Mr. Billy Fong, Chinese New Year
Coordinator and the President of the Sathya Sai Baba Central Council of Malaysia
delivered the welcome address. He quoted from Bhagawan’s discourse regarding the
importance of His Darshan and expressed gratitude to Bhagawan for the wonderful
gift of Darshan He had bestowed on so many Chinese devotees this New Year. He
also revealed the theme of this year’s celebrations as “Zhong Xiao” meaning
“Cherish our motherland and respect our parents and elders”. He delineated the
objectives of the celebrations as follows:
-
To enable Chinese
devotees throughout the world to get the opportunity of getting
Divine Darshan of Bhagawan Baba.
-
To motivate all
Chinese devotees to make a commitment to affirm the great values
of Chinese tradition, religion and culture as an ongoing process
in their lives, and as a dedication to the omnipresent Sai, His
vision and mission.
Mr. Fong also mentioned the eight important Chinese values of Propriety,
Righteousness, Integrity, Sense of Shame, Filial Piety, Brotherhood, Devotion
and Truthfulness which everyone should practise, preserve and pass on to the
younger generations. He also reported the progress made in fulfilling the pledge
made during last year’s Chinese New Year celebrations and the rapid manner in
which Bhagawan’s message was spreading in their region. Stating an instance, he
said Bhagawan’s teachings and articles on Education in Human Values (EHV),
Educare, Parenting, etc. appear in the See Hua Press, a Chinese Daily with a
readership of over 80,000 in the Sarawak, the largest state of Malaysia.
The next item was a solo performance by Sister Fera from Indonesia on a
traditional Chinese musical instrument called “Gu Cheng”. This was followed by a
medley of Bhajan melodies played on traditional Chinese musical instruments
called “Yang Zhing”, “Er Hu”, “Ching’ to the accompaniment of keyboard by four
Chinese devotees from a village called Kwangtung in mainland China. One
noteworthy feature of their performance was that one of them was playing on a
Chinese wind instrument with his hands and simultaneously playing on the
keyboard with his toes in perfect synchronization.
The final item for the evening was a drama entitled ‘The Eyelids Protect the
Eye’ that depicted the true story of Tan Ah Lek, a Malaysian devotee of Bhagawan
Baba who embodied the values of courage, love and filial piety towards his
mother and firm faith and love for God. Even as a child, Ah Lek lost his father
and his mother brought him up according to the ancient Chinese traditions and
instilled in him many values by narrating inspiring stories of great persons of
Chinese heritage. The drama beautifully portrayed three such stories as
flashbacks.
One day, Ah Lek’s mother is injured when the gas tank in their house bursts in
to flames. Upon hearing his mother’s cries for help, Ah Lek rushes to the
kitchen and rescues his mother, but in the process, sustains fatal burns. After
a few days, Ah Lek’s mother recovers, but Ah Lek is still in a critical
condition in the hospital. This news soon spreads all over the country and all
the Sai devotees come together to pray fervently to their Lord Bhagawan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba for succor. And by Bhagawan’s miraculous intervention, Ah Lek
recovers and lives to tell this moving story of how Bhagawan protected him and
granted him a new lease of life. The drama was well directed. The costumes,
music and well–choreographed dances added great appeal to the presentation.
Display of acrobatics during the course of the drama was spectacular to say the
least. At the end of the drama, Bhagawan came down from the dais and granted
photographs to all the participants. He also materialized gold chains for two
boys. Thereafter, there were Chinese Bhajans and the programme concluded with
Arati.
Also read Eyewitness account of Chinese new year
submitted by SBOI-Group member.
Om Sairam dear
Sai Family
Wishing all the Chinese a very happy and SAI new year.. The Chinese new year was
celebrated with utmost devotion in the Abode of Highest peace, Prasanthi Nilayam
in the immediate presence of our beloved Lord. The whole Prasanthi Nilayam
campus was decorated red, right from the Ganesh Gate.. Kulwanth hall was at its
best, make a regular visitor doubt if it is the same Kulwanth hall or a Buddhist
Monastery?.....
12 January 2008.
There were about 4000 or more devotees from countries like Malaysia, Singapore,
China, Thailand and other countries of the far east..
The new year celebrations started yesterday when at least 100 Tibetan monks,
many of them who were here last year , chanted mantras in Tibetan language, for
the welfare of the man kind, and more importantly for Swami’s good health..
