SingaSpeaks A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE
ROAR 55 | SINGAPORE | SATURDAY | 8 APRIL 2017
Bangkok Twin Birthday Functions The Ramakrishna Vedanta Association of Thailand (RVAT) organised the twin Birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda on Saturday 18 March 2017 at Lotus Hotel in Bangkok. More than 150 distinguished invited guests attended the well organised function. The RVAT had invited two monks for the function. One was Swami Bodhasarananda, an Assistant General Secretary of the worldwide Ramakrishna Mission Board of Trustees from the Headquarters at Belur Math, India and Swami Vimokshananda, President of the Singapore Ramakrishna Mission.
179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
The programme began with a Welcome Ceremony where Vedic mantras were chanted by Devdip Bhowmik, Sanghamitra Naik, Roma Karmakar, Sumona Das and Anita Bose. The President of RVAT Sri Sathit Pawa gave an Introductory Speech. The Special Guest on the occasion was Sri A Ramu DCM, officiating for Ambassador of India to Thailand. To mark this special day RVAT launched two books ‘Thoughts of Power’ and ‘A Short Life of Swami Vivekananda’ in Thai language. These were introduced by Dr Phramaha Somphong Khunakaro the Philosophy Prof of IBSC.
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SATURDAY, 8 APRIL 2017
Bangkok Birthday Functions
Sanghamitra and Sumona presented a few soul touching bhajans accompanied on Tabla by Devdip and on Dholak by Prasad. Swami Bodhasarananda honoured Sri William Page, a well known Vedanta writer popularly called Bill for his long standing devoted services to RVAT. He thanked everyone for the love and affection shown to him. The first Keynote Address was given by Swami Bodhasarananda. He explained the greatness of the saints and how Sri Ramakrishna in the modern age, has appeared to remove the doubts of the people. A Video Presentation that followed was an
interesting kalaidoscopic view of the Life of Sri Ramakrishna and his Mission. The second Keynote Address was delivered by Swami Vimokshananda who spoke on how Swami Vivekananda continues to inspire everyone. The other important address by Phramaha Somphong Khunakaro underlined Buddhist values. The bhajan group of RVAT then gave some more bhajans to the delight of the assembled audience. The function came to a close with a Drama and Dialogue – an imaginary story centred on the necessity of following a spiritual path for peace.
Meditation Class
A Meditation Class in the early morning was conducted by the two visiting Swamis at the DS Tower 1 Common Room on 18 March 2017. 15 earnest devotees attended the class. It was a pleasant ambience with prayers and arati where the pictures of the Holy Trio were minimally decorated. 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
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SATURDAY, 8 APRIL 2017
Birthday Function at Bharat Samaj Sri Dev Mandir
The Bharat Samaj Sri Dev Mandir also celebrated the twin Birthdays. Both the Swamis participated. Swami Vimokshananda narrated how we, jivas are refugees at the feet of the Lord and only the Lord is the Refuge. Swami Bodhasarananda spoke about Swami Vivekananda. About 700 people were seated in the Temple Hall. While Pt Om Sri gave an intro, Pt Lalit Mohanji concluded well. He also performed arati to Sri Lakshmi-Narayana.
179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798
singapore@rkmm.org
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SATURDAY, 8 APRIL 2017
Two Swamis visit Buddha Temples in Bangkok
During the Bangkok visit, the two Swamis paid their homage to Lord Buddha by visiting a few temples. With reverence they saw the longest Reclining Buddha in the world, the healing Buddha and the Buddha on the top of the Hills. All visits were arranged by Sri Prabeer Mukherjee and his wife Smt Mondira Mukherjee. 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784
PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798
singapore@rkmm.org