Jessica Lee

CHRISTIANITY

Jesus In the Carols

I went to a Christmas get together at a small local church in Bangkok while I was staying in Thailand. It was an unusual concert in Thailand because according to the last census, 94.6% of Thais are Buddhists of the Theravada tradition. One thing I've noticed while I was staying in Bangkok over the Christmas, was that it's very rare to see and Christmas decorations or spirit around the city.

The carol they sang at the Church was called 'Carol of the Bells'. Carols of the Bells was composed by Mykola Leontovych with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky in 1916. 

The song is based on a folk chant known in Ukrainian as 'Schedryk'. It was associated with the coming New Year which, in pre-Christian Ukraine, was originally celebrated with the coming of spring in April.

Lyrics to the song:

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells

All seem to say, "Throw cares away."

Christmas is here, bringing good cheer

To young and old, meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song,

With joyful ring, all caroling

One seems to hear words of good cheer

From everywhere, filling the air

Oh!, how they pound, raising the sound

O'er hill and dale, telling their tale

Gaily they ring, while people sing

Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here!

Merry, merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!

Merry, merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!

On, on they send, on without end

Their joyful tone to every home

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells

All seem to say, "Throw cares away."

Christmas is here, bringing good cheer

To young and old, meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song

With joyful ring, all caroling.

One seems to hear words of good cheer

From everywhere, filling the air

O, how they pound, raising the sound

O'er hill and dale, telling their tale

Gaily they ring, while people sing

Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here!

Merry, merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!

Merry, merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!

On, on they send, on without end

Their joyful tone to every home.

Ding dong ding dong...

Dumm.....

The original Ukrainian text tells the tale of a swallow flying into a household to proclaim the plentiful and bountiful year that the family will have. The title is derived from the Ukrainian word for 'bountiful'. The period for the birth of animals and the return of swallows to Ukraine, however, does not correspond to the current calendar season of winter.

*this is the signature four-note pattern of Carol of the Bells

Leontovych originally created the piece as an assignment for a harmony course he was taking by correspondence to demonstrate the use of a four-note known as ostinato. The ostinato motif, a repeated four note pattern within the range of a minor third, is thought to be of prehistoric origins, a New Year's chant known in Ukrainian as 'Shchedryk' ('the generous one')

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JUDAISM

My Shema

lf I were to believe in God I would describe him  as a powerful, majestic figure. He would be unchanging and faithful to us. He's righteousness, patience and kindness would make him the one and only God.  Although I believe that God exists, I'm not religious myself so I don't have a specific God that I pray to and show respect. I don't believe that God watches us and looks after all of us, I believe that people have their own fate/luck with their lives. My parents are both Atheists, therefore I've never really had any experiences with religion in general. Also, there is no real evidence on any gods. For some reason, I do not believe in Jehova just like how Christians don't believe in Zeus. God himself is more than welcome to share an honest conversation with me but until he does, I feel that I have no reason or proof to trust that anyone is a reliable spokesman for any god.

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BUDDHISM

Class Activity Reflection

Buddhism in class meditation reflection-

It was quite challenging for me to focus and clear out my mind because I was so easily distracted by other people and my surroundings. It was difficult because I didn't let myself focus on my inner thoughts, instead I just let myself kind of wonder around and get distracted by the sounds that I was hearing. However, it made me realize how meditation could help me calm down and comfort me if I did try this as home alone. 

Bongwonsa Temple reflection-

Bongwonsa Temple was new and interesting as it was my first visit to a temple. I learnt that Bongwonsa was built in 1911 and all monks of this temple contributed to build a large scale of shrine, for the commemoration of Korea's Independence. The art works around one of the temples (the golden cow) really inspired me how complex and beautiful the drawings are. One of the things that really caught my attention were those 2 rooms with hundreds of little buddha statue cabinets, I never knew the ashes of dead people were stored in those. Overall, it was so peaceful and serene and I could see some of the monks practicing their rituals which gave me a glimpse of their lifestyle. 

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HINDUISM

Hinduism in Action: Reflection on Gandhi

Gandhi says "I am a Muslin, and a Hindu, and a Christian, and a Jew". Clearly, these are all different religions but he uses it to emphasize how he believed everyone should be treated equally, no matter what religion and race they are. For example, he says this when Muslims and Hindus are fighting for their land. However, he did not see the importance of getting back their "own" land, but to work together as a team and tree each other equally and fairly all together. 

Gandhi says “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS.” His belief was that fighting and using violence never wins over love. For example, in the movie, when the British soldier in South Africa tells Gandhi to stop burning to passes, Gandhi doesn't listen and continues to burn the passes. As a consequence, Gandhi is beaten but he does not want to fight back because he didn't support any physical abuses, instead he thought everything had to be resolved with love. Also, another example is when he fasts to make his people listen to him. He knew going out there and fighting to make people listen to him would not work, instead he fasts so people start to worry about him. I thought it was effective how he didn't kill anyone but eventually everyone started to feel bad and listen to Gandhi. 

My experience with yoga in class made me realize how spiritually and mentally you have to be focused to feel and recognize what is happening inside your body. It helped me understand the reasons why Hindus practice yoga to calm themselves from everything and connect with their spiritual gods, connecting with the ultimate reality. I've learnt that even little distractions could easily affect you, when you're performing yoga because it is such a religious activity that requires both strength and concentration. 

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What is Religion?

The Secrets of Stonehenge

Circle aligned with the midsummer sunrise,

In the midwinter sunset,

The most southerly rising,

Northerly setting of the moon

Mysterious bluestones and Sarsen stones

These Stones are great

And magic power they have

Men that are sick

Fare to that stone

And they wash that stone

And with that water bathe away their sickness