There was an English commentary by a young boy and a girl in between the mantras
and at one time, the devotees prayed to Swami asking Him to Cure Himself.
The last part of the mantra was dedicated to all the spiritual Gurus who are
here to uplift the man kind. The monks prayed Swami to safeguard all of them, by
bestowing good health and happiness to all..
The boy, then asked Swami if they could chant Gayatri Mantra, to which after a
little pause, Swami nodded His head in positive..
The Kulwanth hall started chanting the Most Powerful Mantra, the mantra of the
Divine, and at one point Swami also joined us chanting twice where as all of us
chanted the mantra 9 times..
13th January 2008.
This morning every one were eagerly waiting for Swami.. the hall was almost full
by 8am and the bhajans started at 9am as Swami’s car was still parked at His
residence waiting for His arrival. At 9:35am Swami blessed all of us with His
divine darshan..
After staying for 2 bhajans around 9:45am Swami’s car turned towards the Gopuram
gate signalling Swami’s yet another Street darshan (now a days He is going out
quite a bit making all of us more happy). After running with the car till the
arch I waited by Sai Geetha’s place and in no time Swami came back again
blessing with another divine darshan..
Arathi was given at 10am and Swami returned to His Abode..
This after noon, all the Chinese devotees were given another chance to be seated
right in front to the dias in the students’ area. Swami came around 4pm and then
started the programme..
Brother Billy Fong, an ardent devotee of Swami and a humble Sai instrument
from Malaysia gave a detailed report of the activities taken up by Sai
Organisation in Malaysia and about the Sai School which is doing well there..
Later there was musical programme which was awesome and melodious and Chinese
music makes any heart jump in joy and today’s music was marvellous..
Later there was a play by Balvikas children inspired by a real life incident
where in Swami saved a boy and his mother.. The programme was also wonderful and
the background music especially during tragic scenes made every one feel so real
and many of us cried..
Swami was so happy with the play that He came down the stage to pose for a group
photo with the chosen few, blessing them, smiling at them and guiding them,
those lucky ones who were HANDPICKED by Him to celebrate Chinese New Year 2008
in His immediate presence..
Later Swami asked for Bhajans and the bhajan session was icing on the cake.. The
lead singer started with Chinese version of Ganesha Sharanam Sharanam Ganesha
and followed by many more Chinese bhajans by ladies and gents.. I am sure, the
Chinese speaking devotees, who other wise were singing these bhajans in their
native languages, in thier respective centers, before an altar of Swami, would
have been thrilled doing the same but this time right in His immediate presence
a day to be cherished for the years to come..
Today everything was Chinese and why not Prasadam? They had a small packed
filled with Chinese candies beautifully wrapped and tasted as sweet as Sai
love.. why not after all these candies flew all the way from China to Prasanthi
Nilayam..
For this yet another Historic day in the diary of Prasanthi Nilayam.. Swami
later asked for Arathi and as many as 6 arathis were making rounds as Swami
watched all of them with His most beauitiful smile... and to our happiness Swami
raised both His hands blessing us with His Abhaya Hasta to all of us assembled
in the hall.....and thus ended another beautiful day in my Prasanthi Diary..
With Humble Pranams at the Lotus Feet of our most beloved Lord.
R.Satish Naik..
Submitted by SBOI-Group member.
More
updates:
Chinese New Year 2008 in Sai Baba's physical presence.
February 13, 2008
The whole of Prashanti Nilayam seemed to have donned red vestures. The devotees
from Indonesia, China and Malaysia had all gathered to celebrate the holy
Chinese New Year in Swami's physical presence. The preparations had been made on
a grand scale. A colourful and cheerful procession had been arranged to lead
Swami from His residence to the Kulwant hall. A beautiful and ornate altar with
Buddha had been made on the stage to mark the occasion.
The minute Swami came out of Yajur Mandir, there was an explosion almost!
Oriental  trumpet blasts and Chinese drum bongs reverberated in the whole hall as
two stately lions sprang up majestically forming the pilot of the welcome
procession for the Lord. Lamps and the devotees' hearts alike lit up. Very soon
a thrill of joy and surge of devotion coursed through the whole assembly as it
came to be known that Swami was coming on the chair. One could not have hoped to
welcome the New Year in a better fashion. Swami seemed to continue exactly where
He had left off yesterday! He was beaming and the smiles were spread all around.
