浴佛緣起
據《佛說太子瑞應本起經》卷上載，印度迦毗羅衛國的王后摩耶夫人於四月八日生下了悉達多太子，四天王以香湯浴太子身。又《普曜經》載悉達多太子降誕人間，九龍以香水浴聖尊。後世佛教徒為慶祝教主佛陀誕生，每於農曆四月八日（或國曆五月的月圓日）舉行浴佛法會。
「浴佛」，佛真要我們替他洗浴嗎？其實是藉外在的佛來滌洗我們的內在佛，浴佛主要是在淨浴我們的心。慶祝浴佛節，我們應該以「道德人格」「慈悲心」、「尊重他人」等莊嚴的心態來慶祝佛誕節。
-摘自《佛教．儀制》
浴佛意義
當我們手持淨水為悉達多太子沐浴時，有以下四點涵義：
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藉外在的浴佛來洗滌我們內在的塵垢，發願袪除貪欲、瞋恨、愚痴的垢染，讓自己的身行、語言、心意都能保持潔淨，從善美的做好事、說好話、存好心；讓自性顯發，同證如來的清淨法身。
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平常身體髒了可以用水洗淨，衣服髒了也可以用水洗清；但人心的污穢黑暗，則要用佛的法水洗滌，舉行浴佛實際上是藉此來洗滌我們的心靈，淨化自己的煩惱塵垢。
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浴佛是提醒我們時時保有一顆清淨心，透過浴佛節觀照自己內心是否清淨。導邪曲人心為善良菩提心，希望社會清淨安寧，沒有暴力、欺騙、邪惡等事件，轉此國土為真善美的人間淨土。
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除緬懷佛陀之外，就是要我們淨心，以浴佛的功德度脫七世父母及累劫怨親眷屬早離厄難，使法界六道眾生出離苦海。
浴佛利益
《浴佛功德經》中記載：「浴像法，諸供養中最為第一，勝以恒河沙等七寶布施。」
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現受富樂，無病延年。
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於所願求，具足成就。
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親友眷屬，安穩圓滿。
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永離八難，脫出苦緣。
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不受女身，速成證覺。
如何浴佛
願修一切善，願說好話。
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深信功德，心生歡喜，
虔誠合掌，問訊行禮。
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手取杓子盛香湯，
手要輕不要讓水濺出。
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浴時不急不緩，凝神靜心，
作光明想。
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從太子像左肩沐浴，默念：
願斷一切惡，願做好事。
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從太子像右肩沐浴，默念：
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從太子像左肩沐浴，默念：
願度一切眾生，願存好心。
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浴佛圓滿後，信願具足、
福慧增長，向佛前問訊。
Bathing the
Buddha Celebration
Origins of Bathing the Buddha
Each year, the eighth day of the fourth lunar month is a joyful occasion for Buddhists, as it marks the day Buddhism’s founder, Sakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini Garden, Kapilavatsu in Northern India as Prince Siddhartha Gautama, 2600 years ago. According to the Sutras, flowers bloomed and nine heavenly dragons appeared streaming out the purest fragrant rain to cleanse the newly born Prince. Hence, the Buddha’s Birthday Celebration is also known as the "Bathing the Buddha Celebration”.
Do we really give the Buddha a bath? Nay, it is rather to cleanse the Buddha within by way of a ceremony involving the image of the Buddha. The emphasis is on purifying one’s mind. Therefore, the celebration of the birth of the Buddha should be conducted with solemn attitudes encompassing moral development, compassion and respect.
The Fourfold Significance of Bathing the Buddha:
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While Bathing the Buddha, we contemplate the cleansing of our defilements. One should vow to let go of greed, hatred and ignorance, and purify one’s body, speech and mind. One should resolve to do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts to reveal one’s inherent nature and realize the pure Dharma body of the Buddha.
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In our daily lives, we use water to clean ourselves and do the laundry. To purify one’s defilements, one needs to use Dharma water. Bathing the Buddha helps one to contemplate the purification of one’s minds by the washing away of defilements with Dharma Water.
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Bathing the Buddha reminds us to maintain a pure mind. When Bathing the Buddha, one should contemplate whether one’s mind is pure or not. By seeking to transform a defiled mind into the Bodhi mind, one wishes that society be peaceful and unperturbed by violence, deception and myriad evils, and that the Pure Land of truth, kindness, and beauty may be established on Earth.
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Besides the commemoration of the Buddha, the focus is on purifying one’s mind. One should dedicate the merits of Bathing the Buddha to the emancipation of one’s parents, relatives and ancestors from tribulations, and to the liberation of all sentient beings in the six realms from suffering.
Benefits of Bathing the Buddha
According to the Sutra of the Merits of Bathing the Buddha, the benefits of Bathing the Buddha are as follows:
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One will enjoy wealth, happiness, good health, and longevity.
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One will have all their wishes fulfilled.
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One’s relatives, friends, and family will be in harmony.
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One will be distant from the Eight Sufferings, and severe the source of suffering permanently.
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One will realize enlightenment quickly.
Decorum while Bathing the Buddha
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Maintain a joyous state of mind and have faith in the merit of Bathing the Buddha while joining palms and bowing to the Buddha.
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Fill the ladle with fragrant water mindfully.
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While Bathing the Buddha, take your time and contemplate the Dharma.
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Sprinkle water from the left shoulder of the Buddha and vow silently: I vow to stop doing evil deeds (i.e. do good deeds).
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Sprinkle water from the right shoulder of the Buddha and vow silently: I vow to cultivate good deeds (i.e. speak good words).
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Sprinkle water from the left shoulder of the Buddha again and vow silently: I vow to liberate all sentient beings (i.e. think good thoughts).
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After Bathing the Buddha, it is said that one is complete in faith and vow while blessed with virtue and merit. Make another bow to the Buddha to conclude the ceremony.
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