Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
May 30, 2023

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple(I.B.P.S.) held Buddha's Birthday Bathing the Buddha Celebration to celebrate the Buddha's birthday. From May 26th to 29th, Hsi Lai Temple set up Buddha's bathing pools and a children's bathing the Buddha area, attracting nearly a thousand people to bathe the Buddha and cultivate their spiritual connections.

During the celebration, Venerable Hui Dong, the abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, respectfully recited the "A Prayer for the Buddha's Birthday Celebration" written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan. Venerable Hui Dong indicated that the significance of bathing the Buddha is to cleanse one's body and mind by Dharma water, while also eliminating greed, hatred, and ignorance from within.

Venerable Hui Dong led the venerables and devotees to bath the Bhddha. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Hui Dong explained that the origin of the Buddha bathing ceremony lies in the numerous auspicious signs that appeared when Prince Siddhartha was born, as well as the legend of the nine dragons spit water to bathe the prince. Before attaining enlightenment, Shakyamuni Buddha was the compassionate "Nine-colored Deer King." Venerable Hui Dong encouraged everyone to emulate Shakyamuni Buddha and learn how to show kindness and compassion to others in their daily lives, thereby cultivating benevolent thoughts in their hearts.

The participants of Bathing the Buddha Celebration, stood in front of the bathing platform adorned with fresh flowers, joined their palms together and bowed, silently reciting, "I vow to do good deeds, I vow to speak good words, I vow to think good thoughts."

Nicolas Grover, a participant, expressed his joy in taking part in this event and stated that through the process of Buddha bathing, he received blessings from the Triple Gems- Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, purified his three types of karma-body, speak, and mind. He felt that it elevated his character.

Guo Wenling, the supervisor of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Los Angeles Monterey Park 2 Subchapter, stated that this year's Buddha's Birthday celebration had 30 members returning to Hsi Lai Temple for Buddha bathing. In addition to allowing new members to understand the significance of Buddha bathing, senior Fo Guang members took this opportunity to gather together, and everyone was filled with Dharma joy.

Li Chunhong, the president of the Monterey Park 3 Subchapter, mentioned that there were 40 members and their families came from places like Irvine and Chino Hills to participate in the Buddha's Birthday Bathing the Buddha Celebration. They quoted Venerable Master Hsing Yun's "May Benevolence and Harmony Bring Peaceful Wellbeing, Let Abundance and Joy Yield Auspiciousness in Our Lives" to pray for their families.

Xie Jiaoqin, the supervisor of Monterey Park 1 Subchapter, expressed her gratitude to Superintendent Ko Yuqin for leading the supervisors as volunteers, upholding the belief in giving others joy and convenience, and guided the public in Buddha bathing, and seeing everyone happy filled her with joy as well.