Someone (no names mentioned, **squint**) mentioned to me after our Vesak celebrations that a short post on the meaning of “One Heart” would be forthcoming. But nothing has arrived, so instead I’d like to share something visual with you…

My stunning “One Heart” bag is now turning the heads of Aunties in my local supermarket in its new incarnation as my favourite BYOB recycled shopping bag. But when they arrived on site we discovered that the stitching of the handles wasn’t strong enough to handle the weight they needed. So, with apologies to everyone I didn’t capture needle-in-hand (and who knew that Winston could sew?), I’d like to show you how the problem was solved…

It kind of makes my trips to the market extra-special to know that my bag has been hand-sewn with love by someone. I’ll never know who it was (One Heart!), so just to let you all know, it’s still going strong!

Good evening once again Member of Parliament Mr Zainuddin and distinguished representatives from the Bishan - Toa Payoh North CCC, Bishan CCC and Thomson CCC, friends and families of our fellow members. Welcome to the 2551st Vesak Celebration.

Our society has always been and will continue to support our community. We would like to take this opportunity tonight to present three cheques to our distinguished guests as our modest contribution in support of their community activities and bursaries to Mr Cheong Chee Onn of Bishan East CCC, Mr Roy Cheng of Bishan - Toa Payoh North CCC and Ms Doris Chan from Thomson CCC.

As many of you are aware, 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. For those of you who were here last evening for the healing session, we welcome you back this evening.

Tonight, our Master reminds us and exemplifies through her meditation that while nothing is permanent in this life, enlightenment is a path for all who seek with One Heart.

The gates on both sides will once again be opened at 8.30pm after our Master has begun her meditation. We welcome everyone to enter and pay homage to the Buddha and to our Master - Buddha Yasathara. It is our small gesture to remind everyone that the gates to enlightenment is open to all who seek.

Before I end this speech, I would like to share with you some of the historical items that are still being used in tonight’s celebration. The 9 steel structures and the Buddha’s stage portrait have been with us for the past 30 years. It takes strong dedication and effort to maintain them in good condition. In this year’s celebration, despite the various teams’ hectic schedules and the weakening body strength with age, it is through strong spirit and mental determination that we all pull together. Therefore I would like to call upon the young and able bodied, to come forward and take on the challenge.

Finally, please bear with us should be any shortcomings, as we attempt to improve further. Don’t forget to use our website www.mohhong.org to drop your invaluable feedback and suggestions to us.

With this I leave you to rejoice but with mindfulness and compassion.

Good evening, friends and families of our Buddhist community memebers, our special guest Member of Parliament Mr Zainuddin and distinguished representatives from the Bishan - Toa Payoh North CCC, Bishan CCC and Thomnson CCC.

On behalf of the Moh Hong Buddhist Shrine Executive Committee, I extend my warmest welcome and would like to take the next few minutes to share with you some events that occurred over the last couple of days.

Our theme for Vesak this year is “One Heart”, taken from our Master’s advice at the end of last year’s celebration, reminding us to treat our family and friends with the same heart as we would with our fellow Buddhist community and with the same heart we practise the Buddha’s teachings.

Buddhism in Singapore is getting more prominent today than it was in the sixties when our society first started. Numerous Buddhist theme events have mushroomed over the island today. We are no longer alone in this celebratory week. This year, prior to the start of the three days of Buddhist chants, our society introduced a free yoga talk and demonstration conducted by the Nikam Guruji Yoga Kutir on the benefits of yoga for physical well being. We also organised a discussion forum for our members to review and discuss the philosophical issues on two Buddhist themed films. Coincidentally, this came eight days after the close of Singapore’s first Buddhist Film Festival, which was between 17 to 20th May.

Our annual three days of Thosand Buddhas event with prayers for peace and harmony will come to a close this evening with the distribution of fruits to our members and friends who have placed their orders with us. The vegetarian gala that you are partaking is just another modest way of sharing this blessing with you.

We hope the prayers and celebration will not end here but continue in your heart in the months to come. I am happy to also announce that another way to stay connected with each other and our society 24/7 is through the web at www.mohhong.org. There is a small card on every table that has our website address, feel free to take one home with your tonight and help spread the dharma.

Before I call on the Chair of the Organising Committee, I would like to share with everyone a text from our founding philosophy as inscribed on the seventh pillar: “The Buddha is within us, look no further”. As you embark on this blessed meal tonight, spare some moments to reflect on this thought.

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

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.