LIHU‘E — The birth of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni is on April 8, and the week starting April 1 is called Hanamatsuri Week, states a proclamation issued by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami to members of the Kaua‘i Buddhist Council and associated temple members at the Lihu‘e Civic Center, Mo‘ikeha Building on Monday.
Highlighting Hanamatsuri Week, the Kaua‘i Buddhist Council and associated Buddhist temples invite people to the annual Hanamatsuri service that will be held at Kaua‘i Soto Zen Temple in Hanapepe on April 7, starting at 9:30 a.m.
Special guest speaker for the day is Rev. Takayaki Meguro, who is the resident minister of the Lahaina Shingon Mission and the Kula Shingon Mission on Maui.
Siddhartha Gautama was born on the eighth day of the fourth month more than 2,500 years ago in Lumbini Flower Garden, which is located in Nepal.
Various rituals at the Hanamatsuri service are based on events at the time of Prince Siddhartha’s birth.
Highlighting the Hanamatsuri service, a shrine, or hanamido, decorated with many flowers is set up in from of the altar as a symbol of Lumbini Garden.
Inside the shrine, a statue of the infant Buddha, pointing his right hand toward the heavens and his left hand toward the earth is placed.
Attendees to the service pour sweet tea over the statue symbolizing the rains that fell over Lumbini Garden at the time of the prince’s birth. This ritual is known as “bathing the body of Buddha,” and the simplified reenactment of the Buddha’s birth signifies the glory and joy that filled the world at this event.
The heart of the teaching of Buddha is contained in the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism to move beyond earthly limitations to reach nirvana, a state of mind that is completely and permanently free of suffering.
A discussion on The Living Edens, Thailand PBS website offers a nice description on Buddhism and the Four Noble Truths.
The mayoral proclamation said meditation is at the heart of the Buddhist way of life, which through positive mind, develops love, compassion, wisdom, experience of peace and happiness, and embraces worldwide perspective beyond religious denominations.
Rev. Kenjun Kawawata, bishop of the Higashi Hongwanji, Hawai‘i District, said in 2022, “The celebration of Hanamatsuri is not only the celebration of the birth of one person who has lived in history. Hanamatsuri is an expression of our joy of living, to realize our connection to others, and the joy in being able to encounter the teachings of the Buddhaa, here and now.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
