Wesak
celebrations in Manchester |
Legend
has it that at his birth nine heavenly dragons appeared and emitted
the purest water to cleanse the newly born Prince. The baby Prince
immediately to seven steps, at each of which a lotus flower sprang
from beneath his feet. With one hand pointing towards the sky and
the other towards the ground, HE said, "Heaven above and earth
beneath, I am the Honoured One, the One who liberates all who suffer
in the Three Realms."
After
the death of the Buddha, it became a tradition of bathe the statue
of a little Buddha to commemorate His birth. Besides symbolising
inner purification, it is believed that the act of bathing the Buddha
can help with the purgation of our sins.
In
ancient Sri Lanka, it was also common to celebrate the Buddha's
birthday with a colourful parade of His statue in the streets. Both
of the traditions have been widely practised in China by Buddhist
since the Tang dynasty (AD61B-906), and it is a recognised public
holiday in Asia area.
Do
we really give the Buddha a bath in the ceremony? Nay, it is rather
to cleanse the Buddha within by way of a ceremony involving the
external Buddha, and the emphasis is on purifying the heart. Therefore,
the celebration of the birth of the Buddha should be conducted with
solemn attitudes encompassing moral development, compassion and
respect.
Today,
these traditions are still observed by Buddhist all over the world.
May Buddha bless all beings with good health and happiness.
Irene Chan
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Buddha's
Birthday Celebration takes place in Manchester on Sunday 23
May 2004 in Piccadilly Gardens, 12.00 - 17.00
What do you want to do now?
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Origin
of the "Buddha Bathing" Ceremony (Wesak Day)
