On Buddha’s Birthday, Buddha statues all around Hong Kong (and the rest of Asia) receive special treatment and are given a bath. It is said that this bathing ritual particular impressive and important at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, home to the world’s biggest outdoor seated Buddha. While I live on Lantua Island, I was put off by the massive queues and crowds trying to make their way up to the monestry. As it was one of the first really warm and sunny days in Hong Kong I decided to do some bathing myself and spend the day at the pool instead. I'm sure Buddha enjoyed his bathing as much as I did!
Buddha’s birthday public holiday is the ultimate embodiment of Hong Kong’s mixed cultures and spiritualities, as it also coincides with the Taoist Bun Festival on Cheung Chau Island. This festival is probably one of Hong Kong craziest with thousands of locals and tourist descending on the tiny island of Cheung Chau to watch men and women scramble up the side of a 18 meter ‘bun tower’ to pull off as many bread buns as they can. Originally, hundreds would climb up the tower but as a result of some serious incidents in the past - including the collapsing of the tower and people getting crushed - the event has been toned down in recent years with only 12 people participating in the final climb.
Another major part of the festival is the parade with floats and dragon dances through the streets of the Island. A highlight of the parade are the floats with children, dressed up as gods and hoisted up on a pole making it look like they are floating.
Happy Buddha and Bun day to all Buddhist and Taoists!
See you next time
sources:
http://gohongkong.about.com/od/hongkongfestivals/p/buddhasbirthday.htm
http://gohongkong.about.com/od/hongkongfestivals/a/cheungchau.htm)
