Buddha Bathing Ceremony for Buddha’s 3051st Birthday, Summer Retreat Medicine Buddha Gratitude Ceremony & Mothers’ Day Gratitude Ceremony

May 12, 2024 (Sunday) 9:00am, Ocean Sky Chan Monastery will hold a triple-event ceremony—the Buddha Bathing Ceremony to commemorate the birth of the Buddha; the commencement of the 3-month Summer Retreat Medicine Buddha Gratitude Ceremony; and the celebration of Mother’s Day by chanting The Sutra on the Profound Kindness of Parents. The Buddha Bathing activity will last for the whole week until May 19 (Sunday). Everyone is invited to come and bathe the Buddha statue.

Shakyamuni Buddha was born 3051 years ago on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month and his life story transpired in eight stages. He helped sentient beings return to their inherent pure nature by using Dharma water to cleanse their mind. A sutra states: “By bathing the Buddha’s statue as if he were still present in the world, one obtains blessings so limitless they cannot be counted.” By outwardly bathing the Buddha statue, we inwardly wash away our mind’s impurities; that is the true meaning of bathing the Buddha statue.

We welcome you and your loved ones to join this auspicious event and be replete with Dharma Joy. During the 3-month Summer Retreat, everyone is encouraged to recite the Medicine Buddha Sutra daily. Ocean Sky will also be open for the Medicine Buddha Sutra chanting every Monday and Wednesday, 7:00-8:00pm. With a mind of gratitude, we dedicate all the blessings and merits towards the peace and prosperity of the world and the enlightenment of all sentient beings.