Nine-dragon Bathing Buddha in Dali

Nine-dragon Bathing Buddha in Dali

This statue of an young Buddha image was seen inside the Three Pagodas Complex in Dali.

The fountain of Nine-dragon Bathing the Prince is made according to the legend of nine-dragon bathing the Prince. The nine dragons and the Prince are finely carved with stones. The combination of the stone carvings and the hi-tech fountain fully shows the true effect of bathing Buddha.
In accordance with the custom of ancient India, women had to visit her parents’ home. When Sakyamuni was born, his mother, Madam Sirimahamaya went to the Lumbini Garden whimmily while passing it on her way to her parents’ home. When being under the flourishing Sal tree, she felt painful in her abdomen and then held on to the branch for support. And the infant (later Sakyamuni Buddha) came out from her oxter. Therefore it’s called “being born under the tree”. After he was born, he performed a miracle by walking seven steps, each step with a lotus flower. The gesture that one hand points to the sky and the other the earth means that Buddha is the highest one of the world. And then nine dragons flew here to sprinkle water to bathe him and it’s called “nine-dragon empowermen” . That day happened to be April 8 (Lunar calendar), when Bathing Buddha Festival or Buddha’s Birthday” is celebrated.