(Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
On the Buddha bathing altar at Jing Si Hall laid trays of clean water in clear, transparent glass, better reflecting the purity of the water. Our Bodhi nature is innately pure, and our minds are originally as pure as transparent water. However, situations change according to our minds and the latter alter over the years as we meet different people and encounter different environments and experiences.
The act of bathing the Buddha symbolises the washing away of our inner worries and ignorance. It reminds us that we must always purify ourselves and return to the Buddha nature inherent in all human beings.
(Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
The 15th day of the fourth lunar month each year is Singapore's gazetted public holiday for Vesak celebrations. On the second Sunday of the fifth lunar month, Tzu Chi celebrates "Buddha's Birthday, Mother's Day, and Global Tzu Chi Day" globally, a 3-in-1 joint celebration of these three occasions.
Tzu Chi Merit (Singapore) held a Buddha Bathing Ceremony on the evening of 12 May 2024, drawing a crowd of over 3,000 participants. This year, Vesak Day in Singapore fell on 22 May. To invite more people to commemorate Buddha’s kindness, Tzu Chi held another small-scale Buddha Bathing Ceremony at Jing Si Hall on this day, attracting more than a hundred people who came forth to take part in the ritual.
(Photo by Pong Lai Ping)
This indoor Buddha bathing ceremony was conducted in two ways: the Buddha Hall on the third floor of the Jing Si Hall hosted three small scale ceremonies of about forty minutes each; while the Culture Hall on the first floor hosted a walk in Buddha bathing ceremony from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., allowing the public could participate at any time convenient to them.
(Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
In addition to the Buddha bathing, the day's programmes included a movie screening of "The Life of the Buddha," health food booths, and tea ceremonies.
Members of the public “bathed” the Buddha with devotion and prayed for spiritual purification and peace. (Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
Wong Teck Chun, a Tzu Ching who graduated in 2006, brought his wife, Loh Yuan Loon, and their two young daughters for the Buddha bathing ritual on this day. Seeing familiar faces in the long-forgotten Jing Si Hall made him nostalgic for the friendships he had with other Tzu Ching in the past.
Wong Teck Chun revealed that he has been busy with his family and career, taking care of his two active children aged five and three. As a result, he may not have been able to go to a Buddhist temple on Vesak Day in recent years, and therefore, he treasured the moments of calmness when he prayed on this day. "Sometimes you need to slow down to regulate your body and mind," he said.
Wong Teck Chun's wife, Loh Yuan Loon, also shared similar sentiments. She confessed that balancing childcare and work left her with little time for herself, leading to moments of short-temper. However, after participating in the Buddha bathing ceremony, she felt a newfound sense of peace within herself. The ritual prompted her to introspect, reminding herself of the importance of adjusting her mindset, particularly when dealing with her children's disobedience, to avoid responding with negative emotions.
At the filial piety zone, children seize a rare opportunity to offer a cup of tea to express gratitude to their parents. (Photo by Pong Lai Ping)
At the filial piety zone, accompanied by volunteers, the two children served tea to Wong Teck Chun and Loh Yuan Loon for the first time. Wong Teck Chun expressed his hope that the children would behave well and avoid picking up negative habits and behaviours. He aspired for them to pursue meaningful endeavours that resonate with their interests as they grow older. Additionally, he expressed his desire to engage them in Tzu Chi's environmental protection and other activities as they mature.
15-year-old Yvonne Quek (first from left) accompanied her mother, who has difficulty walking due to a foot injury, to participate in the Buddha bathing ceremony. (Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
15-year-old Yvonne Quek exemplified filial piety through her actions. She accompanied her mother, who struggled with walking due to a foot injury, on this day, traveling via MRT, transferring to a bus, and walking a short distance from the bus stop to Jing Si Hall to participate in the Buddha bathing ceremony.
Two months ago, Yvonne’s mother had a minor accident at home and was injured by falling cupboard glass, resulting in a fracture of her thumb, and she was still on sick leave recovering from this injury, with her toes still needing iron braces for support. Nevertheless, the wound did not deter Yvonne's mother's wish to participate in the Buddha bathing ceremony.
On weekdays, whenever her mother wishes to participate in Tzu Chi activities such as Environmental Sustainability Day, the Year-End Blessing Ceremony, and the Tzu Chi Festive Charity Fair, Yvonne always attends with her. She shared that coming to Jing Si Hall to "bathe" the Buddha made her feel peaceful in mind. She also made a wish: "I hope that my mom will be in good health and that my family will stay safe."
(Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
Member of the public Lee Swee Leong, who participated in Tzu Chi Buddha Bathing Ceremony for the first time, shared that he prayed for world peace and no war.
Lee Swee Leong and his wife, Guo Ai Qiong, shared that tears welled up in their eyes during the chanting, a moment that deeply touched their hearts. Guo Ai Qiong, participating in the Tzu Chi Buddha Bathing Ceremony for the second time, was delighted to see the small bamboo banks on the table. She eagerly asked the volunteers about them and decided to take several of the bamboo banks home.
(Photo by Pong Lai Ping)
Tzu Chi held another Buddha bathing ceremony at Jing Si Hall. Event coordinator Puah Pei Wen revealed that the team made a new attempt this year in response to public feedback expressing a desire to "bathe" the Buddha on Vesak Day.
The solemn Buddha bathing ceremony reminds us to honour the kindness of the Buddha, our parents, and all sentient beings. If everyone takes care of their own mind, it will lead to harmony within the family and society, and ultimately, to world peace.
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