Siddhartha: A Musical Journey to Enlightenment
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This musical is about a Prince who gave up the comforts of his home to seek for enlightenment to help people find joy and peace in a world of suffering. This story is based on the life of Siddhartha Gautama, around 600 BC in India.
Here are excerpts of this musical which started out as a local play and was brought into the international stage. Colorful, artistic, dramatic, funny, touching, inspiring are just some of the words that would best describe the musical.
Please come and journey with me as I present to you some of the more important scenes. Enjoy!
The Legend
According to a legend, when the Prince was born, he took seven steps. And with each step a lotus flower would bloom, and on the seventh step, he declared, "I am the uniquely honored one in this world."
The Prophecy
"The child you bear today will grow to become a man. Two choices, one decision is laid out in his hand. One will make him king and the other will make him monk. Should he choose, he'll come to be the Enlightened One." --Prohpet Assita
Prince Siddhartha marries Princess Yasodhara
Siddhartha: Don't you wonder sometimes why we are put here in such a beautiful place? What meaning is there to life?
Yasodhara: In my heart, I've already found my meaning.
Siddhartha: Yes, my love... But surely there is life outside these palace grounds. I want to see those people, to talk to them, to be able to reach out to them and share with them all I have. I believe I have more than enough for myself and there is much that I can give back to the world."
The World He Saw
Siddhartha: "Is there no way at all to end this suffering? Is there no hope in sight? Are we all doomed to be bound forever to this awful plight?"
"Now I see the way it is that we all die and people come and go. How can I live in perfect bliss, in perfect calm and knowing what I know. I must try, I must find the answer. There must be some way to end this curse."
The Five Attendants Find Siddhartha
Attendant: Aren't you Prince Siddhartha, son of the great King Suddhodana, ruler of the Sakyas, heir to the kingdom of Kapilavastu?
Siddhartha: I used to be that person. But as you can see, I am now a monk. Since then, I have given up my royal heritage to follow the way of asceticism in search for the truth, to save the people from suffering.
The Buddha
After six long years, his search had finally ended. There under the Bodhi tree, Siddhartha finally found Enlightenment and attained Buddha-hood. He became the great teacher and propagator of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Path.
The Noble Path
"...Right thought, right understanding, right speech, right action, right effort, right livelihood, right mindfulness, right concentration. This is the noble path, the eightfold things you need to do. To find enlightenment in you..."
Siddhartha Returns to Kapilavastu
King: But no! That can't be. You're still my son, you're Siddhartha, blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh. I see you've changed, but in my heart you will always be the same. O, Siddhartha, don't you remember me? Don't you remember your father, the one who cared and carried you all these years?
Siddhartha: You will always be the caring father who brought me to this saha world and I will always be grateful for your love. But now, I am the enlightened one to shower the gift of dharma that will relieve the suffering of the multitude.
The Reunion
Yasodhara: I already have my reward, Great Buddha. I'd like you to meet someone, someone very close to my heart, and surely, to yours too...."
The Finale
We Are One
"...Forget the "I", we are bound together never come undone. If we just try, we can stay forever ever warm and calm. Let there be "us", we belong and co-exist together, no matter where we're coming from. Like sister moon and brother sun, we'll stop the gloom as long as we are one..."
THE PRODUCERS
Buddha’s Light International Association, Phils. and Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order headed by Venerable Master Hsing Yun
LINKS:
- BLIA Cebu Chapter headed by Venerable Master Chueh Lin and Mrs. Susan Tantiansu (BLIA Cebu President)
- Siddhartha website by I.B.P.S. Manila, Philippines
Interested to Know More?
THE CREATIVE TEAM in Taiwan
- Artistic Director: Daisy B. Ba-ad
- Playwright/Musical Director: Jude Gitamondoc
- Production Manager: Michelle Simtoco
- Dance Director: Marijo Cypril Jamora
- Dance Masters: Michael Lowell Dohig/ Ian Ed Jamelarin
- Production Designer: Walfrey Mercado
- Costume Designer: Jed Sevilla
- Audio Controller: Marlon Ardiente
- Stage Managers: Erlich Padura, Edwin Borres, Schubert Dichos, Clark Van Daryl Jolbot and Paul Lamber David
Special thanks to the ff. for the photos above:
Erwin Go, Britton Go, Taiwan Hair and Make Up team
Hubpages Links
10 Ways to Spot Unconditional Love
Our director, Ms. Daisy Ba-ad shares the wonderful lessons we gained from our Taiwan Siddhartha experience.
