It was Buddha Day on the eighth of the fourth lunar month. Than Hsiang temple held the Buddha Day Lamp Lighting Purification Ceremony, the Kindergarten Buddha Bathing Ceremony, the Noon Offering, and the Transference of Merits at Yan Sheng Tan Altar. Additionally, on the ninth day of the fourth lunar month, a Buddha Bathing Ceremony for Than Hsiang Temple’s staff and volunteers was held. The location for these events was Than Hsiang Temple’s Great Compassion Hall.

On Buddha Day, all kindergarten teachers, children, and parents gathered at the Great Compassion Hall. Everyone was anticipative for the start of the Buddha Day Lamp Lighting Purification Ceremony and the Kindergarten Buddha Bathing Ceremony. Before the ceremonies, Venerable Zhen Xin gave a brief Dharma talk.

During the Dharma Talk, Venerable Zhen Xin told the children the story of “Nine Dragons Spitting Water to Bathe the Prince.” Venerable Zhen Xin explained that this referred to the auspicious scene when the Buddha was born, where he also pointed one finger to the sky and one to the earth, saying that “In the heavens above and the earth below, I alone am the World Honored One.”

Next, Venerable Zhen Xin also told the children that the meaning of bathing the Buddha is to plant good roots, be good people, do good deeds, speak good words, and cultivate a kind heart. This is according to the “Ten Good Deeds”: Be filial piety to parents; show respect to teachers and elders; Have faith in a religion; Be friends with the virtuous; Love and respect life; Be grateful and contented; Speak politely and lovingly; Love others as you love yourself; and Spend time wisely.

Lastly, Venerable Zhen Xin told everyone, Buddha said that “Everyone of us has Buddha-nature.” Therefore, one of the meanings of bathing the Buddha is that it allows us to purify our “Three Karmas” of body, speech, and mind when we bathe the Buddha.

After the Dharma talk, the Buddha Day Lamp Lighting Purification Ceremony and Kindergarten Buddha Bathing Ceremony commenced. During the Ceremonies, every child was well – behaved, very attentive, and chanted along with everyone earnestly.

During the Buddha bathing session, the children were also very well behaved, following their teachers’ instructions and lining up in an orderly manner under the guidance of the Sangha members to bathe the Buddha. Subsequently, the parents also lined up behind the children to bathe the Buddha.
After that, the sangha members led everyone in the transference of merits. They also distributed the five – coloured strings to the children, symbolizing blessings for their peace and health.

At about 10:45AM, the Noon Offering and the Transference of Merits at Yan Sheng Tan Altar were held.

On the ninth day of the fourth lunar month, staffs and volunteers gathered early in the Great Compassion Hall, anticipating the start of the Buddha Bathing Ceremony. This Buddha Bathing Ceremony was specially organized to give opportunities to staff/volunteers who would be very busy on the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month. Therefore, this arrangement aimed to give everyone the opportunity to participate in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony to feel the joy of bathing the Buddha and refresh their faith in practicing the Dharma.

Before the ceremony, Venerable Zhen Ru gave a Dharma talk for everyone. During the talk, he mentioned the three most significant days in the Buddha’s life which are often celebrated together. They are the Buddha’s birthday, the Enlightenment, and the Parinirvana. Next, Venerable Zhen Ru also explained the origin of “Bathing the Buddha”, the general meaning of the "Buddha Bathing Gatha," and introduced the main theme of the "Song of Buddha's History”. Together we reminisced about the great Buddha's compassion and wisdom.

After the Dharma talk, the Buddha Bathing Ceremony officially began. The members led everyone in chanting the “Incense Offering Praise”, the “Heart Sutra”, the “Praise of Buddha Gatha”, “Namo Shakyamuni Buddha”, the "Buddha Bathing Gatha", the “Three Refuges”, and the “Transference of Merits.”

During the Buddha bathing session, staff and volunteers lined up to bathe the Buddha, doing so with devotion to purify their body and mind. At the same time, the members also distributed five-colored strings to everyone. After the Three Refuges and the Transference of Merits, the Buddha Bathing Dharma Assembly concluded.

Than Hsiang Temple has also arranged a lamp lighting offering for blessings from May 5th (eighth day of the fourth lunar month) to May 12th (fifteen day of the fourth lunar month). Everyone is welcome to light a Buddha Day Lamp Lighting for Blessing for their families, for the well-being of their living parents, praying for the Buddha's light to shine universally, for disasters to be averted and longevity extended, and for all wishes to come true auspiciously.

On May 12th (fifteen day of the fourth lunar month), the day of the Buddha Day celebration, Than Hsiang Temple canteen will provide breakfast such as steamed buns, eight-treasure porridge, coffee and many more from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM. While our lunch, consisting of savory packed rice boxes ("有味饭盒"), will be provided from approximately 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Herein, The Founder of Than Hsiang Temple, Most Venerable Wei Wu and Temple Management Committee wish everyone a Happy Wesak Day.

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More photos: https://thanhsiang.org/ch/node/6514
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