Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
June 5, 2023

On May 26th (April 8th of the lunar calendar), Buddha's Birthday, Fo Guang Shan Kolkata Buddhist Centre in India collaborated with Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Kolkata Chapter to hold a Buddha's Birthday Bathing the Buddha Celebration.

In addition to the teachers and students from Fo Guang Shan Kolkata Buddhist Centre, devotees, and Fo Guang members, Bikash Barua, the Secretary-General of Alipore Ashoke Club Buddhist Temple in Kolkata, participated in the ceremony as well.

Bikash Barua also led international guests and friends to observe the Buddha's Birthday Bathing the Buddha Celebration. These honored guests included Dr. Pornchai Pinyapong, President of The World Alliance of Buddhists (WAB), Dr. Lye Ket Yong, the Secretary-General of WAB, and Efendi Hansen Ng, the Special Ambassador of Borobudur Temple in Indonesia.

Dr. Pornchai Pinyapong, President of WAB, participated in the ceremony. photo／The Life News Agency

After the Buddha's Birthday Bathing the Buddha Celebration concluded, the Fo Guang Shan Calcutta Buddhist Centre retained the Buddha bathing pool and opened it to the public, allowing ordinary people to also bathe the Buddha and establish a karmic connection with Buddhism. The celebration event attracted nearly 300 participants.

An Indian women bathed the Buddha. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Miaoru, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Kolkata Buddhist Centre, stated that bathing the Buddha is a way to show respect and sincerity to the Buddha, and to purify the three types of Karma: body, mouth, and mind, while also increasing blessings and wisdom.

Venerable Miaoru led particiants to chant sutras and pray for blessings. photo／The Life News Agency