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January 24, 2023

Tzu Chi marks Chinese New Year 2023 with 3 steps and 1 bow

The pilgrimage ended at the Jing Si Abode.

 

By Joy Rojas

 

Simple rites and community spirit marked Tzu Chi Foundation’s recent celebration of the Lunar New Year.

 

On January 22, Tzu Chi commissioners, volunteers, staffers, youth, Technical-Vocational students, scholars and their parents, and special guests gathered just before sunrise at the entrance of the Jing Si Abode of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila, to participate in the traditional 3 steps and 1 bow. Akin to a pilgrimage, the practice that involves taking three small steps forward before assuming full prostration with palms facing up, denotes humility and obedience to the teachings of Buddha.

 

“It is very solemn for everyone to pray 3 steps and 1 bow with reverence,” says volunteer Cai Yanyi, who organized the event. Volunteer Lino Sy, who briefed participants on the relevance of the activity, suggested keeping the following in mind with every step and bow: a purified heart, harmonious society, and no disasters.

 

While most were familiar with the 3 steps and 1 bow, having joined the ritual in major Tzu Chi events in the past, others were experiencing it for the very first time.

 

William So took the ritual’s message to heart. Unable to secure the requested attire of black socks for the occasion, he walked and bowed barefoot. “It was all about paying respects to Buddha. That’s what was in my mind,” says the father to Jeslynn Cayleen Co So, a longtime Tzu Chi scholar studying at Chiang Kai Shek College. “It was a good experience and I didn’t have a hard time.”

 

Carl Theodore Delarmente admittedly didn’t think much of the ritual when it was first explained to him. Still, the Grade 10 Tzu Chi scholar from Philippine Cultural College Annex was committed to doing it even if he found the process long. “It’s okay because it was for our benefit,” says the eldest of four children of a solo parent.  

 

Like her fellow scholar, Ashly Kate Catindoy overcame any drowsiness by remaining mindful of organizers’ efforts to make the event a success. “I felt sleepy at first,” says Ashly Kate, a ninth grader at the Center for Positive Futures. “But I thought of all the people who made time to put this activity together.  I really appreciated it.”

 

Indeed, by sticking to it and keeping its purpose in mind, one might just find the practice a moving experience. “I was getting dizzy at first from all the bowing, but once we reached the hedge facing the Jing Si Abode, I felt better. I felt the presence of Buddha,” says Ashly Kate’s mother, Sharon.  “I felt like I was floating. What a wonderful feeling to experience this 3 steps and 1 bow.”

 

With the ritual complete, participants took one last bow in gratitude then relaxed in the outdoor dining space set up by volunteers. There, they celebrated among family members and friends old and new, with a vegetarian fare of miswa, flavored tikoy, kiat kiat, pomelo, and longan.

