Buddha's Birthday and Bathing Buddha Festival: the eighth day of the fourth lunar month

佛祖诞辰日和浴佛节：农历四月初八

The eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar is the Buddha's birthday, and the Bathing Buddha Festival is held in the temples

-----Zhuge Changqing

amitabha.

The eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar is the birthday of Sakyamuni Buddha.

On the Buddha's birthday, the Bathing Buddha Festival is generally held in temples and places of practice.

Through the Bathing Buddha Festival, people express their respect and gratitude to the Buddha Sakyamuni.

amitabha. Like Confucius, Laozi, Jesus, Muhammad and other saints, the Buddha Sakyamuni Buddha is selfless for all living beings, and all living beings in the world are forever grateful.

Here, part of the data of the Bathing Buddha Festival compiled by the "Collection of Modern Eminent Monks and Great Virtues" are shared with those who are destined.

More than 2500 years ago, the queen of the Indian state of Kapilavi, Madame Moya, gave birth to Prince Siddhartha, the Buddha who later became a monk, under the carefree tree in Lumbini Garden.

For thousands of years, on the eighth birthday of Buddha on the eighth day of April, monasteries around the world have held bathing Buddha dharma sessions, full of gratitude to commemorate the great Buddha, purify the body and mind through bathing Buddha, and increase happiness and wisdom.

1、 Inheritance of Bathing Buddha Festival in China

1. "From the Eastern Han Dynasty"

Chinese history records the Buddha's birthday as the twenty-fourth year of King Zhao of Zhou (1027 BC). When Sakyamuni was born under the rib of Madame Moya, he pointed to the sky with one hand and said, "The heaven and the world, I am the only one."

Zhuge Changqing: Amitabha. Many people don't fully understand the "I" of the Buddha's saying, "I am the only one in heaven and the world". In fact, the "I" mentioned by the Buddha here means "everyone can become a Buddha and realize great wisdom", reminding everyone to be confident.

So the earth shook and Kowloon spit water to bathe it. Therefore, the allusion has one of the important contents of celebration: bathing the Buddha with perfume. Therefore, the Bathing Buddha Festival is also called Buddha's Birthday.

On the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar, the Buddha's Day was held only in monasteries in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and spread to the people in the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties.

2. Tang Dynasty

The light of Buddha shines all over Chang'an, eating fast and chanting sutras to build temples and nunneries.

Lay men and women give alms; To form a good relationship for the next life.

Buddhism belief in the Tang Dynasty was extremely prosperous, and Chang'an was more benevolent to men and women than today's charity.

3. Song Ming

The tradition of bathing Buddha is still in the Song and Ming dynasties.

"Tokyo Dream Records": "On the Buddha's birthday on April 8, the ten major Buddhist monasteries have the Bathing Buddha Ramadan, which is called the Bathing Buddha Water

According to the Sunrise Gossip, "Monks in Beijing who chant Buddhist names often count them with beans. To the day of the birth of the Buddha on April 8, the beans were boiled and sprinkled with salt, and people were invited to eat on the road, so as to form a bond. Now it is still the same as the old one."

2、 The significance of bathing Buddha

On the Buddha's Christmas Day, we can go to the temple or worship the Buddha's statue. Why do we hold the ceremony of bathing the Buddha?

In fact, the Buddha is pure and solemn. Where else do we need to take a bath.

This is just a token.

Zhuge Changqing believes that the bathing ceremony is a way of expressing gratitude to Buddha Sakyamuni. The second is to express oneself to wash away the sin and karma such as greed, hatred, ignorance, slowness, suspicion, murder, theft, and lust for alcohol, and pursue purity and freedom. The third is to express the spirit of spreading the Buddha's Dharma and benefiting life through activities and moistening the world with rain.

The birth of Sakyamuni Buddha has brought cool Buddhism to the world, and found a way of relief for the lost beings. Therefore, we use the bathing Buddha ceremony to remember the Buddha, wash our worries and delusions with the merits and virtues of the bathing Buddha, and remove the obsession. We always take the inheritance of the wisdom and life of the Buddha as our karma, and let the Buddha's mercy shine on the world forever.

