Buddha’s Birthday, 2022

Buddha’s Birthday and Open House, June 05, 2022

​On Sunday June 5th from 2:00pm – 3:30pm Eastern, the Tallahassee Chan Center celebrated its 4th Vesak, the day of the Buddha’s birth, awakening, and parinirvana, which is traditionally observed during the month of May. Around 40 people from Tallahassee come to the Center for food, celebration, music, and Dharma talk. Online, we had over 20 people join us from afar through Zoom. Vesak is perhaps the most important Buddhist holiday for Buddhists of all traditions, a day that signifies the Buddha’s gift of wisdom and compassion to humanity.

Chant

Volunteer Kendra Wolpe provided an English translation of the traditional Vesak chant. Below are the lyrics and mp3 file.

We now bathe the Tathāgata.

With pure wisdom, he is adorned with merit and virtue.

May sentient beings of the five turbidities be free from defilements.

May they all actualize the Tathāgata’s pure dharmakāya.

Auction

Participants donated for a silent auction from Tallahassee and online. The highest bid went to Guogu’s calligraphic rendering of “East Mountain Walks on Water” for $1,100. We hope these gifts will be cherished and provide inspiration to practice for years to come.

Pictures of the Event

Fran giving the introduction to the event

Guogu explaining the Bathing of the Baby Buddha ceremony

Maria coordinating the Silent Auction

Participants Bathing the Baby Buddha

Guogu during the Bathing of the Buddha ceremony

Children are welcome at the Tallahassee Chan Center!

Musical Performance by Yen Chen, Guqin

Musical Performance by Ryan Sullivan, Shakuhachi Flute