For me, there’s something very special about the oil lamp procession. It seems there are always so many things going on simultaneously during Vesak, but there’s magic in the procession. The air is electric with the feeling of a common purpose and love. For that time, the busyness of our day-to-day lives seems to be suspended and peace, and a higher purpose, fill the space.

I don’t need proof that the coming together of people full of love is a powerful enough force to change the world, I know it is. But if I did need proof, I’d just need to think of the energy of these moments.

With the site opposite Block 156 Bishan St 11 almost finished, our celebration of the 2551st Vesak began last night with the first of our events. Anyone who thought they knew the benefits of yoga was in for a surprise in the entertaining one hour talk by Mr Atul of Nikam Garuji Yoga Kutir. Sitting, lying-on-front and lying-on-back positions were demonstrated and carefully explained, as well as some powerful breathing techniques and some secrets for sufferers of back problems. If you weren’t there we can’t give away the secrets, but classes with the group are free and they have several locations here. If you’d like more information on how to join, contact Jeffrey for information. Scroll down for some pics (and please don’t try the last one at home without someone to get you upright again… we’d hate you to miss the other events because you’re stuck to the floor).

Tonight’s film screening promises entertainment and food-for-thought for everyone, with a documentary and some animation. Cartoons are not just for kids. See you there at 8pm.

more photos of our One Heart Vesak 2007 celebrations here

On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana) and passing away (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

In Singapore and many other countries, Vesak is celebrated on the full moon of the fourth month of the lunar calendar. This is a tradition that dates back centuries, and was formalised at the first Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, held in 1950.

You may think that the passing away of the Buddha would be a sad, mournful event, but the teachings of the Buddha himself tell us that this should not be the case.

When he saw his disciple and attendant Ananda weeping because he was dying, the Buddha advised his followers that they should understand that all things must disintegrate, including his own body, and that they should not cry. He asked them to regard his teachings (the Dharma) as their teacher from then on, because the Dharma truth is eternal and not subject to the laws of change. He instructed that the way to pay homage to him was not merely with symbolic offerings, but by truly and sincerely trying to follow his teachings.

And so, Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day by reiterating their determination to lead noble lives, develop their minds, practice loving-kindness and bring peace and harmony to humanity. It’s a time of great joy, happiness and affirmation of faith, and devotees make special efforts to eat only vegetarian food, spend time at their temple, be charitable and make offerings of homage.

It is a public celebration of the life and teachings of the Buddha and a personal celebration for each devotee of their own determination to follow in his footsteps and live life according to the Four Noble Truths.

If you can’t wait for our own film screening on 28th May, you might like to check the program for the Asian Buddhist Film Festival, which opens for the first time in Singapore today.

Along with films from China, Bhutan, India, Canada, England and the US, there are also screenings of Buddhist-themed episodes of The Simpsons and King of the Hill. Several of the filmmakers are traveling to Singapore to be on hand for Q&A sessions following their films. A guest speaker, British-born monk Venerable Ajahn Brahm, will give a talk on Sunday, May 20.

Tickets for some of the shows are sold out, but many wonderful films are still available. The festival runs for four days only from today to Sunday 20th May.

Pic: The Simpsons - She of Little Faith (2001)

As part of our community outreach, the organising committee has added three events this year: subsidised medical screening, yoga talk, and movie screening.

All celebrants are warmly welcome to participate in these community events.

Subsidised Medical Screening

In conjunction with Alexandra Hospital, we will be organizing a Medical screening.

This is a subsidised medical screening where each participant is required to pay only $5 (instead of $70) directly to the Alexandra Hospital. The Moh Hong Buddhist Society supports this event through our volunteering members stationed around to assist the medical staff. It will be held on the 27th May Sunday (9.00am – 02.30pm), located near the Vesak Celebration site. Each checkup takes approximately 10mins.

Introduction to Yoga (In English)

There will be a free Yoga introductory session on the 27th May Sunday (07.00pm- 08.00pm) at the street soccer court near the Vesak Day Celebration site. The talk is conducted by the Nikam Guruji Yoga Kutir on the benefits of yoga for physical well being.

Movie Screening & Discussion (In English/Chinese)

On the 28th May Monday (07.30pm -09.00pm) we will be screening Buddhist themed movies/documentaries. The location will be at the street soccer court near to the Vesak Day Celebration site

The theme for this year’s Vesak celebrations is One Heart. This is to remind us of Master’s advice in her closing speech last year, to have “one heart” i.e. to have one common objective, one focus, one syncopated beat, and one voice while we go about marking the day.

Details for this year’s celebration are:

• Prayer Hours: 29th May to 31st May, 9am to 10.30pm
• Site Location: Block 156, Bishan Street 11 (download a map here)

A reminder that for healing, blessing or the oil lamp procession, members must be vegetarian from 11pm, 26th May onwards.

We’re looking forward to everyone coming together in celebration again this year, and there are some new events which we hope you’ll enjoy. Times are being finalised but I hope I can post these for you tomorrow. In the meantime, here is the map of the location. Carparks are marked CP or MSCP and bus routes are listed at the bottom of the map.

Founded in Singapore in1965, the Moh Hong Buddhist Shrine follows the Mizong lineage of Buddhism. Although Mizong is sometimes referred to in English as “Secret Sect of Tibetan Lamaism” or “the secret doctrine”, the teachings of Moh Hong originate in India and were passed to our Spiritual Master by her Indian teacher here in Singapore.

We believe that Prince Siddhartha Gautama (Lord Buddha) was born in Nepal and travelled to India, where he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya and travelled to teach the Dharma.

The name “Mizong” does not refer to the secretive nature of the practice, but rather to its extensive and profound nature. It is a Tantric Buddhism tradition, most closely aligned to Red (Nyingma) Tradition.

A central practice of Tantric Buddhism is meditation and this is practiced around the world in many different ways, including qigong, yoga and martial arts. Moh Hong’s essential tenet is the understanding of truth through chanting of sutras. At Moh Hong, our members learn to sing hymns in Chinese (Mandarin and Teochew). Chanting of prayers are done specifically by our prayer group, who are trained to perform various religious rites such as for Vesak Day celebrations and funeral rites.

Our Spiritual Master has dedicated her life to karmic healing. We believe that some illnesses are karmic in nature, and Master uses her meditative abilities to lighten the load.

We have 9 founding philosophical pillars and we follow the Noble 8-Fold Path, often pictured as the Wheel of Dharma, which forms one of the cores of Buddhism throughout the world. Followers do not eat beef and are vegetarian on Fridays.

Since its founding, Moh Hong has been an active member of the community in Singapore, supporting other organisations. We are currently involved in a joint program with Alexandra Hospital to provide subsidised medical screening to our members and the public.

We currently have two places of worship and healing, in Pontian, Malaysia (permanent) and in Bishan, Singapore (temporary as we seek a suitable property for the Society).