I first met BuddySings! was during the pandemic, as a singer myself, I clicked in to see what was this band about, it is a Buddhist band under the Bandar Utama Buddhist Society (also known as BUBS). I had a chance to chat with Pauline Loo - the lead singer through a social medium - Instagram DM, we shared our respective musical journey.
An idea popped up in mind, why not a collaboration between Melaka and Selangor bands - let the other states know that Melaka also has passionate of Buddhist singers as well? I did the talking with my senior - Kian Yong, and the rest is history! On 26 December 2021, BuddySings! and Sing with the Six Paramitas 唱享6度 came together for an online chat session which was live streamed on Facebook and a new redention of "Kattanutta" featuing Su Ta Naa and Erica Lee at that time. We did mention that one day both bands will meet each other one day.
That day came last year on 4 May 2024 at SJK (C) Choong Wen when the Universiti Malaya Buddhist Society held their album launch and I met the band members of BuddySings! - Chern Tee and Bryan; and again on the eve of Wesak Day on 21 May 2024 at Buddhist Gem Fellowship - where I met the whole band.
Fast forward to now, after five years, BuddySings! launched their very first album - Voyage. With my schedule in Selangor - it's a perfect time for me to support fellow singers in the Buddhist music community. Eventually, I was going alone and Ee Vi said to me by the lobby lift "Katelyn, save a seat for me, will you, please?" I said: "Okay!" I got a "date" at the last minute!
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| From a solo outing to a “date” with Ee Vi. 📷: Henry Lee |
Brian led me to the first floor, outside of the hall was the registry counter and I got a free door gift - BuddySings! stickers and keychain (I'm keeping it by the way!). After I have settled down, the BuddySings! singers were delighted to see me, some of them I met for the first time in four years - especially, Madeline Yee.
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I’m with the BuddySings’ lead singer - Pauline Loo.
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The event started with an opening Puja with Ke Hui leading everyone to honour The Triple Gems - Buddha, Dhamma and Sangham. The opening of the concert started on high with Kattanutta! This song is about we are grateful to have the thing around us, even if it's a little thing that happens in our lives. Whenever I complain or whine, the typical parenting line: "You should be grateful what we have now,"
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| BuddySings! kicked off with Kattanutta! |
As a grown person if I hear this line now, my question is to define "grateful", it can be anything big or small. The one thing I'm grateful is to be here with my friends to enjoy the concert. When we are enjoying the concert which means we are Living in the Moment - we have to be present whatever we do. Okay, now with our smartphones, I still get annoyed when anyone is on the phone when we wanted to have a decent conversation.
When we are in a big city or states like in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor - the time is super hectic! When I first came 10 years ago to further my tertiary education, there was no time to relax at all, and all the plannings we needed to scheduled in advance. Now I think, what's the rush back then? If I feel rushed or overwhelmed, I just need to take a minute to Breathe. It helps me to reset to everything in hand and organise in an orderly manner.
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| Just take a minute and breathe. |
Growing up in a Buddhist family, it’s going back to the community. I still remembered back in 2014, during a farewell party hosted by the St. David High School Buddhist Society, the guest speaker - Bro. Matt Goh told us to continue the Buddhism journey in our tertiary education and it will take us far. He was right! My years on Sunway campus really helped me with the skills I have today. After graduating, the journey continued with serving and volunteering at the Bukit Beruang Buddhist Society - where I guide the next generation of Buddhist leaders at weekly Sunday classes!
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| It takes love to build a home that we have now. |
Whenever we feel lost, the dharma is a compass to guide and navigate us through The Sea of Samsara and one day we will be free from all sufferings. In everyday life, we can be free from our suffering bit by bit with good deeds, good words and good thoughts.
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| The debut of The Sea of Samsara |
Set the sea, the voyage is on! Here is a line from the Sea of Samsara:
Oh, the Dhamma's like a boat to me
The Noble Truths are my compasses
I'll steer the wheel with the Eightfold Path
to navigate the sea of Saṃsāra
More from the event:
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| Chern Tee and I during the after-party of the launch. |
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Behold the singers from BuddySings! UM Buddhist Society and Singing with the Six Paramitas (me).
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