What are the customs of the Bath Buddha Festival?

Buddha Bath Festival, also called Buddha Birthday Festival or Buddha Birthday Memorial Day, is an important festival in Buddhism to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of the Buddha. The following are some common bathing festival customs:

1. Buddhist chanting: During the Buddhist washing festival, believers will go to temples or Taoist temples to chant Buddhist scriptures to express their respect and gratitude to the Buddha. They will read classics, recite Buddha's names, and offer flowers and offerings to Buddha statues or pagodas.

2. Buddha bathing ceremony: The Buddha bathing ceremony is one of the important links of the Buddha bathing festival. Believers will set up bathing pools in temples or meditation halls, prepare fragrant flowers, purified water or petals, and gently sprinkle purified water on Buddha statues or pagodas with lotus flowers or pots in their hands, symbolizing washing the body and mind and purifying the soul.

3. Charity merit: During the Bath Buddha Festival, believers will also carry out charity activities and charity to accumulate merit. They will donate food, clothes or money to the poor, temples or other people in need.

4. Guanyin Lantern Festival: Some places will hold Guanyin Lantern Festival. Believers or tourists will place colored lights in temples or squares and organize candlelight parades to pray for well-being and world peace.

These customs aim to let people celebrate Buddha's birthday through pious religious activities, pure hearts, good deeds and charity, and remind people to practice compassion and kindness. Different regions and temples may also have specific customs and celebration methods, so the specific customs may be different.