Emcee - Thekchen Choling Singapore Vesak Day Celebration 2026

Emcee Ivan
Jul 21, 2023
3 min read

Date - 26th May 2026

Venue - NEX Mall Field

Event - A Heartwarming Vesak Celebration: Animal Blessing Ceremony

Emcee - Ivan

Emcee - Thekchen Choling Singapore transformed the field beside NEX Mall, near Serangoon MRT, into a sanctuary of compassion on the evening of 26th May 2026. The occasion was the much-anticipated Animal Blessing Ceremony, a key highlight of the week-long "Our Joyous Vesak 2026" celebrations. As pet owners and animal lovers gathered under the open sky, the event’s emcee, Ivan, skillfully guided the program, ensuring a smooth and joyful experience for all attendees, both human and animal alike.

This special ceremony was held as part of Vesak, the most sacred annual festival for Buddhists, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Shakyamuni Buddha. Thekchen Choling Singapore chose to celebrate this year’s Vesak under the theme "Our Joyous Vesak," marking not only the 2570th anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment but also the temple’s own milestone of 25 years of togetherness. Emcee Ivan highlighted this dual celebration early in the evening, reminding everyone that the silver jubilee was a testament to the community’s enduring spirit of kindness and connection.

Thekchen Choling Singapore is more than just a place of worship; it is a registered charity and a Tibetan Buddhist temple founded by Singapore-born Singha Rinpoche. Located at 2 Beatty Lane, the temple dedicates itself to spreading the Buddha’s love through both spiritual practice and secular outreach. As emcee Ivan explained during a break in the proceedings, the temple actively supports low-income students with bursaries, provides annual "ang baos" to the elderly, and donates to various causes, including animal and environmental welfare as well as nursing homes. This event was a perfect reflection of their mission to connect all with divine hearts.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the blessing ceremony itself, where several venerable Sangha members (monks and nuns) moved through the crowd, offering prayers and blessed water to the animals. Emcee Ivan had earlier encouraged attendees to remain calm and patient, which helped create a serene atmosphere where dogs, cats, and even the occasional hamster could receive their blessings peacefully. This year marked the fifth consecutive year the temple has hosted this event, solidifying its reputation as a leading animal blessing event in Singapore.

Adding to the evening’s significance was the presence of distinguished guests from Braddell Heights Constituency, which is celebrating its own Golden Jubilee. Emcee Ivan formally welcomed Mr. Seah Kian Peng, the Speaker of Parliament and Chairperson for Marine Parade – Braddell Heights GRC, who attended as the Guest of Honour. The event also featured a meaningful Dharma sharing session titled "You are Your Pet's Guru," which preceded the blessings and helped owners reflect on their spiritual responsibility towards their animal companions.

Beyond the blessings, the atmosphere was festive and welcoming, embodying the "kampung spirit" that Thekchen Choling aimed to rejuvenate. Attendees were encouraged to visit various merit-making stations around the tentage, including a pet charm booth to raise funds for the temple’s expansion project. Emcee Ivan kept the energy lively between segments, reminding visitors to participate in the lucky draw and to collect stamps for the "Four Harmonious Friends" souvenir. By the end of the night, it was clear that emcee Ivan had helped the temple achieve its goal: to create a joyful, jovial, and deeply meaningful celebration where every being, regardless of species, felt the warmth of Buddha’s universal love.