们的是《又见你的容颜》

《幸福时刻》是由吉祥寺里星期天早上的广论班:S21G018C 演唱。 他们每个星期能聚在一起闻思佛法的时刻,就是他们的幸福时刻,让他们的心回到心灵的故乡,回到善知识的身旁。藉著讚頌《幸福时刻》的因緣,很多有情在憶念上師,憶念佛菩薩,而這正是師长的心願,他想安置有情於最究竟的快樂之道。所以當他们全心全意在讚頌的時候,那也是师长內心非常感動歡喜的《幸福时刻》!

吉祥欢唱组两天都音声供养,以不同造型呈现给大家:

我们在一起

佛陀爱我,我爱佛陀,我们在一起。

树影婆娑明月照

感恩师长,让我们不再叹息,永远微笑。

跟上文殊行

让我们跟上文殊行,翱行无尽智慧苍穹,快乐菩萨行。

最后大家一起合唱赞颂《第一缕晨光》!

2023吉祥悦圆满成办。感恩所有表演者,护持义工团队,出席的观众。也感谢年轻的总护持组合:文化艺术处、刘菁菁助理处长、副总护持们: 林清清和Jennifer Wong的大力支持。

请期待明年的2024吉祥悦。

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