The IBC observed "International Hanamatsuri" or the Buddha's birthday celebration at RKK's former headquarters in Tokyo on Sunday April 13.
This festival is known as "Flower Festival" suggesting the flower-filled Lumbini Garden, where Shakyamuni was born in the foothills of the Himalayas more than 2.500 years ago.
Worshippers poured amacha (sweet herb tea) over a small image of the infant Buddha standing in a miniature temple decorated with flowers.
According to an ancient legend, sweet dew rained down from the sky to bathe the new-born prince.
About 300 people of 19 different nationalities attended this event.
The ceremony started at 11:00 a.m. with the ritual offering to the Buddha, followed by the children's praising words to the Buddha, Dr. Brook Ziporyn's Dharma talk titled "Buddha's Eternal Life", the performance of the woodwind quintet from Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (TKWO), introduction of 15 distinguished guests, and the closing address by Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe, chairman of RKK board.
After the ceremony, they enjoyed socializing with refreshments, koto performance, tea ceremony, sutra calligraphy, and flower arrangement demonstration in the Shichokaku (Audio-Visual) Hall of Kosei Library.
You can also see the video for 2007 Hana-matusuri here
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