Volunteers rehearse Water Repentance sutra

November 23, 2022

Volunteers rehearse Lotus Sutra Adaptation

The sutra’s song and movements are a reminder to change inner character

By Joy Rojas

Tzu Chi Philippines volunteers spent the afternoon of November 20 perfecting the precise steps and intricate hand gestures of the 5-part Lotus Sutra Adaptation at the Jing Si Auditorium of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Guided by Tzu Chi commissioners and videos of past Lotus Sutra Adaptation performances, volunteers repeatedly practiced the moves, which consist of forward, backward, and side steps; arms outstretched upwards and sidewards; palms together in prayer form; and kneeling and bowing from the waist and in full prostration.

“This is a very important sutra in Tzu Chi,” says volunteer and head of the Lotus Sutra Adaptation Molita Chua. “It’s put in song and body language so that hopefully everyone will memorize it and remember the meaning of the sutra, which is to change or enhance our inner character.”

Despite the numerous steps, Marikina volunteer Heidi Hina is bent on giving a good performance. “It’s a tribute to Dharma Master Cheng Yen,” she says. “This is what Master wants, for us to perform a sutra. That’s why I’m doing my best.”

Confident that she and fellow volunteers will perfect it with practice, she describes the Lotus Sutra Adaptation as “hard but fun. Thank you, Master Cheng Yen, for giving me the opportunity to join this sutra.”

The Lotus Sutra Adaptation requires Tzu Chi volunteers to execute precise moves and hand gestures. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】

Tzu Chi commissioners and videos of past Lotus Sutra Adaptation performances guide volunteers during rehearsals. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】

Volunteers perfect the intricate formation of the Lotus Sutra Adaptation. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】

Lotus Sutra Adaptation rehearsals were held at the spacious Jing Si Auditorium. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】

Tzu Chi Deputy CEO and OIC Woon Ng guides volunteers. 【Photo by Daniel Lazar】

Volunteers put their palms together in prayer, a common gesture of the Lotus Sutra Adaptation.【Photo by Daniel Lazar】

“Hopefully everyone will memorize the songs and movements of the Lotus Sutra Adaptation and remember the meaning of the sutra, which is to change or enhance our inner character,” says volunteer Molita Chua.【Photo by Harold Alzaga】