My birthday in Taiwan, celebrated with the cast and crew, was an experience which made me reflect the beauty of birthdays.
Please come back for more hubs to continue the marvelous experiences we had in Taiwan.
PERFORMANCE UPDATES
- April 24, 2009 at the La Salle Coliseum, USLS Bacolod, Philippines (1 show)
- April 21, 2009 at the Colegio de San Jose Auditorium, Iloilo City, Philippines (2 shows)
- May 25, 2008 at SM Cinema 1, Cebu Philippines (2 shows)
- May 13, 2008 at Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan (1 show)
- May 10 & 11, 2008 at Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (4 shows)
- May 2-4, 2008 at the Dr.Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei City, Taiwan (5 shows)
- November 3 & 4 2007 at the Cebu Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila Philippines (4 shows)
- July 6, 2007 at Waterfront Pacific Ballroom Cebu, Philippines (2 shows)
By far, we have twenty one shows in all!
The Journey Continues...
Yes, I am a Catholic. And yes, I am part of a Buddhist play.
I am very honored to have been one of the cast and crew of the Siddhartha musical. I have met beautiful people, learned different ways to do things, crossed boundaries, race and culture to define and redefine who I truly am. The journey continues for me and to all the people I work with. Truly, it is a joy to share Siddhartha's story to the world.
Michelle D. Simtoco
Production Manager
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Comments
Michelle,
What a beautiful Hub about Siddhartha, and his journey to enlightenment. Oh my goodness, I wish I could have been there to see this magnificent production. The costumes are amazing, so colorful and beautiful.. You must have had a ball participating in such a grand affair!
Absolutly wonderful...lucky you...G-Ma :o) hugs
Yes, it is an english play! That is why it was such a "feat" having to perform in Taiwan, a chinese speaking country. The music is modern and oh, we so love the songs! Thanks storytellersus :)
Hi Diana, it was simply marvelous. And it's a local play (with an all cebuano cast, crew, director, playwright, musical director and so on) so it has brought a lot of joy to us too. Thanks for your continued support :)
Thanks G-Ma! :)
Michelle,
BTW I just listened to the music and it is awesome...and on another note... I gave a suggestion to your "fan" who likes to answer your questions... on his comments... I hope that was ok.
what a wonderful production, Ripplemaker. Thanks for the synopsis and the beautiful photos--very inspirational. Must have been so special to be a part of this. Thanks for sharing.
Very beautiful summary of the play! After seeing your summary, I hope you can help me fulfill a plan I had related to this musical. I will discuss this with you when we meet. :)
Just love the story.No matter how many times and in how many forms I read it.I'd been to the tree under which he is believed to have attained enlightenment through meditation.
hello ripplemaker. great job at highlighting the significant points of the story. it speaks much of why you're the best person for the production manager position. hahaha
a great story of a great man.....congratulations to all the performers and the production team.....well done !!!
Diana, that was very thoughtful of you. Thank you for the help. :) I appreciate it a lot! As in! Glad you liked the music too. We all do. Sir Jude did a great job, that's for sure.
Hi Robie, it was a beautiful experience and I also grew so much along the way. Thanks for reading this hub.
Erwin, oh you are making me curious as to what your plans are. Excited to hear about it soon. :) Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Bluewings, that's awesome. You were really able to visit the tree where he found enlightement? Wow!
Dayzeebee, thank you for getting me as your production manager. I'm glad you approved of what I've written here. :) hahaha
MM, thank you very much. It makes us happy to showcase the talents of the Filipinos; and to be able to share such a significant story is an honor.
Certainly you have found enlightnment by being open minded enough to learn and experiance. Sometimes others may notice what we often fail to see. I enjoyed your hub. Thank you
Coolbreeze, thanks for reading this hub. You are right, openness is one thing we need to take in our travels...esp. the road to enlightenment. :)
Yes Michelle, it's in a place called Bodhgaya in India where they have built a temple now and the lessons he learned are referred to as Bodhisatva/Bodhisatya where satva/satya , in Sanskrit , means the truth.
