Drama on the life of Confucius…
Friday, February 7th, 2014

Continuing with the spirit of Chinese New Year Celebrations, this evening Sai Youth from Indonesia presented a drama on the life of Chinese Philosopher and Spiritual Master Confucius here in Prasanthi Nilayam. Confucius had brought revolutionary changes in China with his unsurpassed wisdom, affecting the society at large, positively.

Earlier, the programme for the evening commenced at 1650 hrs. with the Malaysian Choir taking the honours presenting a Spirited Choir programme. Singing tunes of religious universal harmony the youth, comprising both men and women, signed off in style melodiously singing “Akhanda Jyothi Jalaao Sai Mana Mandir Mein…”, fervently praying to Bhagawan for His munificence.

Dr VK Ravindran, Chairman, Zone 4, SSSSO – Overseas then addressed the assembly introducing the ensuing session. Wishing one and all a Happy Holy Chinese New Year, Dr Ravindran introduced the speaker for the session, Bro. Yong KW from Malaysia, who deliberated on the theme “Chinese Culture and Traditions”.

Bro. KW Yong whose maiden pilgrimage to Prasanthi was in the year 1994 spoke of Sai as the Mastermind. Extensively quoting Bhagawan, Yong said: Bhagawan is the Mastermind of our lives; transformation happens when we align our lives with His laws. Bro. Yong who is currently the Wise Chairman of Sathya Sai Organisations – Malaysia also divulged in brief details of the Organisational initiaitive to take Bhagawan’s messages to the masses through publishing media.

Sai Youth, Youth Vikas from Indonesia, then presented a drama entitled “The Confucius – The Righteous” on the life of legendary Chinese philospher, teacher and Spiritual Master Confucius who lived over 2500 years ago. The presentation was set in a homely background having a grand father and grand daughter engaged in discussions leading unto Sai, Nine Point Code Of Conduct. Caught off guard by the grandfather, for knowing Sai as Everything, but not practising His 9-Point Code Of Conduct, when the girl turned perplexed, a consoling and caring grand father, pacifyied the girl narrating the ideal life story of Confucius.

Showing some of the noted incidents from his illustrious life, highlighting his golden rule: “What we do not expect others do to us then do not do it to others”, the presentation illustrated how Confucius could bring radical changes in Chinese civilisation, helping the society from the clutches of despicable inhuman rules. Even as a famous Confucius subsequently earned the warth of jealous men in the palace, resulting in him being exiled from the Kingdom, Confucius travelled across the country preaching his philosophy to the eager and anxious ones only to return much wiser helping humanity at large, leaving his footprints in the sands of time.

A couple of dance presentations followed before the studnets burst into Bhajans that ended with Bhagawan singing Thursday Special “Ksheerabdi Shayana Narayana…”

Mangala Arathi at 1830 hrs. marked the end of the proceedings.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Video Webcast of the Chinese New Year Celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam, Day 1

This is the 17^th Chinese New Year in Prasanthi Nilayam in the immediate Divine Presence of Beloved Bhagawan.  The first ever Chinese New Year was celebrated in the year 1997.

This evening, the programme commenced at 1650 hrs. in traditional religious style with lighting of the lamp, done jointly by the Zonal Chairman Dr VK Ravindran and Chinese New Year Coordinator Billy Fong. Traditional offering of delicacies to Bhagawan followed next,  offered by children from Malaysia and Indonesia. Sacred chants of Kuan Yin Mantra came next before Bro. Billy Fong took over to introduce the ensuing session to the august assembly.

Delivering his introductory speech Bro. Billy Fong introduced the the theme of Chinese New Year 2014, “Sai Baba’s Teachings – His Greatest Gift and Blessings For Mankind” before dwelving in brief detail about the greater significance of Bhagawan’s Teachings. He then introduced the main speaker for the session, Bro. Phoa Krishnaputra.

Bro. Kuan Krishnaputra’s talk was on the greater significance of Kuan Yin Mantra. The octogenarian from Medan, Indonesia in his brief speech enumerated his evolutionary spiritual journey, praying to Mother Tara, following Buddhism.

Serenading the Lord, wishing Him “Happy Chinese New Year’ the group then burst into a spell of melodious devotional session, singing an assortment of devotional numbers, in Chinese, Chinese-English, Sanskrit and English. Spreading devotional ambience around, lighting up the hearts present they sang “Remind Me My Lord…Remind Me My Lord…You Are There…” vibrating the Sai Kulwant with rare mix of Bhava and Bhakti.

Bhajans continued and ended with Mangala Arathi at 1830 hrs.

