Buddha Bathing Festival in Lotus Pond Temple by Peaceful of the Heart
May 4, 2025
An annual Vesak Ceremony was held on May 4, 2025. The day before, Plum Village Hong Kong monastic decorated with 
colourful lotus lanterns on the big banyan tree in front of the Lotus Pond Temple. Four baby Buddha statues are surrounded by flowers, standing under the big banyan tree. The setting of bathing the Buddha is solemn and elegant.
It was a sunny day with clear skies and fresh air. At around 10 o’clock, about 200 people including the Monastic, and 
practitioners from Vietnam, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Europe, gathered in the open space in front of the Lotus Pond Temple. Led by Sister Trăng Mặc Chiếu, we practiced singing meditation,and kicked off the Vesak ceremony. Then everyone practiced guided standing meditation quietly, and then walked like a river to Po Lin Monastery. After circling the large altar surrounded by different water lily, we slowly returned to the Lotus Pond Temple.
After a short rest, everyone sat in silence in the Meditation Hall for 10 minutes, followed by practicing the incense offering, 
touching the earth and chanting. Sister Trang Nghiêm introduced the Buddha story. The monastic guided us to chant the
name of the Buddha while queuing up to walk from the meditation hall to the big banyan tree. Each person bathed the baby Buddha with a sincere and respectful heart while chant the Buddha name with 
mindfulness and peaceful energy. The Buddha bathing ceremony officially ended after everyone bathed the baby Buddha, the baby Buddha statue and the Buddha seed in our heart.
Monastics and some Vietnamese friends prepared traditional Phở, the Vietnamese noodle soup and spring rolls. Everyone enjoyed the picnic lunch to nourish our bodies and minds.