I've heard this term being mentioned "Bodhisatva"...hmmm...interesting, bluewings. Thanks for coming back to share the information. :)
I became a fan a couple of days ago. This is beautifully done and the layout is excellent and really quite nice to read, albeit a little above my level of knowledge. I enjoyed it. The format is really consumer friendly. I think this is a winner!
This is cool. I will check it out. Is there a video on the site about the performance. I'm actually working with my sister on something similar, from a Queen's prospective.
Wow Michelle, thank you for giving us a glimpse into what you have been doing with your spare time! That is amazing. It looks like a wonderful show. :)
Thanks Tiltil, Eunice and Amy! :) Check this hub for the links. Thanks. http://hubpages.com/hub/Boundless-Love
You created an epic hub about Siddhartha The Gautama
Thanks for reading :)
Growing up, Buddha's story was one of my favorites. It is very inspiring.
Just awe-inspiring, Michelle! Thanks for that beautiful pic of yours, too. Bonus!
I delighted in all the pictures you put up, from the show. Good work you people do; the show must have moved the hearts of all who watched it live!
Buddha's ahimsa is what the world needs a dose of, today. :)
i enjoy the hub miss! thank you very much to you and to ms daisy...... you are both amazing!!!
Hi Kenny and cgull, the pictures bring fond memories of our experiences. Yes, even if the people in Taiwan didn't understand English, they were moved by the story. We cont inue to be grateful for that. ANd oh we are so excited to where we will be led to perform next. :)
Antoinette (our Yasodhara), I am glad you enjoyed the hub. The pictures look so nice and I miss our rehearsals and the cast and everyone. Happy belated birthday. :)
Forgive me, but I have never heard Siddhartha Gautama before and and im a little wiser now! thanks!,
i used to love watching pantomines and this musical looks well worth seeing! Any chance of a free ticket!?:)
What a beautiful story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Compu-smart, me too. I didn't know about Siddhartha either, not until I was part of this musical. AND if the show will be brought to Europe, do watch. It will be something truly worth your while. LOL And it will be nice to "see" you then. (Grin) Who knows there might be a "free" ticket. :)
HI Karen, thanks for reading. :)
Ms Michelle,
This is sooooo beautiful! oh, how i miss everyone and the rehearsals. can we have a once-a-month run-thru!? LOL >>>> That's how much i miss our SIDDHARTHA FAMILY...
You take care and see you soon!
Hi Johanna (our Yasodhara), thanks for dropping by and commenting. :) A run thru to make sure we don't gain weight. LOL :D I guess we miss the family we have found in Siddhartha and the love shared there. Keep on singing... :) tc
Hello Michelle,
This is a beautiful hub! I love it! and I love your photo!! The new sanskrit word we learnt in class is "Sudhara", which means beautifyl! and the name YaSODHARA, cames from the word beautiful!!
It had been a long time since we chatted, would like to update you with the things i am busy with, (besides doing crazy things with Ven. Miao Guang, and Ms Andrea~) I would like to share a inspirational book "Energy of Pray" by Thich Nhat Hanh.
In the book he mentions that the element we need for prayer is energy, energy are made up with elements f love, mindfulness, and right concentration. Mindfulness is the real presence of our body and our mind. Our body and our mind are directed towards the present moment. A prayer is basically the communication between ourselves and the one we are praying to. It doesn't matter if they know we are sending it, the important thing is that the energy is there and the heart of love is there and is being sent out into the world.
When love and compassion are present in us, and we send them outward, then that is a true prayer!
I would like to thank you and Ms Daisy for your friendship, and I would like to thank you for all the treasurable memories we shared in Taiwan, i will never forget the things you and Ms Daisy said to me, and I will do my best to spread all the love and happiness i have to all the people around me!
I am really lucky that i could be a part of the Siddhartha family, although i am just a "part-time back stage helper".. hehehe..
Miss you alot!! love you much!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Jennifer, what a beautiful comment/note you have written! Thank you for sharing these things with me. As for doing crazy things, I think I should step out of my "responsibility" hat and put on a "silly" hat and go out and do crazy things too. :) I have treasured our sharings in Taiwan and truly glad to have you as one of the well-loved part-time back stage helpers. Take care. Miss you too. Lots of Love, Michelle
Mmm yeahh! sounds good! i won't hold my breath!! lol
A wonderful article and I am also enjoying the music, thanks! I think we can all learn something from such stories, irrespective of religion, race of creed.