As He completed the ladies side and moved on to the gents side, the welcoming
procession with the lions reached the central marble block.
Swami went around the densely packed gents side and as necks craned to glimpse
Him, His right hand went up frequently in benediction to all. Taking a round of
the portico, Swami came on the stage and lit the candles to be placed in the
specially decorated altar. Sitting on the ladies side of the stage, He asked for
the programme to begin. The Veda chanting ceased and the drum beating reached a
new crescendo. The lions came up front and displayed the famous acrobatics of
the renowned lion dance. They ended with a stretched out standing salute to
Swami and were accorded a huge round of applause. A whole lot of traditional
items were presented to Swami and He very smilingly blessed each one. The first
item of the evening was a performance by a lady on a very ancient Chinese
traditional instrument. She came up to Swami and offered a rose with her
salutations. Then she began. The instrument was very rich and filling all by
itself. The melody seemed to transport everyone into some ancient Chinese empire
- say to the decked corridors of the Ming dynasty! The sight to behold was also
so rich, filling and colourful. Swami sat - an Emperor on His throne- and all
around the tapestry, lamps and festoons built up a vibrant court hall.
On an earlier Chinese New Year, Swami had asked, "Where are the Chinese?" The
Truth was that though Malaysian and Indonesian Buddhists had gathered, the
Chinese devotees were almost non existent. So the announcer said and proclaimed,
"Now we have an original Chinese quintet performing for us." The five of them
offered their salutations to Swami and then began playing on the instruments.
Two looked like modifications of the violin. There was a Xylophone like
instrument and the tambourine They played popular Sanskrit and Chinese bhajans
and received Swami's and the crowd's appreciation in turn.
The final and major programme of the evening was a drama depicting the ancient
values of the Chinese culture. But before that, there was a short talk which
highlighted all the service activities that were being undertaken in the
respective Sai Samithis of the different regions. Commendable service had been
rendered in village service, education and health. A PowerPoint presentation was
also made depicting the various facets of the above mentioned service
activities. At the end of the speech, a book was brought up to Swami and Swami
most lovingly and graciously signed it! After that, the drama began.
The drama began with the discussion between a mother and her son. The mother is
inspiring the son with stories from the Chinese culture that show the efficacy
and power of service done to parents. There was the story of the boy who would
run to comfort his mother who was scared of the thunderstorms. Even after her
death, whenever the lad heard thunder, he would rush up to his mother's
favourite spot and speak to her and console her! This went on till one day, his
mother is really there telling him that she is no longer scared of the
thunderstorms! There were stories of valour and bravery. The most touching one
however was one which had occurred very recently in a samithi. One son, in
trying to save his mother from an accidental gas cylinder explosion, gets hurt
badly and is in deep coma. All the doctors have given up hopes of recovery of
any sort. At this time, all the devotees from the samithi, led by his mother
gather at the hospital and sing out bhajans to Swami. The boy, to the
stupefaction of all the doctors, recovers in record time! And this was an
incident that occurred very recently! There were also stories to show that those
who care for their parents are placed automatically under the Lord's
 protective
umbrella.
As the drama concluded with a grand flood of colour, Swami seemed so happy. The
final formation was full of energy and enthusiasm. It looked marvellous and
other worldly. Swami came down the stage and waded directly into the actors. He
saw the boy who had almost sacrificed his life for his mother. He waved His hand
and materialised a chain for him. Soon afterwards, He materialized another chain
for another "ideal son" of the drama. He spoke to many of them and blessed them.
He moved through their entire group and they were all so thrilled and happy.
They began chanting, "We love you Baba! We love you Baba!" Swami smilingly
looked at them and kept telling, "I love you too!" The Truth of the statement
that God is a pure mirror who just reflects our feelings was easily understood
by all those who witnessed this loving spectacle. He granted group photos and
almost everyone had the chance to touch His feet. He went back on stage and then
blessed the prasadam to be distributed to all. He then asked for bhajans and
needless to say, the volume and tempo of the bhajans sung were sky high. Swami
kept rhythm tapping His hands. After 15 minutes of sheer enthusiastic ecstasy,
Swami received Aarthi, blessed all with the Abhayahastha and retired for the
day.
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