Ice melts and water flows
down ten thousand valleys,
fish dance and play,
flowers bloom and birds sing,
the fruit of practice ripens naturally – let me know all ten thousand flavours.
—Daehaeng Kun Sunim
Here in Bangkok, our celebrations of Buddha’s Birthday on May the 28th this year will also mark the first anniversary of the Bangkok English-language Zen Club, the first English-language group led by the Seonwon here, under the wonderful guidance of our fabulous teacher Hyaedan Sunim. During this first year together we’ve met once every month, gathering on Saturday nights, to study ‘No River to Cross’ and share our experiences of applying the teachings.
The Seon Club, now firmly established after this first year, is made up of a small group of regulars of diverse backgrounds, both Korean and from many different countries, with a good number of visitors and the occassional special guest. Of course one of the great highlights of our first year was Chong Go Sunim’s visit last November as part of the Seonwon’s tenth anniversary celebrations, and the wonderful teachings he was able to share with us all.
And now, as we approach our first anniversary and the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday on May the 28th, the Seon Club is even preparing to sing! We have some very skilled musicians in our little group and a wonderful instructor from the seonwon. The most important thing, she said to me last night – as I was worrying about my own strangled-cat voice and the danger of my letting everyone down – is just to let go! Sing with love, she said, and your voice will be fine!
There is no specific English-language programme of events for Buddha’s Birthday, but if you are in Bangkok this month and would like to join the English-language group as we sing in the celebrations, get in touch and we’ll let you know about rehearsals. And if you can’t join the choir, but would like to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday with us on the 28th, you are more than welcome to come along. The morning ceremony (in Korean) is at 10am and the evening performances (also in Korean) start at 6pm. It will be a wonderful experience.
See you there!
Wake Up and Laugh! 
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Note from Marcus: We just got this comment today advertising a choral concert by Baekseok University Choir in Bangkok on January 21st.
I was surprised to see this comment advertising a Christian university choir on this Buddhist blog! But in a spirit of friendship and openness we are more than happy to post it here, and wish the choir all the very best.
Marcus _/\_
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A Choral Concert by Baekseok University Choir
On Friday, January 21, 2011 , 8 p.m. at Goethe Institut Auditorium on South Sathorn Road Soi 1
D & M Music Studio proudly presents one of the most notable choirs in Korea consisting 35 members vocal majors in
“ A Choral Concert by Baekseok University Choir “ under the baton of Conductor Kyoung yeol Choi and on piano collaboration with Hye-wook Chung
The choir established in March 2006, Baekseok Choir represents Baekseok University’s vision,”The Global leader of Christian Universities”. In 2006 Cheonan University was renamed as Baekseok University to celebrate the 30th anniversary of school’s foundation, and set its new missionary vision with its new choir.
As the only and premier collegiate choir in Korea, Baekseok Choir is a renowned mixed voice ensemble of professional vocal majors. The choir manifests its core purpose of serving for campus evangelization, eventually dedicated to glorify God and share God’s love.
About Conductor : Kyoung yeol Choi holds his Bachelor degree in Vocal Music, Yeonsei University, Korea and K.A. Diploma, University of Münster, Germany . Also Graduated from University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna ( major in Opera, lied, and Oratorio) and FNCM Diploma, London National College of Music, England. He was also appointed as Soloist in Shwerin State Opera, Germany ,Faculty member of Hamburg State Opera, Germany, Mr. Choi performs as soloist in Oratorios, Masses, Passions, Cantata, Requiem and etc. and in Opera “La Boheme”, “Andrea Shenier”, “Fidelio” etc .He is currently vocal music professor in Baek Seok University ,The secretary-general of the Society of Korean Choral Conductors and The permanent conductor of Baek Seok Choir
Programme includes Sicut servus (G.P.Palestria) , Ave verum corpus (W. A. Mozart) , Kyrie eleison (F. Mendelssohn), Sanctus (Maurice Durufl’e) , Lux Aurumque (E. Whitacre)
Cantate Domino (J. H. Park) and many Korean Choral music including the famous Arirang by H.W Woo and Nigro spiritual songs as well as Hallelujah by Handel and more.
Tickets are priced at 500 and 250 baht for students available at Robinson Piano Showroom on the 5th floor of Siam Discovery Center . Tel 02-658-1080-1 or call K. Mongkol for advance booking at 081-682-8000