When we bathe in the image of Prince Siddhartha with clean water, we sincerely pray to remove the dirt of greed, hatred and ignorance, so that our body and mind can be clean and peaceful.

By virtue of the merit of bathing Buddha, the seventh generation of parents and their families left the disaster early, and the six sentient beings in the Dharma world escaped from the sea of misery. Solemn our social territory, turn the five turbid and evil worlds into a pure land, guide evil and distort the human heart into an enlightened bodhi, let the self-nature manifest, and prove the pure Dharma body of the Tathagata. This is the real meaning of Bathing Buddha.

3、 The merit and benefit of bathing Buddha

Bathing Buddha can achieve 15 unique merits and virtues——

One is often ashamed.

Second, develop confidence.

Third, his heart is straight.

Fourth, close to good friends.

Fifth, there is no leakage of wisdom.

Six, common Buddhas.

Seventh, always hold the positive law.

Eighth, can say and do.

Ninth, be free to live in the land of pure Buddha.

Ten, if you are a stranger, your big name is noble, and you will have joy when you worship it.

Eleven, born among people, naturally chant Buddha.

The twelve, the army of demons, should not be distressed.

Thirteen, be able to protect the Dharma in the end.

Fourteen, the protection of the ten Buddhas.

Fifteen points. Quickly achieve five points of dharma.

In addition, in the Sutra of Merit and Morality of Bathing Buddha, the interests mentioned include:

1. Now, he is enjoying a happy life without illness.

2. Whatever you want, you will.

3. All relatives, friends and relatives are safe.

4. Long words of eight difficulties always lead to bitter sources.

5. Don't be affected by women.

4、 How to bathe Buddha?

Ritual of the Temple Bathing Buddha Festival

1. Wen Banshang Hall

Before the start of the Dharma meeting, set up a fragrant soup basin in the hall and put two small spoons. The statue of the prince is enshrined in another place.

After ringing the bell and striking the board, the monks and lay men gathered in the hall with clothes and tools, and stood up in the order of going to the hall at ordinary times. Hear the chime and salute three times.

2. Shift arrangement

Two people hold the chime, six deacons, and two drag incense flower plates. After the Lord Dharma House, one waiter, who hears the chime, leaves the class and asks questions. The public chants "Nanwu Master Sakyamuni Buddha" to lead the ceremony. The two people go together and go to the place where the crown prince statue is consecrated to welcome. After arriving, stand in groups in order, and the public sing together.

Jishou converted to the Great Enlightenment Praise:

Jishou converted to the supreme benevolence view of the Great Enlightenment and saw the suffering of the people

Lower Dou leads the Heavenly Palace to the Snow Mountain to repair the cause

Six years of asceticism at the top of the magpie nest

If people convert to the Great Enlightenment, they will not degenerate

If people convert to the Great Enlightenment, they will not degenerate

After singing the praises, the master picked incense, and the waiter displayed his utensils for him. After three bows, the prince was invited out, and the public chanted the Buddhist name "Nanwu Master Sakyamuni Buddha" and returned to the main hall.

3. Sit down and bathe

Go up to the hall in turn, the bells and drums sing in unison, the Dharma Master please sit in the golden basin, finish, ask questions, turn down, the bells and drums, the Buddha's horn stop, the Dharma Master incense, display the instrument to salute three or nine times, and worship already, call out: I have the bathing truth, Verna receives the cloud: I should preach, and the public sing the bathing truth together.

Bath truth:

Om Deshadi Sangha Saha

Like:

Bodhisattva was born in the cloud in Jingfan Palace

Moya's right flank delivers a golden child

The sky and the moon are playing in the sky, and the eyes are looking at the seven steps in the four directions

Point to the sky and the earth

Nine Dragons Spit Water, Muci Rong Wan Fa De Authentic

Nine Dragons Spit Water, Muci Rong Wan Fa De Authentic

Nanwuxiang Yungai Bodhisattva Mahatha (third name)

Bath Ket:

I bathe in the Tathagatas today, and my wisdom is pure and solemn.

