Every year in May, Buddhists worldwide celebrate Buddha’s birthday. This year, the Toronto Buddha’s Light Spiritual Care Group marked the occasion with a special “Buddha’s Birthday Celebration and Bathing the Buddha” event during their monthly visits to three nursing homes in Scarborough: Tendercare Nursing Home, Mon Sheong Long-Term Care Centre, and Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care.

The celebration provided elderly residents, particularly those with limited mobility, the opportunity to bathe the Buddha, symbolizing the cleansing of one’s body and mind. Care group volunteers arrived early at the nursing homes to create a dignified and elegant setting for the ceremony. They set up a simple yet beautiful arrangement featuring a statue of baby Prince Siddhartha, fresh flowers, and purified water. This welcoming setup allowed residents from various floors to partake in the ceremony.

Venerable Miao Tsun led the gathering in chanting "Namo Shakyamuni Buddha" and explained the significant reasons for Buddha's birth into the human realm. She introduced the origin of the Bathing the Buddha Festival and highlighted the merits of bathing the Buddha. Venerable also demonstrated the procedure for bathing the Buddha.

With the music of “Bathing the Buddha” playing in the background, care group volunteers assisted the seniors in bathing the Buddha statue. Even those in wheelchairs were able to participate with some help. The sight of residents chanting with joined palms and bathing the Buddha, despite physical challenges,deeply moved the care group volunteers. The act of pouring purified water over the statue of baby Prince Siddhartha symbolizes the cleansing of one’s body andmind, bringing spiritual and physical purification, good health, and auspiciousness.

The event was a touching and memorable way to celebrate Buddha’s birthday, bringing joy and spiritual enrichment to the elderly residents of Scarborough's nursing homes.