The Buddha taught that among all offerings, bathing the Buddha image is supreme, surpassing the merit of offering seven precious jewels equal to the sands of the Ganges. When bathing the image, one should use sandalwood (Bos taurus), white sandalwood, purple sandalwood, agarwood, frankincense, turmeric, borneol, Lingling perfume, patchouli, and other fragrances. Grind these into a fragrant paste on a clean stone and use it to make fragrant water, placing it in a clean vessel. In a clean place, construct an altar with good soil, either square or round, of appropriate size. Place a bathing platform on top, and in the center, place the Buddha image. Pour the fragrant water over it, cleansing it thoroughly, then pour clean water over it again. All water used must be filtered clean to avoid harming insects. Take the bathing water with two fingers, touch it to your head, and call it "auspicious water." Pour it onto clean ground, ensuring no one steps on it. With a soft, fine cloth, wipe the image clean. Burn various famous incenses, filling the area with their fragrance, and then return the image to its original place.
"Good man! By bathing the Buddha image in this way, you and other beings, human and divine, will receive wealth and happiness in this life, be free from illness, and enjoy a long life. All your wishes will be fulfilled. Your relatives and family will all be safe and peaceful. You will forever depart from the eight difficulties and be eternally free from the source of suffering. You will not be reborn as a woman and will quickly attain perfect enlightenment.
