On May 11, Fo Guang Shan Chicago hosted the “Celebrating Buddha’s Birthday and Honoring Mother’s Grace” event, attracting over 60 members of Fo Guang families and individuals from diverse backgrounds to spend a heartwarming afternoon together. the event featured a diverse range of activities, including a Buddha bathing pool, family Buddha painting, and fun interactive games. Participants of all ages gathered to take photos with their painted Buddha artworks, which not only strengthened family bonds but also filled the celebration with joy.
Bin-Xin Wang, a White Elephant Executive of the Chicago YAD, hosted the interactive game “Finding Mother’s Hands,” allowing family members to feel the warmth of familial ties through playful interaction, bringing everyone closer together. This was followed by a musical performance featuring cello and piano by YAD members Zi-Xu Feng and Yun-Yi Feng. The assembly then offered lamps before the Buddha to pray for their mothers, expressing their deep gratitude and best wishes.
Head Priest Venerable Yung Han led the assembly in reciting the Medicine Buddha Dharani and “A Prayer for Mothers” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. In her Dharma talk, she shared that a mother is like a beacon in life, providing us with strength and direction. She prayed that this light be dedicated to all mothers worldwide for their peace and happiness, noting that even if one’s parents have passed, everyone in the world can be seen as family. The Venerable expressed her gratitude to Master Hsing Yun for founding Fo Guang Shan and promoting Humanistic Buddhism, as well as to the devotees for their long-term support. Citing the Buddha’s example of filial piety, she encouraged everyone to repay their parents’ kindness through practical actions and to build a Pure Land on earth. To conclude, she personally presented each mother with a carnation and handmade flower-shaped chocolates.
Participant Hui He, who attended with her mother, felt deeply touched and vowed to manage her afflictions and treat those around her with a heart of gratitude. Sky Zuo, a business school student attending with his mother for the first time, remarked that the event led him to reflect on the immense debt of gratitude owed to parents. Asanga Wijie, a high school archery team member who attended with his parents, thanked the monastics and volunteers for their warm hospitality, noting that the educational games brought his family closer together. Claire Hernandez, a friend of FGS, also thanked the volunteers for their thoughtful arrangements and expressed her eagerness to participate again.