Participants start and end the 3 steps and 1 bow ritual facing the main entrance of the Jing Si Abode. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】 Participants start and end the 3 steps and 1 bow ritual facing the main entrance of the Jing Si Abode. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】
 Tzu Chi scholars stand in formation just before sunrise as they are briefed on the relevance of 3 steps and 1 bow. Tzu Chi scholars stand in formation just before sunrise as they are briefed on the relevance of 3 steps and 1 bow.
Inside the Jing Si Abode, fresh flowers and fruits are offered before the image of Buddha. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】 Inside the Jing Si Abode, fresh flowers and fruits are offered before the image of Buddha. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】
Tzu Chi scholars in full prostration during 3 steps and 1 bow. Many were experiencing this solemn ritual for the very firs time. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】 Tzu Chi scholars in full prostration during 3 steps and 1 bow. Many were experiencing this solemn ritual for the very firs time. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Participants who weren’t able to bring the requested black socks chose to perform the 3 steps and 1 bow barefoot. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】 Participants who weren’t able to bring the requested black socks chose to perform the 3 steps and 1 bow barefoot. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
All ages were welcome to celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus. All ages were welcome to celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus.
A youngster joins—and completes—the 3 steps and 1 bow ritual.  【Photo by Matt Serrano】 A youngster joins—and completes—the 3 steps and 1 bow ritual. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Volunteers and their friends gather for a group shot at the entrance of the Jing Si Hall. Volunteers and their friends gather for a group shot at the entrance of the Jing Si Hall.
A volunteer gives a handful of fruits to a scholar. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】 A volunteer gives a handful of fruits to a scholar. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】
A volunteer serves miswa, whose noodles symbolize long life, to guests. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】 A volunteer serves miswa, whose noodles symbolize long life, to guests. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】
Guests take turns ushering in the auspicious new year by banging a gong. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】 Guests take turns ushering in the auspicious new year by banging a gong. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi scholar Ashly Kate (left) and her mother Sharon Catindoy attend 3 steps and 1 bow for the very first time. “I thought of all the people who made time to put this activity together.  I really appreciated it,” says Ashly Kate, a ninth grader at the Center for Positive Futures. “I felt like I was floating. What a wonderful feeling to experience the 3 steps and 1 bow,” says Sharon. 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】 Tzu Chi scholar Ashly Kate (left) and her mother Sharon Catindoy attend 3 steps and 1 bow for the very first time. “I thought of all the people who made time to put this activity together. I really appreciated it,” says Ashly Kate, a ninth grader at the Center for Positive Futures. “I felt like I was floating. What a wonderful feeling to experience the 3 steps and 1 bow,” says Sharon. 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
“I was committed to doing the 3 steps and 1 bow. It was for our benefit,” says Tzu Chi scholar Carl Theodore Delarmente, a Grade 10 student at Philippine Cultural College Annex. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】 “I was committed to doing the 3 steps and 1 bow. It was for our benefit,” says Tzu Chi scholar Carl Theodore Delarmente, a Grade 10 student at Philippine Cultural College Annex. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Paying respect to Buddha was what William So thought about as he performed the 3 steps and 1 bow barefoot. “It was a good experience and I didn’t have a hard time,” says the father of Jeslynn Cayleen Co So, a longtime Tzui Chi scholar studying at Chiang Kai Shek College.【Photo by Matt Serrano】 Paying respect to Buddha was what William So thought about as he performed the 3 steps and 1 bow barefoot. “It was a good experience and I didn’t have a hard time,” says the father of Jeslynn Cayleen Co So, a longtime Tzui Chi scholar studying at Chiang Kai Shek College.【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Cai Yanyi, who organized the Lunar New Year activity, says “It is very solemn for everyone to pray 3 steps and 1 bow with reverence.”【Photo by Matt Serrano】 Cai Yanyi, who organized the Lunar New Year activity, says “It is very solemn for everyone to pray 3 steps and 1 bow with reverence.”【Photo by Matt Serrano】
 A volunteer helps a guest transfer her coin bank offerings. A volunteer helps a guest transfer her coin bank offerings.
 A Tzu Chi scholar displays a lucky charm from a game booth run by Tzu Chi youth. A Tzu Chi scholar displays a lucky charm from a game booth run by Tzu Chi youth.
A couple looks at the photos of Tzu Chi activities on exhibit inside the Jing Si Hall. A couple looks at the photos of Tzu Chi activities on exhibit inside the Jing Si Hall.
 A guest spends quiet time in prayer inside the Jing Si Abode. A guest spends quiet time in prayer inside the Jing Si Abode.
Just before sunrise, lights illuminate the path leading to the grounds where participants start and end the 3 steps and 1 bow.【Photo by Matt Serrano】 Just before sunrise, lights illuminate the path leading to the grounds where participants start and end the 3 steps and 1 bow.【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Volunteers walk to the starting point of the 3 steps and 1 bow Volunteers walk to the starting point of the 3 steps and 1 bow
This Tzu Chi scholar is happy to receive a lucky token This Tzu Chi scholar is happy to receive a lucky token
Participants listen as volunteer Lino Sy (front, center) explains the significance of the 3 steps and 1 bow. Participants listen as volunteer Lino Sy (front, center) explains the significance of the 3 steps and 1 bow.
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Tzu Chi Philippines

Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines - Jing Si Hall

1000 Cordillera cor. Lubiran St., Bacood, Sta. Mesa., Manila 1016

(632) 8714 - 1188

info@tzuchi.org.ph

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