‘拜佛’ (bàifó) literally means ‘to bow to the Buddha’ and refers to the act of worshipping or paying respect to the Buddha in Buddhist practice. The first character 拜 (bài) means ‘to bow,’ ‘to worship,’ or ‘to pay homage,’ while 佛 (fó) means ‘Buddha’ — specifically Siddhartha Gautama or the enlightened one, not a generic deity. Together, they form a verb describing a ritualized physical and spiritual act that often includes bowing deeply, lighting incense, offering flowers or food, and reciting sutras.

This practice is common in temples, home altars, and during religious festivals like Buddha’s Birthday or Lunar New Year. It reflects reverence, gratitude, and a desire for wisdom or blessings. While rooted in Mahayana Buddhism, many Chinese people perform bàifó as part of cultural tradition rather than strict doctrinal observance — especially during auspicious occasions or times of personal need, such as seeking health or success.