Celebrating faith and mothers
Volunteers dressed in colour-coded uniforms and arranged themselves to form the Chinese character 'jue'.
A GRAND celebration was held to commemorate Wesak, Mother's Day and Global Tzu Chi Day by the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur & Selangor).
Held at Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, the event also marked the organisation's 59th anniversary.
The festivities were held on May 11 and 12.
Among attendees were Buddhist elders and monks, foreign diplomats, representatives from political parties and the business sector.
This year's global theme for Tzu Chi was 'May we learn and attain awakening with mindfulness; May we walk on the Bodhisattva path with diligence.'
The theme encouraged all to unite in doing good, cultivating wisdom and bringing peace and hope to society.
Volunteers dressed in colour-coded uniforms were arranged to form the Chinese character jue, which means 'to perceive', reflecting the global theme.
They also formed 'TC59' and '2025', symbolising the chapter's 59th anniversary.
Tzu Chi programme coordinator Justin Ooi said that over 6,000 devotees and volunteers participated in the event.
Devotees praying at Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall on Wesak Day. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star
He said participants were invited to symbolically bathe the Buddha on both days.
'We also organised filial piety activities, specially designed for children to express gratitude to their parents during this meaningful occasion which honours both Buddha and mothers,' he said.
On Wesak Day, Tzu Chi chapters around the world hold ceremonies to gather collective goodwill and offer prayers for global peace.
A special highlight of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor ceremony this year was the live link with Tzu Chi headquarters in Hualien, Taiwan.
This allowed participants to join parts of the Taiwanese ceremony and receive teachings from Tzu Chi founder Master Cheng Yen via real-time live stream.
On the second day, families were seen taking part in filial piety-themed activities, where children were taught to value and honour their parents.
In a touching gesture, they offered tea and flowers as expressions of gratitude.
A variety of family-friendly activities were also held, including cake decorating, dance classes, Zentangle and Nagomi Art trial sessions and craft workshops.
The ground floor of the building was transformed into a lively marketplace with food and craft stalls, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.
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