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On Jul 4, 2024, Hsi Lai Temple celebrated American Independence Day by hosting the “Buddha’s Light Children Blessing Ceremony” for children aged 0-5 in the main hall. The children participated in the Refuge Ceremony and received the Bestowal of Dharma Nectar before the Buddha, symbolizing the hope for the transmission of Buddhism and the protection of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as they grow up healthy and safe. The event drew over 100 registered children and approximately 300 attendees.
The event was organized by the Elderly Advisor Committee of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA LA) and coordinated by the Young Adult Division Los Angeles I (BLIA YAD LA I) alongside summer interns from Hsi Lai School. Many members of the Elderly Advisor Committee, being grandparents themselves, approached the event with the mindset that “celebrating other people's babies is like blessing their own.” They transformed the usually solemn Main Shrine into a wonderland for little ones, with balloon decorations and various themed balloons capturing the children’s attention and leading them and their families around the hall.
Venerable Hui Dong, the Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple, led the recitation of Heart Sutra and the Refuge Ceremony, followed by a reading of the "Prayer for Fo Guang Babies" by Fo Guang Shan's founding master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Venerable Hui Dong explained that holding the “Buddha’s Light Children Blessing Ceremony” on America’s Independence Day serves as both a national and a family celebration. The seed planted in the children’s consciousness by taking refuge in the Triple Gem is intended to guide them through life, helping them maintain right views and grow into upright individuals.
The children enjoyed various activities, with the older ones playing in a mini playground, participating in balloon games, face painting, and taking photos at the Fo Guang Baby photo booth, while younger babies took part in the traditional "Zhua Zhou" ceremony, selecting items to the delight and amusement of everyone present.
Richard Yeung and Emily Chen-Yeung, elderly advisors from BLIA YAD LA I who had their Buddhist wedding at Hsi Lai Temple, brought their three-month-old son Ezra Yeung to the event. Longtime Hsi Lai Temple devotee Kenny Zhang attended with his newborn grandson. Riverside Subchapter elderly advisors Yuying Lin and Qingxiong Chen joined with their grandchildren Demond O’Neal and Avianna O’Neal. Olympic Taekwondo champion Jingyu Wu, currently studying in the U.S., attended with her husband Kun Hou and their daughter Xiaoyu Hou.
Like all the other Fo Guang parents, these families expressed their gratitude to Hsi Lai Temple for offering the next generation the opportunity to connect with and inherit Buddhism. They prayed for the health and wisdom of their babies before the Buddha.
(Photos by Chihcheng Chang & Yanyun Su)