The five turbid sentient beings separate from dust and dirt, and prove that the Tathagata purifies the Dharma body.

The Dharma Master begins to bathe in Buddha with the sound of Buddha's horn. Pour three spoons of fragrant soup into the statue of the prince.

After the Buddha bath, the public bathed in two classes as usual.

4. Salute

The Lord Dharma heard the chime, saluted three times, said eulogies, and the public knelt down and clapped their hands in silence.

5. Blessing around Buddha

The main dharma saluted three more times, and the public sang the praises of Buddha, followed by chanting the praises of Buddha.

Fobao Zan:

Buddha praises infinite achievements

Six towering purple and golden faces

The jade on the brow of the Xueshan Mountain is brilliant

Six dim lights

The three meetings of Longhua are willing to meet and play the true story

The three meetings of Longhua are willing to meet and play the true story

Zanfo Ket:

There is nothing like Buddha in heaven and the world is incomparable

I see everything in the world as Buddha

Nanwu Saha World Three Realms Tutors Four Kindhearted Fathers

The three kinds of incarnations of the God of Man and Heaven are Sakyamuni Buddha

Sakyamuni Buddha of Nanwu Master (standing around Buddha)

6. Return to conversion

After walking around the Buddha, each person should return to his or her own standard. First read four verses of the recitation, and then sing three conversions.

May the three obstacles and troubles be eliminated and wisdom be clear

Pray for the sin barrier to eliminate the Bodhisattva path in the world

Self-convert to Buddha and wish all sentient beings

The main way of understanding is to have no intention

To convert to the law and to pray for all sentient beings

The wisdom is as deep as the sea

Self-converted monks should wish all sentient beings

Unify all things for the public, and unite with the south saints

7. Complete Buddha Worship

Bathing Buddha's Merit and Morality

There is no limit to victory and fortune

To indulge all sentient beings

Go to the Infinite Light Buddha

All Buddhas in the Ten Directions and Three Lives

All Bodhisattvas Mahatha

Maha Prajna Paramita

Turn up, salute three times and ask questions.

Bathing Buddha's etiquette is complete

3、 What attitude should you hold when bathing in Buddha?

1. Be thankful.

Zhuge Changqing believes that Sakyamuni Buddha, like Confucius, Laozi and other saints, is precisely because of them that human beings have a beacon.

First of all, I want to say in my heart: Dear Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, disciple * * is grateful for your selfless dedication, and I will be like you, stop evil, do good, promote the law and benefit life, and promote the cause. Please bless me. Thank you, thank you.

2. Be cheerful.

Be happy and believe in merit. Pour a spoonful of water to bathe the Tathagata and bathe yourself. Mind that your body and mind will be cleansed simultaneously.

3. Be sincere.

Bathing Buddha is like Buddha, as if Buddha is in front of us. With sincerity, we have established the first blessing in the world.

4. We should have a centripetal.

Zhuge Changqing suggested that the merit of participating in the bathing Buddha is very great. After the end, the merit can be returned.

Zhuge Changqing suggested that we could go back in this way.

I would like to return to you with my merits and virtues in bathing Buddha:

Return to me * *, husband (wife) * *, son (daughter) * * and father * * * mother * * The enemy creditors, attached beings, predestined beings, generations of relatives, ancestors, abortion babies, ghosts and so on in the family are free from pain and happiness, and immediately have a super life; Go back and eliminate all kinds of criminal actions such as killing, mouth, willful actions, lewd actions, theft, etc. of oneself, parents and family members; Back to the prosperity and strength of the Chinese nation, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism have always lived in the world; Return to social harmony and world peace and stability; Return to all sentient beings in the Dharma world, learn about Buddhism as soon as possible, and achieve Buddhism as soon as possible.

农历四月初八，是佛祖诞辰，寺庙里都举行浴佛节.....

