The birth of Shakyamuni Buddha was the very first step toward the beginnings of Buddhism. It was said in the old Indian tale that the sweet and fragrant warm water poured gently over the newborn baby in the flower garden of Lumbini in northern India (now Nepal), suggested that he would be the Buddha in later years.
It has been over 2,500 years since the Honored One, from whom so many people in the world have received teachings, was born. Presently, we still continue to celebrate “Hanamatsuri,” Shakyamuni Buddha’s birthday, here on Maui far away from India.
This year we celebrate our annual Paia Hanamatsuri at Rinzai Zen Mission on Sunday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m. with members of the Mantokuji Mission and our guests from Japan, Rev. and Mrs. Matsui, Rev. Hoshi, Rev. Kajiro, and Rev. Chisaka.
We will have a dinner for our guests on Saturday, April 6, at 6:00 p.m. We are going to decorate the Hanamido that evening too. Please join with our honored guests for dinner, which will be provided, and with flowers for the Buddha.
