Heart Sutra Concert at Singapore Esplanade Theatre by the Bay

Yesterday I finally got to listen to Imee Ooi live at Singapore Esplanade Concert theatre! I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hours plus concert. The concert started at about 7.35 pm and ended at about 10.05pm with 20 minutes intermission. Besides singing the Heart Sutra in 8 languages (Mandarin, English, Sanskrit,  Cantonese, Korean, Spanish, Japanese and Tibetan), she also sang the Great Compassion mantra with Jing gang (8 male singers) and Om Mani Padme Hum at the start of Heart Sutra concert. 

Whenever I feel frustrated or upset, I'll listen to the Heart Sutra by Imee Ooi to meditate and calm down. By chanting the Heart Sutra, I feel more at peace. I need to recite the following verse "照见五蕴皆空，度一切苦厄" (Clearly perceived the empty nature of the five skandhas, and transcended all suffering) to remind me of the impermanence nature of life and it is foolish to be angry for long since my identity as a human in this space and time is just a vehicle for me to experience life in this transient temporary material world. No matter how I take care of my body in this human realm, it don't last forever. It will be returned to the earth one day. 

照见五蕴皆空，度一切苦厄  means perceiving the five aggregates (skandhas) making up a person* is but an illusion (emptiness), and with this he was delivered from all sorrow and suffering.

five aggregates: : material form , sensation , discrimination, thinking , and consciousness. 

Heart Sutra is one of the Avalokiteśvara bodhisattva  (觀世音菩薩 ) (practices. In this samsara world, the imperfect world, I'm glad we still have the Dharma, the teaching of Buddha. However Buddha said that once you cross the shore, you also have to stop clinging to the Dharmma. Just let go. The Dharmma is just like a boat that helps you to cross the shore.

Although music is not really encouraged, but I think producing Buddhism music is a way to reach out to the young in the spread of Buddha's teaching.

Inside the Esplanade theatre Singapore.

I paid for $104 (second most expensive price). I sat on first row but was blocked by the speaker.

So happy to hear Imee Ooi sing live. Great awesome performance. Fans could pose with her at the end of concert.

 The Great Compassion Mantra by Imee Ooi and the Jinggang 

Arts in the Esplanade

Esplanade is one of my favourite places in Singapore. Whenever I'm free, I would just go there to just sit there and explore the visual arts on display. I can't explain why perhaps I like the vibe and its near the water. If I have the energy, I would walk to Marina Bay Sands and maybe visit the Arts Science Museum. 

At one of my favourite places in Singapore.

 I was delighted to see artist at work. 

 Watching free performance at the Esplanade .

Esplanade Concourse Visual Arts: The Blinking Organisms x You SPLEEN Me ’Round x OPERATION 2

I love the current Visual Arts exhibition at Esplanade concourse. Its definitely more visually attractive than the last exhibition, which I think is too bland and sad. Life in Singapore is already stressful, no point producing arts that make people feel more sad. For me, if I don't like the arts, I don't bother to take picture of it like the last plastics sheet exhibition. Frankly speaking, I felt like writing a complain letter to ask why they wanted to display that piece of arts to the public. They really need to be more selective.  

What I love about the current visual arts is the use of vibrant pink colours and some shiny materials that kinda reflects hope. If you want to view this visual arts, just go to the Esplanades theatre concourse. 

Nearest MRT: Cityhall MRT or Esplanade MRT

The following is from the Esplanade website:

The Blinking Organisms x You SPLEEN Me ’Round x OPERATION 2

Inspired by Canadian media theorist Marshall McLuhan and English painter Wyndham Lewis, Joo Choon Lin feels that “[we are] like astronauts in the processed world of technology, beings who are fascinated with the unknown, mysterious land”. 

As the world’s natural resources are being depleted rapidly to meet the demands of a growing human population, more technologies have been devised to capture the likeness of things and to mimic nature and its forms. For example, what appear to be wooden park benches are actually made of concrete, while objects that appear to be precious stones and marble are actually made of plastic resin. Joo believes that the physicality of the material world can influence our thoughts and emotions as well as social relations and behaviour. As advances in technology bring about drastic changes in our lifestyles and living habits, these subtle changes may slowly effect a biological evolution, and Joo is fascinated with how the human race may evolve through hyper-adaptation. Her three-part series, The Blinking Organisms, is likened to a morphogenesis process where the spleen (the organ in the human body most associated with depression and anxiety, and which was used by Shakespeare to represent melancholy and hysteria) evolves and morphs into new, mutated forms, set to a rhythm of lights and low frequency sounds, pulsating and blinking as if they are alive—breathing, growing and evolving. This installation is accompanied by a music composition by Vermillion Team and can be experienced at the following timings:  Mon-Fri 10am – 4pm  Sat, Sun, Public Holidays 10am – 12pm

Dinosaurs at Gardens by the Bay!

These dinosaurs appeared during the recently concluded Children's Festival at Supertree grove at Gardens by the Bay. When I saw these gigantic structures ,the event already ended.  

Esplanade Theatre by the Bay

Whenever I'm free, I will go to the Esplanade Theatre by the Bay for a walk or just explore the arts. Last Thursday, after viewing Escher's arts, I walked from Marina Bay Sands to Esplanade theatre as I love Singapore city view and I could also exercise. 

I was happy to see a group of primary school students singing a melody of Christmas songs. They sang really well and I'm sure their parents must be very proud of them. After the performance, then I walked to Raffles City shopping mall for my dinner.

Sparkling Esplanade

 Esplanade Waterfront where residents and tourists can enjoy free performances on weekend.

 Outside the Esplanade leading to the waterfront.

 Inside the Esplanade

 Students from Concord Primary School choir. They sang very well! Applause! 

 December program at the Esplanade

Visual Art, BlissFullness at Esplanade Concourse

Downtown Singapore

Recently went to scenic downtown for a walk. Alas, Singapore is now shrouded in haze and the haze sting my eyes. Yesterday haze reached hazardous PSI 317. Indonesia should stop burning their forest and perhaps they should be subjected to international law as their selfish action is harming millions of citizens' lives. They should not get away from it. Else if there is nothing we can do, I can only trust karma. Those culprits will reap what they sow. These culprits include those companies who instigate and the people who burn the forests.

 Merlion Park is a popular tourist place.

 Merlion Park

 Barricade setup for F1 race last weekend

 Financial district outside Raffles Place MRT station

Beautiful Raffles Place MRT station