Mother’s Day Is Also Buddha’s Birthday

We all know that it is Mother’s Day that on the second Sunday of May. And when it comes to Mother’s Day, we often come out with carnation which is the magnificent symbol of mother’s love. However, seldom do people know that Mother’s Day is also Buddha’s Birthday.

Buddha Bathing Ceremony, which commemorates the birth of Sakyamuni Buddha in May of 563BC, is one of the highlights in May. We hope that the ceremony will bring harmony and peace. Besides Buddha Bathing Ceremony, the event will also feature healthy vegetarian lunch, various exhibitions, interactive games, book fair and performances throughout the day.

It is really interesting and meaningful for celebrating both Mother’s Day and Buddha’s Birthday together. The love of Buddha and the one of mother are pretty similar. Mother loves children, ignoring her hard working and even sacrificing her life, and so does Buddha love all living creatures. Furthermore, celebrating Mother’s day exalts “shou”, which means the duty as children in the light of Chinese tradition; celebrating Buddha’s Birthday has gratitude for living creatures growing up with wisdom.

The significant meaning of Buddha Bathing Ceremony is bathing our bottoms of hearts and souls. With the most devout heart and holiest hands, everyone baths “Buddha’s foot” in a respective way. Returning to certain kind of clean and clear in mind, Buddha’s bathing thanks for Buddha, at the same time, for parents and all living creatures.

There is still a symbolic activity of “washing mother’s foot” on Mother’s Day. Washing mother’s foot activity is from Buddha Bath Ceremony. And the significance is that we have to respect mother as Buddha. Through the activity, we thank for mother’s devotion.

No matter Mother’s Day or Buddha’s Birthday, we appreciate their great, selfless love. Most important of all, we have to have a sincere mind which is full of gratitude, not only on the second Sunday of May but also every day we have.