Author of the theme song to celebrate Vesak: Writing music as a way of sharing

Singer Dieu Dan: "I write and perform songs about Buddhism as a way to share with everyone" - Photo: L.D.KHOA

From a babysitter, Dieu Dan had a passion for music , becoming a singer specializing in Buddhist music for more than ten years now.

Perhaps the most special mark of her career so far is being the author of the theme song " Vietnam welcomes Vesak" of the United Nations Vesak Festival 2025 taking place in Vietnam these days.

"Each song I write does not want to stop at just one song but rather be an introduction to the beauty of Vietnam's land and people, along with a message of peace through the language of music. How happy I would be if the song could touch the hearts of those who are looking for a peaceful path and I could be a small part of that journey." - Singer DIEU DAN

Musical seeds from Buddhist affinity

Dieu Dan mentioned the milestone of 2012 when she fell in love with Buddhism and received this dharma name from then on. Her sweet, heavenly singing voice is often brought by her and her friends to social charity programs, especially in Buddhist events in many places across the country.

The most memorable memory was the performance in Can Tho . There were only three days to complete three songs for a memorial service. And the work Giới tâm trí cấp ni lưu was chosen as the official song and is still well received by many people today. But it was not until 2018 that Diệu Đan boldly introduced the first Buddhist music product Liễu Phật con về, consisting of 14 songs.

That boost helped her confidently produce many other Buddhist music albums. Some of them include Life through my eyes , Rose pinned on the shirt , Refuge in Buddha , Buddha's Sound , Living happily ... all of which were lovingly received by the audience. And it is impossible not to mention Buddhist singer Dieu Dan who still participates in summer retreats, sowing the seeds of peaceful music into the souls of the students.

But it is the MV Sam Nguyen that has left a special mark, helping Dieu Dan affirm herself in the Buddhist music genre. The Buddhist sutra by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, sung by Dieu Dan, has been shared millions of times on online music platforms and social networks, partly shaping her singing style through simple arrangements with guitar or piano.

Each song is like a sermon

Remember in the mini-show celebrating 10 years of singing Buddhist music "Guiding children home" by Dieu Dan, Dr. Bui Huu Duoc - former head of the Department of Buddhism (Government Committee for Religious Affairs) - once shared that the Buddhist songs performed by Dieu Dan are like a thread connecting friendship and love so that each person's mind can calm down and see this life as more beautiful.

The young singer believes that each Buddhist song she performs will not simply be music but a sermon, conveying a message of love with the hope of touching the listeners' emotions. Therefore, when handling each note, Dan always reminds herself to be careful because religious music is so special that if she shares it incorrectly, it means she is doing something wrong.

Whether the song is self-composed or sent by a musician, Dan reads it carefully and asks the monks and nuns to analyze it because only by understanding can he express the heart and dharma that the song wants to convey. That process is a search to find new ways of expression, breathing new energy into it with the most impressive arrangements possible. Especially the simple, peaceful meditation songs that are imbued with many meaningful messages to convey to the listener.

The journey from a kindergarten teacher to a Buddhist musician is also a journey that creates a profound transformation in the soul of the young girl Dieu Dan.

Looking back on that journey, Dieu Dan expressed that she always tries every day to bring the most quintessential values ​​of Buddhist music closer to the general public.

With a desire to share what she feels through music, Dieu Dan admits that she has practiced and slowed down her life, learned to listen to herself and those around her. It is also learning to let go, live gratefully and aim for inner peace because as she said, she came to the profession of preschool teacher from her love for children, but Buddhist music is the path that helped Dan find herself, realize what she needs and wants to do.

"I don't write music to express myself, but to share. Maybe my musical journey isn't long enough, but it helps me grow through each note, each lyric, and mature in awareness and love," Dieu Dan confided.

Vietnam MV welcomes Vesak

The idea of ​​composing a song for the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak came to Dieu Dan's mind when she heard about the event. And so, the song Vietnam welcomes Vesak was born naturally, the melody just flowed naturally when she started the first notes.

Dieu Dan composed the song in 5 hours. The demo version was completed with comments from musician Le Hai and the final recording was arranged by musician Minh Duong, and was chosen as the official song of this event. The MV Vietnam welcomes Vesak was hastily made in 5 days with the participation of more than 130 people including artists, students, and children and was released on April 27.

The MV was filmed at two main locations: Quan Su Pagoda (Hanoi) and Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam province) along with scenes of several pagodas and monasteries in the three regions of the North - Central - South as a welcome to international friends coming to Vietnam on this very special occasion.

"Contribute to the end, then you will be at ease when you return. I always remind myself of that and hope to bring peace of mind to the community. No matter how difficult it is, I still want to follow the path I have chosen so that I have no regrets," Dieu Dan confided.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tac-gia-ca-khuc-chu-de-don-mung-vesak-viet-nhac-nhu-mot-cach-se-chia-20250505101310235.htm