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Bathing the Buddha

According to historians, the custom of bathing the Buddha in China dates back as far as the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280AD). As one of the most significant dates in the Buddhist religion, Buddhists all over the world continue to celebrate the Buddha's birthday by the tradition of bathing the little Buddha with fragrant water.

A symbol of inner purification, the tradition is said to assist with the purgation of sins. A universal message that, it's simple to wash away physical dirt but it is much more difficult to cleanse one's inner dirt of greed, anger and ignorance.

For the bathing ceremony the altar is arranged as a flower garden, representing the Garden of Lumbini . In following with tradition, monks and nuns use a special ladle to pour fragrant water steeped with special herbs over the statue of the infant Buddha, afterwards the image is rinsed with purified water.

The ritual performed with reverence and a purified mind is said to improve harmony and inner balance, leading to a flourishing, fulfilling, wholesome, blissful and enlightened life.

Steps to Bathing the Buddha

Whilst kneeling before the altar, carefully fill the ladle and pour water over the image of the young Buddha. At each pour chant the following –

•  1 st wash: May I eliminate all evil thoughts
•  2 nd wash: May I cultivate good deeds
•  3 rd wash: May I help save all living beings

 

Symbolism and other traditions

The Buddha Stage : the main altar displays the sutras, ceremonial instruments and offerings of respect to the Buddha. Offerings range from candles, fruits, flowers and incense. It is here that the Bathing of the Buddha is placed. The young Prince is surrounded by flowers, representing the Garden of Lumbini , where he was born.

Chanting ceremonies : Sutras are used during chanting ceremonies, it is also a form of meditation and a method to cultivate wisdom or pay respect to the Buddha.

The tradition of offerings: Most Buddhist altars display some sort of offering. Making offerings allows one to practice giving, express gratitude and respect, and reflect upon the life sustaining law of interdependence. A Buddhist offering is not a sacrifice; it never involves killing and it is an act of veneration for the Triple Gem. As such, making an offering develops wholesomeness and positive karma. While tangible objects may be given in abundance, the most perfect gift is an honest and sincere heart. Examples of offerings follow.

Flower offerings : Flowers are beautiful and fragrant, yet their splendour will not last forever, as such they illustrate the impermanence of all things.

Fruit offerings : Fruit is nutritious, as well as pleasing to the tastes. It represents the result of our spiritual cultivation and helps us to be mindful of the law of cause and effect.

Grain: Grain is a basic dietary staple necessary to sustain the foundations of life.

Incense: Aromatic incense purifies the air as well as the mind. Just as the fragrance of the incense travels afar, so do the good deeds that extend to the benefit of all. The burning of incense also embodies the transience and dissolution of phenomena.

Light offerings : Light offerings are used to shine the “light of peace”, prayers (mantras) made whilst offering a candle represent the light extinguishing darkness in the same way that wisdom dispels ignorance.

Water offerings : Water signifies the force of life and washes away impurities.

Wishing Bell : The Wishing Bell is struck after offering a prayer (mantra) to the Buddha. The sound of the bell symbolises peace and harmony, resonating Dharma to all beings.