Timeless journey of a classical beauty

by Kooi F Lim, The Buddhist Channel, July 6, 2010

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia -- Once upon a time, more than 2550 years ago, some monks, having received subjects of meditation from the Buddha, proceeded to a forest to spend the rainy season (vassa).

The tree deities inhabiting this forest were worried by their arrival, as they had to descend from their tree abodes and dwell on the ground. They had hoped that the monks would leave soon. To their dismay however, they soon found that the monks would stay the vassa period of three months.

The deities then tried to harass the monks in diverse ways, during the night with the intention of scaring them away.

Living under such conditions being impossible, the monks went to the Buddha and informed him of their difficulties. Thereon He instructed them in the Metta Sutta (Discourse on Loving Kindness) and advised their return equipped with this sutta for their protection.

The monks went back to the forest, and practicing the instruction conveyed, permeated the whole atmosphere with their radiant thoughts of metta. As the deities were so affected by this power of love, they allowed the monks to meditate in peace.

This timeless sutta is a long time favourite of many Theravadian Buddhists. It is recited to radiate loving kindness to every living being. In doing so, many find peace and happiness while helping others to live peacefully.

Now, M. V. Nathan has added a musical version of this sutta into his latest CD Album, “Namo Buddhaya: A Timeless Journey”. The album contains three tracks sung in Pali in reverence of the Buddha:

  • Karaniya Metta Sutta (Discourse on living kindness)
  • Atthavisati Buddha Vandana (Salutations to the Twenty Eight Buddhas)
  • Namo Buddhaya (Homage to the Buddha)

In the album cover, Nathan said that for a long time he had wanted to put music to the Karaniya Metta Sutta. “It is simply amazing that this discourse remains ever so relevant even today,” he added.

The second song on this album pays homage to all the 28 Buddhas of the distant past whilst the third song is reflective and meditative in nature.

M.V. Nathan has creatively blended the compilation with timeless classical Indian instrumentals, with the Sita helmed by Kumar Karthigesu, Tabla by Vickneswaran Ramakrishnan and Flute by Mohar. This is by no means an ad-hoc band made up of part time musicians, but are gifted individuals associated with the world renowned and internationally acclaimed band called “AkashA”.

With the unique classical composition, the album successfully creates an atmosphere prevailing in India during ancient times.

Listening to the music with eyes closed in silent contemplation is an engaging, spiritually absorbing experience. It just sounds right and devotional, as though being transported back to an India of Buddha’s era.

Apart from “Namo Buddhaya: A Timeless Journey”, Nathan’s previous two other albums are “The Journey” and “Love Kindness Forgiveness”.

To obtain these albums (all retailing at RM 21 each), please visit Sukhi Hotu Bookshop outlets located at:

Penang
1-T Jalan Gottlieb
10350 Penang
Tel & Fax: +6 04 229 4811
E-mail: shpg@sukhihotu.com

Petaling Jaya
D9-6-1 Block D9
Dana 1 Commercial Centre
(behind PAWS, along Subang Airport Road)
Jalan PJU 1A/46
47301 Petaling Jaya
Tel & Fax: +6 03 7842 6828

Bandar Utama (Operating Hours: Sundays only 9.30am – 2pm)
Basement Level
Uttama Bodhi Vihara
No.3, Jalan BU 3/1, Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya,
Tel: +6 03 7728 6682
E-mail: shotu@streamyx.com

We Need Your Help to Train the
Buddhist AI Chat Bot
NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.


Dear Friends in the Dharma,

We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:

One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.

How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.



For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:

Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB

The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118

Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.

Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.

Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.

Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.

Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.

Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!

May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,

With deepest gratitude,

Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team


Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv


TOP