On the lunar calendar, the eighth day of the fourth month is the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism in this world. Starting at 9:00AM on the morning of May 8th, 2022, Lingyen Mountain Temple (Canada) held the Bathing the Buddha Ceremony in celebration of the Buddha’s birthday. This was the first time, after the pandemic-related restrictions were lifted, that the temple invited everyone to participate in-person at the temple. At the same time, the ceremony was streamed online to allow people all over the world to take part in this special event. Approximately 1,500 people came to the temple to bathe the Buddha, quickly filling up the courtyard, as well as the outdoor corridors of the second floor. This year, the ceremony was held outdoors for the first time. Many people brought their entire families to participate in this event, with much joy and anticipation. Even though it was raining throughout the Greater Vancouver area in the morning, the skies cleared up at the temple before the ceremony. Once the ceremony began, the sun came out and the Buddha’s light pervaded all throughout, prompting much praise about this special day. It was also Mother’s Day, and many people came with their mothers to bathe the Buddha together.

The Bathing the Buddha stations were beautifully decorated with flowers, and fragrant water was prepared for everyone to bathe the Buddha. At the start of the ceremony, members of the Inviting Procession held incense burners and fragrant flowers as they formally and respectfully proceeded to carry both the Buddha’s sacred relics and the statues of the baby Prince into the courtyard. After the Venerable Abbot of the temple, Dharma Master Tze Cheng’s incense offering and prayer, the Bathing the Buddha Ceremony officially began. There were twelve lines designed for the participants to bathe the Buddha in an orderly and respectful manner. The Ceremonial Masters led the assembly in chanting the Bathing the Buddha Verse in praise of the Buddha’s meritorious virtues, and in prayer that everyone will resolve to realize the wisdom of a Buddha. Everyone presented their offerings most sincerely, as they all basked in the Buddha’s kindness. As the Masters led the chanting, the pure sounds filled the entire courtyard and deeply touched the hearts of the participants and volunteers. After two years of only being able to join online, and not being able to personally attend the ceremony, this year brought back familiar feelings of Dharma joy that came with participating in this event in the past.

Every year, the temple holds a Vegetarian Resolution Event on the Buddha’s birthday to promote the Buddhist values of compassion and protection for all forms of life. This year, we encouraged everyone to be a vegetarian for 1, 3, or 7 days, 1 or 3 months, or for life. After the Bathing the Buddha Ceremony, we held the Vegetarian Resolution Ceremony. More than 1,390 people registered to participate, with more than 600 people resolving to be vegetarian for life. The Masters carefully prepared gifts of Longevity Buns, Noodles of Peace, and vegetarian lunchboxes for all participants to bring home and enjoy with their families.

In addition, the temple respectfully requested the Venerable Abbot to preside over a Refuge Taking Ceremony for Pets, and Refuge Taking Ceremony Without Borders. A total of 96 animals and 65 people participated in the ceremonies, either online or in-person. It was especially meaningful to officially become a Buddhist disciple on the day of the Buddha’s birth in this world.