The world of Tzu Chi June 2024 (Vol.150)

20 Filial piety – The foremost of all wholesome deeds By the Tzu Chi Documenting Team Photo by Ong Siew Geok “T hank you, Mum and Dad, for bringing me into this world and raising me.” This heartfelt sentiment filled the air with love and warmth at the Buddha Bathing Ceremonies hosted by Da Ai Kindergartens (Kepong and Pandan Indah) on May 18. The event saw a gathering of over 230 teachers, children, and parents, who came together to honour the Buddha and appreciate his teachings. There were also a series of parent-child activities such as children identifying their parents’ hands by touch, massaging their parents’ hands, and offering them homemade jelly. The most touching moment came when the children lovingly knelt before their parents and gently bathed their feet. This seemingly simple act was imbued with deep emotion and boundless gratitude, moving many parents to tears. Parent Long Lay Peng shared that she often tears up at Tzu Chi events, and this occasion was no exception. She felt especially warm when her children bathed her feet, massaged her hands, and fed her. However, she regretted that her mother is no longer around for her to show the same care. Now, she cherishes moments with her father, not wanting to be regretful for not spending time with the elders. “The most important thing is to be grateful to our parents for bringing us together. We only share this familial bond in this lifetime, so we must always remember to appreciate it,” said parent Kelun Gan. Parent Yin Choi Ying believes that filial piety means making parents feel assured that their children know what they are doing. She explained, “We cannot accompany our children forever and can only leave them with the seeds of filial piety and compassion that we have planted.” Filial piety is a lifelong lesson. The kindergartens’ Buddha Bathing Ceremonies brought everyone to reflect on their actions. To quote Master Cheng Yen, “Filial piety is to serve our parents well and, on a grander scale, to serve the world well.”