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The ‘New Norm’ Buddha Day – A Global Online Prayer for the World

Tzu Chi KL & Selangor staff Gan Chian Nee (first left) participated in the Buddha Day Ceremony with her family and newborn. [Photo by Albert Chan]

May 9, 2021 was an auspicious day indeed. Thanks to the marvel of online technology, at 7 a.m. sharp, Tzu Chi members as well as the general public from 48 countries congregated online to celebrate the 2021 Buddha Day Ceremony. The online event was broadcast live concurrently from three locations in Taiwan, namely the Taipei Linji Huguo Temple, the Longshan Temple and the Hualien Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall.

Amidst a sombre pandemic backdrop, Tzu Chi members as well as the general public celebrated three joyous occasions of Buddha Day, Mother’s Day and the Global Tzu Chi Day online.

The deep, rhythmic sound of drums by U-Theatre troop got the event started without any hiccup from the Hualien Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall Companion Square. At the same time, the Dharma Masters from the Jing Si Abode, staff of Tzu Chi’s four major missions, police force, firefighters and Tzu Chi volunteers were also at the ceremony site. At another part of Taiwan, the sites of Linji Huguo Temple and Longshan Temple hosted similar ceremonies as well.

Here in Malaysia, we registered more than 25,000 Malaysians joining the online ceremony which was broadcast live.

Kindness reverberated, cutting through distance and time zones

Once the grand online 3-in-1 celebration came to an end, the Malaysian participants proceeded with a second online session jointly organized by the four main Tzu Chi chapters. Master De Rang from the Jing Si Abode gave a Dharma discourse and offered her blessings to the Malaysian participants. She also commended unity displayed by Malaysian volunteers, deeming it the best gift to Master Cheng Yen.

During this session, the Head of Tzu Chi Foundation Editorial and Compilation Department, Hong Jing-yuan, talked about the significance of Tzu Chi’s 3-in-1 celebration with a brief walk-through of past celebrations. Everyone was reminded to bring the Buddha to mind and, in that spirit, to continuously purify our hearts and minds.

Florance Cham and her husband participated in the Tzu Chi’s Buddha Day Ceremony for the first time this year. She was glad she could join the online 3-in-1 celebration along with thousands of other participants worldwide. “This is certainly new and felt different. I am grateful for the opportunity and affinity.” This had reiterated her firm belief in the power of collective prayer and transference of merits to all sentient beings.

Florance Cham (right) used to celebrate Buddha Day by chanting at the temple. Due to the pandemic and MCO, she participated in Tzu Chi’s Buddha Day Ceremony for the first time, joining volunteers worldwide to pray for peace in the world. [Photo courtesy of Florance Cham]

In reflection, Florance noted the deep relationship between human beings and animals. “Humans used to keep animals in cages. Look at us now, who is being kept immobile at home!” Due to family factor, she was not able to commit to being a full-time vegetarian. However, she understood completely the maxim that “treating animals with respect could diminish much resentment and hatred animals had towards human”, thus she deepened her resolution in reducing her meat consumption.

Sowing blessings through performing good deeds

Dong Min who hailed from Hubei, China, and currently residing in Kuala Lumpur had the good fortune to attend the triple celebration as well. “I am deeply grateful for the affinity to listen to the Dharma. This had helped me in my daily life to eliminate my ignorance, thus giving me a bright and firm direction in life. I am grateful for the growth in wisdom, too,” she said.

On that day, she sent a loving message to her beloved mother as well, expressing her repentance for her past undesirable attitude and promised to love, honour and be a more filial daughter. Without any hesitation, she donated towards the “Send Love to India” relief fund in her mother’s name. In addition, Dong Min was also grateful to Master Cheng Yen and vowed to walk the Bodhisattva Path unfalteringly.

Dong Min from Hubei, China, was deeply touched when her children served her tea to express their gratitude and love. [Photo courtesy of Dong Min]

Dong Min was really touched when her children knelt and served her tea in show of deep respect. She hoped to have the same opportunity to perform the same for her parents in future.

Volunteer Kamala a/p Narama missed many online Dharma sessions hosted by Tzu Chi in the past. She attributed to not “highly tech-savvy”. To ensure that she would not miss the triple celebration online, she had sought the assistance of her daughter-in-law the night before in making sure that she had the necessary website links, mobile applications and data. Seeing Master Cheng Yen real-time on her mobile screen had her moved to joyful tears.

In short, the online 3-in-1 celebration had brought much smiles and tears of joy to participants. To quote Master De Rang, “We must not just listen to the Dharma. We must practise it and evoke kindness in everyone around us. This way, we can create a better tomorrow full of truth, goodness and beauty, thus making our Mother Earth a blissful pure land.”

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