TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Tzu Chi Foundation hosted its annual Buddha Day celebration on Sunday, attracting 20,000 participants and notable VIPs such as President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).

Buddha Day, also known as Vesak Day, coincides with Monday's full moon. Tzu Chi hosts the event on the second Sunday in May as part of a tri-celebration that includes Mother's Day and Global Tzu Chi Day, per UDN.

The event was held in the evening at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall amidst a heavy rain as participants wore raincoats and recited prayers for world peace and relief from suffering. Buddhist monks from temples across Taiwan also joined the ceremony, joining prayers for world peace.

The ceremony began with a Buddha bathing ritual, with attendees using fragrant water to wash statues of the young Buddha. The ritual is based on an ancient tale of the birth of the Buddha when two streams suddenly appeared in the heavens and showered him and his mother.

The ceremony is a solemn affair intended to cleanse people’s hearts and inspire positive thoughts so that everyone can meet the Buddha in their hearts on the Buddha’s birthday.

Tzu Chi will also host a mobile Buddha Bathing ceremony in many counties and cities, reaching out to communities, hospitals, schools, and social welfare organizations.

Tzu Chi plans to hold 800 Buddha Bathing ceremonies this year in 44 countries, with an expected 200,000 participants.