Hundreds of devotees from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, South Africa, USA, Japan, Brazil, Russia and Italy joined together this year celebrating Chinese New Year in the immediate Divine Presence in Prasanthi Nilayam.

The two-day Chinese New Year would continue tomorrow evening with cultural presentations by Malaysia and Indonesia.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Chinese New Year in Prasanthi.

Friday, February 15th, 2013

Text & photo source - copyrights: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust - sssbpt.org  - Radiosai.org  Prasanthi Diary -  theprasanthireporter.org  | Web layout - Photo graphic design : saibabaofindia.com  "SBOI" | Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust &  Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation -
We gratefully acknowledge the publishers

This year’s Chinese New Year is the year of the snake and Chinese all over the world celebrated the advent last week, on Saturday, 9 February with raucous celebrations.

 

 

Video Chinese New Year in Prasanthi.

H..O..P..E..Honouring Of Parents Everyday was the theme of this year’s New Year and speaking on the occasion Mr Billy Fong, coordinator for the celebrations, from Malaysia, stressed on the greater significance of ‘filial piety’, honouring parents as practised in the Chinese culture and tradition.

Earlier, the programme commenced with holy Rudram chanting by the ‘chinese’ that was followed by traditional offering of delicacies, to Bhagawan, by children from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Holy Tibetan chantings continued before Mr Billy Fong from Malaysia took over speaking on the significance of Chinese culture and tradition, stressing on Filial Piety. Speaking on the theme, recalling quotes from Confucius, he invited the Regional Chair of SSSSO Dr Ravindran to release a compilation of teachings of Bhagawan on the theme Filial Piety at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet.

A burst of songs in Mandarin Chinese and English followed that ended with a combined Mandarin – English piece on the joy and bliss of the advent of Happy New Year.

A surprise item was to follow, a Carnatic rendering by one of the Chinese speaking youth who was trained by Padmabhushan Dr BK Pattammal. Singing “Rama Ninnu Namina…”, , the young singer rose to the expectations of the capacity audience receiving rounds of applause.

Even as participants were felicitated bhajans continued and ended with Mangala Arathi at 1830 hrs.

The 2- day Chinese New Year celebrations would continue tomorrow.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavnatu II

Archive 2012

Monday, January 30th, 2012
 

Text & photo source - copyrights: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust - sssbpt.org  - Radiosai.org  Prasanthi Diary -  theprasanthireporter.org  | Web layout - Photo graphic design : saibabaofindia.com  "SBOI" | Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust &  Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation - We gratefully acknowledge the publishers

Chinese New Year in Prasanthi Nilayam
Monday, January 30th, 2012

Every tradition that reaches the Lotus Feet of Bhagawan brings native values and rich cultural heritage, seeking ultimate Divine blessing. Chinese New Year 2012 that entered into its 15th year in Prasanthi Nilayam was not different as the Holy Abode witnessed a glittering function on the 28th January evening, attended by over 250 devotees from three Chinese speaking countries, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Chinese New Year 2012 began on the 23rd January and would last fifteen days. This New Year is identified as year of Dragon that symbolizes activity, great vitality, luck and prosperity.

The theme chosen for this year’s celebration was “Love and Gratitude”.

The programme commenced at 1700 hrs. with Lighting of Chinese Candle by Dr. VK Ravindran and Bro. Billy Fong, senior officials of SSSO from Zone 4, organizers of the event.
 

The first item was a traditional Chinese prayer participated by elderly women devotees from Malaysia in traditional Chinese prayer attire. Melodious prayer song of Kuan Yin calling out the Chinese Goddess of Mercy was played setting backdrop for the prayer.

Next to come was offerings of traditional Chinese items like mandarin oranges, ‘nian gou’ (a traditional Chinese cake), red dates and other delicacies etc. by children from Indonesia and Malaysia.

This was followed by a traditional Chinese prayer ceremony. A priest dressed in ancient Chinese costume offered pranams to Bhagawan in ancient Chinese poetic style. The priest continued with expressing gratitude on behalf of the four categories of people namely the Government officials, the farmers, the workers and the business communities and prayed for continual blessings and prosperity for the common people.

The next item was a performance by the “Pa Shen” – the ancient Chinese immortals. These Immortals, eight in number, represent the transformation of man to God. They represent the 8 Chinese values of discipline, detachment, compassion, love, non-violence, sacrifice, humility and gratitude. These eight immortals sang traditional Chinese New Year song on the significance of the holy occasion.

