On May 17th, Fo Guang Shan Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Chapter of the International Buddhist Association of Frankfurt held a grand “Buddha’s Birthday Bathing Ceremony and Garden Carnival” at Liebfrauenberg Square in the city center. This grand event, combining religion, culture, and cuisine, unfolded on a sunny Saturday afternoon, attracting nearly a thousand visitors from both China and abroad to share their sincere blessings for the Buddha’s birthday.
Several distinguished guests from the Frankfurt Office of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany attended the event, including Director Luo Meishun’s wife Cheng Yiyi, Deputy Group Leader Ye Huifang, Counselor Lin Hongying of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Section, and Group Leader Hong Jingting and his wife of the Economic Section. Later that afternoon, Nura Froemel, President of the Frankfurt Religious Committee, also attended the bathing ceremony and visited the cultural and charity stalls. Everyone witnessed this auspicious and joyful occasion. The ceremony officially began with the sound of Buddhist chants. Venerable Jueyan, the abbot of Fo Guang Shan Frankfurt, led the chanting and recited a prayer in English, praying for world peace and the freedom from suffering for all beings.
Venerable Master Jueyan compassionately addressed the event, stating that although the venue was affected by construction this year, everything proceeded smoothly under the benevolent blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. He encouraged the public to purify their bodies and minds through the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, vowing to do good deeds, speak kind words, and cultivate good intentions. He also briefly recounted the Buddha’s birth, cultivation, and enlightenment, allowing participants to deeply appreciate the Buddha’s compassion and wisdom.
In her address, Cheng Yiyi thanked Fo Guang Shan for its long-standing promotion of Chinese culture and Buddhism, fostering interpersonal exchange between Taiwan and Germany. Wang Yuheng, President of the Frankfurt Chapter of the International Buddhist Association, also expressed his gratitude for the distinguished guests and the dedicated efforts of the volunteers who made this solemn and successful ceremony a reality.
The ceremony featured a main Buddha Bathing area, offerings of incense, flowers, lanterns, and fruits, as well as a fragrant bathing area. Devotees followed the Buddha in devout prayers, creating a peaceful and moving atmosphere. A cultural exhibition area showcased the Buddha’s life, calligraphy, tea tastings, and children’s paintings from Sanhao Bodhi Garden, conveying the wisdom of Buddhism and the aesthetics of life.
The event also drew attention with its vegetarian food charity sale. Four stalls presented over twenty delicious vegetarian dishes and specially crafted drinks, attracting crowds of people to queue up and sample the delicious food while also supporting the temple.
The afternoon performances kicked off with a lively lion dance. The Fo Guang Choir sang “Hsing Yun Poems” and other verses on the theme of human connection. The Fo Guang Guzheng Ensemble played elegant music, while two young men performed a majestic Kung Fu routine. Cello, waist drum, and guitar solos were also featured, along with lively dances by Fo Guang youth. Each performance was imbued with profound meaning, showcasing a seamless fusion of traditional culture and modernity.
Ms. Zhu Xia, who participated in the Bathing Buddha ceremony for the first time, said, “I was so excited when I heard about it. The atmosphere was peaceful and warm, and I wanted to try every dish. The Fo Guang Shan staff are so friendly. I’ll definitely come again next year if I have the chance.” Christian, a German, said, “The ceremony was solemn and inspiring, full of Eastern cultural significance. It was a valuable learning and experience, especially for the children. The mushroom buns were super delicious!” Ye Huifang shared that participating in an outdoor Buddha Birthday ceremony in a foreign country was particularly meaningful and strengthened her faith. Zhang Yingyan, whose family of four made their first offering at the Fo Guang Shan Bathing Buddha ceremony in Frankfurt, said, “Although the morning was overcast, the midday sun shone through, like a compassionate blessing from Master Hsing Yun.
It was deeply moving.” The ceremony concluded successfully with the Fo Guang Shan Choir singing “Let the World Be Filled with Love.” This Buddha Birthday celebration was more than just a Buddhist ritual; it was a cultural feast and a spiritual cleansing that deeply moved everyone.