----- 诸葛长青

  阿弥陀佛。

  每年农历四月初八，是佛祖释迦牟尼佛诞辰日。

  佛祖诞辰日，寺庙里、修行场所一般举行浴佛节。

  通过浴佛节，表达人们对佛祖释迦牟尼佛的恭敬感恩之情。

  阿弥陀佛。佛祖释迦牟尼佛和孔子、老子、耶稣、穆罕默德等圣人一样，他一心无私为众生，天下众生永感恩。

  这里把“近代高僧大德开示集”整理的浴佛节部分资料分享有缘者。

  2500多年前，印度迦毗罗卫国的王后摩耶夫人，在蓝毗尼花园的无忧树下，诞下悉达多太子，也就是后来出家成道的佛陀。

   千百年来，在四月初八佛诞节这天，各地寺院都举行浴佛法会，满怀感恩的心情来纪念伟大的佛陀，通过浴佛的方式净化身心，增长福慧。

  一、浴佛节在中国的传承

  1、「始于东汉」

  中国历史记载佛诞为周昭王二十四年（公元前1027年），释迦牟尼从摩耶夫人的肋下降生时，一手指天，一手指地，说“天上天下，惟我独尊。”

  诸葛长青：阿弥陀佛。很多人，对佛祖说的“天上天下，惟我独尊”这个“我”理解不透。实际上，佛祖这里说的这个“我”，是指“每个人都可以成佛、都可以开悟大智慧”，提醒每个人都要坚定信心。

  于是大地为之震动，九龙吐水为之沐浴。因此典故，便有了庆祝的重要内容之一：以香水沐浴佛身。所以，浴佛节又名佛诞节。 

  农历四月初八佛诞节，中国东汉时仅限于寺院举行，到魏晋南北朝时流传至民间。

  2、「唐代」

  佛光普照遍长安，吃斋诵经建寺庵。

  居士男女多布施；为求来生结善缘。

  唐代佛教信仰极盛，长安善男信女多于此日施舍。

  3、「宋明」

  浴佛传统迄宋明依然。

  《东京梦华录》：“四月八日佛生日，十大禅院各有浴佛斋会，煎香药糖水相遗，名曰浴佛水。”

  《日下旧闻考》：“京师僧人念佛号者，辄以豆记其数。至四月八日佛诞生之辰，煮豆微撒以盐，邀人于路请食之，以为结缘。今尚沿其旧也。”

  二、浴佛的意义

  佛陀的圣诞日，我们到寺院或对佛像礼拜就好，为什么还要举行浴佛的仪式呢？

  其实，佛本来就是清净庄严的，哪里还需要我们来洗浴。

  这只不过是一番表征。

  诸葛长青认为：浴佛仪式，是一种表达方式，一是表达感恩佛祖释迦牟尼佛。二是表达自己洗去贪嗔痴慢疑、杀盗妄淫酒等罪业业障，追求清净自在。三是表达通过活动传播佛祖的弘法利生，用法雨滋润世间的精神。

  释迦牟尼佛的诞生，为世间带来清凉的佛法，更为迷失的众生找到一条解脱之道，因此我们藉着浴佛仪式来缅怀佛陀，以浴佛的功德清净洗涤我们的烦恼妄心，去妄离执，时时以承续佛法慧命为业，让佛的慈光永照人间。

  当我们手持净水向悉达多太子像沐浴时，内心诚恳祝祷，愿袪除贪欲、瞋恨、愚痴的污垢，让我们身心能得到洁净、轻安。

  藉由浴佛的功德，度脱七世父母及累劫怨亲眷属早离厄难，使法界六道众生出离苦海。庄严我们的社会国土，转五浊恶世为清净的净土，导邪曲人心为觉悟菩提，让自性显发，同证如来的清净法身。这才是浴佛的真正意义。

