The Feast of Buddha (Feast of the Bathing of Lord Buddha) is a notable holiday in Macau, taking place every 8th day of the fourth lunar month each year.
It is said to be the birthday of the revered spiritual leader and a wonderful way to observe Buddhist traditions.
Feast of Buddha (Feast of the Bathing of Lord Buddha), 2024 Dates
All temples around the country that have an image of the Buddha undergo a cleansing, though the number one destination to witness these events is the Pou Tai Un Monastery in Taipa. This temple has long been the centre of the festivities, and inside is a massive Buddha statue made entirely out of bronze and two other images of Buddha.
When observing the Feast of Buddha (Feast of the Bathing of Lord Buddha) at the Pou Tai Un Monastery, one can’t help but notice how picturesque the temple is. It was constructed primarily to honour Gautama Buddha back in the 19th century. Through the centuries, Buddha’s devotees have been instrumental in helping expand the temple; they have added pavilions as well as a statue of Kun Iam. Meanwhile, monks reside in a nearby building.
This holiday is one of the most important Buddhist holidays. Buddhists worldwide use this opportunity to visit temples and partake in the rituals of bathing the images, usually with holy water and perhaps a copper spoon.
Worship rituals follow after bathing, including fun activities such as devotees pouring water on one another, dragon boat racing, and other events.
The Feast of Buddha (Feast of the Bathing of Lord Buddha) is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Macau’s local culture.
