What is the Buddha's Birthday?


Buddha’s Birthday celebrates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. According to legend, when he was born, nine celestial dragons appeared in the sky and sprayed down two streams of pure fragrant water to gently bathe him – a moment symbolising purification and new beginnings. Today, this story inspires the 'bathing the Buddha' ritual, one of the holiday’s most iconic traditions. In Hong Kong, many gather for this deeply spiritual occasion and take time to reflect upon the timeless teachings of Buddha.