   三、浴佛的功德利益

  浴佛可成就十五种殊胜功德——

  一者、常有惭愧。

  二者、发净信心。

  三者、其心质直。

  四者、亲近善友。

  五者、入无漏慧。

  六者、常见诸佛。

  七者、恒持正法。

  八者、能如说行。

  九者、随意当生净佛国土。

  十者、若生人中，大姓尊贵，人所敬奉，生欢喜心。

  十一者、生在人中，自然念佛。

  十二者、诸魔军众，不能损恼。

  十三者、能于末世，护持正法。

  十四者、十方诸佛之所加护。

  十五者、速得成就五分法身。

  另外，在《浴佛功德经》中，所提及的利益有：

  1、现受富乐，无病延年。

  2、于所愿求，无不遂意。

  3、亲友眷属，悉皆安稳。

  4、长辞八难，永出苦源。

  5、不受女身，速成正觉。

  四、如何浴佛？

  寺院浴佛节典礼仪轨

  1.闻板上殿

  法会开始前，先在大殿内摆设香汤盆，放两把小勺。太子像则供奉在另一个地方。

  敲钟打板之后，僧众、居士等搭衣持具，齐集大殿，按平时上殿时的次序站好。闻磬声向上顶礼三拜。

  2.排班出迎

  引礼二人执引磬，执事六人，拖香花盘二人，主法居后，侍者一人，闻磬声出班，向上问讯，大众同念「南无本师释迦牟尼佛」引礼前导，二人并行，志诚鱼贯前往供奉太子像之处迎请。到达之后，按序分班站立，大众同唱。

  稽首皈依大觉尊赞：

  稽首皈依大觉尊  无上能仁  观见众生受苦辛  

  下兜率天宫  皇宫降迹  雪岭修因  

  鹊巢顶  三层垒  六年苦行

  若人皈依大觉尊  不堕沉沦

  若人皈依大觉尊  不堕沉沦

  唱赞之后，主法拈香，侍者为其展具，顶礼三拜后，请出太子像，大众念诵佛号「南无本师释迦牟尼佛」回到大殿。

  3.安座沐浴

  依次上殿，钟鼓齐鸣，主法请像安坐金盆，毕，问讯，转身向下，钟鼓、佛号停止，主法上香，展具顶礼三拜或九拜，拜已，呼：我佛有沐浴真言，维那接云：谨当宣讲，大众同唱沐浴真言。

