Maui's Buddhist community will celebrate Hanamatsuri, the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha, at three locations Sunday.
At 9 a.m., the Rev. John Hara of Wailuku Jodo Mission will deliver the message at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku. Games, entertainment and a potluck lunch will follow. Sponsoring temples include the Kahului Hongwanji Mission, Kahului Jodo Mission, Makawao Hongwanji Mission, Wailuku Hongwanji Mission and Wailuku Jodo Mission. For more information, call the Rev. Shinkai Murakami at the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission office at 244-0406.
At 9:30 a.m., the Rev. Mariko Nishiyama, resident minister at Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, will speak at the mission. For information, call 661-0640.
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A statue of the infant Buddha reposes amid flowers that represent his birthplace at Lumbini Flower Garden, Nepal, on April 8 about 2,500 years ago. At Hanamatsuri celebrations Sunday, devotees will pour sweet tea over the statue to signify the sweet, cleansing rain that poured from two dragons over the infant 2 1/2 centuries ago.
At 10 a.m., the Rev. Kenji Oyama, resident minister at Paia Mantokuji Mission, will deliver the Dharma talk at Paia Mantokuji Mission, with entertainment by Mantokuji Taiko and Maui Ryukyu Cultural Group. For information, call 579-8051.
According to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, Shakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini Flower Garden, Nepal, on April 8 about 2,500 years ago.
When he was born, sweet, cleansing rain poured over the baby from two dragons. To memorialize this event, a flower shrine represents the garden, with an image of the infant Buddha within. Participants will pour sweet tea over the image.
Hanamatsuri is one of the most celebrated observances in the Buddhist traditions.
