​Thousands of People Gathered at DDM to Celebrate the Birth of the Buddha

The annual "Pilgrimage, Buddha Bathing, and Paying Homage to Guanyin" event at Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) began on the morning of May 18^th at the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education, where thousands of people gathered to celebrate the Buddha's Birthday. The Abbot President, Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師) officiated at the first Bathing-the-Buddha Dharma assembly and prayed for the public together with local political figures, including the Commissioner of the Civil Affairs Department of New Taipei City, Mr. Lin Yao-chang (林耀長); the Director of the North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Headquarters, Mr. Chen Yu-chuan (陳煜川); the Commissioner of the New Taipei City Police Department of Jinshan Precinct, Mr. Shen Ming-yi (沈明義); the Director of the Jinshan District, Mr. Liu Chang-song (劉昌松); the Director of the Shimen District, Mr. Tseng Ming-hua (曾明華).



Accompanied with eminent guests from various walks of life, including Mr. Chang Chang-pang (張昌邦), the President of DDM General Association of Dharma Supporters, the Abbot President expressed his reverence for the Buddha by each ladling scented water three times to bathe the statue of Prince Siddhartha. Afterward, the Abbot President explained that Buddha bathing is an activity held by Buddhist followers to celebrate the Buddha's birth and his attainment of Buddhahood in the mundane world. We take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the Buddha for teaching us the ways to cultivate compassion and wisdom, in addition to helping sentient beings.



Mai Chun-mu (麥春木), who is from Sanzhi and has been participating in the pilgrimage at DDM for more than 20 years, said that he participates in the "Pilgrimage, Buddha Bathing, and Paying Homage to Guanyin" event almost every year. He was grateful to Shakyamuni Buddha for helping all sentient beings be free from vexation and the suffering of transmigration through the six destinies of existence with his spiritual cultivation and enlightenment. While transferring the merit of his pilgrimage, he wished everyone peace, health, and happiness.



Original Chinese text / Chang Yao-chung (張曜鐘)
Photos / Chang Yao-chung (張曜鐘), Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻)
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, Glen Sha