The 2025 “Celebrate Buddha’s Birthday and Honor Mother’s Grace” series at Fo Guang Shan Chicago commenced in April, beginning with the promotion of vegetarianism through zongzi and wontons, followed by the Triple Gem Refuge and Five Precepts Ceremony in mid-April. The series reached its grand finale on May 4 with the “Three Acts of Goodness Fo Guang Fair,” attracting over 200 guests and community members to bathe the Buddha, pray for blessings, and express gratitude for the Buddha’s teachings and maternal care.
The fair featured a diverse range of activities, including a solemn offering ceremony, a “Life of the Buddha” art exhibition, family interactive scavenger hunts, international vegetarian cuisine, outdoor performances, and a lucky draw. A new addition this year, mini-pony rides, became a favorite among families. The atmosphere was joyful and peaceful, embodying Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s spirit that “Buddhism is a religion that creates joy.”
The musical offerings featured cello, keyboard, and harp performances by FGS youth, a solo by Rui-Fang Zheng, and a rendition of “Lighting the Lamp” by the BLIA Choir, immersing the audience in Dharma joy. Young FGS students gestured toward the sky and earth, collectively vowing “I am Buddha,” symbolizing the inheritance of the Buddha’s aspiration. The offering ceremony included participation from the BLIA Chicago Chapter, a Burmese temple, and Indian Buddhist friends, showcasing cultural fusion in praising the Buddha. To conclude the ceremony, Head Priest Venerable Yung Han led the monastics and BLIA members in singing “Ode to the Great Buddha” and “Praise the Buddha,” moving the entire audience with their powerful voices.
Venerable Yung Han spoke on the auspicious signs of the Prince’s birth and emphasized that the profound debts of gratitude owed to the Buddha and to one’s mother are the foundation of the event. Illinois State Representative Anne Stava-Murray commended Fo Guang Shan’s long-term contributions to the community, while Burmese Abbot Ashin Ukkamsa encouraged the public to study Buddhism to remove afflictions. Director Shu Yu-Jing of TECO in Chicago remarked that both the Prince’s renunciation and a mother’s love represent selfless devotion, making the combination of Buddha’s Birthday and Mother’s Day deeply meaningful.
The vegetarian food section showcased international flavors, with Mexican BLIA members’ specially made tamales receiving high praise. Outdoor performances, including youth piano, choir singing, senior dance groups, line dancing, and Tai Chi, were also very well-received.
President Ke-Ying Wang thanked the volunteers for months of preparation, demonstrating the spirit of “what the Buddha said, what humans need, and what is wholesome and beautiful.” Members Hui-Wen Wen and Tie-Mei Liu shared their feelings of being “at home” at the temple, while English Subchapter President Lauren Pittelli, who attended with her 80-year-old mother, expressed renewed confidence in promoting Humanistic Buddhism. Paul Kanter felt the power of the Dharma in transcending cultural and racial boundaries, and first-time volunteer Si-Yue Chen expressed gratitude for everyone’s collective effort. Indian friend Brijbala Yadav, who participated in the offering ceremony with her family, experienced the temple’s harmony and diverse integration.
Fo Guang Shan Chicago will continue to practice Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Humanistic Buddhism, deepening community connections through cultural and educational activities to purify minds and create a wholesome society.