The Most Beautiful Encounter on Buddha Day

Invited to volunteer in the group formation for the first time, Min Khant Thu (right) and his sister wore white shirts and black pants to participate in the event. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)

"The fragrant magnolia reminded me of my hometown, and I miss my mother," said Myanmar volunteer Min Khant Thu emotionally, as he looked at the golden jade magnolia flowers placed on the Buddha bathing platform.

The Tzu Chi 58th Anniversary and Buddha Day Celebration was held on 12 May 2024 at Bukit Gombak Stadium. As great love knows no boundaries, kind-hearted people of different nationalities participated together in this Buddhist event.

That afternoon, about 1,300 people gathered on the stadium field for the final rehearsal of the Buddha Bathing Ceremony in Singapore. Min Khant Thu and his sister, dressed in white shirts and black pants, stood inside a "concentric circle" for the ceremony.

Min Khant Thu has been working in Singapore for a year. He used to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday in his hometown in Myanmar, where he would work with his grandmother and parents in the village to prepare breakfast for the villagers and do almsgiving. They would also invite Dharma masters to their home for a prayer session to seek blessings.

After coming to Singapore, he and his sister met Tzu Chi, and have both participated in Tzu Chi’s dental assistant training, community environmental protection activities, English book club, plant-based food advocacy, and many other volunteer activities. This time, both brother and sister were also invited to become group formation volunteers.

Forming a group formation relies on the unity and cooperation of everyone involved, and Min Khant Thu believed that he could use his free time to contribute. He finds it meaningful to contribute and do a little good for society. He was not only touched by the spectacular scene but also deeply wished for the good health and happiness of his parents and the safety of his country. He also looked forward to continuing to serve as a volunteer at Tzu Chi.

The volunteers in the group formation take turns to “bathe” the Buddha in an orderly manner. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)

From participating in group formation to serving behind-the-scenes  

“The Dharma Wheel is turning! The formation of the alphabets and numbers "TC58," along with the shape of two Bodhi leaves, from walking to getting into position, was very solemn. Thumbs up for them!”

At the ceremony, there was a small cheer from the sound control room, where Yu Zhi Rong and his partner Lim Ee Hwee were present. Situated at the highest end of the stadium, both friends were particularly moved and joyful to see the group formation come together in a short period of time as the volunteers changed their positions step by step until the formation finally took shape successfully.

Eight years ago, Yu Zhi Rong came from China to work in Singapore. Currently working as a postman. For the past four years, he has been delivering letters to Jing Si Hall almost every working day. In 2023, Yu Zhi Rong became a Tzu Chi member at the invitation of Tzu Chi volunteers Sean Tan and Lee Choon Seng, prompted by his desire to do good deeds. However, initially, he was reluctant to participate in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony as a group formation volunteer.

"Why don't you wear white clothes and black pants to watch the ceremony on that day?" The words from a Tzu Chi volunteer made Yu Zhi Rong let down his guard and decided to watch the ceremony.  

Yu Zhirong served as a group formation volunteer last year and was in charge of the sound control team this year. (Photo by Tey Inn Ping)

On the day of the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, Yu Zhirong arrived at the scene early. When the formation volunteers were forming the shape of the group formation, they asked him to join them on the spot. After a slight hesitation, he agreed swiftly. Unexpectedly, this small decision brought him unexpected gains.

"I was deeply moved while bathing the Buddha. I almost shed tears. I had a profound feeling, especially when I sang 'Our Earnest Prayer'; the collective power of kindness and prayer was incredibly touching," Yu Zhirong said. "Suddenly, I understood what Tzu Chi volunteers are truly like."

After bathing the Buddha, he called the volunteers and asked them to help him sign up for Tzu Chi volunteer activities. He also listened to the Tzu Chi song “Our Earnest Prayer” for one month.

Over the past year, Yu Zhirong participated in charity home visits to better understand the concept of counting one’s blessings by witnessing hardships. When he went to the environmental sustainability eco-points in the community to contribute, he became aware of the impact of global warming. Now, he brings his own reusable bowl for takeaways and has committed to long-term vegetarianism.

"I am a Buddhist. After joining Tzu Chi, I became a devout Buddhist," Yu Zhirong said. Now, he often listens to Master Cheng Yen’s teachings and has become aware of the importance of being mindful of one’s thoughts. He used to have a bad temper, but it has improved a lot recently.

He spent an entire weekend working in the sound control team, enabling more people to share the Dharma joy. He hopes to "maintain his original aspiration and continue to strive" and contribute more in the right position!

Yu Zhirong said that when he was in China, he was a Buddhist. After joining Tzu Chi, he became a devout Buddhist. (Photo by Tey Inn Ping)

Harmony and integration among people of different faiths  

"Boss, come over here and join us," said Sarkar Suman, a Bangladeshi migrant worker, happily inviting his boss Gan Ah Huat in Mandarin to take a group photo together. Together with fifteen other foreign workers who lived together, it was already the fourth time Sarkar had served as a group formation volunteer with Tzu Chi, and he seemed very familiar with the process. 

This year is the fourth time that Bangladeshi migrant worker Sarkar Suman has participated in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)

"In Singapore, we are one family. Here, different races and religions can coexist harmoniously," Sarkar expressed. Having worked in Singapore for fifteen years, Sarkar, a Hindu and a minority in Bangladesh, has always maintained friendships with colleagues of other races and religions, getting along well with them.

On this day, being Mother's Day, Sarkar woke up early to call home and wish his mother a happy Mother's Day. He expressed gratitude to his wife and three-year-old child for providing his mother with companionship, allowing him to work hard here with peace of mind.

"I appreciate the tranquillity and piety of prayer. When everyone gathers to pray for world peace, it's truly beautiful," Sarkar shared, reflecting on the unity and collective love shared by him and over 3,000 congregants, aspiring to make the world a better place with their pure hearts.

Bangladeshi migrant worker Sarkar (squatting in the front row, fourth from the right), his boss Gan Ah Huat (squatting in the front row, the third from the right), along with fifteen fellow migrant workers, coming together to volunteer in group formation. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin) 

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