On May 12, 2025, communities across the world came together to celebrate the annual Buddha Day, Mother's Day, and Global Tzu Chi Day. From the first light in Hualien, Taiwan, to the sacred grounds of Bodh Gaya in India, and through digital connections reaching every corner of the globe, people of all backgrounds joined in ceremonies that honored gratitude, healing, and unity.
Tzu Chi's celebration of Buddha Day, Mother's Day, and Global Tzu Chi Day commenced in Hualien, Taiwan. Led by Dharma Master Cheng Yen and monastics of the Jing Si Abode, volunteers and staff of Tzu Chi's four missions gathered to express gratitude to the Buddha and prayed for a world free of suffering and disasters. | Photo: Tzu Chi Foundation | Hualien Jing Si Hall | 2025/05/12.
During the ceremony in Hualien, Master Cheng Yen offered her blessings and guidance, reminding all participants—both in person and online—that the true spirit of Buddha Day lies in sincere gratitude and unity. She emphasized the importance of cherishing the blessings of the Buddha, our parents, and all sentient beings, and encouraged everyone to nurture a heart of gratitude and offer blessings to one another.
“If everyone in the world holds a heart of gratitude—always expressing kind words and doing good deeds—then this world becomes a pure land. Every religion teaches us to have love in our hearts and to work together for goodness. With wisdom and blessings, let us unite in sincerity to bring peace and beauty to humanity.”
— Master Cheng Yen
Comfort and Renewal in Taiwan’s Communities
In the days leading up to Buddha Day, residents of Yujing and Nanxi gathered at local post offices for a mobile bathing-the-Buddha ceremony. Many are still recovering from the 0121 Chiayi Dapu Earthquake, and the event offered a rare moment of peace and reflection. The simple yet dignified altar, adorned with orchids symbolizing elegance and apples for peace, became a space for villagers to express their wishes and find solace.
“Sometimes I still feel anxious and down when I think about the earthquake, but after participating in the ceremony, my mood has lifted. Our house is still being rebuilt, and there are many challenges ahead, but I believe we will get through this step by step,” shared Tang-Luan Hu, recycling volunteer.
Prayers for Healing in Hualien’s Hospital Wards
In Hualien, the day began with Tzu Chi's first Buddha Day ceremony at Jing Si Hall. Soon after, the medical team at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital brought the spirit of the celebration directly to patients’ bedsides. Accompanied by monastics from Jing Si Abode, doctors, nurses, and volunteers visited wards, inviting patients and their families to participate in the Buddha-bathing ritual and receive a carnation in honor of Mother’s Day.
Ms. Huang, who brought her father to the emergency room after a fall, was moved to tears: “I am so grateful for the warmth and care brought by the monastics and medical team. I prayed to the Buddha for my father’s recovery.”
For those lying in bed, reverently bathing the Buddha became a moment of calm and comfort—a reminder that they are not alone. Nurses also received flowers and handwritten cards—small gestures to say: you are seen, and appreciated. | Photo: Tzu Chi Foundation | Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital | 2025/05/12.
A Thousand Prayers at the Site of Buddha’s Enlightenment
As dawn broke in Bodh Gaya, India, over 1,300 people gathered at the International Buddhist Monastic Training School, joining a live connection with the ceremony in Hualien. Fifty-six monastics and Tzu Chi members assembled before the great reclining Buddha statue, their prayers echoing across continents.
Dr. Suwen Kumar, who returned from the United States to serve his homeland, participated in the offering and shared, “The chanting and atmosphere brought me deep peace. I hope one day to see a Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) team in India.”
Despite technical challenges, local volunteers ensured the ceremony could be shared with villages throughout the region. To accommodate the intense heat, subsequent ceremonies were held indoors, allowing villagers to participate more comfortably. For many, it was a rare opportunity to experience the ritual and feel the “Dharma-water” of compassion. Kranti Devi, a local villager, remarked, “Not everyone has the chance to meet the Buddha. This is a very lucky thing.”
LEFT: Dr. Suwen Kumar (first standing) participated in the offering and shared that the entire atmosphere of the Buddha Day Ceremony, especially the chanting by the monastics, brought him a deep sense of peace and tranquility. RIGHT: The Tzu Ching youth performed "Transforming the Buddha’s Homeland". Their expressive gestures—especially the segment on "saving all beings"—were powerful and deeply moved the villagers present. | Photo: Hsiu-Lien Chu
A Gathering of Peace in Taipei
In Taipei, more than 20,000 people braved the rain to gather at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall for a grand ceremony led by over 500 monastics from various monasteries and attended by President Ching-Te Lai and other dignitaries. The ceremony’s theme, “From Learning to Awakening—May We Walk the Bodhisattva Path of Infinite Meanings,” was brought to life as white lights symbolizing pure Dharma-water flowing from Vulture Peak (where the Buddha expounded the Dharma) to the hands of the monastics and then to the crowd, representing the transmission of wisdom and compassion.
As gentle rain fell, 506 senior monastics from various temples led the crowd in a solemn prayer for peace and harmony. | Photo: Ching-Yu Lo. RIGHT: Attendees watched the ceremony from the steps, awaiting their turn to bathe the Buddha, undeterred by continuous rain. | Photo: Yao-Ming Hsu | Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall | 2025/05/12
From the quiet streets of rural Taiwan to the sacred grounds of India, from hospital wards to grand public squares, this year’s Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day celebrations brought comfort, hope, and a sense of unity to countless individuals. Through ritual, music, and simple acts of kindness, communities found strength in gratitude and compassion, and the wish for a peaceful world was renewed in every heart.
WATCH ▶ Global Recap of 2025 Buddha Day
Articles compiled from https://info.tzuchi.org/ and https://www.tcnews.com.tw/
