88 babies blessed at Fo Guang Shan ( North Island ) NZ

On 17th April 2011, Fo Guang Shan ( North Island ) held its auspicious Buddha’s Birthday Celebration which attracted close to 6000 people. Besides bathing the Buddha, a variety of multi-cultural performances and an array of delicious vegetarian food, many parents looked forward to the Baby blessing ceremony. At one o’clock in the afternoon, the Main Shrine was full of more than 80 babies and their proud parents.

The blessing ceremony started at 2pm and was presided over by Abbess Manshin. After the recitation of ‘The Prayer for new born baby’, the babies were blessed with Holy Water. Some of the babies sleeping with their mouths wide open when the holy water was sprinkled on them, looking like they were enjoying some delicious nectar; the cute expressions having caught the attention of their parents.

Abbess Manshin wished all the babies to have a bright future and to make the Temple their spiritual home, a place where they get their nutrients for life. All the participated babies were given a certificate in the wish that the Buddhist faith is always within them.