Chu Un Temple Holds Fo Guang Baby Blessing Ceremony – Avalokitesvara’s Compassionate Light Blesses Children for a Peaceful and Healthy Life

Chu Un Temple
July 29, 2025

On the afternoon of July 27, 2025, Fo Guang Shan Philippines – Chu Un Temple in Cebu warmly held the "Fo Guang Baby Blessing Ceremony." Under the compassionate light and blessings of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the event sowed the seeds of blessings and wisdom for the next generation. Initiated under the guidance of Fo Guang Shan Philippines’ Head Abbess, Venerable Yung Guang, the ceremony was rooted in the belief that “where there are children, there are adults; to guide the adults, we begin with the children.” The goal was to bring the Dharma into families, allowing every child to connect with goodness from an early age.

The event drew nearly 49 participants from Cebu, including both temple devotees and Filipino families who joined after seeing the event poster on Facebook. Hosted by Gean, the ceremony was filled with warmth and anticipation. Venerable Zhi Rong explained to the attending parents the significance of the blessing ceremony—through the acts of refuge-taking, making vows, and offering prayers, children become spiritual sons and daughters of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. It is a way to plant the seeds of faith early in life and establish a strong foundation for a virtuous future.

The ceremony began with the chanting of “Namo Greatly Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva” three times, followed by the recitation of The Incense Cloud Canopy Bodhisattva Mahasattva and the Heart Sutra. The monastics then led the children in taking refuge in the Triple Gem—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—followed by the reading of the Fo Guang Baby Prayer and the Blessing Certificate, symbolizing the reception and undertaking of compassion and blessings. The children were blessed with holy water by the venerable and personally given gifts, hoping each baby would grow up healthy, safe, and wise under the protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

The ceremony concluded with Transferring of Merit. The Dharma talk that followed offered heartfelt encouragement to parents, emphasizing the importance of raising children with compassion and wisdom. Venerable also encouraged families to return regularly to the temple and nurture a positive, loving environment for their children's development.

After the blessing ritual, families were invited to the Kṣitigarbha Hall to enjoy parent-child games organized by the temple. Laughter and joy filled the space, and to conclude the event, Gean performed a flute piece, offering a heartfelt musical blessing to all the babies.

One of the participants, Chaityl, the mother of Kayleigh, was the first Filipino to register for the event. She shared that although she is not a Buddhist, she knows that Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is known for protecting children. She hoped her daughter would also receive the blessings and protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. She found the ceremony simple but deeply meaningful.

This event not only allowed children to form a connection with Buddhism but also created an opportunity for parents to bond, support each other, and experience the care that Humanistic Buddhism brings to families in the present moment. Chu Un Temple looks forward to continuing this meaningful tradition annually, building strong ties with local families and helping more children grow up in the compassionate light of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.