Well Buddha isn't exactly 2,500 years old, let's give and take a few years. But that's got to be worth celebrating if after so many years people around the world still worship you, right?
It is said that when Buddha was born, 9 heavenly dragons appeared and emitted 2 streams, 1 cool and 1 warm, of the purest fragrant rain from their mouths that gently cascaded to bath the newly born Buddha. Purified by the rain, the young Buddha pointed 1 hand towards the heaven and the other towards the earth and said, "On heaven and earth, I am the honoured one." Thus the Saturday Night Fever John Travolta's stance! (Don't flame me, just kidding!)
To start off the day we are going to witness the Bathing of Baby Buddha which was initiated by the monks performing some buddhist chantings.
After the chantings parents bring their toddlers to be blessed by the abbot of the monks for good health and well being. Which parents do not wish that for their kids? They always wish a little bit more, study well, good prospects in future career and marriage, etc, etc...
After blessing the children, devotees were encouraged to perform the Bathing of Buddha ceremony emulating Buddha's bath by the dragons at his birth. This ceremony actually started in China during the 3 Kingdoms Period between 220 to 280AD.
Bathing the Buddha with reverence and a purified mind are said to lead to a flourishing, fulfilling, wholesome, blissful and enlightened life. After having a day long bath I think Buddha would a prune soon! (Another joke, relax!)
There's never too much donations so everyone is most welcome to make a donation. You get to gong the bell for your money's worth!
By the way Mei, I met your friend Yong Seng I believe that's his name today at the festival. I asked him if you were there and he said you were still home sleeping. Tsk Tsk Tsk...Too much partying!
12 comments:
CHUP!!!! *pengsan from the excitement of getting first place!*
*regains consciousness after a shocking 'win' of being 6th place in mei's blog*
WAHHH!!! you know, i love going for these kinda festival coz it's a real eye opener n normally very colorful. did they play that really soothing mantra-ish music?? i love it too...back in pragin mall, penang ~ at a fengshui/crystal store, this guy plays really soothing music. must go in one day n ask him what type it is. i know it's definitely some buddhist music from the way the music is play n the voice. aahh....very nice!
Hahaha, Saturday nite fever!
if the parents have a boy, they should wish for the boy to meet and have a beautiful and sexy girlfriend in the future. I guarentee the boy will thank and love the parents in return...
It's amazing how much care and attention they pay their Buddha statues. I was amazed when I went to Thailand at all the different Buddhas - big ones, small ones, reclining ones...
HEY! FYI, I wasn't sleeping at home! I was actually up early, and went to Vic Mart! :D Once in a blue moon, I know! But the point is, I wasn't sleeping :( *hmph*
Pssst! Got go there and ask 4-D ah?
yvy: u betcha! not just mantra-ish music but also the colours (as in the next post) & also the fragrant smell of the incense! heavenly!
5xmom: buddha does the night fever move, groovey man!
robin: what if the boy turns out gay? hahaha
a.c.t: oh thai buddhas! don't get me started on that! they have soooo many different kinds of buddha i lost count! haha
mei: yeah yeah sure sure..if u say so..
cocka: aiya why u lidat one! buddha no gif 4d wan lah!
Nice one :)
che-cheh: thanks!
happy birthday buddha!
laksa: that's nice of u!
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