After months of planning, Fo Guang Shan Miami collaborated with the Norton Museum of Art to integrate the Buddha's Birthday Bathing Ceremony with an exhibition of Chinese Buddhist artifacts from the museum's collection. The event, titled "Museum Night – Encountering the Buddha", was grandly presented on May 24, attracting over 500 attendees. Established in 1941, the Norton Museum, located in West Palm Beach, one of the most expensive ZIP codes in the U.S., houses over 8,200 works across five major departments: European, Asian, Chinese, Modern, and Photography.
"Encountering the Buddha" – A Han Chinese Buddhist Art Exhibition
In response to the Buddha’s Birthday celebration, the museum curated a Han Chinese Buddhist art exhibition on the first floor. The main exhibit featured a Buddha head from the Longmen Grottoes, a millennium-old artifact. The rounded lines of the eyebrows, eyes, lips, and facial contours conveyed the solemn yet compassionate presence of the Buddha. The museum aimed to help visitors understand the heritage and influence of Han Chinese Buddhism through historical and artistic perspectives.
"Garden – Bathing the Buddha"
Fo Guang Shan Miami set up a Buddha Bathing Pool in the museum's modern sculpture garden. Known as the "Museum in a Garden," the Norton Museum boasts a 37,200-square-foot subtropical botanical garden displaying sculptures by over ten modern artists, including Keith Haring and KAWS. Amidst this vibrant floral setting, the bathing ceremony honored Prince Siddhartha, echoing across millennia. With guided explanations, many participants experienced their first-ever Buddha Bathing Ceremony. The long lines of attendees added a lively atmosphere to the breezy summer night.
"Tea Meditation – Exploring the Inner Buddha-Nature"
Ven. Huicheng from Hsi Lai Temple in California led a special tea meditation session, accompanied by live performances from renowned pipa musician Yang Jianping. The sessions were so popular that even after adding 12 extra seats outside, some attendees had to meditate without tea. By the sixth session, an elderly gentleman, deeply moved, shed tears during meditation. After the session, he approached Ven. Huicheng and Ven. Ruyuan to express his gratitude, still unable to hold back his tears. He shared that this was his first tea meditation experience, calling it a life-changing event, and vowed to continue participating.
"The Life of the Buddha" – A Film Screening Experience
In the International Auditorium, the animated film "The Humanistic Buddha" was screened every 30 minutes. Many who participated in the bathing ceremony moved on to watch the film, eager to learn about the Buddha's life. All five screenings were fully attended. The film’s simple yet profound storytelling effectively conveyed the essence of the Buddha’s journey. After each screening, a Q&A session allowed attendees to ask questions about Buddhism.
"Handmade Paper Lotus and Inspiration"
The museum's second-floor classroom hosted a DIY activity where participants folded paper lotus flowers, painted the base in their preferred colors, and selected an inspiring quote from Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s "108 Adages of Life". Through the art of paper folding, these creations became personal reminders for spiritual reflection and inner purification.
A New Milestone in Cultural Collaboration
Jodi Sypher, Director of Adult Art Education at the Norton Museum, expressed her honor in collaborating with Fo Guang Shan. She especially appreciated the tea meditation and Buddha bathing ceremonies. The turnout exceeded expectations, and she highlighted mindfulness as a key takeaway for the community—an area she hopes to continue exploring through future partnerships.
Mei Hanzheng, President of the International Buddha's Light Association (IBLA) Miami Chapter, emphasized that this was their first time hosting a Buddha’s Birthday and tea meditation event in a museum. The collaboration not only introduced the local community to Buddhism and Humanistic Buddhism but also realized the mission of promoting Buddhism through culture. Notably, over 90% of the attendees were non-Asian locals experiencing Buddhism for the first time. He extended special thanks to Ven. Ruyuan for uniting the Florida and Miami chapters in a collective effort that brought the event to a successful conclusion.
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