May 17, 2024
Bringing Vulture Peak to BTCC
By Joy Rojas
Tzu Chi volunteers may not have participated in the trek up Vulture Peak in Rajgir, Bihar, India, last May 2 to mark Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s 87th birthday and Tzu Chi’s 58th year, but they did sometimes just as extraordinary. For this year’s celebration of Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day on May 12 at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila, organizers recreated the Vulture Peak pilgrimage in a stunning centerpiece fronting the Jing Si Auditorium.
Set up on a round table, the centerpiece features a breathtaking image of Buddha seemingly floating on a cloud of fabric. Brought in from Taiwan, the image will eventually be the first thing staffers and visitors see when they enter BTCC’s Unity Hall.
It is said that Buddha taught the Lotus Sutra on Vulture Peak, a rugged rock formation shaped like a vulture’s head. Volunteers sawed and carved their version of the holy mountain, complete with its craggy surface, numerous crevices, and stone steps, out of Styrofoam. A surprisingly versatile material, it was used to create the mountain with ants on the base of a hologram of Buddha in 2023’s 3-in-1 event.
“Last year, we were able to make four parts of the mountain,” says Nathania Brigette So Tan, a graphic artist from the Office of the CEO. “This year, we just continued and added another eight parts to the mountain so it would make a circle.” The mountain’s realistic colors were achieved with latex paint.
Eagle eyes will spot several small yet relevant details all over the mountain. Made of straw and crafted in Taiwan, the colorful ants are a nod to Master Cheng Yen’s admiration for the capabilities of these tiny titans. “An entire group of ants can lift a big cookie. At the same time, as long as an ant has the will, it can climb Mt. Sumeru. If we do not move and just forever stand at the foot of the mountain lamenting over how tall it is, how can we climb Mt. Sumeru?” she said in “The Vow of a Little Ant.”
No pilgrimage to Vulture Peak is complete without pilgrims, so volunteers sculpted miniature Tzu Chi commissioners, civilians, and Tzu Chi Youth out of air-dried clay. “The message we wanted to send across was that the mountain isn’t exclusive to Tzu Chi volunteers. Anyone can go up the mountain.” Tan explains. As for the miniature Tzu Chi Youth, “we wanted to have a representation of the future,” says Tan. “Tzu Chi Youth will continue the Tzu Chi missions.”
The centerpiece didn’t just catch the attention of the 1,012 Tzu Chi volunteers, staff, scholars, and special guests who attended the 3-in-1 celebration. Tzu Chi Taiwan was reportedly impressed by the efforts and artistry of the Philippines, the only country to come up with a handmade scale model of the famed pilgrimage site for a most auspicious occasion.
“It’s nice to be recognized for a good concept and good design,” says a humbled Tan of the news. “I’m very happy with the result. And this year we had more volunteers helping out. It felt good that a lot of people came together to help make this possible.”
Surrounded by crystal Buddhas, the centerpiece of this year’s 3-in-1 celebration features a breathtaking image of Buddha atop a highly detailed scale model of Vulture Peak.
To assemble the centerpiece, Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEO Wilson Hung carefully handles the large image of Buddha. Brought in from Taiwan, it will be the first thing staffers and guests see when they enter Unity Hall.
Last year’s 3-in-1 ceremony featured a hologram of Buddha over a Styrofoam scale model of Vulture Peak. This year, volunteers recycled the mountain and added more segments to make a circle.
A volunteer uses latex paint to achieve the realistic colors of Vulture Peak.
Styrofoam is surprisingly versatile. Here, a Tzu Chi volunteer chips away at the Styrofoam with a cutter to give it a rugged texture.
Crafted out of straw, ants are a nod to Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s admiration for the capabilities of these tiny titans.
Miniature clay civilians walking up Vulture Peak together with Tzu Chi commissioners sends the message that anyone is free and welcome to make the pilgrimage up to the holy mountain.
Nathania Brigette So Tan helps sculpt and paint miniature Tzu Chi commissioners and Tzu Chi Youth made of air-dried clay.
The scale model of Vulture Peak was done in segments. Nathania Brigette So Tan (left) and Sennet Hung work together to create the holy mountain in parts.
A drone shot of Tzu Chi scholars wearing yellow shirts and caps forms “TC 58,” a reference to Tzu Chi’s 58th year worldwide.
Night time is when you can admire a lighted “PH 30” (signifying Tzu Chi’s 30th year in the Philippines) on the plaza of BTCC.
As dusk turns into night, the Buddha Bathing Ceremony draws to a close with Tzu Chi volunteers raising their lotus flower lights before the centerpiece inspired by a pilgrimage to Vulture Peak.
The team behind 2024’s Buddha Day, Mother’s Day, and Tzu Chi Day.