Celebrating 25^th Anniversary Hsi Lai Temple presents 

“The Prince Siddhartha” – The Musical on the life of the Buddha

 The stories of the Buddha have not only inspired many Buddhists to follow his path to awakening, but also touched countless people’s hearts with his compassion and wisdom. In order to best present the Buddha’s life, more than 50 performance artists from the Fo Guang Shan Academy of Art Philippines have been invited to perform the musical to the American audience. The musical will be performed on November 23 (Saturday) at Pasadena Civic Auditorium.  This musical marks the beginning of the year-long celebration of Hsi Lai Temple’s 25th anniversary.

Prince Siddhartha, the world’s first musical on the life of the Buddha, was adapted based on Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s bestseller The Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha. Through elegantly composed English lyrics and music, the moving storyline will lead the audience through the tunnel of time to the Buddha’s birthplace in ancient India, and explores his life and his path to awakening.

The musical begins from the scenes "Ancient Indian Society," “The Birth of Prince," “Growing Up,” "Renunciation and Practice as a Monk", “First Turning of Dharma Wheel” to

"The Return of the Buddha." Through their performances, the artists convey to the audience the significance of religious purification of the heart, and the message of Humanistic Buddhism – everyone can attain awakening as the Buddha did.  The Musical will demonstrate to the Southern Californians a collective creation by the elite members of the Fo Guang Shan Academy of Art Philippines and the brilliant costume design made pursuant to the cultural background of the ancient India revealing distinct personalities of each character.

Although the majority of the members of the Fo Guang Shan Academy of Art Philippines are Catholic, the artists have been deeply moved by the compassion of the Buddha while they are performing the musical. They also recognize the value of religious exchanges and the concept of racial integration and will reproduce the history of the founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni Buddha, through an artistic form.

Being a Catholic, the choreographer Jude Gitamondoc said that he wishes to present the spirit of the culture, religion, human life and experience from Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s book, The Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha.  He said that he was deeply moved by the compassion and tolerance taught in Buddhism and wished to share with the audiences the joy that he received from the Venerable.

Hsi Lai Temple invites all who appreciate music art to enjoy this heart-purifying journey with them! Each audience member will also receive an exquisitely designed program for the musical.

The musical will be on stage:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013
Time: 7:30 p.m. ~ 9:30 p.m. 
Location: Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green Street, Pasadena CA 91101

Tickets are available at Fo Guang Shan HsiLai Temple 626-961-9697 or at Ticketmaster.

Price: $120, $90, $60, $40.  Student, senior and group discounts are available.