Happy Wesak Day

Happy Wesak Day

To all Buddhists out there I wish a very happy Wesak day. May the darkness of ignorance be removed and the light of wisdom continue to shine in our hearts. May there be peace and happiness always in our lives.

To those not observing this holy day I wish you Happy holidays. If any of you are driving out of town anywhere, take care and be well always.

Sukhi Hottu

MV Nathan

Wesak day

Datuk singing with me

The Dharma faithful at BGF

Receiving blessings

Receiving blessings

Buddha image at the altar in BGF

With sadha i walk!

Wesak day this year was a little different for me. The past few years I had been going to Singapore to help out in a small temple there. This year due to work commitments i had to give Singapore a miss.

Wesak morning I was with my family in BGF. The center was filled with people when we arrived sometime after 10 in the morning. In fact Puja was already in session when we walked in. After puja there was a presentation by the young Dharmaputeras and Dharmaputeris! So very adorable ! There was one little Dharmaputera there who was so caught up by the attention that was being lavished that he started crying!!! Then there was a short Dharma talk by a Tibetan monk. Very enlightening talk. After the talk we took part in the blessings ceremony.

Soon it was my turn to sing a few songs. It was my privillege and honor to have been asked to sing a few songs in praise of the Buddha and his teachings on Wesak morn. With much joy in my heart I sang a few of the songs from "Journey". Datuk Dr Victor Wee the President of BGF joined me on two songs. Bro Khoo Nee Wern was up next with his song" Dharma Rocks". Lovely song Nee Wern!

Soon we took our leave from BGF and headed to Buddhist Maha Vihara. BMV holds a special place in my heart. This was the place that my teacher and friend the late Ven.Dr.K.Sri Dhammananda used to reside. "Chief" as many used to call him is sadly missed by not only me but many others I am sure. I guess this is what the Buddha meant by "Impermanance" and "Attachment". Venerable Sir I pray that you are able to attain ultimate liberation soon.

It was a stark difference in atmosphere here in BMV as compared to BGF. It was a carnival like feel to Wesak at the BMV. The place was really filled with people. Many stalls were set up and many items were being offered for sale. There was even a stall selling football merchandise and memorabilia! I wonder if Wesak today is more of a "celebration" rather than a day of reflection and quiet contemplation.

Anyway may the light of Dharma continue to illuminate the world. May there be peace and happiness everywhere.

May all living beings be well and happy. Sukhi Hotu.

M V Nathan

Wesak eve 2008

The Kajang Sunday Dhamma School performers... way to go guys!
The main altar at KBC
My son Pushan giving the peace sign

Wesak "celebrations" for me started on sunday the 18/5/08 i.e Wesak eve. I attended puja at Kajang Buddhist Centre with my two boys. After the puja we attended a talk by Datuk Kumaraseri. His talk was about the role of parents and the challenges of kids growing up in society today. Lunch was a wonderful vegetarian offering prepared by the team manning the kitchen. Sadhu to all of them for a brilliant lunch. Afterwards the kids had performances and boy was it fun. My older son Sanjay presented a short speech (after much coaxing by his aunt). He was the first runner up at the Public Speaking Competition (Wilayah Persekutuan) We left at about 2.30 pm and headed for home.

That evening I was at BGF for musical puja. It was my first time attending Wesak eve puja at BGF. I was invited to sing a few of my songs from my new album titled "Journey" which I did with much joy. The Igemz were there to perform a few of their numbers too. Left BGF at about 10.30 pm with a very happy feeling in my mind. The images of Bodhgaya, India came to mind as I was driving back. How I wished I could be there at that very moment. Merely being near the Vajrasana or Diamond Throne is quite an experience... what more if had been on Wesak eve!Imagine the scene that full moon night of Wesak when the Buddha gained enlightenment! Sigh ... looks like I have to strive on in this samsaric cycle of birth and death before liberation is mine too. I must not waver from his path. I must persevere.

I'll write about Wesak day next.

Peace and good health to everyone. Sukhi Hotu!

M V Nathan

My new blog site

On this site i shall try to record my journey in life from a buddhist perspective. I will write on my involvement in Buddhist activities especially my involvement in Buddhist songs. I hope to write about how i got involved in Buddhism and why I am convinced that the Buddha's way is the way for me.

I'll begin with Wesak 2008 tomorrow.... (to be continued)

Metta,

M V Nathan