Buddha Birthday celebrations throughout the world vary from place to place according to the different schools of the faith that have developed.
In Hong Kong, the birthday of Lord Buddha remains one of the largest Buddhist festivals and it is a National Holiday celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th moon in the Lunar calendar, normally in April or May on the Western calendar. In 2024 it will be on May 15, 2024.
The Three Great Golden Buddhas at Po Lin Monastery
On this occasion, Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout the territory are buzzing with activity...
... lanterns are lit to symbolize the Buddha's enlightment...
... altars are adorned with offerings and incense...
... and thousands of worshippers come to pay their respects and join in the celebrations...
Water plays an important part of the festivities as images of the Buddha are bathed to signify
spiritual purity.
Bathing of the Buddha Ceremonies
During this cleansing ritual which involves bowing and offering a prayer, a ladle is filled with water and poured over the Buddha statue.
The meaning of the rite is purification of your own soul.
Worshippers and the public can participate in the Bathing ceremonies as well as other activities including
- Group chanting and prayer sessions
- Vegetarian cooking demonstrations
- Kung fu and various cultural performances
2024 Lord Buddha's Birthday Celebrations in Hong Kong
May 15, 2024
This is a wonderful week to visit some of Hong Kong's buddhist temples and shrines as they will be bustling with activity. It is a great way to get a peek into the old traditions and customs of Hong Kong.
Here's what's going on at some of the city's most notable venues:
- Buddha Birthday Celebrations at the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
- Hong Kong Buddhist Association Celebrations at the Hong Kong Coliseum
- Buddha Bathing Ceremonies and Celebrations at the Chi Lin Nunnery Celebrations
- Celebrations at the 10,000 Buddha Monastery
- Buddha's Birthday Carnival at Victoria Park
The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery Events
One of the major celebrations in Hong Kong takes place at the Po Lin Monastery in Lantau Island where the Tian Tan Big Buddha sits nearby.
This is also one of Hong Kong's major attractions and one of our favorite day trips. Getting there with the fantastic Ngong Ping Cable Car is the icing on the cake.
What?: Buddha Bathing Ceremony
When?: May 15, 2024 - various times
Where?: The Hall of the Great Hero
How Much?: FREE
In addition, religious services and the Great Compassion Repentance Service during the Buddha's Birthday is normally held during the week leading to the Buddha Birthday celebration.
More Info:
- Getting there with the Ngong Ping Cable Car
- About Tian Tan, Hong Kong's Big Buddha
- DIY Big Buddha Day Trip Options
- HKTB Hong Kong Cultural Festivals
- Buy Ngong Ping Cable Car Discount Tickets
- Po Lin Monastery FB Page
Hong Kong Buddhist Association Events
This organization has been hosting large-scale "Bathing Buddha" ceremonies since 1999.
In 2012, a special celebration took place when the Association organised a Grand Blessing Ceremony dedicated to all citizens of Hong Kong to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the handover to China.
The highlight of the celebration was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Buddha's Parietal-bone Relic which was brought to Hong Kong for the first time. This relic is believed to be a part of the skull of the Supreme Buddha Sakyamuni, the only known in the world and naturally one of the highest spiritual objects in Buddhism.
The Hong Kong Buddhist Association will hold a Festival to celebrate the Buddha's birthday with the public. The three-day celebration will include the Bathing of the Buddha Ceremony, Buddhist Lectures, Diamond Sutra Auspicious Chanting Ceremony, Auspicious Lantern Dharma Ceremony, Ten Thousand People Convert Ceremony and more.
Non-Buddhists are also welcome to join.
What?: Buddha's Birthday Festival
When?: May 15 - 17, 2024
Where?: The Hong Kong Coliseum
More Info: www.hkbuddhist.org (In Chinese), visit their FB page or call +852 2574 9371 for details.
The Chi Lin Nunnery Celebrations
The Chi Lin Nunnery is located in the Diamond Hill District and it is in one word blissful... Truly an oasis of calmness and beauty and worth a visit, during the Buddha Birthday celebrations or at any other time during the year. Specially when combined with a visit to the nearby Nan Lian Gardens:
What?: Buddha Bathing Ceremonies and Celebrations
When?: TBC May 15, 2024 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where?: Chi Lin Nunnery
How Much?: FREE
More Info:
The 10,000 Buddha Monastery
In Sha Tin, the New Territories, this is also a great place to check out the celebrations. There is a steep climb to reach the Monastery, but it is well-worth it! Not recommended for wheelchair-bound travellers.
What?: Buddha Bathing Ceremonies and complimentary vegetarian noodles
When?: TBC - May 15, 2024 - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where?: Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery
How Much?: FREE first-come-first-served
More Info:
- About the Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery and Getting There
- Official site www.10kbuddhas.org (In Chinese)
Buddha's Birthday Celebrations by the Buddha's Light International Association
Organised by the Buddha's Light International Association of Hong Kong, this is normally a big celebration with tens of thousands of people attending at Victoria Park.
The celebrations include a vegetarian food fair, carnival games, a flower show, arts and crafts, as well as a "Kid's Paradise" entertainment zone.
The public takes part in rituals such as bathing the Buddha, wish-making, meditating, and sutras calligraphy, which serve to purify one's mind.
When?: May 15, 2024
Where?: Victoria Park.
How Much?: FREE
More Info: The Buddha's Light International Association or check their FB Page
Here's more on Hong Kong Religion, Traditions and Temples.
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