here are some info i got abaut Bathing 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