Very much enjoyed reading this one and seeing the costumes. I've read Siddartha's story many times in "The Light of Asia" a 19th century epic poem by Edwin Arnold, also a Christian but one who was greatly impressed with Indian Buddhism. This hub brough back many memories.
compu-smart, you never know. :) don't stop wishing...but first we have to wish we could perform there LOL
pjdscott, if one is open, one can learn anything :) thanks for reading.
Paraglider, I've learned a lot about Buddhism through this play. It was beautiful meeting of minds and hearts. :)
Hi Michelle, I didn't know this story of Siddhartha was so popular until you presented the hub.We study his life in schools and colleges and enjoy it each time.The play presented here is awesome.Great hub and very well presented!You were lucky to have been a part of the play.
Hi Abhinaya, I didn't know about Siddhartha not until we did this play LOL but yes I'm finding out that many do know about him. Thanks for reading and commenting. :)
Hi Ripple
Great Hub of a great Story, and an opportunity to enlighten more peopleI loved it
what a beautiful play! Thank you for sharing with us !
Eugie and Sparkling jewel, thanks for dropping by and reading this hub. :)
Such pretty pictures!! :) hehe
Great hub, ripplemaker! I wish that I could have been there! It seems like it would have been a terrific show to watch!
ProCW
PS - T-U! :)
hi miss michelle.. miss you so much miss also miss daisy.. i miss our practices a lot..
when will be our next practice?hehe.. hope that would be real soon coz i really can't wait..heheh.. i miss everyone.. i miss the temple.. i miss the masters..heheh..
This is a nice hub miss.. when am at work i keep on checking on this site.. reminising the time.. take care miss.. miss u a lot.. much love Crystal.
Hi ProCW, wish you could have watched it too! Who knows maybe some time in the future? hehe thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Crystal, thanks for viewing this hub many many times. I still am amazed actually whenever I see the pictures. And to have been part of it all was an experience to remember. Have you visited the blog? If you haven't here is the link: http://siddharthamusical.blogspot.com Again, thanks for dropping by. Hugs to you. :)
What a beautiful journey Michele. How did I miss this one! I'll be looking for those eightfold things I need to do! And to think you were part of the Siddhartha team! That must have been so much fun for you. Great Hub and thumbs up.:) ~Dottie~
P.S. going to check out your blog!
Hi Sis Dottie, hehe, I'm glad you stumbled on this hub! Do you love to listen to the song? The eightfold things to do is found in the song entitled FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS in this site http://fgsphilippines.org/Siddhartha/music.htm It's a song that we all love.Yes, it was a marvelous experience singing, dancing and acting! :) Thanks for reading and commenting. Till our paths cross again. Lots of sunshine for you...Michelle :)
Mi Sis Michelle, I did listen to the song FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS last week and tried to come back here to comment to no avail....maybe trying to tell me I'm not ready for the eightfold things....but today LOOK OUT WORLD! lol Loved the song.
Hi sis Dottie, hey I'm glad you took the time to listen to the song. Thanks! LOL As for you being ready for the eightfold things? You are! You have a positive spirit that absolutely shines. C'mon in between munching peanuts and jumping into a pile of autumn leaves, let's sing..."Right thought, right understanding, right speech, right action, right effort, right livelihood, right mindfulness, right concentration. This is the noble path the eightfold things you need to do. To find enlightenment in you." Have a superb day ahead of you my friend!
I have cut and pasted your avatar and comment above and is now an addition to my favorite quotes on my dresser mirror. I will be singing the noble path, the eightfold things I need to do, with you every morning for my daily enlightenment. Thank you my friend. You too have a superb day! ~Dottie~
Such a sweet thing to do Dottie! You are a wonderful person to have around... Blessings always!
Hugs and smiles,
Michelle
Hi Michelle :0) guess who!
Great play:) and your a director what fun:0) I have alwalys wanted to act, not for the attention , but for the sheir enjyoment of it...About 6 years ago I tried some marrauana for the first and last time Lol it made me throw up!!!! But at the time I wanted to know what the experiance was like . Well it was a bout 20mins of an incredible creative Mike, I was doing standup comedy, poetry, singing, and un afriad and the rest of the night throwing up :0(
But the next day i remembered everthing and resolved not to do it again, but to become that person i met last night. I do not recomend this course of action but it was the catalyst to expand my borders and boldly face my fears and explore my natural gifts...