   沐浴真言：

   唵 底沙 底沙 僧伽 娑诃

   唱赞：

   菩萨下云中  降生净梵王宫

   摩耶右胁娩金童

   天月奏长空  目顾四方周七步

   指天指地尊雄

   九龙吐水沐慈容  万法得正宗

   九龙吐水沐慈容  万法得正宗

   南无香云盖菩萨摩诃萨（三称）

   沐浴偈：

   我今灌沐诸如来，净智庄严功德海。

   五浊众生离尘垢，同证如来净法身。

   主法者于佛号声中开始浴佛。用小勺舀香汤三勺灌沐太子像。

   主法浴佛后，大众分两班依次照例进行浴佛。

  4.敬致颂词

  主法闻磬声，顶礼三拜，恭说颂词，大众长跪合掌静听。

  5.祝圣绕佛

  主法再顶礼三拜，大众同唱佛宝赞，接唱赞佛偈。

  佛宝赞：

  佛宝赞无穷  功成无量劫中

  巍巍丈六紫金容

  觉道雪山峰  眉际玉毫光灿烂

  照开六道昏蒙

  龙华三会愿相逢  演说法真宗

  龙华三会愿相逢  演说法真宗

  赞佛偈：

  天上天下无如佛   十方世界亦无比

  世间所有我尽见   一切无有如佛者

  南无娑婆世界  三界导师  四生慈父

  人天教主  三类化身  本师释迦牟尼佛

  南无本师释迦牟尼佛（出位绕佛）

   6.回向皈依

   绕佛毕，各归本位，先念回向文四句，次唱三皈依。

   愿消三障诸烦恼   愿得智慧真明了 

   普愿罪障悉消除   世世常行菩萨道 

   自皈依佛 当愿众生

   体解大道 发无上心

   自皈依法 当愿众生

   深入经藏 智慧如海

   自皈依僧 当愿众生

   统理大众 一切无碍 合南圣众

  7.圆满礼佛

  浴佛功德殊胜行

  无边胜福皆回向

  普愿沉溺诸众生

  速往无量光佛刹

  十方三世一切佛

  一切菩萨摩诃萨

  摩诃般若波罗蜜

  转身向上，顶礼三拜 ，一问讯。

  浴佛仪规毕

  三.浴佛时应持何种心态？

  1、要有感恩的心。

  诸葛长青认为，释迦牟尼佛和孔子、老子等圣人一样，正是因为有了他们，人类才有了指路明灯。

  首先，内心里要说：尊敬的佛祖释迦牟尼佛，弟子***感恩您的无私奉献，弟子一定会像您一样，止恶行善、弘法利生、普度有缘，请您加持护佑。感恩您、谢谢您。

  2、要有欢喜心。

  要生欢喜心，深信功德，一勺水浇下，灌沐如来同时也沐自己，意念自己的身心同步洗净。

  3、要有真诚心。

  浴佛如佛在，好像佛祖就在面前，有了诚心诚意，就已立世间第一福。

  4、要有回向心。

   诸葛长青建议，参加浴佛，功德很大，结束后，可以功德回向。

  诸葛长青建议可以这样回向。

  愿以自己参加浴佛的功德回向：

  回向我***、丈夫（妻子）***、儿子（女儿）***和父亲***母亲***.....家人身上的冤亲债主、附体众生、有缘众生、累世宗亲、历代祖先、堕胎婴灵、孤魂野鬼等离苦得乐、立刻超生；回向消除自己和父母、家人的杀业、口业、意业、邪淫业、偷盗业等各类罪业；回向中华民族繁荣富强，佛法道法儒法常住人间；回向社会和谐、世界和平稳定；回向法界一切众生，早日听闻佛法，早成佛道。 

(This article is an original article by Zhuge Changqing, and the pictures are selected from the Internet. Welcome to forward it, and please indicate the source for forwarding)

Introduction to Zhuge Changqing: Zhuge Changqing, the inheritor and promoter of traditional Chinese culture, is willing to "learn from sages, promote virtue, revitalize China and benefit the world" together with people with the same ideals in the world.

(Zhuge Changqing: zhuge8031@163.com ）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

Zhuge Changqing's Chinese Dream

Learn from sages and carry forward virtue

Revitalizing China for the benefit of the world

 （本文是诸葛长青原创文章，图片选自网络。欢迎转发，转发引用请注明出处）

诸葛长青简介：诸葛长青，中国国学传统文化传承弘扬者，愿与天下志同道合者一起“学习圣贤、弘扬善德、振兴中华、造福世界”。

（诸葛长青：zhuge8031@163.com）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

  诸葛长青中国梦  

学习圣贤 弘扬善德

振兴中华 造福世界

Selected Articles in Previous Periods

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往期精选文章

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1The wisdom of traditional Chinese culture changes the destiny: filial piety to parents+five in one+self-improvement

1 国学智慧改命运：孝敬父母+五合一+自强不息

2Zhuge Changqing's Three Golden Keys to Changing Destiny

2诸葛长青改命运三把金钥匙诸葛长青施食仪轨 （十五步简洁版）

3Zhuge Changqing's Greeting Ritual (15 Steps Concise Version)

3 诸葛长青施食仪轨 （十五步简洁版）

4How to repent: the ritual of repentance and the method of repentance (full version)

4   如何忏悔：忏悔仪轨忏悔方法（完整版）

5How to read the Dizang Sutra: Methods for reciting Dizang Sutra (complete version)

5 如何念地藏经：念地藏经仪轨方法（完整版）

6How to release? The ritual of releasing life

6怎样放生？放生仪轨

7Zhuge Changqing's Repentance Culture: A Case Study of Repentance Methods for Changing Destiny

7诸葛长青忏悔文化：改变命运忏悔方法案例

8Free Life Culture: Free Life Culture in Ancient China

8放生文化：中国古代的放生文化

9Shocking photo of feeding: Buddha, Bodhisattva and Dharma Protector come to the scene

9施食震撼照片：佛菩萨护法神亲临现场

10Feeding Rite Return: the return is changed to simple return

10施食仪轨回向：回向修改为简洁回向