 

Bro. Billy Fong, the Zonal 4 Coordinator for Chinese New Year in his welcome address elaborated on the importance of the value of Love and Gratitude to Parents which is the cornerstone of Chinese civilization as well as the core of Swami’s teachings. Many Chinese had transformed their lives as a result of having known Swami and practised His teachings, said the speaker emphasizing on the need to have constant self-introspection. The need to surrender negative qualities to Swami with a prayer to help overcome all negative qualities is important, said the speaker reiterating that Bhagawan wanted all to transform.

The highlight of the evening was a drama presentation on the Legend of Miao Shan, a princess who renounced worldly comforts in pursuit of the Ultimate Goal finally to emerge as a Bodhisattva. The presentation staged by the youth and children from Sai Study Group, Medan, Indonesia was based on an adaptation of an ancient Chinese folklore. Presenting the story, the drama highlighted man’s evolution from human to Divine.

Mio Shan, the third born of the King was a special child, embodying great human values, treating all alike with great compassion. Completely detached to the royal comforts and affluence, Miao sets out to seclusion, seeking a life of renunciation.

As years rolled by, the aged King was afflicted by a strange disease. The wise medicine man of the palace who was summoned pronounced that one of his children should sacrifice both her eyes and arms to save the King from peril. Two elder daughters found excuses to escape the situation citing various reasons. No one remembered Miao Shan, the third child, who had left home for good.

With the two elderly princesses giving lame excuses to escape the situation, the medicine man advised the royal court to seek the advice of a nun residing in the Fragrant Mountains. Hearing the plea, the nun immediately agreed to do the sacrifice, citing that the King was suffering from his own Karmic deeds. The nun was none other than Miao Shan. With Miao’s sacrifice the King instantly recovered.

Out of this great sacrifice emerged a Bodhisattva, effulgent with thousand eyes and thousand arms, the Avalokiteswara whose gaze is always turned down with Love and Compassion to help all those who look up to Her – Goddess Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy who is worshipped by one and all for eternity.

At the end of the presentation all the participating children were felicitated with special gifts. Bhajans, both traditional Prasanthi style and adaptation of Chinese version, continued in full devotional fervor and Mangala Arathi was offered at 1830 hrs. Prasadam was distributed to the entire audience.

Earlier on the 23rd February, on the first day of Chinese New Year, 36 High Lamas of Tibetan Order from Sera Jhe Monastery in Mysore joined by hundreds of devotees from various countries, including westerners, presented a Buddhist devotional evening engulfing Prasanthi with holy chants.

The proceeding began with initial offerings by Capt. Ong and family, organisers of the day’s presentation. This was followed by offering of Tibetan Khatas by the High Lamas, amulets and Naivedyam by devotees from Singapore.

 

Purificatory rites continued next, in the backdrop of Buddhist chantings followed group chantings of Buddhist verses and Mantras from holy scriptures coupled with rites by High Lamas.

The second part of the programme commenced with the chanting of various Buddhist Mantras, namely, Om Mani Padme Hung, Medicine Buddha Mantra, Green Tara Mantra, Special Eternal Prayers composed on Bhagawan, Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha Mantra, Mantra of the Heart of The Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom, The Long Dharani of Chenrezig, Gayathri Mantra followed by another round of Om Mani Padme Hung to concluded with a recital of dedication of Tibetan Buddhist Chants For Universal Peace 2012.

Master Of Ceremonies, Ong Sai Keet, elaborated the significance of the Mantras, Rites and other proceedings. The whole programme lasted for an hour and forty minutes.

At the end of the day’s events, all the High Lamas were felicitated with special presenatations before Mangala Arathi offering.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Holy Buddhist Chants…

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

The proceeding for the evening began with initial offerings by Capt. Ong and family, organisers of the day’s presentation. This was followed by offering of Tibetan Khatas by the High Lamas, amuletes and Naivedyam by devotees from Singapore.

Purificatory rites continued next, in the backdrop of Buddhist chantings followed group chantings af Buddhist verses and Mantras by from holy scriptures coupled with rites by High Lamas.

The second part of the programme commenced with the chanting of various Buddhist Mantras, namely, Om Mani Padme Hung, Medicine Buddha Mantra, Green Tara Mantra, Special Eternal Prayers composed on Bhagawan, Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha Mantra, Mantra of the Heart of The Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom, The Long Dharani of Chenrezig, Gayathri Mantra followed by another round of Om Mani Padme Hung to concluded with a recital of dedication of Tibetan Buddhist Chants For Universal Peace 2012. Man of the ceremonies Sai Keet elaborated the significance of the Mantras, Rites and other proceedings. The whole programme lasted for an hour and forty minutes.

Even as bhajans continued, prasadam went for distribution. All the 36 High Lamas were felicitated with special presentations.

Mangala Arathi was offered after 1900 hrs.