Community Engages in Heartwarming Buddha Bathing Tour to Fulfill Devotees' Wishes

Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple
June 5, 2024

On May 23. Abbess Venerable Miao Jing of Mabuhay Temple, along with Ven. Ru Liang, Ven. Zhi Min, and around 15 members of the BLIA, conducted a Buddha Bathing tour in Greenhills and Valenzuela. Due to the significant attention drawn by the previous Buddha Bathing Ceremony in the community, Head Abbess Fo Guang Shan Philippines Venerable Yung Guang instructed to fulfill the wishes of devotees with limited mobility. As a result, a special home visit Buddha Bathing event was arranged today. This initiative ensures that the elderly have the opportunity to participate in the Buddha Bathing ritual, striving to fulfill their wishes as much as possible.

Today they visited Brigido Ong as Fo Guang Shan Educator Benefactor and Emilia Tan  with a total of around 100 people joining the event. The Buddha Bath cart is newly designed to stand alone by BLIA Philippines advisor Erwin Choa. He used a pull-out handle to hold the lotus poster, LED candles and green lawn to make the peaceful vibe of Lumbini garden where the Buddha was born.

Ven. Zhi Min highlighted that when the baby Buddha was born, auspicious signs appeared as nine dragons poured water over his body. This act of bathing the Buddha commemorates his birth and signifies that his compassion, like Dharma water, cleanses both our inner defilements and the dirt of this human world. She introduced the practice of making three vows: to do good deeds, say good words, and think good thoughts while bathing the Buddha with both hands.

Ven. Miao Jing delivered a Dharma message, noting that baby Buddha and baby Jesus Santa Niño meet twice every year: once during the "When Buddha Meets Gods" event on December 25, and again at the Sinulog Grand Parade in January. She emphasized that seeing each other with our eyes, hearing each other with our ears, and being kind to each other in our thoughts brings happiness and peace through mutual respect.

Wang Lirong, Vice President of the Pasig Chapter, has participated in five ceremonies this year. She recalled Venerable Master's teaching to "reach out" and bring joy to people. Witnessing the sincere prayers of those who bathed the baby Buddha filled her heart with the purity of Buddha's blessings.

Christy Chen expressed her happiness in welcoming the baby Buddha to her family factory in Valenzuela. She noted that the long-serving workers took this opportunity to share Buddhist culture. Additionally, having the monastics offer prayers for safety and good health on Buddha's Birthday under the tree was a significant blessing.