On the funny side ,during the experiance i kept thinking, This is Oregon and we have earth Quakes and what if one happened now ! Boy this would not be good..I did not like the feeling of being of balance lol it was no "WOW Man"..but Crap! Lol
Ok Got to go....Have a great one God Bless you! Mike :0)
HI Mike, I was the production manager and played several roles but not the Director LOL that is Hubber Dayzeebee! :) Yes it is indeed a different experience being on stage and facing stage fright most esp. if there were around 2 to 3 thousand people watching us. :) Well, creative Mike, thanks for dropping by and commenting! :)
Hi! ripplemaker
Enjoyed reading your hub on Sidhartha musical in which you are taking part. I also enjoyed reading about you, how you are trying to make ripples with kids. Very inspiring indeed and very enjoying.
I am a scientist and live in Mumbai, India (I come to USA also often). So with Gautama Buddha and his teachings we have special love. We feel it is part of us.
Off course his teaching and stories are more important than outer appearances. But I was a little puzzled by dresses in pictures on the website. Specially those of women. The dresses used look to me to be very different from the dresses which they wore in Gautama's time. Like in those days men practically did not cover their chests. Women did not cover their faces at all and used to wear very short blouses. For example in Sarnath near Varanasi, a place where Buddha preached and which has a very nice museum, pictures show quite different style of dresses. The dresses used in these pictures on your website, it seems to me, are more like Muslim style, which came to India much, later almost 1700 years after Gautama Buddha. Just wondering, was there any reason to choose this style?
One more question. I am also often inspired by another Sidhartha, the hero of Herman Hasse's novel "Sidhartha". His time period Hasse had set to be essentially the same as that of Gautama Buddha. He also gets nirvana in his own way. I wonder whether you or your organization has any plans to make a musical on him It should really be enjoying. Regards
Hi soumyasrajan, the costumes have been stylized for theatre purposes. :) Thank you for your interest and your comment.
Beautiful Hub and thanks for sharing it with the world!
And thanks for reading and sharing a comment. :)
Brilliant and colorful pictures! As a newbie in this place I wish I could such an amazing and wonderful hub.
You will be seeing and reading a lot of wonderful hubs around. :) Thanks and will be looking forward to reading your hubs.
I noticed a comment you left in my hub and wondering if you are rehearsing again for this musical or another? BTW what a beautiful sister to the queen you make!:)
Hi Dottie, this is the same one :-) With all the make up as the queen's sister, it doesn't look like me at all! LOL
Without the makeup you are still a beauty queen! LOL
Lovely hub, great story, wonderful show. I won't try to outdo all the comments here by other writers, I'll just say thank you, again, for being inspiration and sharing joy.
Hi Teresa, we are currently rehearsing again for another show this coming April. It will be held in Bacolod and Iloilo which is here in the Philippines. There is a never ending growing through this musical of which I am constantly grateful for. Thanks for dropping by. :-)
A GREAT hub on a GREAT spiritual teacher. Thank you
I'm a certified fan of your blogs, Ms. Michelle! This is a wonderful collection of pictures and excerpts. (I miss TONETTE!) And I have to say that it was an amazing experience working with you, Ms. Daisy, and all the cast and crew of "Siddhartha", the Iloilo-Bacolod run. I'm glad for the unexpected chance to finally join the cast, rather than the audience, which i've been part of for some time now. Thank you for letting me practice stage makeup on you! Hahaha! But I have to admit that Mommy Jed and his team did a much better job with our hair and makeup at the Bacolod show... :)
Hi beatrix darkly, thank you for your kind comments and for taking the time to read through my writings here and elsewhere. I enjoyed working with everyone in the Siddhartha show and glad to have you joined the cast. Thank you for doing my stage make up... I still need to find this glittery make up that I don't get allergic to. LOL Yes, Mommy Jed and his team did a great job!
storytellersrus says:
18 months ago
Thank you so much for providing us with this lovely site. I am listening to the music right now- I was suprised to hear the lyrics are in English. The melodies remind my daughter and I of Disney's Pocahantus- with a bit of Mulan thrown in. Very nice.