Manitoba Buddhist Temple
a Mahayana Buddhist temple in the Jodo Shinshu tradition
Hanamatsuri
In Japan, Buddha's Birthday is celebrated on April
8, but is not a national holiday. On this day, all
temples do celebratory events/festivals called
Hanamatsuri or Flower Festival.
The first event was held at Asuka-dera in 606. Japanese people pour ama-cha (a beverage prepared from a variety of hydrangea) on small Buddha statues decorated with flowers, as if they bathe a newborn baby.
Hanamatsuri
Japanese Buddhist temples traditionally celebrate the
birth of the Shakyamuni Buddha, the Indian prince who
founded the Buddhist philosophy, in April at the time of
the Japanese spring flower festival, Hanamatsuri.
Children participated in rituals symbolic of the
historical Buddha's birth more than 2,500 years ago. They
poured sweet tea over a statue of the baby Buddha,
symbolizing the gentle rain that fell at his birth in
Lumbini Garden.
Entrance of the Children
Candle Lighting Ceremony
Bathing of the Baby Buddha
Bathing of the Baby Buddha
"Hand Clapping Dance"
"Festival of the Drum"
"Hanamatsuri Dance"
Joanne and Sensei "Simple Things"
Finale, Grant Miyai