May 13, 2024
2024 Buddha Bathing Ceremony: Tzu Chi holds Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, Tzu Chi Day
By Ben Baquilod
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines hosted the 3-in-1 celebration of Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day on May 12 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa Manila. A total of 884 attendees—including Tzu Chi volunteers, staff, scholars, Dharma masters, and guests—joined this year’s auspicious gathering.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez thanked the volunteers for working hard to make the event a success and encouraged them as the foundation enters its 30th year in the Philippines. “We have done so much, but we still have a lot of things to do. We hope everyone can support our mission for many years to come,” Yuñez said.
The BTCC plaza boasted a bigger and more elaborate setup, featuring shimmering crystal Buddhas on circular and long tables adorned with fresh flowers and greenery. The main Buddha bathing table where the big Buddha statue stood was designed with miniature mountains, an homage to the historic pilgrimage of Tzu Chi volunteers to Vulture Peak in Bihar, India last May 2.
An elevated platform was also constructed for Dharma masters and honorary guests, including representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, Philippine Theravada Buddhist Fellowship, and the Tzu Chi International Medical Association.
With this year’s theme “Spread the Dharma and benefit all beings through faith, vow, and action. Protect the earth by promoting plant-based diet and doing good together,” the ceremony commenced with volunteers offering candles and flowers as symbols of inner light and gratitude to the Buddha, loved ones, and all beings.
The much-anticipated highlight of the day was the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, where participants took turns to bow before a crystal Buddha, touch the Buddha’s feet, and receive a bodhi leaf. The Buddha Bathing Ceremony is a ritual of cleansing one’s mind of impure thoughts and a practice of self-reflection.
According to Dharma Master Cheng Yen, “To pay homage to the Buddha is to display utmost reverence with outstretched hands and a sincere heart as a genuine gesture of respect and to tame our arrogance, divert our woes, and repent our past misdeeds.”
Bowing and touching Buddha’s feet symbolize repentance of past misdeeds and a return to one’s pure nature. Putting one’s palm together represents a vow to practice the Four Immeasurables—loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity—in one’s daily life. Finally, receiving the bodhi leaf signifies reverent learning of the Dharma.
Afterwards, attendees partook in a walking meditation. With every mindful step, participants were reminded to allow the Dharma to flourish in their hearts and walk the path of righteousness.
The ceremony concluded with solemnity and hope as participants raised lotus flower candles, many of which were upcycled from plastic bottles collected from the April 21 Earth Day Run. In unison, they soulfully sang prayers for purity in people’s heart, harmony in society, and a world free from disasters.
Tzu Chi Philippines celebrates Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day on May 12 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Tzu Chi Philippines celebrates Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day on May 12 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Tzu Chi Philippines celebrates Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day on May 12 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Aerial shot of the Buddha Bathing Ceremony for the 3-in-1 celebration of Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day on May 12, 2024 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Aerial shot of the Buddha Bathing Ceremony for the 3-in-1 celebration of Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day on May 12, 2024 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The ceremony starts with senior volunteers leading the incense praise.
The ceremony starts with senior volunteers leading the incense praise.
The ceremony starts with senior volunteers leading the incense praise.
The ceremony starts with senior volunteers leading the incense praise.
Volunteers offer candles as symbols of inner light and gratitude to the Buddha, loved ones, and all beings.
Volunteers offer candles as symbols of inner light and gratitude to the Buddha, loved ones, and all beings.
Volunteers offer candles as symbols of inner light and gratitude to the Buddha, loved ones, and all beings.
A big Buddha statue adorned with flowers, greenery, and crystal Buddhas stands on the main Buddha bathing table.
The main Buddha Bathing table is designed with miniature mountains, an homage to the historic pilgrimage of Tzu Chi volunteers to Vulture Peak in Bihar, India last May 2.
A holographic image of the Buddha is seen at the entrance of Jing Si Hall.
The long Buddha Bathing tables are adorned with crystal Buddhas and flesh flowers.
The long Buddha Bathing tables are adorned with crystal Buddhas and flesh flowers.
An elevated platform was constructed for VIPs including Dharma masters and representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, Philippine Theravada Buddhist Fellowship, and the Tzu Chi International Medical Association.
Dharma masters join the Tzu Chi community in prayer.
VIPs join the Tzu Chi community in prayer.
Dharma masters, accompanied by Tzu Chi volunteer Molita Chua and CEO Henry Yuñez, take the lead in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.
Dharma master take the lead in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.
Members of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) take their turn for the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.
Ambassador Francis Chua joins the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.
Tzu Chi scholars participate in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.
Guests of all ages are welcome to join the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.
During the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, participants bow before the Buddha, touch the Buddha’s feet, and claim a bodhi leaf that symbolizes reverent learning of the Dharma’s teachings.
Guests of all ages are welcome to join the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.
Guests of all ages are welcome to join the Buddha Bathing Ceremony.
Mindfully and slowly, attendees partake in a walking meditation.
Upcycled lotus candles from collected plastic bottles from the April 21 Earth Day Run were used during the ceremony.
Upcycled lotus candles from collected plastic bottles from the April 21 Earth Day Run were used during the ceremony.
The ceremony concludes as attendees lift their lotus candles while singing a prayer for peace in the world.
The ceremony concludes as attendees lift their lotus candles while singing a prayer for peace in the world.
The ceremony concludes as attendees lift their lotus candles while singing a prayer for peace in the world.
Drone shot of the closing ceremony where attendees raise their lotus candles and sing a prayer for peace.
Drone shot of the closing ceremony where attendees raise their lotus candles and sing a prayer for peace.