摘要：佛陀为救度苦难的众生，依愿力受生出现于世，示现八相成道，指引众生从无明的生命状态中解脱出来，觉悟佛陀觉悟的真理，达到涅槃究竟的彼岸。As is recorded in the Sutra on Past and Present Causes and Effects, the crown prince (Siddhārtha) took seven steps right after his birth and proclaimed: “I am the most honored one among all heavenly and human beings. The innumerable endless cycles of life and death are exhausted today, and I will benefit all heavenly and human beings in this lifetime.” (At that moment) the Dragon King was spouting pure water from the sky on the prince’s body (to bathe him). Thereupon, to celebrate the birthday of Śākyamuni Buddha, the Buddhist monastics and laypeople also bathe the Buddha statue with fragrant water, burn incense, and offer flowers to pay homage to the Buddha, which has since become a tradition on this special day.。

农历四月初八，是汉传佛教的本师释迦牟尼佛圣诞纪念日，亦称浴佛节、佛诞节、龙华会等。

The eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar marks the birthday of Śākyamuni Buddha, which is also known as Bathing the Buddha Festival, Buddha’s Birthday Celebration, Dragon-Flower Assembly, etc.

据《过去现在因果经》中记载，太子诞生后自行七步，宣说：“我于一切天人之中最尊最胜，无量生死于今尽矣，此生利益一切人天。”龙王于虚空中吐清净水，灌太子身。因此在纪念佛陀诞辰时，佛教四众弟子亦以各种香汤灌洗佛像，燃香散花供佛，从而形成了佛诞浴佛的传统。

As is recorded in the Sutra on Past and Present Causes and Effects, the crown prince (Siddhārtha) took seven steps right after his birth and proclaimed: “I am the most honored one among all heavenly and human beings. The innumerable endless cycles of life and death are exhausted today, and I will benefit all heavenly and human beings in this lifetime.” (At that moment) the Dragon King was spouting pure water from the sky on the prince’s body (to bathe him). Thereupon, to celebrate the birthday of Śākyamuni Buddha, the Buddhist monastics and laypeople also bathe the Buddha statue with fragrant water, burn incense, and offer flowers to pay homage to the Buddha, which has since become a tradition on this special day.

不了解生命实相的众生，无量劫来一直处于造业、受报的生命状态，辗转六道，受业力支配不能自主。佛陀为救度苦难的众生，依愿力受生出现于世，示现八相成道，指引众生从无明的生命状态中解脱出来，觉悟佛陀觉悟的真理，达到涅槃究竟的彼岸。

Living beings who are not aware of the true original nature of life have been caught in a constant state of creating karma and receiving its retributions since immeasurable eons. Dominated by the power of karma, they have been transmigrating in the six realms without independence and freedom. The Buddha, who had aspired to save sentient beings from suffering, was born in this world by the power of his vows to demonstrate the Eight Stages of Buddha’s Progress, to free sentient beings from the ignorant state of life, so that they can awaken to the truth the Buddha had realized and reach the other shore of Parinirvana.

圣人不出，万古如长夜。两千五百多年前的这一天，圣者降世，使得此世的众生有了解脱的光明与希望。在此殊胜吉祥的日子，让我们感念佛恩，开启心光，走上觉悟的道路。

Without the appearance of sages, all ages would have been in eternal darkness. On the same day over two thousand and five hundred years ago, the Buddha was born, bringing light and hope of liberation to sentient beings in this world. On this extraordinary and auspicious occasion, let us remember the Buddha’s kindness with gratitude, bring forth the light within, and embark on the path to enlightenment.

翻译：北京龙泉寺翻译中心

Translated by: Beijing Longquan Monastery Translation Center